Another Stylish Italian Seafarer By Ferretti - FY 780

Vessel of Style

Ferretti Yachts made quite the exhibition at the recent Cannes Yachting Festival back in September with its latest flybridge, the FY 780. Here, we take a closer look at this yacht’s inner workings and appeal. For those of you who might not be in the know, Ferretti Yachts is led by Chairman Tan Xuguang and Chief ExecutiveOfficer lberto Galassi. Under the larger management of Ferretti Group, Ferretti Yachts are the product of some of the more modern facilities located across Italy. These facilities combine the efficiency of industrial production with typical world-class Italian craftsmanship, a heritage of Italy’s centuries-old yachting tradition. It isn’t just the only brand by Ferretti Group; the yachting business also oversees a portfolio of other brands like Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN and Custom Line. This big presence in the pleasure boating scene is exactly why Ferretti have become a perennial fixture at Cannes Yachting Festival for some time now and their latest exhibition back last September was fronted by the marque’s new flybridge, the FY780.

The new flybridge yacht, natural heir in the 75-foot category and the ideal link between the under 70-foot fleet and larger vessels, makes its worldwide debut at the 2017 Cannes Yachting Festival. The new Ferretti Yachts 780 is the magnificent result of an intelligent evolution, the boat where you wish to be when you dream of a modern and rewarding sailing experience. A fantastic flybridge yacht that fulfils its owner’s every desire in terms of comfort, style, seaworthiness and safety. It is therefore only natural that this astonishing craft sparked such a high level of anticipation and interest long before its official début, which is set to take place from 12 to 17 September under the most brilliant and prestigious spotlights on the international boating scene, those of the 40th Cannes Yachting Festival.

The Ferretti Yachts 780, product of the collaboration between the Ferretti Group’s Product Strategy Committee, its Engineering Department and the Studio Zuccon International Project, has inherited many of the successful features of models launched over the last three years (Ferretti Yachts 550, 700, 450 and 850), to which new and important elements have been added in a continuation of the philosophy – part of our brand’s heritage since its founding – of always developing cutting-edge solutions. This philosophy is evident in its aerodynamic design, manifested in sleek lines and clean shapes, accentuated by the choice to resize the height of the hull’s topsides, to the benefit of the yacht’s overall sporty character. The hull design, in particular, takes from the Ferretti Yachts 450 and 550 the stylistic feature consisting of three windows corresponding to the guest cabins. In the superstructure we find a design we can recognise from Ferretti’s over 80-foot flybridge yachts, to which is added the front and side dome at the helm station.

An important innovation can be found in the area aft, which offers the comforts of a real beach club, thanks to the new tailgate operating system. Above the large swimming platform – where a tender can be stored upon request – the two sections that form the tailgate can be lowered together or separately. These contain two large sun pads which, once the tailgate is fully opened, transform the space into a relaxing area close to the water. Ample storage spaces have been built into the sides of the companionway leading up to the cockpit, which can be used to store a seabob, ropes and other technical material.

The outdoor area located forward features a private lounge of considerable size, comparable to the sort you would find on a maxi yacht. It is fitted with a U-shaped sofa and a vast central sun pad with lockers located beneath it. The large flybridge sports a hard top equipped with a fixed window. It is furnished with free-standing furniture to aft and amidships. Meanwhile, forward to starboard, the helm station is provided with a small table and two facing sofas that can be converted into sun pads. All of the outdoor furnishings have been developed in collaboration with the Italian company Roda.

Beyond the glass door of the cockpit, you enter the main deck lounge, located on a single level and fitted with exquisite Mardegan parquet f looring in brushed oak. Resting atop the elegant Stepevi carpet we find a large C-shaped sofa by Minotti, the Freeman “Lounge” model, upholstered in Ecru fabric and ocean-blue leather, adorned with decorative cushions by Casamance. Three Aeron accent tables by Minotti, one veneered in Sucupira and two each with a lacquer finish, one in Sand and the other in Corten, complete the furnishings. Beyond the living space is the dining area, with its large table and Dea model chairs by Potocco, seating up to 8 guests.

As on a larger yacht, the forward section of the deck is divided by a bulkhead, in Florim portoro, with the galley occupying the starboard side. Upon request, the galley can instead be made open to the lounge, creating a single space stretching to the foredeck. The raised pilot house, furnished with two facing sofas, is a technical area featuring a next-gen steering system, the same as on the Ferretti Yachts 920: the instrumentation, composed of multiple touchscreen displays, integrates the craft’s navigation systems with the controls for its technical instruments and propulsion systems. A door on the starboard side provides rapid access to the exterior walkway. Meanwhile, on the port side bulwark, owner and guests will find a companionway that will allow them to proceed down towards the sleeping cabins independently.

Once below deck, a corridor coordinates circulation flows to and from the 4 guest cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom. The full-beam Master Stateroom enjoys magnificent natural light thanks to double glazed windows with integrated flush portholes, over which can be drawn fine Zimmer – Rohde curtains. It is furnished with a double bed with a Minotti headboard and pillows by Casamance. The bathroom, located behind the bed along the port side bulwark, features a separate shower, decorated with Casamood Neutra mosaics.

In the same aft area, but on the starboard side, is a walk-in closet partially concealed by a bulkhead with cladding in Vetrite glass panels by SICIS. Low furnishings, with a vanity and study area, a sofa and a lounge chair complete the space. Before reaching the VIP cabin located at the foredeck, there is a lobby that leads to the two guest cabins, one to starboard, with a separable double bed, and another, with twin beds, to port, both decorated in the same style chosen for the master cabin and the main deck. Far aft, separated from the guest areas by the engine room, is the crew area, which can be accessed fromthe cockpit. Designed with comfort in mind, it is among the most spacious in this market segment. It includes a cabin for the captain and a second, with two bunk beds, for the crew. Each cabin has its own separate bathroom. In the standard version, there is a storage area in place of the captain’s cabin. A watertight door leads directly to the engine room, which is also accessible via the cockpit hatch.

The first Ferretti Yachts 780 is equipped with an optional engine assembly consisting of twin MAN engines, providing 1550 MHP and ensuring the yacht a cruising speed of 27 knots and a top speed of 31 knots (preliminary data). To ensure maximum comfort even when at anchor, this new 78-footer is also equipped with a Seakeeper stabiliser. This powertrain somewhat encapsulates yet another sturdy and stylish boat by the Italian yachting powerhouse and we think it’s worth the closer look if you happen to be in the market for a yacht in this 75-foot category.