The flagship of the ferretti yachts range is also the largest, with many solutions and features found only on much bigger yachts. By Angelo Colombo
The flagship of the ferretti yachts range is also the largest, with many solutions and features found only on much bigger yachts. By Angelo Colombo
DESIGNED INSIDE AND OUT by Zuccon International Project, the Ferretti Yachts 960 carries many original solutions that result in more comfort and possibilities of use, which are often only found on boats that are significantly larger. These include the floodable garage – thanks to which the launching and beaching of the tender is extremely convenient and quick – as well as facilitating the entry and exit of personnel or guests.
The naval platform was developed by Advanced Yacht Technology & Design (AYTD), which is owned by Ferretti Group. The naval design is based on the waterlines of the previous flagship Ferretti 881, with which the shipyard achieved major commercial success.
Thus it is no coincidence that during our tests at sea we found optimal behaviour, not only in terms of speed performance but also – and perhaps above all – in terms of structure and evolutionary properties. Turns are fast and accurate, the boat maintains the axis and its course without any difficulty. This is impressive, considering the overall dimensions of the yacht.
“On this project, we have done a lot of analysis before arriving at the production,” explains Project Engineer Antonio Campagnuolo. “Then you have to consider that it is a hull that we already knew and we already had a lot of data available. Therefore, we made a deep analysis and optimisation of the new arrangement of weight to achieve a result, in our opinion, that is ideal in relation to the size and characteristics of the boat.”
We went out to sea with the data declared by the yard that we always use to compare with data recorded during the trial and for the maximum speed, the recorded value is greater than declared. Another thing seen while piloting the 960, and performing numerous manoeuvres even at speeds of 24 knots, is that the hull and appendages have evolutionary qualities that are decidedly high for a boat of this size, while also offering course stability and proper behaviour on the waves.
With the interior design, the internal partitioning presents some interesting solutions also seen in Ferretti’s larger boats, such as the Owner’s suite on the main deck and four very similar cabins on the lower deck, making this yacht particularly suitable for charter activities.
The layout is completed with three crew cabins that have private access from the kitchen, also a solution from larger projects. The level of privacy for the Owner and guests is very high thanks to the creation of dedicated circuits for personnel only.
As for the exterior, the design of the aesthetic element that cuts the profile of the glazing from stern to bow lightens the perception of large volumes that characterise so much of the hull superstructure. This choice also creates great brightness in the interior, even on the lower deck where each cabin has a wide window above sea level, which is very impressive.
Always keen to emphasise the brightness and contact with the sea, the architect Gianni Zuccon designed a very low gunwale amidships. This means the saloon does not have obstacles to watching the sea, while the same time it helps to lighten the profile. The interior is very comfortable in terms of spaces, subdivision and brightness. The layout of the test yacht is minimal, very linear and made with colour combinations ranging from dark wood floors to creamy white furniture and ceilings.
There is a high level of soundproofing throughout the yacht, although the two guest cabins that are located towards the stern are more in contact with the mechanical organs, which you can hear during sailing but this is minimal. The vibration and noise are so low everywhere that the result is a very high level of comfort in any part of the yacht.
The position of the Owner’s suite benefits from particularly low noise levels – it is on a deck higher than the engine room and in the forward area. This welcoming environment is revealed in every situation, because thanks to the large side windows contact with the outside world is always assured, as is the comfort at sea with solutions capable of absorbing the vibrations.
The half bridge is between the main and the sundeck. The helm station is very modern and well appointed. It lacks space for the management of all operations including working on paper and nautical charts – something a few yards have neglected lately – but the systems are complete and above all very functional.
Construction-wise, the big news is the tender garage, with the aft bridge lowered and system flooding and emptying to facilitate the launch and recovery, as well as the loading and unloading of people and things.
This is really nice system, effective and above all safe thanks to the drainage system adopted by Ferretti Yachts. In addition to the benefits derived from its simplicity, it can handle tenders such as a 4.5m RIB, which is ideal for going hiking ashore while being fast and comfortable for all guests.
The shipyard offers as standard the stabilisation system ARG (Anti Rolling Gyro), which can also be coupled to the particular needs of systems fins. We tested the effectiveness of the ARG standing still and with a slight wave that normally triggers a roll at anchor that can be annoying, noting that it’s effective.
On the fly deck, there space to enjoy the sun in the many moments of the day. Aft, space is provided for the installation of a crane to handle a personal watercraft or additional tender. The surface area is very wide and can be set up as the Owner wishes. On this deck there is also a second control station, equipped with all the main systems to manage the yacht with total visibility on the horizon.
DESIGNING RELATIONSHIPS
The cruising speed of 27 knots for a 30m yacht is really good, especially if we consider that this is a very comfortable yacht with big living spaces to enjoy during the cruise in a totally comfortably way. The design by Zuccon International Project offers ergonomic solutions and an original, modern style.
Bernardo Zuccon, son of Zuccon International Project Founder Gianni Zuccon, explains that the main element they kept in mind when developing the project was the necessity to give passengers the feeling that any part of the boat is a familiar environment.
“Man is the centre of our projects, his perception of the space, the ergonomic study and the light. Everything is concentrated to offer the perfect relationship between people and the space they have to live aboard a yacht as in their homes or wherever,” Bernard Zucco says.
“This kind of relationship is present every time in any place, that’s the reason why we consider it the central part of our project. Above that, of course, we take care of the typical needs of a naval project. We don’t want to realise a villa on the sea, but what we develop with our projects are boats able to fit the needs of the people who will live on them – also in terms of perception, not only big space, but space where light, relationship between exterior and interior, being able to see and share different areas, everything is combined to offer a totally pleasant experience.” – Angelo Colombo
For the shipyard, the Ferretti Yachts 960 is a very important model as it is the largest yacht it has ever produced and uses a completely new design – establishing a boundary line with the past from the aesthetic point of view, but continuity in terms of technical and technological.
This is a yacht that we tried with great curiosity, because it’s the biggest produced by this shipyard, the first with a new line and because it is the flagship for the new direction of the yard and this project is the result of research directed not only toward technical issues but also comfort.
The Ferretti Yachts 960 is able to offer the comfort of a bigger yacht and the agility of a typical fly motorboat, with a fuel consumption at more than 21 knots of about 500 l/h – more than acceptable for a yacht of almost 30m in length. During the test we reached a maximum speed of 32.3 knots, in total comfort and safety. This is a very interesting yacht, ideal for Owners looking for big space, total comfort, technology and, of course, performance.
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