Mimi Libeccio 13.5 Cabin 2026 Review

The Libeccio is a cabin coastal cruiser with a traditional wheelhouse, while below deck are six berths. The Mimi range currently extends from 6.5m to 13.5m. Across the range, the Naples-based Cantiere Mimi yard has built more than 3000 hulls since its foundation in 1975. The design is based on the traditional workboats found along Italy's west coast, from Liguria to Sicily, renowned for their seaworthiness, carrying capacity and generous internal volume. These age-old designs have a high flared bow and lower freeboard amidships, while the stern provides a stable platform for fishermen; or in the case of the 13.5, a graduated swim platform for easy water access. The modern versions use fibreglass construction and streamlined styling to give a new twist, which is both classic and practical.

Walking down the dock in Drummoyne on Sydney Harbour, it's easy for me to spot the Libeccio (hull #13) in its dark blue livery and full-shaped hull below a sleek cabin. This boat is fitted with about $200k of extras, which brings the price to $1.58m. For that, you’re getting a joystick-controlled transmission, air conditioning, a household-sized fridge, televisions, teak decks and a stylish upgraded interior finish, among other extras.

Stepping onto the cascading teak swim platform of the Libeccio, I clearly see that this traditional style has been elevated to a much higher standard. Hand-finished teak abounds on the decks and topsides, while amenities include dual shower outlets to refresh bathers, who have a convenient ladder to clamber aboard. I press a button to reveal the dinghy garage that accommodates a 1.8m inflatable tender, which must be pushed manually across the swim platform.

Stepping up into the aft cockpit, there's a transom bench seat with movable backrest adjoining the large teak table (with telescopic base), with another bench on starboard. The open back of the wheelhouse (which can be sealed with clear PVC curtains) allows easy access around the cockpit.

Inside, catering is done on the port side with an electric cooktop, wet bar (with two fridges) and space for a dishwasher. There's also a small optional table with two choices of fixing points; all done under the shade of the fibreglass overhang, with a canvas extension available to cover the entire area as well.

Immediately noticeable is the solid fibreglass layup throughout, including the solid wet bar lid and worktop beneath, along with the thick teak cladding around the forward section of the wheelhouse. Also hidden is a 40-inch pop-up television, essential for Italians watching their beloved Serie A and other soccer leagues.

Despite the sleek overall profile, the wheelhouse has generous volume, aided by vertical bulkheads with large windows and sturdy sliding ones on each side; with the starboard one ideally placed at the helm.

Here, there's a good mix of push-button controls for the wipers and other essentials below the twin 12-inch Garmin screens. A classic stainless-steel steering wheel with leather padding is just the right diameter for me to reach from the double bench helm seat. Beside it are the other essential controls: electronic throttle controls outboard, while inboard is the joystick and lever for the tunnel bow thruster. Nearby, at the main hatch, is a well laid-out main switchboard with clearly demarcated circuit breakers and shore power controls.

Deck space is generous all round, with wide side decks and handrails on the saloon roof to guide me forward. Along the thick teak gunwales, there's oversized cleating all round, along with an equally over-specified Quick horizontal windlass with capstan sitting above a deep chain locker, making for a good cruising arrangement.

Foredeck space allows for a double sunbed, strongly fixed down, with elevating backrest. Here, an optional bimini with carbon poles can be erected for those lazy days at anchor. Surrounding the teak decks are sturdy guardrails as well.

The overall shape is interesting on the Libeccio 13.5, with generous volume at both ends and a strong hard chine extending aft from forward. It also has an interesting transom to promote planing.

As designer Valerio Rivellini explained to me during his visit to the 2026 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show: “The hull incorporates an integrated stern flap system moulded into the underwater body. This solution was specifically developed to compensate and optimise the naturally soft and rounded stern geometries typical of traditional planing gozzo hulls, improving trim control, longitudinal balance and dynamic behaviour during acceleration and cruising.”

Below deck is reached via a central main hatch with teak doors and steps, taking me down to the three cabins. Volume again is good, thanks to the deep and full hull shape. The layout uses the added volume of the flared bows to house the owner's suite, with a cabin on each side behind, plus a day head on port.

The owner's cabin is mostly unadorned but functional, with a queen-sized semi-island bed, shelf space and a wardrobe on port. The area is zoned for individual air-conditioning and Fusion hi-fi, including USB points. Natural light is slightly limited due to the smallish skylight and portlights.

