Design and Construction
The hull and deck are hand-laid E-glass and vinylester laminate with a 30 mm foam core, while carbon-fibre reinforcements and a composite sub-frame with carbon unidirectionals carry the main structural loads anchor. Below the waterline a solid laminate runs along the centreline and around the keel and rudder areas. The standard lead T-keel has foam-filled cavities that can accept additional lead granulate to increase keel weight for offshore work. Polli kept the measured waterline short at 10.06 metres against an 11.65 metre hull length, with a narrow waterline beam producing a fine bow entry and a stern overhang. The hull is full amidships and tucks in aft, with heavily flared topsides and a pronounced but very flat round bulkhead at the stern; a chine toward the stern and a reverse counter stern give her a distinctive profile. A slim, deep rudder blade sits further forward than typical for a cruiser/racer, which makes steering immediate but demanding.
Rig and Handling
She uses a 9/10 fractional rig with twin aft-swept spreaders, discontinuous rigging, and a full-width chain-plate base, carrying a high-aspect sail plan with a minimally overlapping headsail and a mini square-top mainsail of 48 square metres. A German mainsheet system runs to just ahead of the twin wheels, and the traveller spans nearly the full cockpit width. Test sailors found her silky smooth and light on the helm, responsive and comfortable in both light airs and stronger breeze anchor. In 5 knots she slipped along at 3.8 to 4.0 knots upwind; with a building breeze and an A2 off the fixed bowsprit she matched wind speed near 110 degrees true, later reaching 7.0 to 7.5 knots in 10 knots. Writing in YACHT, testers recorded 7.2 knots upwind at 40 degrees true in 13 knots anchor. The flat hull sides are meant to engage at speed for stiffer upwind sailing and faster planing offwind. This is not a boat for beginners; her direct steering and complex design reward experienced hands.
Accommodations
The interior is laid out symmetrically from aft to bow, with two spacious aft cabins, a saloon with settee berths, and a forepeak double. The Bellissima version shows immaculate gloss white surfaces, warm diffused lighting, tall lockers, leather upholstery, and carbon-look paneling. Furniture is nearly all composite sealed with gelcoat, keeping weight low, though the saloon feels narrow and the forward berth is only 1.90 metres long built far into the bow. The galley to port and navigation station to starboard sit at the same height, and the nav worktop extends the small galley. The keel-stepped mast passes through the aft end of the folding saloon table, underscoring how far forward the cabin is set to free cockpit space.
Versions and Options
Italia Yachts offers the 11.98 as the Bellissima sporty-touring version with twin wheels, extendable cockpit benches, fixed bowsprit, and furling headsail, or the Fuoriserie regatta version with tiller, short thwarts, tuff-luff forestay, and symmetric spinnaker gear. Components can be mixed, so a regatta boat may carry twin wheels or a gennaker bowsprit. A water-ballast system of roughly 400 litres per side was planned, and a fin keel without a ballast bomb was in development for IRC at the time of the YACHT test but not yet detailed.
Known Issues
The deck non-slip is very effective but aggressively textured, a point test sailors noted with mixed feelings anchor. The composite fixtures are secured only lightly and may be pulled out for racing, which may concern cruisers who expect built-in solidity.
The Verdict
The Italia 11.98 is a sophisticated Mediterranean sports tourer that balances race-winning pace with genuine cruising comfort. Her short waterline, flat sides, and forward rudder make her quick and responsive, while the Bellissima interior delivers bright, well-finished living space. She demands a competent crew but rewards with performance and style.
Pros
- Short waterline with narrow beam keeps wetted surface low for light-air speed
- Carbon-reinforced sandwich construction with solid below-waterline laminate
- Symmetrical, bright three-cabin layout with clever dual-purpose nav/galley space
- Proven race record, including the 2019 ORC Worlds win by Sugar 3
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners given direct, challenging steering
- Saloon feels narrow and forward berth is short at 1.90 m
- Aggressive deck non-slip may discomfort bare feet
- Lightweight furniture only loosely anchored in place
