Ferretti Raises the Bar—Again—With Its Magnificent 720
Ferretti Yachts has a long history of raising the bar on luxury yacht design, so to say the official presentation of its new 720 at the Miami International Boat Show in February was highly anticipated would be a huge understatement.
It was originally revealed in Cannes a few months before the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the recent Miami show marked the first real opportunity most have had to see the 720 up close. Was it worth the wait? Oh, yes.
The second Ferretti yacht to feature an exterior design by architect Filippo Salvetti, the 22.3-metre 720 displays a number of functional and styling solutions that are highly innovative for a vessel of this size. They start with the hydraulic swim platform that lowers to the water level, making it possible to house a tender up to nearly four metres long–or a three-seat PWC –in its stern garage. Remember, we’re talking about a 22-metre yacht here, so that’s a real eye popper.
All the Comforts of Home
Step up into the cockpit and that impressive start just gets better. An inviting forward-facing settee with a full-length table and a series of freestanding chairs— enough to seat eight in comfort under the protection of an overhead canopy—mark the ideal spot for drinks or dinner al fresco.
Twin promenades lead forward to the bow, where the 720 stands out for its spacious and versatile lounging spaces, including a massive forward-facing settee and a separate freestanding sun pad that can transform into another comfortable dining space with a central table. To the sides of the sun pads, integrated tables with built-in drink holders and storage compartments are framed by four retractable courtesy lights. If the midday sun gets to be a bit much, carbon poles support a Bimini top that can cover the entire area.
From the main deck cockpit, a wide staircase leads to the upper sun deck, which houses the flybridge. Of carbon fibre and composite construction, the upper helm station is far forward, framed by a massive, sea-facing sun pad. Amidships, a central dinette is served from the bar area with kitchenette, refrigerator, sink, and storage spaces.
The Great Indoors
Stepping indoors from the cockpit leads to the salon, which manages to become much larger once you’re inside—it has more than 27 square metres of open space and more than two metres of ceiling height.
The aft end of the salon features a comfortable living area with two large, facing sofas. Massive side windows, and the all-glass cockpit door, keep the space bright and appealing. The middle section houses the main dining space, and forward of the dining table is the galley, with the main helm station to starboard.
Next to the helm, a stairway leads to the below-decks accommodations. Ferretti’s standard floor plan features a four-cabin layout, with the bow devoted to a large VIP suite with an ensuite head. The owner’s suite sits far aft, spanning the full beam of the vessel to provide more than enough space for a large ensuite, a large walk-in closet, and a seating space with a large sofa.
Between these spaces are twin guest cabins, typically set up as twins, or alternatively, a guest cabin and a laundry. A day head completes the lower level.
Get Up and Go
Proving that there’s more to the 720 than just dazzling good looks and inspired design, Ferretti equipped the yacht with twin MAN V8 diesels that churn out 1,200 horsepower–which can be upgraded to twin V12s and 1,400 ponies if desired. With the twin 12s, the 720 will achieve a blistering top speed of 32 knots while cruising at 28, which is staggering performance for a yacht of this size.
Twin Seakeeper stabilizers keep the rolling seas under control and ensure onboard comfort. At the helm, the Ferretti LOOP system, developed in collaboration with Naviop-Simrad, allows precision control of all the main functions of propulsion, navigation, generator management, and climate control. The steering system can be integrated with a joystick package for the ultimate in high-tech control.
Ferretti raises the bar— again —with its new 720. Bringing superyacht amenities into a more compact and practical footprint, this is one luxury cruiser we’re all going to see a lot more of.
