Tilli Antonelli - a name that sends ripples in the Italian yachting fraternity...doesn't need any introduction. This true-blue Italian apart from being the Founder and President of none other than the most passionate line of yachts - PERSHING - believes that 'It's all about selling emotions' when it comes to yachts.
It was clearly a matter of good fortune for Team GIIRA when Mr. Gautama Dutta of Marine Solutions invited us to have a light chat over breakfast with the man himself. Little did we realise what we were in for until we got down to talking about everything from yachts, Italian design, Valentino Rossi - and most importantly - emotion.
GIIRA Yachts, proudly presents to everybody a small encounter with the man who is the Vision behind Pershing.
THE MAN
At one glance, Tilli seems like a very calm and composed man, relaxed in his chair. His demeanour is very much of a royal and at the same time humble man. Until you reach out your palm to shake hands - that's when you realise the power behind his calm exterior.
That's when we start talking about Pershing (obviously)...about how Tilli was initially just a sailor, who excelled at this passion...and as he moved ahead in terms of competitive racing...how one thing led to the other...and Pershing came about.
He makes it sound as something very simple, but to sustain a successful run from 1981 onwards until now, is surely a feat of its own.
Born in 1955 and happily married with 3 children, his love for boats started as a young boy and he went on to sail on the 'Moro de Venezia' alongside Raoul Gardini. And it was around this time, that he made the highly intuitive move of becoming a boat constructor.
We talk about how the Pershing is in a class of its own. That's when Tilli brings to our notice about how it is the love for what you do that is the key to what you do.
ON INDIA
In terms of India, we ask Tilli about his insights regarding India and the Indian market over the next few months and down the years. To this he replied that in a year or two time there would be a good change in the market and people would be more acceptable to owning a yacht and to appreciate everything that went into it.
When queried if they saw making any special changes for Indian requirements, Tilli mentioned that the Pershings that would be sold would require very little changes in order to cope up with Indian conditions and yacht-owning culture.
Also, he mentioned that there would definitely be a couple of Pershings in India by the time the Mumbai International Boat Show happens next year.
NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS
"When it is sold, it is just the start..." - with these same words, Tilli emphasized on the fact that buying a boat is just a small part of the process but nurturing the ownership is what Pershing is all about.
Tilli mentioned to us that they have seen this current scenario that the Indian market is undergoing in other countries, and how they have coped with it. He mentioned that what they have done previously is nurtured owners to use their Pershings optimally.
Also, they have literally parented Pershing owners to ensure that both them and the boats are happy at the end of the day. As he said, it is all about the PERSONAL TOUCH.
ON A LIGHTER VEIN
The entire conversation was about power, passion and a gamut of positive emotions personified. We ask of Tilli's well-known passion for bikes. He tells us all about how important form and design are important as well as POWER, when it comes to him chosing a bike for himself.
He happily mentions about Valentino Rossi who he says is as jovial in real life as he is on TV...and a proud friend of his.
His words and style are typically Italian since he talks about all things Italian - love and emotion. 
He makes something as technical and mechanical as yacht-making sound as though it is some emotion mechanically replicated. It is not much a surprise when we get to know that he is still completely involved in all the work processes that go hand-in-hand to complete every Pershing coming out of its yard in Mondolfo, Italy.
It is this passion that goes into making Pershings keep them at the top of our hearts also.
Thank you Tilli...
Mar 1, 2008
"It's all about selling emotions..."
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