Franco Boretti was a brilliant and passionate naval architect and designer, always seeking innovations in yachting.
Early in his career, in 1960, he designed and coordinated the construction of the Tatin, a 42-meter schooner. He also succeeded successfully in designing the first boats with shape-stability hulls, such as the Namur, the Danyliz, the Dany Sexy, the Alacaj, and the Star 22. In 1969 he decided to create the famous “boats with wings,” an example of form stability, including Tabu, a 13.30-meter boat, the world’s first yacht with a revolving mast.
In 1973, this boat took second place in the Mediterranean Championship, a series of very important races.
He designed Milly as a ketch with two wooden masts and named her Aëlla (“whirlwind,” one of the Amazons). The second owner removed the mizzen mast and installed an aluminum one, changed the engine and teak, and installed numerous new instruments and equipment on board. He also named Aëlla after his wife.
Milly has two larger sister ships, Athena (1974, Cantieri Valdettaro) and Selim (1978, Sangermani).
