Gobbi 375SC Sportscruiser

There's a good bit of the Sophia Loren in the gobsmacking gorgeous Gobbi 375 - if not in the voluptuous figures gracing the boat in the brochure, then in the curvaceous bumps and curves that set this Italian-made beauty apart.

The Gobbi is a uniquely stylish boat. You'll find all the smart touches peculiar to European sportscruisers, engineering marvels that only the Italians can dream of, and a finish that is (without any hint of exaggeration) among the best I've seen afloat.

The mouldings, attention to detail and interior decorating of this 37-footer could well pave the way for other brands. Whereas convention all too often dictates the design of production boats, the Italians have a knack of thinking outside the square.

So it is with the 375. Built in stainless steel moulds that cost, says the local importer, several million dollars (not lira) to set up, the boat exhibits perfection in the panels, a degree of intricacy not seen in other layouts, and more sexy sculpturing than boats twice its length.

Another distinguishing feature is the 'Tifosi' factor. There are the best designer fittings money can buy, perfect burl-maple timber paneling, decorator fabrics, and ingenuity which reflects the old proverb - "Volere e potere..." (Where there is a will, there is an Italian way).

DAYTIME FRIEND
The transom is a case in point, with lines reminiscent of armrests on a big sofa. Yet there is practicality to the raked edges, which won't get in the way when berthing. The mouldings also help protect the sterndrive legs set back under the boarding platform.

A retractable pasarelle, perfect for stern-in mooring, is the first thing I saw on the Gobbi. The transom also hides a clever folding ladder, dedicated lockers for the fenders, and a freshwater shower running off an internal mixer. Storage for an inflatable tender isn't far away.

Again, for entirely practical reasons, the gunwale line is raised for passenger protection in the cockpit, while for looks it rolls down into a deck line with some go-fast reverse sheer. Access around the cabin to the foredeck is made easy by moulded steps in the cockpit and flat side decks.

Designed for daytime entertaining, the Gobbi cockpit is graced with seating for six around a big table on the starboard-side. The wraparound lounge and alfresco lunch table converts into a giant sunpad, just in case the giant sunpad in the bow isn't enough.

Backed by a rail, the bow is the perfect place to get a tan. It's also where you'll find a recessed electric anchor winch, bowsprit and four bollards. Engine access is back under the cockpit sole, which lifts on hydraulic rams at the press of a button.

Big, dressy breathers ensure the twin Volvos are kept well-fed with cool dense air, while guests are looked after by a classy amenities centre on the portside of the cockpit. Included in the semi-circular moulding are sink, fridge, storage space and drinks holder.

Ahead of this is an ergonomically-designed, aft-facing co-pilot's seat. It's the perfect place to park 'Madonna' during those parades about the waterways.

The skipper's helmseat is a two-person wide bench.

There is an overhead targa arch - dubbed a rollbar in the brochure! - with built-in side windows, recessed stereo speakers, and lights. A taut canopy was mounted from this targa, though the Gobbi looks better without it.

The helm on the Gobbi 375 offers a clear view of the traffic ahead and excellent protection from wind. We had the canopy up during the test because it apparently took some effort to pack it away.

Driven just as easily seated as standing, the helm comes with burl inlays and a spread of standard gauges including rudder indicator, hour meter, compass, log/echo sounder, horn, fuel gauge for the stainless tank, and the usual Volvo engine panels. Naturally, the steering is power-assisted, but the throttles are dual-lever affairs instead of the easier singles.

As a boat for cruising and socialising in style, the Gobbi 375 works well. The helm isn't too far from the cockpit lounges and seats to carry on a conversation. If you must have the canopy up, then it's good to see there is at least headroom beneath it.

PALAZZO ON THE WATER
Down below is where the Gobbi gets really interesting. Probe the corners and recesses of the two-cabin layout and you'll see how much thought has gone into the design. No matter where you look, the consular finish is dazzling.

The finish includes shiny cream-coloured moulded walls with burl-maple on all vertical surfaces, storage cupboards with designer knobs, mood lighting, cute windows with stylish blinds, and a headliner with mock ostrich-skin accent panels.

A dinette in the saloon can seat four for dinner on plush lounges covered in a camel-coloured Tuscan print with leaf motif. The lounge is set around an eye-catching burl-wood table. The forepeak and aft cabin bunks are finished in a green and blue Venetian print, with clear covers protecting the sand-coloured carpet running throughout the boat.

As there are separate oval doors to all cabins, the amidships saloon and galley can be isolated from the sleeping quarters. A television had been mounted on a shelf in the galley so as to face the dinette opposite. This dinette also converts to an impromptu double bed.

The galley comes with a sink, two-burner cooktop, oven, fridge and waste bin.

The main head is just forward and fully-lined, with blue-swirl benchtops, shower curtain, and a clever mirror with a wave pattern along its leading edge. Such are the details which make the Gobbi different.

There is space for another television in the main cabin in the bow, which has an offset double berth to create more floor space, plus reading lights, wardrobes, shelves, drawers and a dressing table with pouf.

The aft cabin is almost as inviting. Despite reduced space over the twin single beds, there is a dressing area with headroom and a good-size hanging locker. The cabin also has a moulded sink and an optional second head under a pouf, in effect creating a self-contained bedsit by the sea.

GADDING ABOUT
There are nuances about driving the Gobbi, just as you'd expect from a Latin thoroughbred. The hull is built to perform in open water and, as such, it has a fine entry and deep-vee. It takes a little tweaking of the trim tabs in cross winds or certain conditions to get the boat to sit upright.

But in this way, the Gobbi is a more interesting boat to drive. With a 15kt northeaster scuttling down Botany Bay, I had it running beautifully level and carving through the water without being at all wet.

With the twin diesel Volvo KAD44s putting out 260hp apiece, the hull exhibits a fast holeshot. According to the tacho, the port engine was spinning at 3200rpm and the starboard engine 3400rpm.

While the speedo couldn't be relied upon, due to an overzealous antifouling job, I gauged the boat to do around 32kt. It certainly felt faster than the 27kt shown on the dial.

Proving its sports tag, the 5300kg solid-glass hull was responsive and good fun to drive through tight turns.

Low-speed manoeuvrability was reassuring for berthing and the boat backed up reasonably well considering it has twin sterndrive legs. All of which helped make my time aboard more of a pleasure cruise than sweaty field work - only a full day and night would have made it better.

Though the Gobbi 375 is a production boat, it is something special. Every surface is perfectly fair, the joinery first-rate and the finish nothing if not chic. Which brings me to another Latin proverb - "Dimmi con chi rai chi ti diro chi sei..." (A man is known by the company he keeps). With the Gobbi, snagging Sophia Loren or those look-alikes in the brochure isn't out of the question...