The BGF45 is 14.15 metres long and 5.12 wide, with two 350 kW Volvo IPS 650 engines and tractor propellers; it has a top speed of over 35 knots
by Sacha Giannini
Developed from the BGH Bluegame, the hydrogen-powered foiled chase boat used by American Magic and Orient Express Racing during the 2024 America’s Cup, the BGF45 is a powered catamaran cruiser with a hydrofoil created by Luca Santella and Zuccon International Project, with hydrodynamics by Mario Caponnetto and Francis Hueber. The foil-assisted system uses a moulded steel blade that runs across the hulls, mainly designed to reduce resistance and increase lift, improving fuel consumption by over 40% – rather than focusing on speed and racing qualities – although it has to be said that it does move really well.
The Zuccon International Project design plays a leading role in shaping the way of living and perceiving life on board through the use of keywords that, when superimposed, give rise to space, time, balance, hierarchies, and deliberate transgressions of ‘scale’.
At first sight, the BGF45 is a reasonably convincing, spiritual boat, as if it were a passage to a new state of consciousness that moves away from a saturation of styles. Its profile is reminiscent of a beautiful insect with thorax with a curvy abdomen and thin antennae rising out of its silhouetted T-Top, in the cobweb of safety rail stanchions that are reminiscent of threadlike rim of connected legs and horizontal stainless steel lifelines, or in the smoked glass windscreen, similar to a skin-like frontal protective shield or again in the thin, isolated VHF antenna, where all comes to balance movement and structure.
On the lower deck, there are two cabins with private bathrooms and separate entrances, one for each hull, plus a third cabin,
also with a bathroom but accessible from outside, which can be
used for crew, children or guests.
Below deck, everything is nocturnal, designed for specific uses, with welcoming tones that do not require much natural light from the sides, in addition to the large cross-section on deck that floods the owner’s cabin with light through a skylight.
The BGF45 brings foil technology and a V-shape, along with deadrise rails and chine strips, to improve trim and performance in pitch, yaw, and roll, as well as planning and bow wakes, all on board a multi-hull designed for pure sports use. Although it is easy to succumb to the temptation to incorporate ideas of conformity, this BGF45 is a long way from being an imitation and, in every respect, a precursor of style, an excellent example of Italian technical inventiveness. It is soft and balanced, but also powerful and moves well.
It is nice to feel the vibrations that travel from the hull to the throttle, to feel what is going on under the water, like when a foot resting on the chain can tell you whether the anchor is holding or dragging on the bottom. Nothing recognisable happens when two-thirds of the hull structure lifts out of the water; it all feels natural and quiet, but suddenly you are there while hardly realising it, and yet instinctively feeling it. That is what the BGF45 sets out to do: to pretend that the hull retains its natural architecture, with the lift and perception associated with it. It doesn’t porpoise on the waves, and keeps its course across the waves, shifting rather than digging in, but it turns, and doesn’t run the risk of spinning out dangerously, nose diving or yawing. The standard interceptors help with this by containing and balancing on turns, especially during yawing or righting.
The foil-assisted system, positioned between the hulls,
significantly reduces drag, increasing speed, stability
and fuel efficiency by over 40%.
The BGF45 benefits from strategic partnerships, including Volvo Penta, Garmin, and Siemens as an Innovative Technology Partner.
At 600 rpm and using a total of 3 litres per hour, we did 3 knots; at 1500 rpm, we got over 8; and while still in displacement mode, we were using around 24 litres per hour. At 2000 rpm and 11 knots, with 60 litres per hour, we started pre-planning. At 2200 and 13 knots, we got out of the water, with fuel usage at 70 litres, while the best cruising speed was 26 knots at 3000 rpm and 125 litres per hour. We gradually increased to 3500 rpm (33.5 knots) and reached a top speed of 37.4 knots at 3840 rpm, using 200 litres per hour.
Engine room
Powered by two Volvo Penta IPS engines, the BGF45 guarantees comfortable cruising even at speeds exceeding
30 knots, offering smooth handling and effortless manoeuvrability.
BLUEGAME, SANLORENZO BRAND
Via Armezzone, 3
I-19031 Ameglia (SP)
T. +39 0187 618490
www.bluegame.it
PROJECT
Luca Santella (concept) • Bluegame • Caponnetto Hueber (naval architecture) • Zuccon International Project (exterior and interior design)
HULL
LOA 14.15m • Maximum beam 5.12m • Draft 1.15m• Light mass displacement 16 t • Full load displacement 17 t • 1 owner suite • 2 Vip/guest cabins for three guests • Fuel tank volume 1,400 l • Water tank volume 400 l • Grey water tank volume 125 l • Waste water tank volume 125 l
MAIN PROPULSION
2x Volvo Penta IPS 650 D6 480hp (350 kW)
EC CERTIFICATION
CAT B 14 people
PRICE*
Starting from 1,800,000 € Excl. VAT
*The price refers to February 2026
(Bluegame BGF45 – Beyond conformity – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, February 2026)
