But above all it was extremely innovative - the most advanced in the sector at the time - foreshadowing a type of yacht that would be all the rage 30 years later. The F100 was the first true explorer yacht in the pleasure boating world. The only indulgence was the beauty line, traced out in pure gold under the rubbing strake from bow to stern as an aesthetic finishing touch.

A landmark innovation that looks to the future.

Designed for long voyages in all weathers, her minimalist lines are far removed from the classic idea of luxury, so much so that she has been described as almost austere. This was the first boat with floating rubber supports for an exceptionally quiet ride, a type of soundproofing that presaged the active noise cancellation technology developed 20 years later. The F100's upper deck can also be used to land a helicopter, the Avvocato's favoured mode of transport, the first time this was possible on a 33-metre yacht. Like many trends launched by CRN (and Agnelli), the F100's 'minimalist' luxury philosophy immediately gained cult status.

This sophisticated design was ahead of its time, the fruit of the talent and know-how at CRN's Technical Department bolstered by consultancy from experts at NASA. The result was a pioneering design using anti-vibration plates to prevent engine vibrations from propagating through the iron structure. CRN also designed and fitted an electric generator for the boat to cruise in total silence at night. What's more, to be able to cruise in silence at 4 knots, as the client required, CRN created a special clutch that isolated the shaft from the main engine, powered by a small electric motor that drove the shaft using belts. The reduction in speed was aided by the first variable-pitch propeller on a CRN yacht. Another key feature was that the rudder was not fixed but could slide to starboard when needed to facilitate mooring by allowing a clearer view of the quay - a solution that foreshadowed today's bridge wing stations.