Maxi Dolphin
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersBrescia, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Maxi Dolphin firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Maxi Dolphin
- Legal name
- Maxi Dolphin di MD Technologies Srl
- Website
- https://maxidolphin.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Maxi Dolphin industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Yacht Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Boat Building (336612), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (33661)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Custom Yacht Building & One-Off Projects (IMAJAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAC), Luxury Yacht Prototype, One-Off & Concept Build Programs (IMAJAMAL), Luxury Yacht Refit, Rebuild & Lifecycle Upgrades (MRO) (IMAJAMAJ), Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAA), Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM), Yacht Tenders & Auxiliary Leisure Craft Manufacturing (IMAJAEAO)
Keywords
Where Maxi Dolphin is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brescia
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Maxi Dolphin business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Yacht Construction: Design and build custom sailing and motor yachts for individual clients. Each vessel is a unique, one-off piece. Revenue recognized upon delivery of completed vessels. Projects range from daysailers to 36-meter maxi yachts.
- Brokerage and Management Services: Brokerage and management services for motor and sailing yachts, facilitating rental or sale of vessels to allow boat owners to fulfill their passion with unique pieces.
- Refit and Restoration: Refit and restoration services, as demonstrated by the restoration of Azzurra 83 (1983 America's Cup challenger), which occupied Maxi Dolphin workers for 6,000 hours.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels9 records
Maxi Dolphin product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Maxi Dolphin designs and builds custom sailing and motor yachts, each a unique one-off vessel tailored to individual client specifications. Projects range from 8-meter day sailers (Dolphin 81) to 36-meter maxi yachts, built in collaboration with world-renowned naval architects using advanced composite materials and proprietary construction technologies. The company also provides brokerage, management, and refit/restoration services.
Product overview
Maxi Dolphin is an Italian custom yacht builder (di MD Technologies Srl) offering a portfolio of bespoke sailing and motor yachts. Their sailing portfolio includes models ranging from 8m to 36m designed by renowned naval architects including Botin Partners, Alejandro Bottino, Luca Brenta, Mark Mills, Guillaume Verdier, Finot-Conq, Bruce Farr, and Germán Frers. The powerboat range spans from 14m to 22m by designers like Roberto Starkel, Nauta Design, and Francesco Rogantin. The company operates from a 2,700+ square meter facility with a 40-meter oven for composite curing, using advanced construction technologies including Sprint system (pre-preg composite), wet lay-up carbon fiber, and female mould construction. Maxi Dolphin also produces the Dolphin81 one-design racing sailboat. All vessels are custom-built to owner specifications with extensive personalization options for interiors, deck layouts, and technical equipment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Dolphin 81: One-design sailing yacht class launched in 1993, designed by Ettore Santarelli. The class has a fleet of 130 yachts with strong presence on Lake Garda, Switzerland, and the Upper Adriatic.
Products and services
- MD78 A 23.95m cruiser-racer with carbon fiber construction, lifting keel, designed by Giovanni Ceccarelli Yacht Design for long cruises and offshore regattas.
- MD75 Karma Award-winning 22.86m super-fast cruiser by Mark Mills, built in Corecell and carbon fiber sandwich with lifting keel, winner of 'Sailing Yacht 2020' award.
- MD63 Futura A 19.20m fast cruiser with refined style by Botin Partners, featuring CFD-developed hull lines and minimalist deck design.
- MD55 Zurbagan A 16.76m cruiser with easy sailer layout by Botin Partners, featuring electric auxiliary engine powered by solar panels.
- MD62ab A cruiser-racer designed by Alejandro Bottino, available in two versions: Deriva (2020) with lifting keel, and Ekita (2022) for Mini Maxi racing.
- MD65 Series A series of semi-custom sloops by Luca Brenta, produced in five variants (Only Lu, Mariposa, Charis, Aegir, Adastra) from 2002-2011 with different interior layouts.
- MD38 Arrayan An 11.60m project by Botin Partners born from Spanish owner's passion, combining day cruiser and racer characteristics for owner-driver racing class.
