At the Genoa Boat Show we interviewed Carlo Selva of Selva Marine. It was the right opportunity to talk together about engines, new products in terms of inflatable boats and the Karnic range, but also to focus on the commercial distribution of the company, which has been looking for some time at market developments with regard to greener engines.
Selva Marine is the only 
manufacturer in Europe to have a complete production cycle for outboard engine components. This allows it to “control and manage every aspect of the construction process. From die-casting to mechanical machining carried out on numerically controlled machining centres, from specific heat and anti-corrosion treatments to special four-stage painting cycles, right through to assembly, testing, packaging and shipping”.
Such a complete cycle can only be achieved through a nautical history that has been going on since 1945, when Selva Marine opened its doors producing components for the Lambretta Innocenti in the Sesto San Giovanni plant, one of the most productive areas of the Biscione city. Selva Marine is, among other things, the official supplier of the Italian Coast Guard.
Carlo Selva, how did this 61st Genoa Boat Show go?
It’s clear and obvious that there is an overwhelming euphoria in the boating industry right now. The problem is finding products because demand is much higher than supply. So there is a problem of product availability. But we are absolutely delighted
Have you had many orders?
Yes, quite a lot. We had to consider which to satisfy, because, as I said, the supply is lower than the demand. We had to check the orders when we got back to the company to decide who to send them to and what.
What were the novelties exhibited by Selva Marine in Genoa?
One of the novelties was the 19 LV Plus, the successor of the 21 LV Plus, which is the same from the stern to the console. From the console onwards, the 19 LV Plus differs from the 21 MV Plus because she does not have a small table in the bow, but instead there is a large bow locker, as we have shortened the boat in length.
21 LV Plus has been a great success; and we’re convinced that the 19 MV Plus will also be very popular, because she has an aft dinette, which so popular today, and she’s much wider than competitors.
The other novelty is our 
bow rider, the CS 700 Karnic, in byliner style, with the typical modularity of the Karnic range. In the aft area, where the benches go forward and back, we have created a beach area with bathing platforms and everything you need. We’re satisfied and we have some nice orders.
Which is the model you most focus on?
The whole Karnic range and our inflatables. We are motor-oriented so engines are our bread and butter. The packages are an added extra that we give to dealers to encourage them to sell.
In terms of engines, how are you reacting to the semiconductor crisis?
The other manufacturers also have very limited availability, so we are sure to sell everything we have in stock for the season.
Are there any new engines in production?
We continue with the range we have and we are satisfied with it. It’s a wide range, from 2.5 to 300 hp, which is what the market demands.
Are they all classic propulsions?
Yes, apart from our XSR range, which gives slightly higher performance with reduced consumption thanks to an engine refinement that we do in-house.
Are you going to do research on hybrid or electric?
We are also working on that. We supply the mechanical parts to major companies such as Torqeedo and others that develop electrics, so I want to remain a supplier to them and not get involved in electrics at the moment.
We sell Epropulsion in Italy only, which is going very well. We have the new Epropulsion Spirit EVO Uno in our catalogue, which has hydro-regeneration. In practice, when it is towed by the larger boat, the battery is recharged.
We also have the Navy 3/Navy 6 range with all its battery packs, we distribute the Pods to replace six drives in the sailboat. We are satisfied at the moment. Epropulsion is the only real competitor to Torqeedo, and with the hydrogenation it has taken a further step forward. In my opinion, it has even overtaken Torqeedo in the “small” category.
Which boat shows will you be attending this year?
I will personally be in Miami as a 
visitor at the show and on Sunday at Miami Beach, absolutely. Then Selva Marine and I will be in Düsseldorf and Paris. We won’t be in Barcelona. This year we were in Southampton and we’ll be in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Biograd. We’re joining all the important European shows.
Can we expect more boats by 2022?
I repeat, with the market situation as it is now, we have to focus on producing. I don’t like the manufacturers that come out with a new model every year and then sell just two units. When you make models you have to sell them, amortize the costs of the moulds and monetize. For the moment, given the current market trend, there are no plans to invest any more. However, we would need an inflatable boat that is even a little bigger, because the market demands it.
So large inflatable boats, including cabin cruisers?
Inflatable cabin cruisers are very much in demand at the moment. But I want to take my time to study a good strategy and not be in a hurry. I expect the market to be active like this for at least another two to three years, so there is time.
