Workshop – Sarnico Classic Boats

Our Strengths

Our restorations are entirely carried out at the woodworking shop of Giacomo Lazzari.

Giacomo Lazzari began working at the Riva shipyard in the early 1950s as a young apprentice in the woodwork department and has dedicated his entire life to restoring vintage Riva boats—personally. Initially working within the shipyard, he later established his own woodworking shop, which has been in operation for over 50 years. With just one collaborator, with whom he shares his work and passion, these two craftsmen work in perfect harmony throughout the restoration process.

Giacomo’s personal history includes over 200 restored Riva boats. He knows every single detail of these vessels by heart, and his skill is now recognized worldwide. His restoration techniques faithfully replicate those used by the shipyard during the golden era of 1950–1970, the peak production years for the 4,000 wooden Riva boats. Over time, Giacomo has maintained a network of suppliers that allows him to use the same materials, preserving the originality and, consequently, the value of the boats.

His unparalleled expertise enables him to make the best decisions at every stage of the restoration process, seamlessly combining originality with the complete functionality of the boat. This includes all components, from structural parts such as the hull bottom, deck, and sides, to functional aspects like engines and electrical systems, and extending to aesthetics, including upholstery, chrome finishes, and accessories.

The close collaboration with Arturo Savoldi, co-founder of Sarnico Classic Boats and the foremost expert on Riva engines, has created a powerful synergy that allows us to provide our clients with the best versions available on the market today.

Arturo, the son of Renato Savoldi—one of Carlo Riva’s closest collaborators (responsible for selecting mahogany logs, overseeing all woodworking production, and coordinating the shipyard’s assembly line in the 1950s and 1960s)—grew up at Riva as an engine specialist and tester for all hulls before delivery to customers.

Over the course of his nautical career, Arturo also developed remarkable commercial and entrepreneurial skills, eventually founding Cantieri di Sarnico, a prominent Sarnico-based company that produced fiberglass hulls at the turn of the millennium.

After leaving the shipyard, Arturo returned to his first love: vintage Riva boats. He now works as a technician and consultant for clients needing comprehensive and meticulous analysis. A connoisseur of the entire wooden boat collection as well as Riva’s fiberglass production of the past thirty years, Arturo can solve any technical issue that a boat’s engines may present with his trusted toolbox.

Arturo and Giacomo are the hallmarks of quality for our boats.
We are proud to rely on the expertise of the two leading operational specialists of wooden Riva boats.