- MD100 Nomad IV A 30.48m 'fastest 100-foot cruiser in the world' by Finot-Conq with minimalist interior design, lifting keel, and crew quarters.
- MD67 Shamlor A 19.50m sailing yacht by Alex de Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier featuring canting keel, lifting dagger board, wing mast, and Nautical Design Awards winner.
- MD118 Viriella A 36m maxi yacht by Germán Frers (2001) built with composite materials, carbon fiber mast, lifting keel, and displacement of 130 tonnes.
- TP52 Astro A 15.85m TP52 class racing yacht by Luca Brenta built in pre-preg carbon fiber with Nomex core, debuted at 2006 Breitling Cup.
- MD33 A 9.90m day sailer entirely designed by Maxi Dolphin with state-of-the-art water lines, composite construction, and racer equipment.
- MD70 Power A 21.60m fast luxury cruiser with variable-geometry hull developed with CFD, Sprint construction system, available in support boat and walk-around cruising versions.
- MD51 Power A 15.42m power yacht by Roberto Starkel combining 1930s design aesthetics with modern composite construction using Sprint system, featuring Volvo Penta IPS600 engines.
- MD48 Power A 14.62m tender built for Pier Luigi Loro Piana's My Song, designed by Nauta Design with Cummins engines, inspired by Patrol Boats.
- MD51 Power Open Open version of MD51 Power featuring large cockpit with sofas and dinette combined with comfortable interiors.
- MD63 Powerboat An 18.98m powerboat combining classic lobster boat aesthetics with modern lines, customizable as daycruiser/weekender or tender/chase boat.
- Dolphin 81 One Design An 8.10m one-design sailboat by Ettore Santarelli since 1993, with fleet of 130 yachts primarily on Lake Garda, Switzerland, and Upper Adriatic.
- Yacht Brokerage and Management Services Brokerage and management services for motor and sailing yachts, facilitating rental or sale of vessels to allow boat owners to fulfill their passion.
- Refit and Restoration Services Refit and restoration services for classic and contemporary yachts, as demonstrated by the 6,000-hour restoration of the Azzurra 83 America's Cup challenger.
Quantifiable outcome
- 300+ Dolphin 81 one-design yachts built and active in racing fleets since 1993
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Maxi Dolphin
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Maxi Dolphin technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Maxi Dolphin partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, important, regular and minor.
- Botin & PartnerscoreSpanish naval architecture studio that has collaborated with Maxi Dolphin on multiple projects including MD55, MD63, and MD80. Botin & Partners designs hull lines and overall parameters, while Maxi Dolphin handles construction using their advanced composite technologies.
- Giovanni Ceccarelli Yacht DesigncoreItalian yacht designer who created the MD78 project. The collaboration combines Ceccarelli's naval architecture with Maxi Dolphin's construction expertise and proprietary carbon fiber wet lay-up technology.
- Luca BrentacoreItalian yacht designer who collaborated with Maxi Dolphin from 1999 onwards, producing multiple successful projects including the MD65 series (5 units) and TP52 Astro. Known for clean, minimalist designs.
- Nauta DesignimportantDesign studio that provided interior design for MD75 Karma, featuring lightened sandwich fittings and panelling made with open-pore oak and light-coloured fabrics.
- Hall SparsregularSupplier of carbon fiber masts and booms for Maxi Dolphin yachts, including MD78 and CrossCurrent 33 Day Racer.
- Southern SparsregularSupplier of carbon fiber mast for MD118 Viriella, demonstrating Maxi Dolphin's use of premium rigging suppliers.
- HarkenregularDeck equipment supplier providing hardware including hydraulic winches for Maxi Dolphin yachts.
- CariboniregularHydraulic systems partner for lifting keel technology, particularly for the MD78 project where they developed a specialized hydraulic piston system for keel adjustment.
- Advanced Mechanical SolutionsimportantStructural engineering partner for MD70 Power, collaborating on variable-geometry hull development using CFD programs.
