In the yachting world, where performance and style are in constant pursuit, Mangusta has forged this perfect and measured balance, revolutionizing pleasure boating from its very inception. This year, the shipyard commemorates 40 years of audacious navigation, relentless innovation, and an aesthetic that has set industry standards for its ability to combine power and comfort on the water. Founded in 1985 in Viareggio by Giuseppe Balducci, the Overmarine Group stands today as one of the most authoritative players in global nautical excellence, leading the construction of Maxi Open yachts under the Mangusta brand since the early 1990s. The decision to name the product line “Mangusta” (Mongoose) carried clear symbolic weight – referencing the only animal capable of confronting and defeating a cobra, specifically the namesake line of Tecnomarine, which was a benchmark brand for fast open yachts at the time. Thus, since the 1990s, Mangusta has become synonymous with a radical vision, a challenge driven by speed and design, evolving into an international reference point for the creation of Maxi Open yachts.
The turning point and materialization of this ideal came in 1991, when the shipyard launched the Mangusta 80 Open. This unique 24-meter-plus sport yacht offered owners a vessel with a dynamic silhouette, a top speed of over 40 knots, and generous living spaces below deck.
Mangusta 80
Mangusta 92
Until then, open yachts had never reached a length of 80 feet, and, crucially, those seeking fast, sporty boats had to accept compromises in terms of space and liveability. The Mangusta 80 changed the rules, presenting itself as a large, high-performance, ultra-comfortable sport yacht, thereby introducing the concept of the Maxi Open.
Designed by Stefano Righini, it was a resounding success, confirmed by the production of 75 units. Crucial to the brand’s evolution was its intensive research and development dedicated to building large composite hulls – yachts with the structural qualities required to propel them at high speeds in absolute safety and maximum comfort. This was also bolstered by Effebi, a company within the Overmarine Group also owned by the Balducci family, specializing in the production of composite military vessels. Over the years, this expertise in large composite fabrication led to increasingly significant achievements, pushing the brand to innovate in open yachts exceeding 50 meters in length. Once again, collaboration with Stefano Righini marked a decisive turning point.
Following the success of iconic models like the Mangusta 92, 108, and 130, the Mangusta 165 was born: a maxi open that pushed the concept of speed and elegance to the extreme, reaching speeds of 38–40 knots. These vessels not only represent the brand’s relentless drive for innovation but also embody a style and quality capable of transcending time, thanks to their market presence for over two decades.
Modello precedente del Mangusta 165
Cantiere navale di Pisa, 2012
Since then, innovations have been continuous and constant, partly thanks to the construction of the new Pisa shipyard. Spanning 22,000 square meters, this facility allows for the simultaneous construction of multiple units, thus bringing the brand closer to displacement vessels.
In 2016, another revolution took place with the Mangusta Oceano 42, a result of the collaboration with designer Alberto Mancini. This 42-meter steel and aluminum yacht is part of the new long-range Mangusta Oceano line, comprising displacement vessels with extensive range for those who wish to travel the world in style, regardless of destination or distance.
Mangusta Oceano 42 Namastè
Another record was set in 2018 with the launch of the Mangusta GranSport 54 El Leon, the first Mangusta to have crossed oceans on a three-and-a-half-year circumnavigation, covering over 50,000 miles. And further, the Mangusta 104 REV and Mangusta 165 REV emerged as emblematic models of the new generation of open yachts designed by Igor Lobanov, who reimagined the brand’s classic lines for a contemporary aesthetic. This was achieved through expansive windows perfectly integrated into the yacht’s profile, a distinctive hallmark in the world of nautical design.
Mangusta 165 REV
And Mangusta GranSport, a line based on the ‘fast displacement’ naval platform, featuring yachts from 33 to 67 meters capable of high performance in displacement navigation mode, but also able to achieve higher speeds while ensuring absolute style and comfort.
Mangusta GranSport 54 El Leon
Maurizio Balducci & Katia Balducci
Today, Mangusta celebrates 40 years of history: four decades during which the shipyard has brought over 320 vessels to life, including more than 130 powered by waterjet propulsion and over 20 crafted from metal, demonstrating increasingly refined design versatility.
The Overmarine Group employs 198 staff and 600 external collaborators and boasts a production capacity spanning 210,000 sqm across 10 facilities in Viareggio, Massa, and Pisa. The Pisa facility recently underwent an expansion that doubled its production space. 2025 marks the beginning of significant new milestones: 26 vessels currently under construction, ranging from 32 to 54 meters, just some of the figures that illustrate solid and consistent growth. These achievements stem from Mangusta’s unwavering consistency in pursuing its vision year after year: “The solid roots of the past are the best guarantee for growing a valuable future.” This principle guides the shipyard, now led by the third generation of the founding family, still at the helm of the company’s operations. It’s a family spirit that has never stopped looking to the future: innovating with respect, evolving without ever betraying its origins.
