All COLOMBO LEOPOLDO Boats For Sale
Colombo Leopoldo – Italian Wooden Boat Builder on Lake Como
Cantiere Colombo Leopoldo is a renowned artisan shipyard based on Lake Como, Italy, specialising in traditional wooden boats, restorations, and custom builds for both sail and power. Founded in 1943 by Leopoldo Colombo, the yard remains family-run (second and third generation) and is celebrated for its craftsmanship, aesthetic refinement and a dedication to heritage.
Leopoldo Colombo’s boatbuilding roots began with a youth spent as an apprentice at the Cranchi yard on Lake Como. After WWII, he established his own yard, and over decades the family has built more than 400 clinker-hulled wooden dinghies, many derived from designs by English designer George Cockshott.
The yard has since expanded into larger vessels, motor and sailing, reaching up to 20 m in length.
In the 1990s the yard was among the earliest local builders on Lake Como to adopt wood/epoxy composite techniques, combining classic timber aesthetics with improved durability.
The brothers Roberto and Giorgio Colombo (sons of Leopoldo) introduced these methods, cementing the yard’s reputation for marrying tradition with technical refinement.
The shipyard relocated in 2004 to Grandola ed Uniti to accommodate modern workshop facilities (700 m² indoor plus 2,800 m² outdoor).
One of the signature flagship models is the Poldo 23, a stylish motor dayboat of about 7.36 m in overall length and beam 2.48 m.
Another interesting model is Colombo Racing 29, a vintage-style classic motor boat (8.85 m) that shows the yard’s involvement in powerboats beyond small craft.
Colombo Leopoldo’s catalogue also lists a variety of sailing dinghies, day sailers, small open wooden craft, and express cruisers, often combining wood construction with refined joinery.
Boutique, bespoke attitude: Each vessel is tailored, often hand-crafted, not mass produced, which appeals to owners seeking uniqueness and heritage.
Continuity of tradition: The yard still operates under family leadership, preserving skills passed across generations.
Colombo Leopoldo official site: https://www.colomboleopoldo.it/
