Cariboni Srl of Ronco Briantino (MB) also supplies the boats with hydraulic pumps and mechanical parts that bind the foils to the carbon hull.
by Marcello Frisone
Cariboni Srl of Ronco Briantino (MB) also supplies the boats with hydraulic pumps and mechanical parts that bind the foils to the carbon hull.
3 ‘of reading
They do not see each other. But it is those pieces that make the hull move in perfect harmony with the appendages (also) of Red Moon. Cylinders, joints, hydraulic pumps, valves and mechanical parts in titanium that bind the 2 foils (piece composed of the arm, the yellow part plus the black wing that has the flap like in airplanes) with the carbon hull. And the Cariboni Srl of Ronco Briantino (province of Monza and Brianza) – turnover in 2020 just over 5 million, in line with that of 2019 – to supply the boat sponsored by Prada e Pirelli the hydraulic equipment that is a necessary complement to the mast, hull and rudder.
From boat masts to cylinders
The Cariboni Srl is a family business founded by Gianni Cariboni in 1984 as a company specializing in the construction of masts for sailing boats. In addition to the founder, the owners are the sons Marco and Paola. The Brianza-based company designs and manufactures hydraulic equipment for sailing boats: for the America’s Cup it supplied the boats with titanium cylinders for moving the arms and titanium pieces for joining the arms to the cylinders and to the hull. For Luna Rossa, on the other hand, it supplied the entire hydraulic system, cylinders, pumps, valves, manifolds (oil distributors) and mechanical parts. The pieces for each team have been designed and produced ad hoc, according to the needs. In addition to the Cariboni family, there are 21 employees plus 5 freelancers who provide assistance and product installation services around the world.
Loading…
The start of the hydraulic system
It was in the early 90s that Cariboni began to change its production. In fact, it supplies an important hydraulic system to the boat Wallygatore by Luca Bassani (Current Nariida) Ketch Wally 100.The list is then enriched with many boats and facilities, including the Fila 60′ Open by Giovanni Soldini who in 1992 won the around alone. In 1997, thanks to Luna Rossa, it entered the world of the America’s Cup bringing innovative systems that reached up to 700bar. Over the years Cariboni has then participated as suppliers of various America’s Cup teams, winning it with Oracle Trimaran e Team New Zealand all Bermuda.
In 2003 MariCha IV with the canting keel system sets the record for crossing the Atlantic, then beaten by Comanche in 2016: this boat also has Cariboni equipment. All Volvo boats from 70 to 65 with canting keel and Cariboni system have won the Volvo Ocean Race. Finally, the Cariboni systems are also on Minimaxis and cruise boats such as Persico Marine, Solaris, Performance Boats, Wally, Southern Wind, Royal Huisman, Neo Yachts, Ice Yachts, Maxi Dolphin and the patent is always from the Brianza company. Magic trim, a hydraulic piston for managing the sails and maneuvers.
The impact of the pandemic
As in all companies in the world, the pandemic has also affected this sector. «2020 – explains Gianni Cariboni – it was a difficult year more than anything else for the management of an unpredictable event, as working with the whole world, the world did not stop everything together, so it was difficult to reorganize to be able to please everyone. Consider that we have supplied all 4 America’s Cup teams; if Europe was at a standstill, the United States and New Zealand initially proceeded. Certainly all the events were canceled (there were no regattas), so the boats were used very little and the uncertainty of the markets led to a general slowdown. Being the suppliers of all 4 teams (more or less) – continues the founder of the Ronco Briantino company – has always allowed us to work. We can consider ourselves lucky compared to other realities ».
Future predictions
After a sharp slowdown towards the end of 2020, the market is slowly moving. «The America’s Cup – they conclude Marco and Paola Cariboni – it created a lot of interest and revived the spirit of some owner intent on making a new boat. Surely 2021 will not be an easy year, but the contacts we have received in these first months give us hope for new projects that are very challenging in terms of design and production ».