ANNOUNCING THE FIRST OF A GAME-CHANGING YACHT SERIES: RAW HAS BEEN SOLD
With its smart design by Giorgio M. Cassetta and state-of-the-art features, this explorer yacht is set to redefine its segment, setting a new benchmark for luxury, performance, and versatility,” says co- founder and CEO of CdM – Vasco Buonpensiere – with barely contained satisfaction. “For us, this milestone represents the culmination of an extraordinary year. A year not only marked by unprecedented commercial success but also by a resounding affirmation of our leadership in the explorer yacht sector. It’s not just about being number one in terms of sales and production: it’s about the quality and impeccable reputation we’ve built on the global stage. We couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved!
“We presented the RAW project at the Cannes Yachting Festival, when negotiations for the first in the series were already well underway,” Buonpensiere adds. “However, we chose to wait until even the smallest details were finalized before making the official announcement of the sale. On that occasion, we had talked of a RAW 102, yet, don’t be misled by the change in size… this was one of the points we addressed during the negotiation phase: we moved from 102 to 105 to ensure that technical requirements and design achieved the perfect balance.”
The RAW series encapsulates everything CdM stands for: pushing boundaries, delivering excellence, and inspiring adventure. The yacht has a modern and uncluttered design, with recognizable geometrical/orthogonal elements that have lost their sharp angles acquiring a softness. RAW’s exterior line, alongside the perception of its robustness and reliability, transmits a sense of joy and playfulness.
“The design process was almost immediate because Vasco, Ennio and I were tuned on the same frequency and from the initial sketches I proposed, very few changes have been done. We started from considering what the yacht should offer in term of arrangements, functionality and technical equipment then we passed to the further level that is the creation of exteriors and interiors that matched the chosen philosophy,” says Giorgio M Cassetta. “It is rare to experience such a high level of mutual understanding and shared vision.
“I am truly happy to have contributed to the birth of the RAW 105 projec,” says the Owner. “I was looking for a sturdy, reliable, and compact vessel that would allow my family to explore both the most remote corners of the oceans and the countless wonderful coves that the Mediterranean is full of. Cantiere delle Marche and Giorgio Cassetta have created a masterpiece that perfectly combines the resilience and reliability of the Darwin series with the beauty and style of a modern Made-in-Italy yacht.
RAW’s design is commanding, defined by a modern, geometric aesthetic. The high bow conceals two 5-meter tenders and water skis on the forward section of the upper deck. This is a remarkable aspect, a feat that is unheard of for a yacht measuring just 30 meters. At the opposite end, the main deck’s expansive aft cockpit has been designed for year-round usability. It can be enclosed with floor-to-ceiling glass doors on both sides, transforming into a veranda-like space. Simultaneously, the overhang of the upper deck provides full shade and protection, creating a comfortable lounging area seamlessly connected to the salon and a spacious beach zone at the stern. A broad staircase leads down to a swim platform with a panoramic sunbed. Beyond its practical function, the staircase doubles as a casual seating area, perfect for sipping wine or taking in the scenery.
The swim platform itself is an innovative design, acting as a panoramic balcony bordered by a bulwark with a handrail. A section of the bulwark can fold down, providing easy access to the water. This feature is both ingeniously adaptable and elegantly straightforward in its mechanics.
One of RAW’s standout design elements is the positioning of ventilation trunks outside the salon, cleverly placed behind the fashion plates to ensure no interior space is lost. This capability is the result of meticulous layout optimization, refined through multiple iterations.
From a functional standpoint, RAW excels in integrating all technical spaces and storage areas into the design from the very beginning. This holistic approach allowed the design to maximize available space and opportunities, turning constraints into strengths rather than limitations.
The interior social spaces seamlessly blend with the surrounding landscape through expansive glazed surfaces, eliminating the visual boundary between indoor and outdoor areas. Open-air spaces further extend the living areas, doubling their utility. I know that other yachts offer similar indoor-outdoor fluidity, yet RAW is not a mere showpiece for trendy Mediterranean marinas or bays. It asserts itself as a rugged explorer yacht with a range exceeding 5,000 nautical miles, designed to handle rough weather and challenging seas.
