French engine manufacturer Nanni has deepened its long-running partnership with South African catamaran builder Vision Yachts, with more than 70 of its engines now installed across the yard's fleet.
The relationship, detailed through a three-part interview with Vision Yachts CEO James Turner, goes well beyond a simple supply arrangement. Both companies say they share the same goal: straightforward, reliable, efficient sailing without any drop in service quality.
Founded in 2014 and led by Turner, Vision Yachts has built a name for itself in the cruising catamaran market. Its flagship Vision 444 runs on Nanni power, while the newer Vision 484, a larger and more comfortable model, is fitted with the Nanni N4.50.
For the shipyard, engine choice came down to a short list of non-negotiables: simplicity, reliability, compactness, light weight and ease of maintenance.
The Nanni N4.38 ticked every box. In Sail Drive form it produces 38hp from a four-cylinder layout, with mechanical fuel injection and a compact Kubota base that simplifies installation. Weight is kept in check, maintenance access is straightforward, and fuel use is optimised, giving owners confidence on longer passages.
The support behind the engine matters just as much as the hardware itself. Vision Yachts places heavy weight on the wider network behind it, particularly after-sales service. Nanni's global distributor network keeps parts and technical backup within reach worldwide, and in South Africa the yard works closely with Cape Town-based Signature Power Systems on installations.
Every engine goes in via a Nanni-trained, certified technician, which keeps commissioning consistent and builds trust right through the chain, from Nanni to the shipyard to the end owner.
That trust gets tested early. Vision Yachts catamarans typically leave the factory and head straight for Cape Town before continuing on to the Caribbean, a passage of more than 7,000 nautical miles. Many owners take on a transatlantic crossing within their first few weeks aboard, a real-world stress test for any engine.
The verdict from those crossings has been consistent: total reliability, with no unpleasant surprises.
