A highly successful race-ready Italia Yachts 11.98 Fuoriserie from 2021 and continuously upgraded for top-level ORC competition. ARABELA stands out as one of the most competitive Italia Yachts 11.98 Fuoriserie models on the circuit.
FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:
Commissioned by her owner’s current owner for competitive ORC racing, ARABELA is a 2021-launched example of the Matteo Polli-designed Italia Yachts 11.98 Fuoriserie.
Much like her smaller sister, the Italia Yachts 9.98 Fuoriserie, the IY11.98 has shown herself to be highly competitive under ORC conditions, removing the need to consider an expensive and long-winded custom built project. With IY 11.98’s filling most of the podium spots at the ORC World over the past 5 seasons, the model has become the ‘go to’ option for sailors looking for a fast and easy entry to racing at the very top tier of handicap racing. Alongside primary naval architecture by Matteo Polli, the IY 11.98 also benefits from structural design by Cossutti Yacht Design, exterior design by KMD, Matteo Polli and the Italia Yachts Design Team and interior design by KMD and Mirko Arbore & Partners.
ARABELA herself has proven to be a highly competitive example of the IY 11.98 with racing accolades including:-
• 2025 ORC World Championships in Tallinn – 5th (overall class B), 1st (Corinthian division)
• 2023 ORC World Championships in Kiel – 3rd (overall class C), 1st (Corinthian division)
• 2022 ORC European Championships in Hanko – 6th (overall class C)
• 2021 ORC World Championships in Tallinn – 6th (overall class C)
Her specification highlights include:-
• CE Category A – Ocean certification
• ‘Fuoriserie’ racing configuration
• Carbon tiller
• 2.10 torpedo-bulb reverse keel and single rudder
• Grey non-slip rubber deck covering
• Twin removable cockpit benches allowing quick conversion between racing and cruising mode
• Volvo Penta D1-30 engine with saildrive and Gori 2-bladed folding racing propeller
• Forespar flush seacocks
• Axxon Spars carbon fibre mast and boom
• Extended carbon fibre bowsprit
• Mastjack
• Harken Performa winch package
• Extensive racing sail package from OneSails, annually updated
• B&G H5000 instrument package with Nemesis mast displays, autopilot, AIS and Zeus 3 plotter at chart table
• Mastervolt electrics with Lithium Ion service batteries, battery charger, inverter and shorepower
• Simarine digitals systems monitoring
• Full interior with 3 double cabins
• Separate heads and shower cabins
• Eberspacher diesel fired cabin heating
• Full galley with gas stove, fridge and sink
• Holding tank
• Fusion Bluetooth stereo system
2025 ORCi measurement certificate available on request
MANUFACTURER’S COMMENTS:
A boat built for the most demanding sailors, simple, functional and versatile for cruising or racing. Its
design blends tradition, creativity, craftsmanship and new technologies. With a limited wetted surface and
a generous sail area, the 11.98 can easily reach its full potential even in light winds, remaining manageable in every condition.
The ample deck areas provide for high liveability and the symmetry of the interiors combined with an optimal weight balance, help use spaces that become more functional and elegant. In its simplicity, the boat is easy to sail even double-handed and its three ample cabins and two washrooms provide for a pleasant living on board.
DESIGNER’S COMMENTS:
We started to work on the concept back in 2017. That was following the success that was kicking in after launching of the Italia Yachts 9.98. The main idea behind the 11.98-boat concept was at first simply to try to develop a bigger 9.98 in order to have more interior space for cruising without compromising the racing side. A bigger boat allows also more internal height without scarifying the external aggressive look. In this way the boat could be more appealing in the market in Northern Europe where of course the average height of people is bigger.
PRESS REVIEW:
“There isn’t a barbecue in the stern, and – if the truth be told – not even a table in the cockpit, but you can go cruising because the below-decks liveability is more than satisfactory, as are the cabin sizes. And above all it can be a sailing cruise, even with light winds. The answer to the first question is yes. Italia Yachts has shown that with a few modifications, which had already been anticipated at the planning stage, you can turn a fast racing boat into a fairly comfortable cruiser“.
(Nicolò Volpati, Barche magazine test sail)