- Studio Rogantin (Names by Francesco Rogantin)regularHull design partner for MD70 Power and MD48 Power, providing waterline design expertise using CFD analysis.
- Fisv and Federazione Italiana VelaminorSports organizations that selected Dolphin 81 One Design as the official boat for the 2024 University World Championships organized by Fraglia Vela Desenzano.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Maxi Dolphin competitors and assessment
Company assessmentPeers
Direct peers
- Royal Huisman: Dutch builder of large custom sailing superyachts and motor yachts, with a similar one-off build model, in-house composite expertise, and use of leading external naval architects. Directly comparable on project scale, clientele, and builder reputation.
- Nautor's Swan: Iconic Finnish builder of high-performance custom and semi-custom sailing yachts, comparable in size and target market (UHNW owners seeking performance sailing yachts with strong designer pedigrees). Both compete in the same European custom sailing maxi segment.
- Perini Navi: Italian builder historically focused on large custom sailing yachts (30m+), with in-house design and refit capabilities. Closest Italian large-sailing-yacht peer before its restructuring.
- Baltic Yachts: Finnish custom sailing yacht builder specializing in advanced composite construction and high-performance cruisers/racers, including projects with Botin & Partners and other top designers. Overlaps directly with Maxi Dolphin's sailing maxi value proposition.
- Southern Wind Shipyard: Italian-built (Cape Town facility) semi-custom and full-custom sailing yachts in the 24–35m segment, frequently using designers like Reichel/Pugh and Nauta. Directly comparable on size, performance focus, and Mediterranean client base.
- Vitters Shipyard: Dutch boutique builder of custom sailing superyachts, similar in scale and bespoke-build philosophy. Targets the same UHNW segment seeking one-off high-performance sailing yachts.
Broad incumbents
- Pershing (Ferretti Group): Italian performance motor yacht brand within Ferretti Group, competing in the high-end powerboat segment where Maxi Dolphin's MD51/MD70 Power and MD48 Power operate. Broader portfolio and dealer network than Maxi Dolphin.
- Sanlorenzo: Italian luxury yacht builder (publicly listed) with a mix of planing motor yachts, superyachts, and a sailing line (Bluegame). Operates at broader scale but competes for overlapping UHNW clients commissioning bespoke projects.
Emerging players
- Wally (Ferretti Group): Premium sailing and motor yacht brand now part of Ferretti Group, known for high-end design collaborations. Comparable in designer-driven custom luxury positioning, though backed by a larger corporate parent.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Maxi Dolphin social profiles
Digital presenceMaxi Dolphin financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Maxi Dolphin leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Maxi Dolphin funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Maxi Dolphin M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Maxi Dolphin
What does Maxi Dolphin do?
Maxi Dolphin designs and builds custom sailing and motor yachts, each a unique one-off vessel tailored to individual client specifications. Projects range from 8-meter day sailers (Dolphin 81) to 36-meter maxi yachts, built in collaboration with world-renowned naval architects using advanced composite materials and proprietary construction technologies. The company also provides brokerage, management, and refit/restoration services.
Is Maxi Dolphin a public or private company?
Maxi Dolphin is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Maxi Dolphin founded?
Maxi Dolphin was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Maxi Dolphin based?
Maxi Dolphin is headquartered in Brescia, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Maxi Dolphin make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Yacht Construction is the primary driver. The others are brokerage and Management Services and refit and Restoration.
Who are Maxi Dolphin's main competitors?
Azimut|Benetti is listed as a peer. Direct peers are Royal Huisman, Nautor's Swan, Perini Navi, Baltic Yachts, Southern Wind Shipyard and Vitters Shipyard. Broad incumbents are Pershing (Ferretti Group) and Sanlorenzo. Wally (Ferretti Group) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Maxi Dolphin have an API?
No public API is recorded for Maxi Dolphin.
What industry is Maxi Dolphin in?
Maxi Dolphin's product category is Luxury Yacht Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAEAL, Custom Yacht Building & One-Off Projects, with a secondary code of IMAJAMAC, Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336612 and its SIC code is 3730.