NEWS FEATURE - FERRETTI FANTASTICO

There’s no mistaking Italian style and flair, as was evident when Norberto Ferretti and his crew of designers and stylists introduced four new boats at this past Miami International Boat Show. The intent is to stay very much at the forefront of the pleasureboat market, much like Ferrari leads the pack on the ground, and Versace struts the catwalk.

Combining the flybridge concept with the sporty lines of an open, the SportRiva 56, designed by Mauro Micheli and the Officina Italiana Design team, is both racy in her profile and practical in her purpose. That is, to provide her owners with the looks and performance of an open boat with a saloon air-conditioned for cruising in tropical climes. To that end, she is equipped with a pair of 900hp MAN diesel engines promising a top speed of 32kts, a cruise of 28kts, and a 245nm range at cruise speed.

The aft deck, with opposing lounges, features a seating space for up to eight guests. A stylish stainless steel ladder, itself a work of art, is located forward of this area and leads to the upper bridge with its second driving station and large sundeck. The saloon, whose doors can be retracted to open up both areas, is also equipped with ample seating areas, dining table, lower helm, and large windows all around. The SportRiva 56 offers a three-stateroom layout with a master forward in the bow section and two opposing guest quarters amidships and to either side.

ALTURA 840
When Ferretti introduced the Altura series back in the 1970s with the Altura 42, the builder did so with the idea of providing comfort, safety, and innovative living spaces.

Five years after Ferretti launched the Altura 690, comes the 840, a yacht designed by the Studio Zuccon International Project in collaboration with the company’s own AYT Engineering Division.

With wide-open spaces for luxurious living and entertaining, complemented by a very noticeable nautical feel along with an extensive use of finely finished woodwork, this is the Italian interpretation, Ferretti style, of the aft-cabin yacht. The target market is the more experienced owner with lots of sea time under the belt, and one used to spending extensive time aboard.

From the large cockpit area, the well-appointed saloon, the flybridge, the aft master, the three guest staterooms (all with en suite heads), the galley and dining room, to all the exterior features including the forward lounge, the Altura 840 has been planned and designed to take her owners and guests on extended cruising ventures in comfort and well-appointed luxury.

And to make sure everything stays on an even keel, the Altura 840 comes equipped with a pair of Mitsubishi ARG (Anti Rolling Gyro) stabilisers, which, according to Ferretti, will reduce roll by more than 50 per cent. Cutting edge instrumentation from Navico utilises touchscreen monitoring and management of fuel consumption, services, and alarms. For power, the Altura 840 has a pair of MTU 12V 2000 diesel engines, giving her, according to the company, a cruising speed of 27kts and a top speed of 30.5kts.

NEW 881 RPH
The new Ferretti 881 Raised Pilot House (RPH) is the current flagship of the line and another product from the Studio Zuccon-AYT collaboration.

Working closely together, the teams came up with solutions for increased ability at the helm while providing a more useful and versatile interior space for entertaining and cruising.

The pilothouse at the upper deck has been designed for the captain to access the helm station without walking through the guests zones. Such a solution makes the Ferretti 881 RPH ideal for high-level charter services.

The living room area offers double sofas on opposite sides while a 32in hideaway plasma TV screen at the centre of the area separates the space from the dining room, where eight are accommodated around the table. There is a dayhead on this deck and a sliding door opens up into a spacious and well-equipped galley. Furthering the theme, an electric door allows the crew to reach the external corridor and to enter the galley, or the pilothouse without disturbing the guests in the living area.

The 881’s large cockpit offers a teak table with eight seats and two sofas, and from this area the crew can access the engineroom and crew quarters, fitted with a private dinette, a galley, and two cabins for three people, each with its own wardrobe and shower.

The lower deck features the amidships master suite and three other quarters including a pair of double-berth cabins and a VIP in the forepeak.

The Ferretti 881 RPH offers a pair of 2218hp MTU engines capable of powering her to a 30-knot top speed, and a 26-knot cruise speed.

FERRETTI 592
Touted by the company as finding the balance between design and comfort, the Ferretti 592 takes all the builder has learned from its 590 and 591 models to go forward with confidence and pride.

The 592 has a sleek profile and the large open windows that are a hallmark of the Ferretti line. It also has more contemporary flair. Mixing design and performance is once again courtesy of the strategic alliance between Studio Zuccon and AYT, with the former handling the interior layout as well as the superstructure and the latter taking care of the hull and propulsion.

Some of the more noticeable features include extending the window area to provide an almost unbroken view while allowing the living area to benefit from the maximum amount of natural light. The galley has been relocated aft to allow better use of space. Opening the swing windows creates a single open-space uniting the cockpit, galley and living area. The galley is separated from the saloon by two steps, while on the accommodation front the owner’s suite is joined by a forepeak VIP and twin guest cabins to port and starboard, all with en suite heads.

The Ferretti 592 can be ordered with a pair of 900hp or 1100hp MAN engines. The more powerful option provides a cruising speed of 30kts and a maximum speed of 33.5kts.

With the press conference and the tours of the boats over, it was time to enjoy some espresso and Italian pastries, courtesy of the Ferretti Group at their expansive and glamorous display along Collins Avenue. And as I sat there, on a soft and cushy couch, with all these beautiful boats all around me, and yes, the equally elegant Ferretti staff, I thought, “Yes, this is the sweet life. La dolce vita is a good thing.” I would think nothing less of this builder.

Photos: Ferretti's dashing SportRiva 56 combines the flybridge concept with sporty lines; The Altura 840 cockpit; The SportRiva 56 flybridge helm; The Ferretti 881 Raised Pilot House saloon; The 900hp MAN diesels race the SportRiva 56 to a
top speed of 32kts; The SportRiva 56 has three staterooms; The Altura 840 is big, and fast with twin MTU V12
diesels.