Ferretti 960 Project: The Ultimate Embodiment of a Recreational Craft

FERRETTI 960 PROJECT, THE NEW FLAGSHIP OF THE BRAND: 

THE ULTIMATE EMBODIMENT OF A RECREATIONAL CRAFT 

The largest planing recreational boat ever built by Ferretti Yachts is born. A slender, sporty 96-footer ensuring top performances in its category and characterized by an optimized outdoor and interior layout, starting from the master quarters, located for the first time on the main deck, and an innovative aft area with a floodable garage to launch the tender.

Building the largest CE-certified planing recreational boat below 24 metres in length while developing further the design concepts pursued with the brand’s most recent models and maximising them to obtain an unprecedented product in its category: this is the core philosophy of the Ferretti 960, Ferretti Yachts’s new flagship, whose first hull is currently being built at the Group’s Cattolica shipyard. The boat will be officially launched next spring.

The new Ferretti 960 is yet another precious outcome of the cooperation between Studio Zuccon International Project (which signs all Ferretti Yachts’s projects), AYT Advanced Yacht Technology (Ferretti Group’s research and naval design centre), and the team of architects and designers of the Centro Stile Ferrettigroup; the design of its hull and waterlines draws inspiration from the previous flagship – the Ferretti 881, one of the brand’s most successful models –, but develops it further and makes of this new boat the legitimate heir of its predecessor. The new model is only available in the version with raised helm station and includes all the main innovations already widely appreciated in other recent yachts, like the Ferretti 720, the Ferretti 690, and the Ferretti 870, and many more new features that make it very competitive even when compared with longer crafts. The new flagship thus takes an important step forward in the range’s evolution while ensuring perfect continuity with previous models.

Thanks to its 29.20-metre overall length and 23.98 hull length, allowing it to be certified to EC standards and be considered a pleasure boat from all standpoints, even without being driven by a professional captain, the Ferretti 960 can boast unprecedented onboard liveability and comfort against competitors in its range and maximises several layout features typical of much larger yachts. Ferretti Yachts’s new flagship is indeed the brand’s first planing pleasure boat featuring five large cabins: four guest cabins – all equally sized and with equivalent fittings – on the lower deck and the master cabin forward, on the main deck, in addition to three comfortable cabins for the crew – a layout that can normally be found only on maxi-yachts.

The outer profile sets a new trend in the design of large planing hulls: the glazing extends along the entire main deck, “cutting” it from stern to bow and resulting in a much lighter profile, incredible interior brightness, very sporty features, and a significant stylistic innovation in Ferretti Yachts’s top of the range. The low gunwale on both sides in the central part of the boat, at the level of the dining area, further increases interior brightness and makes the craft’s profile look even lighter. Moreover, the decision to propose only the raised helm station version allows to make the most of this specific configuration, in terms of both outer lines and volumes: the main deck’s interiors, in particular, have been maximised, making the deck’s overall surface the largest in this category. Outdoor areas too have been extended: the spacious flybridge has specifically been designed to become an area entirely devoted to pure relaxation. Underdeck, the four large, equally sized windows set in the hull at the height of the guest cabins let through plenty of light and strengthen the concept of having four ‘perfectly equivalent’ cabins.

AFT AREA AND COCKPIT                                                                   

One of the main innovations on the brand’s new flagship is to be found in the aft area, which has been accurately designed to improve its functionality and increase its versatility and multi-purpose features. A brand-new concept of ‘aft area’ is thus born, whereby this part of the yacht is now entirely used for leisure activities, without any detriment to its original functions, i.e. storing equipment and launching the tender. The garage door is fitted with comfortable sun pads and cushions which de facto turn it into a chaise longue offering a wonderful view onto the sea. The pistons of the operation of the garage door have been skilfully hidden in the upper part of the door, not to interfere with the aesthetic features of the area. Moreover, the aft swimming platform is fitted with a convenient mobile section that can be used to launch and haul the tender, the seabob, and other equipment stored in the garage. The lift can be lowered to various depths, and can therefore also be used as a platform to dive into or come up from the water; once the garage door is opened, the central part of the swimming platform can be lowered, allowing to flood part of the garage and let the tender smoothly slide into the water using only a winch, with no need for a davit. The garage is very large and can host a tender of approximately 4.5 metres in length (in the case of hull #1 of the Ferretti 960 it will be a Williams Jet) and to store various equipment, from scuba diving gear to water-jets, in the numerous peaks.

