Cantiere Nautico Feltrinelli has recently completed restoration and refitting work on a Frauscher 686 Lido from 2006, a model that is no longer in production, but still much appreciated. The refit has given the boat a new charm, transforming it into a unique piece, customised for its owner, to whom it has just be delivered. Now, thanks to a new engine, new systems and equipment, Frauscher 686 Lido is back at sea like the curated, personalised and unique piece that it is.

The Collector’s Corner

The launching ceremony took place at Nautica Navalia in Menaggio, one of the selected centres that works with Frauscher Italia in after sales assistance and care, in constant communication with the offices in Garda. The work, carried out in Gargano between winter 2024 and spring 2025, require specialised and precise work, which restored this boat making it more reliable, efficient and better performing. This is also due to the use of materials and technology that were not yet available when it was first built.

Showcasing the value of this design, the model was recently on display at the Venice Boat Show, part of the Collector’s Corner, an area created by Cantiere Nautico Feltrinelli to celebrate the discontinued Frauscher models. The aim of the show was to show how vessels can have a second chance through quality refitting. Each model that becomes a part of the Collector’s Corner has a unique and unrepeatable configuration, and for this reason, each boat is labelled “1 of 1”, a sign of their uniqueness. An initiative that shows how investing in the maintenance of these vessels not only showcases their history, but contributed to keeping their market value high.

Restoration and refitting work

The work on the 686b Lido involved a number of different aspects, with particular attention to technical refitting. The first element to be modernised was the engine, now a 300 HP Volvo Penta V8 of the latest generation, which has improved power and reduced consumption. The entire electrical system has been rebuilt and the fuel lines were replaced, while the analogue instruments have been integrated with a 7” Glasscockpit; the audio system has also been replaced with the installation of a Fusion JL audio system with Bluetooth interface.

Each structural detail was also carefully cared for to keep the original identity of the model intact. The hull was reinforced but the design remains unchanged, so as to preserve the style that made the 686 Lido one of the most loved boats built by Frauscher. The shipyard has completely revarnished the hull in Bentley Steel Blue, one of Frauscher’s proposed palette colours for their new models.

The wallpaper was replaced and refined using a diamond stitch detail and the addition of a “Collector’s Corner” logo embroidered onto the headrest of the pilot and co-pilot seats. Also new is the teak surface area and an elongated aft bridge which improves functionality without compromising the clean design.

An historic partnership

This approach, in addition to being more sustainable, also reflects the profound connection that unites Cantiere Nautico Feltrinelli to these vessels, through an historic partnership with Frauscher which began on Lake Garda.

“The refit project – says Mauro Feltrinelli – for the Frauscher 686 Lido, in line with the spirit of the Collector’s Corner, allowed us to preserve one of the brand’s historic models, demonstrating how they are still current in terms of performance, charm and market value. For this reason, we want to encourage owners of Frauschers to take care of their boats, even the older ones, to help them last longer, making an investment that grows over time. Restoring a model like this one means giving it new energy, with the same safety and comfort of a new boat, but with all the charm of its original design.”