On 10 September, the new Pirelli 44 | Ducati Edition celebrated its world premiere – initially as a model, unveiled at a press conference in Cannes to an exclusive audience of boat owners, Ducati customers and media representatives. The official unveiling of the finished boat is set to follow at a later date.
Limited to 26 copies
This special edition is limited to exactly 26 units – a deliberate tribute to Ducati’s founding year, 1926. It is the result of a unique collaboration between SACS Marine, the global market leader in the Maxi-RIB segment, and the legendary Italian motorbike manufacturer Ducati.
The project is based on the new Pirelli 44, which was itself designed as the successor to the hugely successful Pirelli 42. The Pirelli 42 is regarded as the best-selling model in the Pirelli Speedboats range – so expectations for its successor were correspondingly high. The Pirelli 44 builds on this tried-and-tested concept, whilst offering a revised design that retains the same overall character.
Inspired by the Ducati Superleggera V4 Centenario
The Ducati Edition takes the base model to a whole new level. The paintwork is directly inspired by the Ducati Superleggera V4 Centenario – the most extreme road motorbike Ducati has ever built. The graphics were developed in close collaboration with the Ducati Style Centre and give the boat a distinctive look.
Exclusive features include a double-step fairing from the Mannerfelt Design Team, a carbon fibre hardtop, a black steel package, an Alcantara dashboard and Alcantara driver’s seats. Added to these are a commemorative plaque, a customisable number plate and aerodynamic engine fairings – a detail directly inspired by the aerodynamic fairings on MotoGP motorbikes and featured on a boat for the first time.
The tread pattern on the top of the tyre is also particularly noteworthy: the Ducati Edition features the pattern of the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP, the high-performance tyre that is also fitted to the Ducati Superleggera V4 Centenario. The pattern is crafted by hand by skilled craftsmen at the Pirelli Research Centre.
Three Mercury Racing engines, each producing 500 PS
The Pirelli 44 | Ducati Edition is powered by three Mercury Racing engines, each producing 500 PS – a combined total of 1,500 PS, which is designed to ensure excellent performance whilst maintaining high seaworthiness.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali is delighted: “With Pirelli and SACS Marine, we have found a natural harmony in our approach to design, innovation and the pursuit of peak performance. The Pirelli 44 | Ducati Edition doesn’t just bear the Ducati name – it embodies its character.”
Nicola Antonelli, Chief Growth Officer at SACS Marine, adds: “The Pirelli 44 | Ducati Edition combines the best of the Pirelli Speedboats spirit with Ducati’s unmistakable DNA. A project that will make history.”
The partnership between SACS Marine and Ducati is intended to be a long-term one – further joint events and initiatives are planned for the coming months.
Technical Specifications
- Overall length: 13.51 m
- Width: 4.30 m
- Weight including engines: around 8,500 kg
- Engine: 3 x Mercury Racing, 500 PS each
- Fuel tank: 950 litres
- Water tank: 200 litres
- CE category: B/18
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Ralf Marquard
Deputy Editor in Chief BOOTE
