That's what designers like to hear. A shipyard representative calls and says: "Come up with an idea that will amaze our customers." Filippo Salvetti thought about what could serve as a unique selling point for a new Ferretti yacht series under 30 metres? In the end, the Italian gave the concept an "all-season terrace" at the bow, a kind of covered loggia that can be closed or opened all round. "This allows you to enjoy the sea and the surroundings while sitting in a private outdoor area," explains Salvetti. The outdoor seating area is not the only new feature of the 26.97 metre-long Signora.
Ferretti Yachts invented the Infynito 90 and now also its little sister Infynito 80to present customers with a new upper and sun deck layout. The centrepiece here is the Skylounge, which, according to Salvetti, has "an unusually large living area for a 90-footer" and is fitted with almost vertical windows all round, which, in keeping with the series name, provide endless views.
Nyour hull mould for Semi-gliding properties
The Group is thus taking the principle of the still fresh Flybridge 1000 Skydeck series to the extreme, which also has a glazed penthouse, but which appears smaller than the one on the three metre shorter Infynito and is less airy thanks to the slanted windows. The shape of the 7.33 metre wide hull, which was designed by the Group's design department under the project management of Piero Ferrari, is also new. The result is a displacement vessel with semi-planing characteristics that can travel at up to 22 knots, depending on the MAN package.
In contrast to the flybridge Ferretti 860 (top speed 30 knots), which is roughly the same length, this is a manageable size, but the Infynito scores with explorer tank capacities such as 11,500 litres for fuel and 1,800 litres for water. Neither the Ferretti 860 with 7000 and 1400 litres nor the 920 or the 1000 Skydeck with 9000 and 1320 litres respectively offer such a volume. For the Infynito, this means a remarkable range of 1400 nautical miles at a speed of ten knots, and 440 nautical miles at 17 knots. The 90, which displaces 111 tonnes when fully loaded, has two possible stabiliser systems for the best sailing characteristics: either Seakeeper gyros or a fin upgrade. Ferretti dealer Torsten Sieckmann would recommend a combination of both to his customers: "Cruising with the fins is fine, but in heavy seas you should have both systems running."
Infynito 90 comes with a sustainability package
The Infynito 90 is also the first Ferretti with a "Sustainable Enhanced Architecture", a sustainability package that is expressed, for example, in the use of leather remnants, bamboo fibres and water-based paints. First and foremost, however, this refers to the solar cells on the deckhouse. "The panels produce up to 7.3 kilowatts of energy," reveals Stefano de Vivo, CCO of the Ferretti Group. The associated battery pack, which is packaged watertight in the engine compartment, air-cooled and monitored by temperature sensors, has a capacity of 120 kilowatt hours. This means that the hotel can operate almost all day long. According to the captain, who accompanied the yacht on its first major voyage and brought it to the Yachting Festival in Cannes, the generator does not necessarily have to work.
Stefano de Vivo sketches out a scenario: "If you leave the port with fully charged batteries, you get up to eight hours of power, including driving the stabilisers and the air conditioning system, without any emissions or noise." Only at lunchtime, when it's time to cook and many appliances are working in parallel, could you switch on the generator for perhaps an hour. This could save up to 80 per cent of fuel for an average yacht use between May and September. However, the suppliers of green electricity, which occupy almost the entire roof surface, are not a must. For those who decide against a photovoltaic system, designer Salvetti provides a visually acceptable and very simple alternative for the slightly lowered open area: "The area is then simply painted black." In addition, a "roll bar" would be installed to compensate for the difference in height.
Flexible layout for owners
The new Ferretti's flexible layout, typical of a semi-custom yacht, should also be a compelling selling point. Starting with the skylounge, where the steering position can be optionally separated from the saloon so that the living area can also be used as a private home cinema when underway. In addition, the shipyard could plan a dining area plus a small sofa here instead of a large sofa area.
The aft deck can be used in a variety of ways simply because of the free-standing furniture, which also applies to the 34 square metre cockpit below. Portable lounge chairs or sun loungers and a table can also be accommodated here. For the saloon on the main deck, the owners can choose whether their central galley should be open or closed and therefore accessible from the outside. "They can have a dining area for eight guests or a master suite placed at the bow," says de Vivo, mentioning an option that is often only found on yachts over 30 metres.
Sun loungers, cocktail bar or jacuzzi?
Those interested in the Infynito also have to decide on the loggia: Sun loungers, a cocktail bar or a Jacuzzi with sofas plus a lounge area in the bow? "Personally, I would choose the option with two comfortable sofas for sunbathing," says Filippo Salvetti, "that gives me a special feeling of relaxation, embedded in a maritime setting." The roof is available in the catalogue as a closed version or with movable glass slats.
The possibilities continue on the lower deck. The standard layout for a total of eight overnight guests is shown in construction number one: the master suite is located amidships and extends across the full width of the hull. There is also a VIP in the bow and two twins. The smaller double cabin "can be transformed into a multifunctional space if required," explains de Vivo, for example as additional storage space. This solution is ideal if, for example, the owners want to move their suite to the main deck and travel with three cabins instead of four.
The cream-coloured, textured fabrics, light wood veneers and accessories in marine colours are part of the contemporary interior design line. "Fantastic", enthuses Torsten Sieckmann, "very warm and cosy". Those who prefer an even more understated look can opt for the "classic" variant, both of which come from Ideaeitalia's interior design workshop. The dealer is more than satisfied with the overall concept and already knows where he would put one of these yachts: "Croatia and then off to Greece."
Technical data
- Length over everything: 26,97 m
- Length (hull shape): 23,95 m
- Width: 7,33 m
- Depth: 1,91 m
- Displacement (empty): 96 t
- Displacement (full): 111 t
- Material: GRP
- Motors: 2 x MAN V12
- Engine power: 2 x 1156 / 1342 kW
- Speed (max.): 20 / 22 kn
- Speed (travelling): 15 / 17 kn
- Range: 1400 nm @ 10 kn
- Fuel: 11 500 l
- Water: 1800 l
- Guests / Crew: 8-10 / 3
- Solar panels: 7.3 kWp
- Battery performance: 120 kWh
- Construction: Ferretti Yachts
- Exterior design: Filippo Salvetti
- Interior design: Ideaeitalia
- Class: RINA
- Shipyard: Ferretti Yachts, 2023
- Starting price: from 7.82 million euros
- Dealer: Sieckmann Exclusive Yachting
Uske Berndt
Editor News & Panorama
