1950's
The Idea Was Born
Vince
Lazzara
Vince Lazzara was a chemical engineer from Chicago and while his background wasn’t in boatbuilding, he had a deep passion for the sea.
In 1955 Vince Lazzara decided to build a boat for himself. It was a 40-foot sailboat called the Bounty II. That sailboat was built in conjunction with “AeroMarine” and was manufactured with fiberglass applications that Vince had pioneered. At the time it was the largest fiberglass boat ever built.
“God only gives you so many days, but the ones you spend at sea don’t count against you”.
-Vince Lazzara
1960's
The Foundation
Gulfstar 50
In 1960 Vince started his own company and called it "Columbia Yachts". He worked hard perfecting his designs and processes which led Columbia to become the world’s largest manufacturer of fiberglass sailboats.
Vince was always on the lookout for new opportunities and in 1967 he sold Columbia. At the dawn of the seventies Vince moved to Florida and started a new company named "Gulfstar” Yachts".
Gulfstar built both power and sailing yachts. These vessels became popular based on their designs and quality.
1970's
A Family Affair
The Art
Of Lazzara
In 1974, Vince’s two sons Brad and Dick, joined the flourishing builder truly making it a family endeavor. For nearly 20 years “Gulfstar” dominated the sailing industry. Eventually becoming the largest producer of charter sailboats in the world.
In 1975, Vince began production of high-quality, high-performance motor yachts in an effort to grow the company and keep up with increasing demand. As materials and construction methods evolved, so did Vince’s strategy to maintain his industry leading reputation. Could a renowned sailboat builder really make the jump to diesel-powered motor yachts?
1980's
Innovation
Gulfstar
Motor Yachts
By the 1980’s, Vince Lazzara’s sons, Brad and Dick, joined the family business. Gulfstar’s impeccable quality had already produced some of the finest performance-oriented sailboats on the water. Dick and Brad could see the market shifting as motor yachts became predominantly more popular. The time was ripe for Gulfstar to fully make the switch into building larger motor yachts that could either be owner-operated or managed by a professional captain.
In 1989, Dick envisioned an innovative new yacht that he and Brad believed would change the industry. The formation of a new company was required. Radically different than Gulfstar’s sailing vessels, this endeavor would require the support of new infrastructure to realize their dreams.
1990's
Lazzara Yachts
Lazzara
76
The brothers sold their interest in “Gulfstar” and devoted all their energy into designing and building the most innovative motor yachts imaginable at this time. Lazzara Yachts was finally born and the boating industry would never be the same.
Beginning in 1990, extensive market research was conducted about the needs and desires of yacht buyers, as well as the voids that existed in the yachting industry. The results of these studies were incorporated into every facet of “Lazzara Yachts” from product development to concierge customer support.
By 1992 the company’s first yacht, the Lazzara 76, was launched to an overwhelming response. The very best possibilities of both a production and custom yacht were achieved, giving owners an unprecedented level of personalization while also maintaining the efficiencies of a large-scale production boat builder.
The result was a litany of advancements in style, comfort, and seakeeping ability. As manufacturing became vertically integrated, the ability to produce larger yachts became achievable and resulted in the classic Lazzara models known today.
2000's
A New Era
Lazzara
LSX 75
As the new century began, so did Lazzara’s contemporary style that would revolutionize the luxury yacht market. With the creation of the trademarked Skylounge Cabriolet, the once open flybridge was transformed into an additional luxurious living area. Often seen on mega yachts, the Lazzara 80 was designed with this feature making it one of the builder’s most popular models ever.
Lazzara continued to grow its fleet without sacrificing the personalization its customers loved through the 106, 110, and 116 models. In fact to this day, no two 100‘ Lazzara Yachts have been exactly designed exactly the same.
By 2005, Dick’s three sons – Joe, Rich, and Tony – as well as Brad’s son Steve, had all joined the Lazzara team in time for the family’s 50th Anniversary in the boating industry.
Rooted in an innovative spirit and driven by solid engineering, “Lazzara Yachts” stunned the industry yet again in 2006 with the launch of its revolutionary LSX product line. The LSX 75 saw Lazzara enter the sport yacht category with luxury, performance, and style that was ahead of its time. It garnered awards, praise, and orders from around the globe, cementing Lazzara its place in motor yacht history.
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