CANADOS NAMES YACHTING EXPERTS ITS U.S. DISTRIBUTOR FOR GLADIATOR YACHTS
Italian Performance Yacht Series Offers a High Level of Customization
Leading South Florida yacht sales and brokerage firm Yachting Experts is proud to announce that Italian shipyard Canados has appointed its U.S. distributor of its Gladiator line of high performance luxury yachts from 42 to 96 feet. Following the successful debut of this new strategic partnership at the 2026 Miami International Boat Show, Yachting Experts will be showcasing the Gladiator 431 and 493 at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, Slips 1091 and 1091A, on March 25-29, 2026.
“The De Varona family and their veteran team at Yachting Experts are well known for their experience, their passion for yachting, and the high-touch customer service they provide before, during and after each sale. We know that our Gladiator line is in good hands in America with Yachting Experts,” says Canados President Michel Karsenti.
Located in Rome, Italy, Cantieri Navali di Ostia (Canados) is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Known for combining timeless European craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, superyacht builder Canados launched the Gladiator series in 2018 with a 43-foot model in response to client demand for smaller custom performance yachts.
“The idea was to offer buyers in a relatively small boat size the same experience we had been offering for decades to much larger yacht buyers in terms of unlimited customization and quality. Since then, we have launched the Gladiator 493, 571, 631 and 961, and we have a 901 in production,” says Karsenti, adding, “Owners come to us for a unique level of customization that other shipyards simply cannot provide in this size range.”
Through the Canados Custom Department (CCD), the shipyard offers a variety of interior layouts for Gladiators from 43 feet and up, along with a virtually unlimited choice of wood, lacquered wood, leather, and fabrics at no extra cost to buyers. The shipyard’s in-house design and engineering team works directly with owners to create their individual yacht. Constructed of high-tech composites utilizing advanced vacuum-bagging and infusion techniques, and coated with Awlgrip paint, the Gladiators’ light yet strong hulls combine speed, comfort and smooth handling in offshore conditions.
Owners can choose from a range of propulsion options for their new Gladiator. The 431 and 493 are offered with outboard engines, inboard diesels with surface drives, or Volvo Penta engines with DPI hydraulic outdrives. Starting with the 571 and up, the yachts are available with Volvo Penta, MAN or MTU inboards with shafts or surface drives.
“Our Gladiator yachts are built with the same equipment and attention to detail as our larger yachts. And while many of our competitors are outsourcing production of their interiors, stainless steel, etc., we do it all in house. This offers our clients the kind of flexibility that is second to none,” Karsenti says.
“We are passionate about fulfilling our customer’s yachting dreams, and our new partnership with Canados makes that easy. The high level of customization combined with performance, quality and style the Gladiator line brings to our discerning clients is truly unique,” says Yachting Experts President Betty De Varona.
