The new flybridge yacht, a key element in the fleet development strategy, makes its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival, after conquering many international markets. .
Although the yacht has not been officially presented yet, four hulls have already been sold: this is the power of a masterpiece and of a brand that designs and builds yachts whose innovative energy unmistakably conquers Owners and the yachting world in its entirety. After the private preview held in Montecarlo, the Cannes Yachting Festival 2015 have been chosen as the stage for the official debut of the Ferretti Yachts 550. Then, in early November, the yacht will also be introduced to the American market, at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
This new yacht plays a crucial role in the brand’s development strategy: Ferretti Yachts is currently offering the market a fleet consisting of eight yachts, ranging from this new 55-footer to the flagship, the Ferretti Yachts 960. As early as next year, the fleet will be widened further, especially in the range below 50 feet.
“The Ferretti Yachts 550 perfectly represents our historical brand’s successful accomplishments with yet another bright moment” – states Ferretti Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Alberto Galassi. “A moment we are extremely proud of, because as this yacht makes its debut we can boast the sale of as many as four hulls. At the same time, this 55-footer is an explicit declaration regarding the forthcoming development of our fleet. In particular, the project of a new 45-footer, together with other projects to be introduced in 2016, is undoubtedly going to pique the interest of many new customers across the world. The Ferretti Yachts ever-evolving fleet will allow us to offer the market an extremely diversified portfolio, in terms of both yacht sizes and layouts/fittings,”.
The Ferretti Yachts 550 features an unprecedented hull design, equipment and engine room arrangement, and interior layout. It is once again the outcome of the long-standing cooperation between the Group’s Engineering Department and Studio Zuccon International Project.
This yacht combines elegance with a sporty character. It is indeed characterized by clear-cut and yet very seducing lines. The main deck uninterrupted glazing ‘cuts’ the yacht’s profile, increasing its dynamic look, while the three large glazed surfaces on the hull sides – the cabin windows – perfectly complement the overall design and grant magnificent views from the interiors, as well as plenty of natural light. The frameless fiberglass flush portholes result in very clean lines, and the lowered flybridge and new forward lounge area on the wheelhouse offer incredibly wide outdoor relaxation areas, ensuring great privacy without any detriment to the craft’s slender profile.
AFT AREA AND MAIN DECK INTERIORS
Access onboard is via the aft swimming platform, thanks to several steps integrated in the hull’s starboard, to which an electrical-hydraulic gangway leading directly to the cockpit may also be added. A tender lift with slide, which can be lowered or lifted by over one meter, allows a tender up to 3.25 meters long to be comfortably and safely launched and hauled. When the tender lift is operated, it also ‘reveals’ some steps in the hull that make it possible to go into and come out of the water extremely easily.
Aft, the cockpit is furnished with a central sofa, on the left of which is a large underdeck peak that can alternatively become a sailor’s cabin, and a low cabinet to starboard toward the bow, where the icemaker can be installed.
The cockpit and the aft area of the internal salon stand out for an impressive décor consistency, a design solution that enhances the yacht’s marine style and ensures a full immersion in the natural marine environment. The central part of the ceiling panel features a polished lacquered surface that runs all the way from the cockpit to the forward windscreen, where LED lighting strips have been installed.
Moreover, on the first hull the teak floor pattern of the cockpit continues indoor, in the galley and the central passage, on the left side of which the cabinet that houses the refrigerator and the audio/video systems are located, as well as the cupboards where glassware is stored.
The concept of open space and the sense of depth and spaciousness are further increased by a new coaming-less glazed door, divided into three sections that fold to starboard one over the other to be perfectly concealed between the galley and the stairs leading to the flybridge. The interiors, comparable in terms of size and style to those normally found on larger yachts, have huge side glazed surfaces and a large windscreen that let plenty of natural light enter the salon and offer the Owners and their guests a magnificent view.
On a raised level, besides the pantry and the galley (furnished with a lacquered peninsula and an L-shaped worktop in dark grey Corian) are the living and dining areas, featuring a C-shaped sofa and a dining table to starboard, as well as two more facing sofas on the left, with a coffee table standing between them and a cabinet hosting the TV screen, which can be concealing upon request. Beyond this area, the new-concept pilot station can be found, fitted with backlit details, sliding backrest, and height-adjustable seat.
The décor across the entire deck is characterized by an original combination of contrasting materials and color shades, which can also be found in the areas below deck. Rift walnut has been combined with polished lacquered surfaces, whose exquisite look is further enhanced by a metal effect and by two contrasting color shades: a grey, very warm one, reminding of solidified lava, and a lighter one, similar to rope.
