- Iconic Roman Shipyard CANADOS keeps strengthening its position on the market of fast open yachts with the announcement of a new model, the GLADIATOR 571 BLADE.

- Just presented to its dealer network, the first four Gladiator 571 have been reserved.

- The Gladiator Line consists of 7 models from 41’ to 96’, all characterized by superior performances, extreme luxury, endless customization and unique construction quality.

THE GLADIATOR PHILOSOPHY

Capitalizing on over seven decades of luxury yacht building, Canados started producing the Gladiator line of boats aiming at bringing to the market the quality, the flexibility and customization levels that were only available on large yachts so far.

With models capable from 37 up to 85 knots, depending on the power packages, all Gladiators offer the market’s best consumption to mile ratio; thanks to superior naval architecture and advanced composite construction.

The new Gladiator 571 Blade remains loyal to the Gladiator/Canados D.N.A. with the same priorities given to:

• Excellent weight to power ratio allowing for reduced consumption per nautical mile;
• Modern and aggressive yet elegant timeless design;
• Gigantic outdoor living space;
• Outstanding luxury and perfect in and out fit and finish;
• Canados signature hand build customized interiors with almost limitless choices.

ABOUT THE GLADIATOR 571 DESIGN

The exterior design of the Gladiator 571 Blade is the result of a close collaboration between Canados Engineering and young Roman design firm Satura Studio.

Canados extrapolated the 571 design from one of its best sellers, the Gladiator 493, of which it retains the most successful features such as gigantic aft and fore sun pads, fore deck build in loungers, central steering position.

While required to keep the family style, Francesco Viola, the head of Satura, was asked to incorporate new features such as the reversed sofa above the swimming platform to appeal to watersports addicted clients, cockpit’s side fenders lockers, built-in foredeck reversed armchairs, generous tender garage.

But the most challenging part of the design process has probably been to retain the purity of a modern-classic design when creating the outboard version which, equipped with 3 or 4 of the new Mercury V12-600 hp engines, would still look sexy. Incorporating in the design a one-piece hardtop and double curve windshield was also not easy task.

Circulation onboard was another priority with only one step from the aft sun pad to the foredeck and a fully stepless cockpit.

With a performance-oriented model, which base version will run an honorable 36 knots with only twin Volvo D11-725 HP up to well over 50 knots, safety was essential. Thus, like onboard the 493, the walk-around concept has been retained and the protection of the bulwarks is such that even young kids will be able to move around the boat at high speed.

THE TECHNICAL ASPECT

While most builders are creating a style and a GA before designing a hull that could eventually fit the design, Canados works in the opposite way.

The shipyard defines the desired level of performances at cruising and maximum speeds, the power to speed ratio from which results the burn per mile and the range. The inception process of the technical platform and design of the Gladiator 571 Blade was no different.

Canados first designed the hull and conducted the first Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Once obtained the desired results, the shipyard’s technical office and Satura were able to start on the design. In the meantime, they started manufacturing scale 1/9^th models to initiate a tank testing campaign at the Rome based CNR (Center for National Research).

The CNR allowed Canados to do its testing in their 470-meter/1540 feet-long pool. As much as CFD is a useful tool, to Canados, it is not enough.  The shipyard’s reputation of building the best and most performing hulls is not the result of chance. It is the result of a scientific approach that leaves no room for unknown.

Four different tank-testing sessions were necessary to arrive where Canados wanted to be. Over 70 pool runs were necessary to evaluate the hull responsiveness, comfort and stability in various conditions to finalize the naval architecture of the Gladiator 571. With a plan to offer this model with three different propulsions, shafts, surface shafts and outboards, runs were conducted at 30, 35, 40, 50, 55 and 60 knots to make sure handling was optimized at all speeds.

Giovanni Senatore, long time Canados head engineer and surely one of Italy’s most knowledgeable and respected naval architect often says “Nature doesn’t give anything for free”. And this saying is even more accurate when it comes to the impact of weight on performances and consumption.

Therefore, the Gladiator 571 Blade will be entirely built of vacuum-bagged E-Glass while all components such as hard top, roll bar, exterior galley, sofas and sun pad will be made of carbon fiber. As a result, the boat is about 10 to 30% lighter than its closest competitors.