The engine room is also accessed from astern, through a door located under the left steps leading to the swimming platform:  when the steps are lifted, the watertight door is disclosed.

The cockpit is incredibly large, comparable to those found on much larger yachts, and is furnished with a comfortable C-shaped sofa, located aft, and a wooden dining table seating up to eight people.

MAIN DECK

The cockpit glazed door – electrically driven as required by the Owner – grants access to the main deck interiors, featuring an ample-sized open-space salon, divided into the living and dining areas. Natural oak wood has been used for all furniture and furnishings; some details – like the window frames, whose design is further highlighted by special backlights, and the “hanging” shelves above the cabinets – are in walnut-stained oak wood.  Beside the salon entrance, on the right-hand side, is a bar unit with bottle racks and compartments; a fridge or a small wine cellar can also be fitted here. A long, uninterrupted glazing grants a wonderful view on the sea, which is even more striking in the central part, between the sofa and the dining area, thanks to the lowered gunwales, an element that was already present on the previous models Ferretti 870 and Ferretti 690. Along both broadsides, the full-height glazing may be replaced, upon the Owner’s request, by sliding glass doors connecting the salon to the sidedecks. The hiding-TV-set cabinet can be found to starboard, and may contain a TV screen up to 55” large. In front of it are a comfortable U-shaped and a coffee table.

The dining table can be extended to seat up to 12 people and features a glass top resting on a painted metal base.

The whole central part of the main deck has been designed as a lobby area, also dividing onboard circulation routes between the upper and the lower deck. The starboard lobby grants access to the day toilet and leads forward to the master quarters, while the stairs providing access to the lower deck are located in the centre. When going downstairs, safety is ensured by a wooden balustrade with a leather-lined curved handrail. A mirror has been installed along the staircase bulwark, at the height of the main deck

Along the port broadside, another passageway leads forward, to the galley; otherwise, taking the stairs on the right, the mezzanine floor can be reached, where the raised helm station can be found.

The master cabin has been designed to ensure the utmost privacy and noiselessness, also thanks to the sound insulation systems installed in the walls dividing it from the galley. Just after the entrance, on the right, is the walk-in wardrobe with a double sliding door, while a large chest of drawers and a full-height mirror are located on the left

Along the entire starboard broadside, under the glazing, stand a vanity set and several storage compartments. The TV set is aft, in front of the double bed, which features a leather and Alcantara headboard. Upon request leather can also be used to line the bedside table tops. Lighting – particularly the backlights of the window frames – has been accurately arranged, both here and in the main salon, to highlight the geometric features of the rooms and the contrast between the Alcantara and leather inserts in the headboard.

The bathroom, located at the extreme bow, is on a lower level and is characterised by a “hanging” Corian double washbasin, also fitted with a backlit surface above the cabinets. The bulwark lining is characterised by horizontal “stripes” in various materials and colours: the central one – at the height of the washbasin – is lacquered; above it is a dark-lacquered partition at the level of the mirror. The shower box and the toilet are divided from the bathroom by two lazed surfaces. The LED lighting above the mirror makes this room even more stylish and airy. Brightness is also ensured by the end portion of the long glazing running along the entire main deck.

The galley, located at the bow to portside, can rely on three different accessways, allowing to keep crew routes divided from those followed by the owners and their guests and thus ensuring maximum privacy: indeed, besides being accessible from the salon, the galley can be reached through an external door along the port broadside, and is also directly connected to the three underdeck crew cabins. Fitted with a service dinette, the galley is lacquered with a quartz top; in the standard version, it is furnished with a side-by-side fridge, high-end appliances, and several hanging compartments at the bow and on the port side.

LOWER DECK

Access to the four underdeck cabins is through the stairs which lead to a central lobby furnished with a front mirror. The four double cabins are identical and save the owner from the embarrassment of making a choice and giving his guests cabins having a different level of beauty and comfort. All cabins are ensuite with separate shower box and large storage compartments; the two forwards ones are fitted with sliding beds and can therefore be converted into twin cabins.