Light-color lacquering can be found in the central part of the ceiling panel, furniture tops, hanging cabinets, the frames of the side glazing, and the curtain compartments, which have a curved, sail-like shape. Upon request, the curved compartments and tops may be in light leather instead of lacquered. The low cabinets and the sofas are framed by an almost uninterrupted lava-color lacquered band that traces a very distinctive contour.
The base of the sofas is fitted with a mirroring chrome-plated steel band. The square table, with lacquered top and steel base, can be easily extended, unfolding like a book, while the coffee table, on the left hand side, has steel supporting arms and a lacquered, or – upon request – leather top.
LOWER DECK
The first hull comes in the shipyard version, including three cabins and two heads. Two other possible lower deck layouts are also available: a more traditional one, with three cabins and as many heads, and the by-now famous ‘Tai He Ban by Ferretti’ layout. Such a wide range of solutions aims to attract different types of owners, who will thus be able to choose from among the different layouts depending on the way they intend to use their yacht.
The full-beam master stateroom, featuring wall-to-wall carpeting, is unbelievably spacious, even more than those found on larger yachts. The suite is preceded by an entrance room fitted with a storage cabinet and, upon request, a second washing machine/tumble drier. The central double bed – whose band and headboard, on this first hull, are characterized by a special fabric decorated with a square pattern and diagonal stitching – stands beside a low cabinet, to starboard, that runs along the entire glazing. To portside is a dinette with two facing seats and a square table – a private area that would normally be found on maxi yachts, where the Owners can work or relax while enjoying a magnificent view at the water level.
The décor, reflecting the greatest possible care for details, is the same found on the main deck, including the lighting on the ceiling panel, with a central part in white fabric and the sides in lacquered material with built-in LED strips.
The master stateroom furnishings are completed by two walk-in wardrobes for the Owner and his partner, one to starboard and the other one to port, and a vanity set/desk with a pouf. The Owner’s head is located forward with respect to the night area; a second full-height glazed surface lets natural light shine through and brighten the shower box, which is separated from the toilet by a glass wall. The shower top and bench are in lava-shade Corian, just like the window frames and the vertical cabinets. The washbasin is supplied by the Italian company Ceramica Flaminia, while Treemme has signed the taps. Head accessories are by Capannoli.
The VIP cabin is located at the extreme bow and, just like the twin guest cabin, features a décor similar to that of the master stateroom. It has two wardrobes and a vanity set with a pouf, which in the layout with three heads can be replaced by a private bathroom with shower. In the ‘Tai He Ban by Ferretti’ special edition, targeted in particular at the owners from the Asia Pacific region, some cabins can be replaced by areas devoted to business meetings or social life on board, and the service galley can replace the guest cabin, thereby extending the relaxation areas on the main deck.
FLYBRIDGE AND FORWARD DINETTE
This new 55-footer offers Owner and guests two large outdoor relaxation areas, besides the cockpit. Available both in the open version (with a large Bimini top sheltering the dining area) and with a streamlined hard top covering the entire deck, the flybridge is dominated by a large C-shaped sofa surrounding the extendable table. To make the most of onboard space, the rafts have been stored under the aft seats. The backrest toward the pilot station can be tilted to convert the part of the sofa facing the cruising direction into a double seat for the captain and the co-pilot. Liveability on the flybridge has been further improved by restyling, and reducing the size of, thedashboard and the bar/storage unit.
An unprecedented feature in the Ferretti Yachts range is the new forward lounge, fitted with facing sofas and, upon request, a retractable extendable table, which is stored in the body of the sofa facing the cruising direction and can be folded out to dine in the utmost privacy. A large sunbathing area is located at the extreme bow, fitted with a doubleedged sunpad that also works as a backrest for the dinette aft seat.
ENGINES
The great care devoted to the construction process has allowed to limit the yacht’s final tonnage and, therefore, to install engines having a limited size, weight and consumption while ensuring the usual excellent performance of all Ferretti Yachts crafts. Indeed, the new 55-footer is fitted with two Cummins QSM11 shaft drive engines having a power of 715 mhp at 2,500 rev./min. and pushing the boat to a maximum speed of 30 knots and a cruising speed of 26.5 knots, with a range of 250 and 300 nautical miles, respectively.
A bow thruster will be installed standard on the Ferretti Yachts 550, while a gyroscope stabilizing system can be installed upon request to ensure even more comfort at anchor and facilitate berthing maneuvers.
