Ferretti Yachts’ epic new flagship

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The Ferretti Yachts 1000 debuted at Venice before showing at Cannes

Ferretti Yachts’ new flagship is about much more than just building a bigger boat. In developing the Ferretti Yachts 1000, the Italian shipyard did a complete re-think on spaces, connections and ideal uses.

The brief was for a 30m yacht, large enough to offer a luxurious living experience yet not so large that size would become a limitation. Design had to be versatile and with the qualities that would meet the needs of a variety of markets. Selling points were to be privacy, easy access to outdoor areas and functional beach-to-fly connections.

And while much anticipation surrounded the model’s Cannes Yachting Festival appearance this September, I was able to see the first hull in all her glory at this year’s Venice Boat Show, where she drew a crowd as she made her official world premiere.

Filippo Salvetti designed the exterior

Due to the buzz the launch generated – and the subsequent line of eagerly waiting people – I had some time to check out the exterior lines penned by Filippo Salvetti that complement his work on the brand’s 670, 720 and 500 models launched in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively.

And the lines on the 1000 are as simple as black and white. Long, continuous, horizontal lines of black glass contrast with the white hull and end in curves that pick up the bow shape. The semi-wide body construction makes her look like a compact unit with a very high freeboard.

Birds’ eye view shows the flow from cockpit to fly to foredeck

The bridge is just a low wedge whose roof also acts as side coamings for the fly, an arrangement that integrates the upper deck into the yacht’s lines, so avoiding that ‘extra piece on top’ effect.

UPWARDS AND ONWARDS

Boarding aft, the first thing you notice is a row of loungers built into the transom facing the water. Centrally placed between symmetrical stairs that lead up to the aft cockpit, the effect is a bit like an amphitheatre overlooking the hydraulically operated up/down aft platform.

The infinite-view cockpit overlooks a huge swim platform with a row of sun loungers

Add that the loungers can be shaded by an awning and you get a take on the beach club that creates an open and breezy space where you really can enjoy a day in and on the water. Another thing you notice is that the Ferretti Yachts 1000 blends spaces that on many other yachts are separate and distinct.

The aft cockpit has a glass enclosure aft, so is in direct visual connection with the beach platform. While the cockpit is fully shaded by the overhang, its seating faces sideways instead of forward, so guests look over the water and not into the yacht. There’s even a large glass insert in the fashion plates to keep the views open.

The cockpit has a flexible table and facing sofas

While on many yachts the natural progression of spaces seems to be from the aft cockpit into the saloon, two symmetrical staircases invite you directly up to the fly deck where a large and open aft area can be furnished to the owner’s taste.

The hardtop and parts of its structure are in weight-saving carbon-fibre, a first for Ferretti, and the bar and dining area under it can be shaded to a varying degree by opening and closing slats in the hardtop.

The hardtop covers a dining table, bar and helm, while the aft flybridge is free to furnish

The teak flooring continues in a curve up to the upper helm station, a nice touch that shows the quality of the workmanship aboard.

Due to the semi wide-body design, the interiors are built all the way out to the hull sides for about half of the yacht’s length. There is no side passage from the main deck to foredeck, but that doesn’t mean the area is difficult to reach. In fact, you can walk the entire length of the yacht from the beach platform to flybridge to foredeck in a continuous line and always stay outdoors.

The multi-level foredeck can be covered by a bimini

All deck spaces flow easily one to the other. Passage to the foredeck is via symmetrical side passages from the fly that converge by a large sun pad in front of the bridge and then continue down to a C-shaped seating area. The foredeck is another large outdoor area that can be enjoyed all day.

KEEP IT LIGHT

Outdoor deck spaces are key, but indoor spaces are just as important. The interiors are available in two different moods created by IdeaeItalia, the design studio that first worked with Ferretti Yachts on its entry-level 500 released last year.

Aft view of the saloon, which benefits from the cockpit’s infinity view

The Classic mood is based around a palette of warm, neutral tones, Contemporary is brighter and more colourful, while both feature tasteful Minotti furniture.

The saloon is on the same level as the aft cockpit and is set up with large living and dining areas. A sectional sofa in the living area faces a freestanding flat screen TV and is separated from the dining area by a built-in sideboard.

The saloon offers great views; sliding doors are an option beside the dining table

Elegant as the furnishings may be, the real star of the show are the yacht’s surroundings, with views enjoyed through long, uninterrupted panes of glass. Owners can choose to have sliding doors installed by the dining table for an even closer connection to the outdoors.

Fore of the dining area, the yacht becomes wide body with the owner’s suite, which is situated fore on the main deck and is even wider than the saloon. With ample storage spaces, a study and a settee, this is a real suite with a centrally placed bed and a full-beam bathroom just two steps down from the sleeping area.

The master suite is wider than the saloon and has a full-beam bathroom

The bathroom has double sinks in marble and separate shower and toilet areas, while there are opening portholes in the long windows for natural air circulation. The lower deck features four guest cabins, all en-suite and all luxuriously appointed.

The crew area has accommodation for four plus the captain, so assuring everyone on board lives well. All crew pathways are to starboard so guests can enjoy their privacy, but both crew and guests have access to the beating heart of the yacht: the bridge. As well as a Poltrona Frau helm seat, a seating area allows guests to watch the operations of the boat via its Naviop-Simrad touchscreens.

The lower-deck hallway leads to two guest cabins forward and two aft

Top speeds of 24 or 28 knots are possible depending on the engine option, while other options include a gyroscopic stabilising system.

If we take our yacht tour full circle and head back to the aft platform, we see that the transom door flips up to reveal a garage large enough for a Williams Dieseljet 445 tender, jet-ski and Seabobs. When all of these are in the water, the garage becomes a beach club, but there are so many ways to enjoy this yacht that you might not even need it.

One of four spacious guest cabins on the lower deck

While Ferretti Yachts’ new flagship has been a star at shows from Venice to Cannes and the Ferretti Group Private Preview in Monaco, it will also be seen in Asia soon, with the region’s first hull due to arrive in Taiwan in early 2022.