Raising the bar: 73 Marines' next chapter - Eolo Nove
Built on charter-born grit and Italian craft, 73 Marine is steering Maltese boaters toward bigger horizons. CEO Dr Gianluca Sammut charts the journey from a three-RHIB start-up to a multi-brand boutique—and explains why the Eolo Nove is the natural "level up" for Malta's short-sea reality, island-hopping weekends, and shoulder-season cruising. Expect thoughtful specs, serious after-sales support, and a package tailored for our waters without compromising style.
How did 73 Marine start?
Three investors founded 73 Marine—coincidentally, all born in 1973, including my father, Anthony (hence the name). The idea was simple: buy three new RHIBs, charter out two, and keep one for personal use, with running costs covered. While studying at university, I managed the charter business throughout the summer months and steadily grew the brand over five years. I loved the daily client interaction and was soon hooked. What began as a seasonal charter naturally evolved into a boutique boat sales company, as returning clients asked us to advise on purchases and specifications, and we were happy to oblige.
In 2021, we reached a milestone by becoming Malta's exclusive distributor for the historic Joker Boat brand of RHIBS—the name that many still associate with us today. Since then, our portfolio has expanded to include Tesoro Yachts, Idea Marine, and, most recently, the equally storied Eolo Marine. Each brand adds something distinct: heritage, innovation, and a design language that resonates with Mediterranean boating.
Our aim is simple: surpass expectations. For too long, Maltese boaters in the medium segment have had to accept compromises and settle for customer service levels far lower than those reserved for buyers opting for higher-budget yachts. We have made it our mission to ensure that every one of our customers sails away with the best boat for their unique boating needs.
Who is Eolo Nove's "perfect owner" in Malta?
Whilst the Eolo Nove is practical enough for anyone as a weekend boat, it's particularly well-suited to existing owners of 6–8 metre single-engine cabin boats who are ready for the next level. They'll notice the step up in usable deck space—especially at the bow and in the social cockpit—and the upgraded interior with a king-size berth, a separate bathroom, and an aft cabin for family or guests. It's a genuine day-to-night platform: Comino by day, Gozo overnight, and back to Valletta in comfort, even when the breeze freshens.
How are you configuring the Nove for Maltese owners—single vs. twin outboards — and what are the expected cruise speeds in our typical 10–18 knot summer breeze? Any surprises from your first demo runs?
We're specifying twin outboards (rated to 700hp) and favouring 2 × 250–300hp. Twins provide redundancy, finer low-speed handling around tight marinas, and better trim authority in short, steep chop. Independent tests with twin 250s indicate a sweet-spot cruise around 24–28 knots and a top near 44 knots. Official fuel capacity is 540 litres. LOA is 9.20m, beam 2.99m, with a 12-person capacity and four berths—plenty of headroom for family days or friends' weekends.
For Malta's lively summer texture, we recommend active trim tabs to hold a slightly bow-down attitude when the maistral kicks up, with engine height and trim set for clean water flow. In practice, the boat settles into an effortless rhythm at mid-20s cruise, with enough punch in reserve to shorten the hop back from Gozo when the afternoon breeze is on.
As Eolo's exclusive distributor in Malta, we'll run local demos and fine-tune the prop pitch and tab presets for your typical loads, berths, and routes—think Sliema–Comino–Mġarr and back—so owners receive a boat that feels dialled in from day one.
For further information and enquiries, contact 73 Marine Ltd on (+356) 7942 2542, email info@73marine.com, or visit 73marine.com.
For over 40 years, Action Sails has shaped Malta’s sailmaking scene with a blend of tradition and innovation. In this exclusive interview, head sailmaker John Cachia shares how offshore racing, modern materials, and sustainability are influencing the next generation of performance sails crafted in the heart of the Mediterranean.