Gladiator’s quest for speed is not ego driven, as the company is not necessarily trying to be the fastest one on the water on a kilo run. The true quest stands in reaching the best possible hull finesse, comfort and efficiency. This drives Canados boats to be faster, for sure, but what counts when comparing boats at a same given speed is the power it will need to reach that speed. All cabins floor are structural and made of composite to achieve lighter weight and rigidity. When at equivalent speed, one boat needs 15% less power than the other, consumption goes down, cost goes down, range increases and owner is smiling.

COMFORT AND LUXURY

Apart from the comfort of its exterior layout with its various social spaces, one can enjoy at anchor or underway, the Gladiator 571 Blade calls for the best components available on the market. And what the shipyard can’t find with an A+ suppliers, Canados has it custom-made. This goes from inner-lighted grab handles to stainless steel spider hinges, carbon fiber hooks or diesel tank filler taps and the list goes on.

As well, the Gladiator 571 is entirely painted in Awlgrip^® as part of the standard specification. Not only the boat will still look good year after year, it also allows clients to choose the colors of their hull, deck, superstructure, roll bar, hardtop or components among a 4000-reference color palette.

As much as the Gladiator 571 Blade is a pure day-cruiser, she can be used for serious cruising, thanks to the comfort and volume of her interiors, the presence of a tender garage for a 2.8-meter jet RIB and a double curve windshield joined to the hard top that will protect the cockpit even in adverse weather.Her interior layout and comfort will not limit the boat to day or short cruises.

Range varies, depending on the engine package, between 240 and 350 nm at cruise speed.

The interiors of the 571 Blade were left to Satura’s choice in terms of architecture. They opted for a somehow automotive style while still allowing the Canados carpentry division enough latitude to express their art in the details and unlimited choices of wood essence, finish, inserts and so on.

Here too, the Gladiator’s philosophy is to let an owner express him/herself in the style, décor, material, colors or fabrics of his/her boat. As usual onboard a Gladiator, all the upholstery is made of Poltrona Frau® premium Italian leather, the same used by Ferrari for its seats.

As part of the standard, the Gladiator 571 Blade is offered with three different layouts, with no supplement:

• 2 cabins, 2 baths, saloon and captain’s cabin;
• 3 cabins, 2 baths and saloon;
• 3 cabins, 2 baths and captain’s cabin.

It goes without saying, that an owner willing a specific one-off layout will be able to have a specially built interior to fit his exact needs and desires.

FLEXIBITLITY AND PERFORMANCES

Canados perfectly understands clients are not all into performances, but are truly attentive to reliability and simplified maintenance, the model will offer a lot of flexibility in terms of engine choices and performances including classic shafts transmissions. The Gladiator 571 is available with seven different power packages.

SHORT SPECIFICATION GLADIATOR 571 BLADE

Dimensions are approximative. Tanks capacities are indicative information and might vary depending on temperature and barometric pressure.

ENGINES AND PERFORMANCES

Straight Shafts Transmissions:

2x Volvo D11-725 hpwith propeller shafts

Maximum speed: 36 Knots +/- 3% - Cruise speed: 30 Knots

2x MAN I6 - 750 hp with shaft transmissions

2x MAN i6-750 hpwith propeller shafts

Maximum speed: 37 Knots +/- 3% - Cruise speed: 31 Knots +/- 3%

Surface Drives:

2x MAN i6-850 hpwith JDM Special Surface Drives

Maximum speed: 43 Knots +/- 3% - Cruise speed: 36 Knots +/- 3%

2x Volvo D13 R5 - 1000 hpwith JDM Special Surface Drives

Maximum speed: 48 Knots +/- 3% - Cruise speed: 40 Knots +/- 3%

2x Scania Nanni N16 CR3 – 1150 hpwith JDM Special Surface Drives

Maximum speed: 51 Knots +/- 3% - Cruise speed: 42 Knots +/- 3%

Outboards:

3x Mercury V12 - 600 hpDuoProp with 2 speed gearboxes

Maximum speed: 44 Knots +/- 3% - Cruise speed: 37 Knots +/- 3%

4x Mercury V12 - 600 hpDuoProp with 2 speed gearboxes

Maximum speed: 54 Knots +/- 3% - Cruise speed: 42 Knots +/- 3%

WHAT MAKES GLADIATOR REALLY DIFFERENT