Ferretti Yachts Review

Summary

The Italy-based Ferretti Yacht company celebrated forty years of existence back in 2008. Norberto Ferretti is the founder and his experience with boats began at an early stage in life. His father bought him a 5.7 meter (about 17 feet) French-made boat. After receiving it, Norberto’s passion for boats emerged and grew over time. From 1968-1978, Norberto and his brother, Alessandro, began in small shipyards. They began selling boats such as Chris Craft, San Lorenzo, and Italcraft. From 1979-1989, Ferretti produced its first 10 meter “motor-sailer.” This is a ship that has both a motor and sail. This decade also marked to beginning of exploring the motoryacht world to accommodate more space for design longed for by the Ferretti brothers. The 1990s marked the introduction of Ferretti yachts onto the international market. In 2002, the Ferretti Yachts division was created, specializing in building and manufacturing fiberglass fly-bridge boats ranging in size from 47 to 88 feet. Ferretti boats come with the ARG (anti-rolling gyro) system (built in cooperation with Mitsubishi) and a large open-view window of the ship’s cabin. Today, Ferretti boats are exported to the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.

Pricing

Prices range from $640,490 (2002 model) to $5.7 million (2004 model). A couple of 2006 models are available for $5.5 and $5.6 million.

Pros

• Very luxurious and visually-pleasing interior and exterior.
• Ferretti has been expanding into other foreign markets and nations in recent months (e.g., China in March 2010, French dealer Abys Yachting in 2009).
• Studies confirm that Ferretti boats are very safe and power-efficient.
• Company is committed to technological innovation in boat construction and measuring safety and reliability factors in their boats.

Cons

• The basic design of the yacht is almost identical across its models. There is not much innovation in design.
• Other companies have more customizing options.
• Boats are reported to cost extremely high.

Featured Models

In February 2010, Ferretti sent its Ferretti 800 to the nearby dock of Catollica shipyard for sea testing. It successfully passed the testing trials and will be officially launched in September 2010. It is 24 meters long (about 75 feet) and 6 meters in width (about 20 feet). Another model is the Ferretti 510. Depending on which engine you choose, you may get 730hp or 800hp. The more powerful motor has a cruising speed of 28 knots and a maximum speed of 32 knots.

Conclusion

Ferretti Yachts have a strong history backing them. Visually-pleasing interiors and exteriors, technological innovation, safety, luxury, and comfort characterize the Ferretti company. It is based in Italy, but markets and exports all over the world. It continues to spread its wings into other boating companies and nations, making it a world-renowned company. Ferretti has maintained its traditional style of fly-bridge boats over the four decades of its existence. Thus, innovation in design may not be apparent on Ferretti boats.