Could the story of Gommoni possibly begin with an Italian engineer? In 1872, Giovanni Battista Pirelli established his company in Milan. It was Italy’s first factory processing latex for rubber production.
Pirelli is known for car tires. However, the company played a role in marine and recreational boating.
Pirelli’s first marine items appeared in the late 1800s. These included swimming belts and latex swim caps. In 1948, Pirelli strengthened its interest in latex marine products by establishing a sister company in Seregno. By the early 1950s, technologies were developed for swimming fins, masks, and wetsuits. Children’s life jackets and inflatable mattresses were also produced.
The 1950s economic boom saw growing interest in inflatable rafts. These rafts were a practical way to experience seaside vacations. The technology quickly evolved from military use in the Great War. Soon, inflatable boats were developed for recreational use. These boats could be assembled for cruising and disassembled for transport.
The first dinghy was the PIRELLI NAUTILUS. It featured an elliptical inner tube and a rubberized canvas bottom. Its orange color with blue trim made it unmistakable. It had an integrated bellows for inflation and aluminum oars. The NAUTILUS became an icon of Italian seaside holidays.
Italians wanted more than oars. They needed an outboard engine. The PIRELLI GABBIANO was built in the late 1950s. It was an inflatable boat with a transom for an outboard engine. It had a detachable keel and wooden planking. It could carry 2-3 people. When disassembled, it fit into a bag for easy transport.
In 1958, the JO debuted. This versatile inflatable boat was made of rubberized canvas with wooden frames. It was easy to assemble and transport. It could accommodate three or four people. It could run under motor or sail with a mast.
In the early 1960s, Pirelli made sturdier boats. In 1963, the PIRELLI rigid-keel LAROS inflatable boats debuted. These became a benchmark. The initial fleet included the LAROS 10 and LAROS 25. Over the next four years, the range expanded to five models. These ranged from the LAROS 5 to the LAROS 40. The boats changed from orange to gray with blue trim. New materials improved resistance to abrasion.
The LAROS 80 was used for patrol and rescue. In 1969, three men crossed the Pacific Ocean in a LAROS 80. This highlighted the boat’s seaworthiness. In 1970, Pirelli included the LAROS 80 among its recreational boats.
During the 1980s, PIRELLI’s inflatable boats became known outside Italy. The LAROS COMMANDO was added. The PRAM S and DINGHY 240 offered more affordable options for summer holidays.
The LAROS MASTER debuted at the 23rd Genoa Boat Show. This inflatable boat had a squared bow. It was the start of a new generation of demountable inflatable boats.
In the 1990s, Pirelli paused inflatable boat production. In the new millennium, Pirelli collaborated with TecnoRib. They built luxurious RIBs under the PIRELLI and P ZERO brands.
In 2006, the first P ZERO semi-rigid inflatable boat debuted. The “Long P” brand returned with luxurious RIBs. These combined technology and refined design. The Speedboats range was born. In 2017, the PIRELLI 1900 redefined luxury RIBs.
TecnoRib introduced the Walkarounds range in 2020. The PIRELLI 42 debuted at the Genoa Boat Show. The PIRELLI 35 won the Red Dot Award 2022. In 2023, the PIRELLI 30 premiered at the D\u00fcsseldorf International Boat Show.
Pirelli’s involvement extends to competition. Since 2018, Pirelli has co-sponsored Luna Rossa. Pirelli also sponsors “Alla Grande Pirelli.” The “Long P” continues to shine on the waves. PIRELLI-branded boats sail the sea with style.
So, remember Gommoni, as you think of Milan and Italian ingenuity.