Ablutions are well done, with a spacious bathroom, movable shower cubicle walls and ample ventilation, stylishly finished with a solid teak floor grate. Fresh water is used in the head, but go easy unless the optional watermaker is fitted. Equally well done is the day head, which is a wet head, with the shower sharing the toilet space.

Guests are well taken care of, with the double-bed cabin on port lying across the beam but under the wheelhouse bulkhead. Here, there's also a sizeable wardrobe and small night table, and the ample natural light shows the high standard of bulkhead finish, a type of cream suede named Ferrari Beige.

Over in the cabin with twin beds, it's a similar scene, but the fore-and-aft layout allows tall guests to enjoy their rest and again there's wardrobe space. All mattresses throughout are thick memory foam. Both cabins benefit from the main part of the tinted hull windows, giving them plenty of natural light.

Throughout, the Ferrari decor blends with the lightwood veneers, which give a more contemporary finish to this outwardly traditional vessel.

The Libeccio hull is vacuum-infused with foam core to reduce weight, with moulded longitudinal indents for added strength. Elsewhere on the Mimi, tinted longitudinal windows blend seamlessly into the hull and contrast beautifully with the solid teak gunwales.

Engine access is via a hatch in the stern cockpit, which reveals the twin shaft-drive Yanmar 370hp turbocharged V8 engines. These have forward V-drive transmissions and are controlled by the company's proprietary JC20 joystick transmission system.

These 8LV engine blocks are 90-degree V8s featuring a highly balanced common-rail system, which creates exceptionally low vibration, making them a good fit for shaft drives where the engine sits near the wheelhouse.

Space and volume are sufficient for me to crawl around to inspect the area, noting the deep bilges, easy access to saltwater filters and service points of the motors. Other systems here include the 8kW generator, hot water system and air-conditioning units. Forward-located wing fuel tanks help the hull trim as well. I also note the sturdy hydraulic steering connections to the quadrants and other connections to the twin rudders.

A gusty 30-knot westerly is blowing across Sydney Harbour as we set off, so the Libeccio's transmission is well tested. The joystick and tunnel bow thruster are required by company representative Jakob to guide us through the narrow exit of the private marina.

Once underway, I take over the helm, enjoying the clear views all round. Which is just as well, because the windy day has attracted several windsurfers to enjoy the weather, so I gingerly throttle forward while noting the smooth operation of the driveline.

Also surprising, as the speed reaches about 15 knots, is the ease and agility of the hull as it gets onto the plane. I enjoy steering without worrying about the trim, because I left the tabs on automatic, reaching a fast cruising speed of about 18.5 knots. Another plus is the lack of noise from the Yanmars, despite the open-backed wheelhouse, showing good engine room soundproofing.

Advancing the throttles fully eventually produces 25.5 knots; handy for running from bad weather but costly at the bowser, so I throttle back to do some figure-eights, which shows a well-behaved hull with only a small heel as I turn.

To windward, in strong gusts, the foredeck remains dry thanks to those flared bows. Nearing Cockatoo Island, famed for its shipyards and maritime history, I slow and practice mooring the Libeccio using the joystick, going across the wind and beam-on; all done fairly easily, making it ideal for giving new skippers confidence and plenty of 'La dolce vita', as the Italians say.

The Libeccio 13.5 has some distinctive market differentiators in the Australasian market, such as its overall design and philosophy. That makes it a niche vessel, but one that will appeal to both seasoned boaters and the aesthete who wants to stand out from the crowd.

Yet, this is fully backed up by a functional design and seaworthy hull.

Price: AUD$1.58 million, incl GST (includes $200k options)
Length: 13.5 (44 ft)
Beam: 4.25 m
Draft: 1.0 m
Displacement: 10,180 kg
Accommodation: 6+1
Engines: Twin Yanmar 370hp Biturbo 8LV shaft drive engines
Fuel:  1,000 litres
Water:  430 litres
Holding tank: 100 litres
Category: CE Category B Offshore – 14 passengers
Designer: Valerio Rivellini 
Builder: Cantiere Mimi, Italy
Distributor: www.boatology.com.au
Conditions: windy on beam, choppy and 50% fuel load;  2 crew