Pardo Yachts - there's hardly a way around this brand these weeks. Anyone who followed the America's Cup off Barcelona will have noticed the partner shipyard of the Italian team Luna Rossa - the Pardo Endurance 72 acted as a hospitality yacht there. Shortly before the Cup, the manufacturers then presented their new flagship: the GT75, the third model in the still relatively new Gran Turismo series.
"This is the largest Pardo of all time," says Marketing Director Fabio Lazzari, welcoming us on board "Manta", construction number one. With the change of ownership to the Calzedonia Group at the end of 2023, Cantiere del Pardo has entered a new era. The Pardo GT65 arrived at the beginning of 2024, and the Grand Soleil brand, which belongs to the group, also celebrated innovations such as the 65 LC, while VanDutch is planning a 75. This success can also be attributed to the shipyard's continuous development and distinctive style. It is not without reason that every yacht built is sold immediately and building slots are rare.
DNA clearly recognisable
The designers at Zuccheri Design have positioned the Pardo GT75 between the Walkaround and Endurance series, creating an unmistakably typical Pardo. Like most of its siblings, the two-decker comes without a flybridge. Its character is aimed at owners who want to use their yacht like a villa at sea - with meticulously coordinated spaces to optimise every angle. The interior and exterior lines were designed by Nauta Design. Yachts such as the Lagoon Seventy8, the 180-metre-long "Azzam" and the 25-metre sailing yacht "My Song" have already come from the drawing board of the Milan-based creatives. "The GT75 reflects our style, which is based on modern, clean lines and a balanced design that perfectly matches Pardo's aesthetic DNA," explains the studio's co-founder, Massimo Gino.
Two different galley versions available
The GT75 can be divided up flexibly so that owners can use their yacht for socialising with several guests or in a private setting. The shipyard offers two basic variants for this: either the galley is placed on the main deck, as with the "Manta", or it is positioned on the lower deck. In the galley-up version, a fully equipped kitchenette is located on the starboard side of the saloon, putting cooking and food preparation at the centre of life on board.
This arrangement is complemented by an L-shaped sofa on the opposite side, which can be transformed into a dining area for up to eight people thanks to the variable table. Alternatively, the galley-down version transforms the saloon into an airy lounge with two sofas facing each other. The living area is extended by a flexible, semi-open roof, large side windows and a sliding door at the rear, which provide an almost uninterrupted view of the sea and the surrounding area.
Functional salon with well thought-out features
A well thought-out feature in the transition between the lounge and steering position is a folding flat screen, which transforms the space from a relaxed lounge into an entertainment centre as required. The open wheelhouse has a tidy and well-organised appearance and doesn't need to hide away visually either; in addition to the usual steering aids such as a joystick and bow thruster, there is space for three large Garmin plotters. The captain sits on a bench for up to three people. When the seat cushion is folded up, he or she can lean against it.
Guests enter the side deck through the sliding door on the port side and head towards the bow, where a lounge with a teak table and a sun lounger await. The special feature here: As the bow slopes slightly forwards, the sides are lower, allowing a clear view of the water without any fittings or bulwarks restricting the view - similar to an infinity pool. This design emphasises the GT75's concept of openness and combines functional details with aesthetic appeal. This also applies to the separate entrance to the crew accommodation at the front of the bow.
"Place to be" on board the Pardo GT75
The stern is probably the favourite area for most visitors. With the balconies open and the platform extended, the beach club covers an enormous area of around 40 square metres - with raised sun loungers and a U-shaped sofa for more than ten guests, who can access the bathing platform via three steps. The Pardo engineers integrated a Tansformer platform from Opacmare here, which both bridges large differences in height to the quay as a gangway and simplifies the way into the sea with four steps.
An important on-board accessory is concealed under the huge cockpit sunbathing area: at the touch of a button, a 3.70 metre long tender appears behind the aft hatch, which is simply lowered into the water and retrieved again. This allows guests to extend shore excursions or enjoy sports such as wakeboarding or water skiing.
The Pardo GT75 offers various cabin configurations on the lower deck. The standard galley-up version recommended by the shipyard has a three-cabin layout: In addition to the VIP area in the bow and the master suite in the stern, there is a guest cabin with two single beds amidships and a small lounge with a U-shaped sofa opposite - the option that can also be found on board "Manta". For a variant with four suites, this seating area must be omitted. If the galley is moved downwards, the sleeping options are reduced to two or three suites. After the tour, visitors are taken on a seatrial off the coast of southern France. The engines start and the cooling water quietly splashes out of the exhaust.
The test drive
The lines are quickly untied and the captain of the "Manta" steers out of Fontvieille harbour using a joystick. Passing the Monegasque princely palace, the Pardo sets course for the open Mediterranean. The propulsion of the "largest Pardo of all time" is guaranteed by three Volvo Penta IPS 1050 systems in the standard version. As an option - as with the "Manta" - the 12.8-litre IPS-1350 option can also be upgraded. This provides 2,205 kilowatts of power instead of 1,765 kilowatts.
The shipyard has come up with something special for the diesel supply: the fuel is not drawn from a main tank as usual, but from a 300-litre tank relocated to the engine compartment. This principle has the advantage that the large tank can be positioned elsewhere; in the GT75 it is located right in the centre of the yacht. The centre of gravity is therefore lower, which optimises both the handling characteristics and seaworthiness. This advantage is immediately noticeable when accelerating and cornering, "Manta" is very calm in the water. She glides without noticeably changing her trim or lifting the bow.
The captain does extensive laps in front of the Cap Martin: With the stern doors closed, it is impressively quiet inside the yacht. The cruising speed is now 20 knots, the sound level meter shows 60 dB(A) - a value that leaves relaxed faces. In addition, fuel consumption is around 11.4 litres per nautical mile, which is respectable for a yacht of this size and with a sea trial weight of around 56 tonnes. Marco Gugnoni, Senior Designer at Cantiere del Pardo, nods approvingly and contentedly to the guests. On this day, fully loaded and with 14 guests on board, "Manta" reaches a top speed of 33.8 knots. Of course, there are faster weekenders, such as the Wild 60. "But that's not the aim of this yacht," explains Elisa Corti from the Pardo communications department.
Conclusion on the Pardo GT75
The GT75 has a visibly different focus; it is not only the largest, but also the most versatile yacht ever built by Cantiere del Pardo. It combines a timeless design with technology that also fulfils the requirements of younger owners. On board "Manta", it is easy to see how the designers and engineers have managed the often complicated balancing act between tradition and innovation.
Finally, Fabio Lazzari reveals to the test drive participants that the GT75 will remain the brand's flagship for the time being. The reason: the shipyard's building space is exhausted and the halls would first have to be remodelled and extended for larger yachts. That would be yet another major project for Pardo.