The guest cabins are fully harmonised with the colour shades found all over the yacht. Oak wood has been used in all cabins and is further enriched by walnut-stained oak wood details at the basis of the walls and on bedside tables. The most distinctive feature of the cabins, which also highlights the large hull glazing, is the wide Alcantara bulwark behind the double beds, which not only contains the curtains, but extends from the ceiling to the floor and covers the entire wall curving at the sides and resulting in a cosy ‘wrapping’ shape where guests can comfortably ‘snug’ at night – a feeling further enhanced by the backlights installed along the entire profile of the bulwark. Leather is the main material used for headboards and the strip running around the bed. Upon request it can also be used for inserts in the TV column and for cabinet tops. The bathrooms have walnut-stained oak wood floors and furniture bases, while the hanging cabinets are in oak wood. The washbasin and furniture tops are in Corian. Curved profiles can also be found in the bathroom bulwarks, resulting in a style perfectly harmonised with the one found in the cabins. The shower is separated from the bathroom by a glazed door.

Great care has been devoted to ensuring total noiselessness in the cabins: insulating materials have been installed in the bathroom wall that divides the two aft guest cabins from the engine room, while another insulating partition separates the forward cabins from the crew quarters. The latter are located at the extreme bow and have an independent access from the galley; they consist of three cabins and can host up to 5 crew members. The captain cabin with head and separate shower is located to starboard, while the two twin sailor cabins, at the extreme bow, share a head with separate shower box. There is also a passageway with a corner fitted with a washing machine and a tumble drier.

FLYBRIDGE, HELM STATION, AND OUTDOOR AREAS

Access to the spacious flybridge can be gained in two ways: from the cockpit staircase, located on the right-hand side, and from the helm station on the mezzanine floor.  Since the tender can be stored in the garage under the cockpit thanks to the innovative winch & slide launching system, no davit needs to be installed on the flybridge, whose aft part thus loses its technical function and can be fully enjoyed for relaxation. Upon the Customer’s request, however, a davit can be installed on the raised fibreglass basement, which is pre-fitted to host a davit although in the standard version it contains the life rafts.

On the left-hand side of the upper deck is the helm station, furnished with an electrically-adjustable height seat. Behind it is the large U-shaped sofa with two separate tables that can be however joined together by installing two wooden trays filling the gap between them. To starboard is the co-pilot seat and, behind it, the bar area with two cabinets containing the fridge (and ice-maker upon request), sink, grill, and a raised top where cocktails can be served or food stored. The aft sunbathing area, behind the sofa, can host a Jacuzzi; it is sheltered by the hard top with central opening section. The entire aft area is surrounded by a series of handrails and may be furnished with sofas and free-standing seats.

The helm station, connected to the flybridge by a central glass hatch, is really wide, and the glass surface grants the captain the best possible visibility. The station is fitted with many storage peaks, located behind the L-shaped sofa to starboard and, behind the seat, bookshelves on the right and left-hand sides, above the stairs coming from the main deck. The forward outdoor area is extremely functional thanks to two anchor chain peaks and has been furnished with two sofas featuring large storage compartments under the seat and separated by a short staircase leading to the large forward sunbathing area, on the pilot house.

ENGINE ROOM AND PROPULSION

Ferretti Yachts’s first CE-certified 96-footer, the brand’s new flagship, can be fitted with three different sets of MTU engines. The standard version has two 16V 2000 M84, 2218 mph engines allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 27.5 knots and a cruising speed of 24 knots. Two optional solutions include two 16V M93, 2435 mph engines or two 16V M94, 2638 mph engines, respectively, In the former version, the maximum speed will be 29 knots, the cruising speed – 25; in the latter, more powerful version, the Ferretti 960 will be able to reach a peak of 31 knots and enjoy a cruising speed of 27 knots (preliminary data). The first hull will be equipped with the most powerful propulsion system and will therefore be at the top of its category’s possible performances. The ARG (Anti Rolling Gyro) system is standard, to ensure maximum onboard comfort.