Test: Motor yacht - Ferretti 500
Ferretti Yachts knows that today's boat owners demand ease of use and comfort from their yacht, regardless of size and class. They want a reliable, easy-to-steer boat with safe and comfortable access to the water and plenty of space. And they also want it to look stylish.
With this catalogue of requirements for the first model in the new series, Ferretti turned to Filippo Salvetti for the sporty, dynamic exterior of the yacht and to Ideaitalia for the cosy interior. The brief was to create a family-friendly 50' flybridge yacht that, despite all the comforts of home, still has that certain touch of seafaring adventure. The FY 500 is proof that this seemingly insoluble contradiction can be transformed into a harmonious whole with careful planning and a strong sense of style and flair.
The bathing platform at the stern of the FY 500 not only looks very inviting, but is also definitely suitable for sunbathing and swimming fun. It has an area of more than six square metres and storage space for equipment and "toys", offers safe and easy access to the water and is connected to the cockpit by symmetrical steps - a welcome luxury even on smaller boats.
Need more information? You can find the test of the Ferretti 500 with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 04/2021 from 17 March 2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
The cockpit is designed for socialising and maximum enjoyment on the water. What looks like a classic ensemble of bench seat and dining table can easily be transformed into a large sunbed and lounge area by folding out and adjusting the height of the table and folding down the bench seat backrests. And when you lift up the sofa cushions, there's even more to discover: Hidden behind a hatch is a storage space that can be used for a wide variety of purposes in no time at all - even as a crew cabin.
The potential of a yacht is also enhanced by the elimination of spatial partitions. Ferretti achieves this on the FY 500 by placing the cockpit and galley at the same height and allowing them to open towards each other. The sliding glass doors slide effortlessly behind the stairs leading to the flybridge, and the window on the worktop simply disappears at the top of the flybridge ceiling. The hob, sink and refrigerator are located in the saloon, while the ice machine is in the cockpit, and a cupboard can be used from both the outside and the inside. This means that someone can prepare a meal in the galley while another person mixes and serves cocktails. Everyone and everything is close at hand; the ideal setting for an enjoyable time on the water with family and friends.
From the cockpit and galley, it is only a few steps up to the cosy saloon, where a U-shaped couch on the port side faces several seats on the starboard side. In front of the large sofa is a fold-out dining/coffee table, while the smaller one is equipped with a retractable flat-screen TV. The room is bright and friendly and, with its large windows with relatively delicate struts, looks as if it is encased in glass. The owner can choose between "Classic" and "Contemporary" for the mood of the interior, with the former following the colour scheme of warm brown tones and the latter using lighter neutrals with accents of aqua tones.
Just like cooking, steering on board the FY 500 can also be done in a convivial atmosphere. The interior helm station is slightly elevated in the saloon, and all controls are located at a user-friendly helm station (with Simrad monitors). Another helm station on the flybridge
on the flybridge is surrounded by sun pads so that the fun of sailing can be shared. The yacht is powered by two 550 HP Cummins engines with 404 kW. She is direct and easy to steer, lively but never unsafe. There is never a feeling of overpowering. Thanks to the Humphree stabilisers, the ride is smooth and elegant - on board the FY 500, ease of handling comes before engine power, in fact it comes first.
Offering sun, fresh air and the most beautiful views, flybridges are often the best places to spend quality time, although their appearance can often detract from the exterior lines of a yacht. Filippo Salvetti has succeeded in designing the flybridge for the FY 500 in a restrained and flat
so that it does not detract from the overall appearance. Everyone can enjoy themselves all day long on the flybridge with its many seating options, a large table, a bar, the driving position and the sun pads, of which there are even more on the foredeck.
The bathing platform, aft cockpit, fly deck and foredeck are excellent places to be during the day, but there is also plenty to do after sunset. Just a few steps down from the inside helm station, a Y-shaped vestibule leads to two or three cabins, depending on the owner's wishes. The midships owner's cabin extends across the entire width of the ship, has a bed positioned in the centre and plenty of storage space. The cabin and the bathroom, which is only accessible to the owner, are very bright thanks to the large hull windows, and a long, narrow mirror above the headboard of the berth reflects the light and enhances the generous feeling of space.
The different ceiling heights within the cabin are a skilful compromise to maximise space in the saloon above, but also to provide headroom in the cabin where it is needed. The style is clear, with all materials being luxurious and of the highest quality: the perfect and contemporary mix to make life simple in a beautiful way.
The forward VIP cabin also has a centre-positioned berth, and the same materials have been used as in the owner's cabin.
used in the owner's cabin. In the two-cabin version, guests have their own bathroom. If the owner opts for the three-cabin version, the guests share one.
Thanks to its versatility and luxury, Ferretti Yachts succeeds in appealing to both the outdoor fun on deck and the cosy home feeling on just 50 feet. The first model in the new Ferretti
Yachts range fulfils all the requirements for a pleasant time on the water.
Need more information? You can find the test of the Ferretti 500 with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 04/2021 from 17 March 2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
