New motor yachts in Asia: Ferretti Yachts 450 boasts small size but more space
Ferretti’s new baby has some surprises in store such as an oversized flybridge and more
Ferretti has added a new boat to their Ferretti Yachts range; an entry-level motor yacht, and a return to the sub-50ft range. They have sold their first in Asia, and it is already in Hong Kong.
Meant to be sporty, and it is certainly quick enough, it is also lavishly styled. Ferretti prides themselves on the excellent quality and workmanship they put into all their yachts; the boat’s smaller size doesn’t mean that its finishes have been compromised. As beautiful as the interiors are, you’d have to live on the outside of this one to really get to enjoy it. I’m not saying you can’t live in a 46ft with a beam of 14ft (I’ve lived in smaller boats), its just that you are going to enjoy being outside more. It is fast, powerful, and can turn sharply at speed. So what are you going to do? That’s right: take it out and cut some fast powerful turns at high speed.
Ferretti’s new baby has some surprises in store, not least of which is an over-sized flybridge that extends half the length of the yacht. This should look odd and unbalanced, but I have to say it does not; it looks quite well, even with passengers congregating upstairs, as they will. The flybridge doesn’t consist of much more other than seating for 6 to 8, a minibar, and some sunbathing pads near the portside helm. But then, what more do you want from a flybridge? The surprise is that it is there at all on a yacht this size. The whole foreslope beyond the flybridge is a gigantic sunpad, helping the helm keep his or her eyes forward, and could easily sun 4 to 6 little ‘uns.
The Saloon seats around 6 comfortably, and the lounge/dining area sits between the galley and the starboard helm position. Right for’ard is the companionway down to the two or three cabins below. Both cabin-versions have large full-beam double cabins at bow and midships, and if you want a third cabin, it’s a twin bunk starboard berth which necessitates a redesign of the heads.
Space, always at a premium, no matter how big your yacht, is made to appear larger by glazing as many surfaces as possible using a variety of polished “woods, lacquered surfaces, finishes and fabrics that fuse a contemporary living style with a traditional marine design”. Ferretti rightly flatters themselves that this is a hallmark of their Ferretti Yachts brand. The cockpit has an aft sofa and a dining table and leads down to the submersible stern swim platform which doubles as a boat-lift for a tender up to 2.8m long.
There are two engine options, both Cummins QSB 6.7 diesels. The owner can choose from two versions, one 480hp, the other 550hp. This translates into two speed ranges. The more powerful engines give a cruising speed of 27kts and she can scoot at 31kts. The weaker engine still slams her along at 29kts, and will cruise at 25kts, all depending on how much fuel you’ve put in the 1,400L tanks and how much water you’ve put in the 600L water tanks. The cruising range of 230nm is enough for a weekend of cruising with enough fuel to get back at speed if required. Sporty enough?
The yacht comes with multi-directional Z-Drives, so you can get one of those cool joystick things to make precision mooring in tight coves and narrow marina berths as easy as driving the tender.
For more information, visit Ferretti Yachts.
This article was first published in Yacht Style Issue 36.
