Businessman Bob Loquercio on the build journey of his custom Codecasa yacht Gioia

Sophie Spicknell sits down with businessman Bob Loquercio to find out more about the build journey of his 43-metre custom Codecasa motor yacht Gioia.

When American businessman Bob Loquercio embarked on the journey to build his dream yacht, he envisioned an Italian vessel that would embody elegance, functionality and performance. What followed was his 43-metre vessel Gioia: a Codecasa motor yacht which does all of that and more, combining traditional craftsmanship with a custom contemporary interior design.

Launched in 2024, Gioia is the sixth unit in the acclaimed Codecasa 43 series. The custom-made displacement yacht boasts a steel hull and aluminium superstructure designed in-house by Codecasa Shipyards, with Bob and his wife heavily involved in her design. Bob’s decision to partner with Codecasa stemmed from his long-standing appreciation for Italian motor vessels, a passion cultivated through years of ownership and experience. Before embarking on the journey to build Gioia, Bob had previously owned a Custom Line Navetta 33.

“I’ve always appreciated Italian yachts for their exceptional value and quality,” Bob Loquercio explained. “When working with a reputable builder and the right team, you can achieve a yacht that matches the craftsmanship and performance of Dutch or German builds, often at a more competitive price.”

Bob Loquercio’s vision for Gioia began to take shape in 2022, when he initiated the build of his dream yacht with Codecasa. With her name translating to mean joy or happiness in Italian, Bob was determined from the offset to create a yacht that reflected his personal tastes and priorities. “Building a yacht is a deeply personal journey,” Bob remarked. “For me, it was about combining the timeless craftsmanship that Codecasa is known for, with the modern functionality that I value in a vessel.”

As part of the Codecasa 43 series, Gioia followed a proven design pedigree, but Bob and his wife sought to add their own personal touch. Gioia features a white steel hull and pale grey aluminium superstructure, designed by Pierluigi Ausonio of Plana Design. Meanwhile, her interior stems from a collaboration between the Cor D. Rover design team and Zepeda Design.

One of the most significant milestones came with the selection of materials and finishes for Gioia. Bob prioritised a balance of luxury and practicality, choosing materials that would not only be visually stunning, but also stand the test of time. “The interiors of Gioia were personally designed by my wife Veronica through her company and she brought a thoughtful approach to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere onboard.”

“She discovered a Minotti collection specifically tailored for the nautical industry, which perfectly aligned with our vision. During her frequent trips to Milan and Florence, she had the chance to meet Gaetano Vinciguerra, who guided her toward this exceptional line. This collaboration ensured that the furniture onboard Gioia is not only elegant, but also highly durable and capable of withstanding the rigours of life at sea, including exposure to saltwater and the elements. The Minotti pieces proved to be an ideal choice, both in terms of functionality and aesthetics, resulting in a yacht that is as resilient as she is beautiful.”

The build process of Gioia spanned two years, from 2022 to 2024, and was not without its challenges. Bob emphasised the importance of assembling the right team to navigate the complexities of a yacht project. “Having the right surveyor, build captain and design professionals made all the difference. We collaborated with the husband-and-wife team from Bowline Marine Consulting (BMC), who were instrumental in helping me make informed decisions and maintain the highest quality standards throughout the build. My wife is a perfectionist, so having BMC’s expertise and attention to detail was crucial in helping us realise our vision.”

Gioia features a spacious interior layout, offering an internal volume of just below 500 GT. She boasts two saloons, while guests are accommodated across four large suites on the lower deck, with her owner’s suite situated on the main deck forward. Spanning three decks, Gioia provides guests with plenty of space for relaxation and entertainment. “The sundeck Jacuzzi was a personal favourite,” Bob noted. “It’s the perfect spot to relax and take in the views.”

Reflecting on his partnership with the shipyard and design teams, Bob shared that, “Codecasa’s team was exceptional at turning ideas into reality. I worked closely with their designers and my own build team to ensure every detail met my expectations. From the layout to the finishes, I wanted Gioia to feel like an extension of myself. Her design is all about quiet luxury, with a colour palette of greys, beiges and taupes used to create a calming atmosphere, while the flow of the Minotti furniture and the marble stone adds an understated elegance throughout the yacht. We incorporated custom bamboo silk wall coverings and carpets to enhance that sense of refinement, inviting everyone onboard to truly enjoy their time, whether relaxing or entertaining.”

By the time Gioia was launched in 2024, she embodied everything Bob had hoped for in a yacht: timeless design, robust performance and the personal touches that made her uniquely his. “Seeing her take to the water was a proud moment,” Bob said. “She’s more than just a yacht, she’s the culmination of years of planning, collaboration and passion.”

Gioia has been outfitted with the latest toys and tenders to ensure every moment onboard is filled with fun and adventure. “For family time, we’ve equipped Gioia with passerelle cranes, making it easy to launch the wave runners and other water toys into the water. “We’re all swimmers and divers and the family absolutely loves spending time with water toys. The garage is already spacious, but if we go bigger in the future, we’d need Codecasa to upgrade it even further to accommodate our growing collection!”

When asked if Bob would ever move to a larger vessel, he hinted that his journey with Codecasa might not end with Gioia! “I could see myself going bigger in the future,” he revealed. “A 50-metre Codecasa with a beach club would be a dream, combining the Italian craftsmanship and design I love, with even more space for relaxation and entertaining.”