A DARING SOUL

The new 5x represents a milestone in the history of pershing, an iconic symbol of the evolution the brand is going through right now. By Luca Sordelli.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

The new 5x represents a milestone in the history of pershing, an iconic symbol of the evolution the brand is going through right now. By Luca Sordelli.

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IF THERE’S ONE YACHT BRAND you can recognise anywhere and in any sea exists, without a doubt it’s a Pershing. Dating back to 1985 with the first Pershing 45, the shipyard from Mondolfo is established firmly as one of the great icons of the boating industry worldwide – a symbol of speed, Italian design and a daring soul. To confuse a Pershing with any other floating object is impossible.

“The great challenge we are facing is to build yachts with all possible comforts maintaining speed and fun, the fundamental parts of Pershing DNA,” says Ferretti Group Engineering Director Michelangelo Casadei. “Yachts get heavier, volumes are bigger but they still remain Pershings.”

It isn’t an easy challenge – it almost seems to be a contradiction.

“Luckily, technological evolution is on our side. Engineered production and our abilities to place weights where needed and use new propulsion systems are of great help,” he says.

This is certainly true, since the Pershing 5X is the first one to be powered by twin 750hp Volvo Penta IPS-950.

“We won the challenge, we adapted to what the market is offering and what owners want. More traditional twin 1,000hp CAT engines with surface drives are still available, but it’s with twin IPS that we reached a level of comfort and speed we never thought possible, especially when thinking the full displacement is 25 tonnes.”

The 5X has a vacuum-infused hull and is built entirely in vinylester resins and balsawood sandwich, with a carbon hold door at the cockpit.

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For the design, Pershing once again turned to Fulvio de Simoni. The best part without a doubt the big central saloon, where the large windows and clear roof make you feel like you’re at the heart of the surrounding seascape.

A well-designed opening and closing system allows the glass door to connect the saloon to the cockpit in a seamless area. The main deck becomes a single open space, which is great to fully enjoy thanks to the large swim platform – that can also be submerged – and also the wellprotected guardrails with carbon “side wings”.

The tender garage is well designed for easy launch and recovery. An endless sunbathing area couldn’t be missed as well. The shipyard’s goal is to build more than 15 of them, which is not impossible since 10 were sold before the first one hit the water.

The whole lower deck was designed around the huge full-beam master suite, with a king bed, plenty of free space and surprisingly large volumes. A small dinette is included, as well as plenty of closets for the most fashionable Owners and above all two endless side windows that give brightness and a nice view. The cabin has an en-suite bathroom with separate shower.

Large volumes can also be found in the V-shaped bow cabin, whose bathroom is accessible from the dinette as well so it can be used as day toilet. The living area at mid-ship has the galley to starboard, with anthracite grey Corian worktop.

The same material was used for the dinette table, which can be converted in a third bed by laying it down in combination with the C-shaped sofa. A three-cabin layout is available; where instead of a dinette there is either a cabin with bunk beds or a crew cabin with small en-suite bathroom.

We tested the 5X with IPS engines, since we are 100% sure about performances with surface drives – the shipyard’s traditional propulsion system – but we were really curious about the Volvo Penta IPS engines.

And after a long day of rough seas in the Gulf of Genoa, we can’t do anything but give top marks to this curious match. With eight people on board and a 90% load in the fuel/water tanks, it was a true trial. We reached a top speed of 36.3 knots, which is good, but the handling was even better.

The 5X is fun to pilot, very responsive but never too nervous even when pushed to its extreme limits. The yacht has precise movements and it’s really nice to handle. We were impressed by the complete lack of vibrations – even when crossing waves – and by the comfort of the driving position, one of the distinguishing features of the shipyard.

Comfort is good especially at cruising speed – 30 knots, in comfort usually associated with bigger yachts. Also noticeable is consumption – the 5X consumes 280 litres/hour at full speed, but it drops to 175 l/h at 30 knots, which is not bad at all for such a sporty yacht.

We look forward to testing the Pershing 5X again with the twin 1,000hp CAT engines and surface drives.

www.pershing-yacht.com.
www.ferrettigroup.com.

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PERSHING 5 X
LOA 1 6.51m.
Hull length 12.93m.
Beam: 4.38m.
Draft 1.35m.
Displacement (unladen) 20,900kg.
(full) 25,000kg.
Beds 4 + 2.
Cabins 2 (3).
Passengers 12.
Fuel capacity 2,200 litres.
Water capacity 416 litres.
Engines 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 950 725hp.
Engines (opt) 2 x CAT 1,000hp – Surface Drive.
Max speed 36 knots (45 knots with CAT).
Cruising speed 30 knots (41knots with CAT).
Rpm 
600
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
l/h
7.4
32
100
175
288
Knots
4.5
9.6
14.8
24.4
36.3