Pershing GTX116: The ultimate sport utility yacht combines power and elegance

Boote Exclusiv

· 21.02.2024

Contrasts in harmony: the GTX116 runs at up to 34 knots thanks to three water jets. At the same time, it offers more comfort and space than the other Pershing models

Rear show: two wings move to the side and create the connection to the platform. The side ventilation slots come from the 3D printer

The bow area with jacuzzi for six people

16 Images

Photo: Alberto Cocchi

With the GTX116, Pershing takes a step ahead and shows that sportiness and living comfort are not antipodes. Fulvio De Simoni has created a powerful sculpture on the water that marks the start of a new model series from Mondolfo.

A text by Norman Kietzmann

Typologies are there to be reinvented. This applies on land as well as on water. A reliable strategy lies in the fusion of opposites. Pershing's new GTX116 model demonstrates the surprising results that can be achieved. At 34 knots, it is not only the fastest boat in its class. For all its dynamism, the GTX116 also emphasises an increased sense of space. "It was about retaining the Pershing style, which stands for performance and speed. At the same time, we want to offer more of what people expect, namely additional space in the interior and exterior areas," says Fulvio De Simoni. The yacht designer from La Spezia designed both the exterior and the interior of the GTX116.

The design language of the 35 metre long and 7.70 metre wide glider masters a balancing act: it wants to be as fast as an arrow. And yet offer the comfort and spaciousness of a loft on land. The interface between these extremes is revealed at the bow. It is less pointed, more inclined vertically and has a distinctive upward bend. "Compared to a normal Pershing shape, we have gained two or three metres of interior space without lengthening the hull. A positive side effect is that we have given the yacht a very strong, characterful face," explains Fulvio De Simoni. The rest of the hull also shows power and strength. "We have given it an imposing look with very large, voluminous shapes," adds the Pershing mould maker.

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The formal role model comes from the automotive sector. The SUV has made the off-road vehicle comfortable and the saloon sporty - through a hybrid of seemingly incompatible worlds. The SUV on the road has now become the SUY (Sport Utility Yacht) on the water. "We know that for fifty per cent of our owners, the first reason to buy a Pershing is the design. This aggressive, sporty look should also apply to the Sport Utility Yacht," says Stefano de Vivo, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of the Ferretti Group. This is already evident in the colour. The hull is in an elegant shade of grey called "Montecarlo", which is intended to tie in with the tradition of Gran Turismo sports cars and ensures a striking appearance on the surface of the water.

A hidden asymmetry on the inside

The spacious stern forms the antithesis to the steep bow. "Anyone who buys a Pershing wants to be close to the water with family or friends. And so we have provided a 40 square metre platform for the beach club, which is a huge area for a 116-foot boat," comments Stefano de Vivo. The beach club will be supplemented by a 35 square metre cockpit, creating a usable outdoor area of 75 square metres aft. "So you can really enjoy life on board. You can throw a party, host lots of friends and family at the same time. Different groups can stay on board, some in the sun, some in the shade," says the manager. The highlight: the interior follows an asymmetry without communicating this to the outside world. On the main deck, the aisle on the starboard side is omitted, so that the sofa area is directly adjacent to the exterior glazing. This increases the proximity to the water and intensifies the experience of the waves. This alone makes the boat much more spacious than all other Pershing models. Two staircases lead from the stern up to the flybridge, one on the port side and the other on the starboard side. They each lead into a narrow corridor, which makes a 90-degree turn on the last metre and thus provides a change of perspective. As a result, the 40 square metre flybridge is not accessed from aft. The upper deck is partially covered by a hardtop and has two upholstered benches and a padded sun bed. The outside steering position with up to three sports seats is located in the foredeck. At the rear, this is flanked by a bar area. The asymmetry in the living area is skilfully concealed by the two staircases. From the outside, everything is in mirrored order. "Even though we have an asymmetrical design, there are no interruptions in the aisles when you move from the stern to the saloon and on to the bow," says Fulvio De Simoni. By moving the steering position further forward, he was able to increase the length of the saloon to an impressive nine metres.

The interior design creates a contrast of dark wood in the vertical areas and light colours on the ceilings and floors in the horizontal areas. Eucalyptus wood furniture can be found in all living areas of the yacht. It has a striking grain that corresponds with the wall panels in terms of colour and appearance. Furniture and room boundaries are not considered separately, but create visual continuity. The L-shaped sofa in the living area on the main deck offers seating for up to ten people. It is made by the furniture manufacturer Poltrona Frau, as are the headboards and bed frames in the cabins. The fully equipped galley comes from the Italian kitchen brand Ernestomeda. It can also be fitted with a bar counter at the owner's request, transforming it into a show kitchen. The five-cabin layout on the lower deck offers space for up to ten guests and five crew members. Aft, the owner's cabin spans the entire width. There are also two double and two twin cabins, which guests can access from a central corridor and which are each equipped with their own bathrooms. Alternatively, one of the guest cabins can be converted into a dinette to create an additional retreat below deck. The crew quarters with galley, laundry room and three cabins are located in the bow. A separate staircase leads from here directly to the helm station on the main deck.

The connection between inside and outside played an important role in the planning. Two glass sliding doors open up the living area, leaving an entire corner free. The side corridor can be separated from the living area with separate doors. Guests and staff can pass through the corridor without disturbing the sofa.

Movable wings connect the outer areas of the Pershing GTX116

"The lines of the double glazing, where a side contour overlaps with that of the bow area, is in my opinion one of the elements that gives the boat a very personal character and also distinguishes it from many other yachts," says Fulvio De Simoni. He wants to create a balance instead of emphasising the extremes. Sportiness and elegance are not seen as antipodes, but as allies. "Another feature that I attached great importance to was the fact that we wanted to create a very low platform at the stern in a sporty boat like this in order to be closer to the water," says De Simoni. An unusual feature here is a terrace-like superstructure. "We found a way to hide the tender so that it doesn't block the view, which is common on many yachts of this type. So we created a double level, creating a kind of second stern. The boat ends and then there is another level," says Fulvio De Simoni. A jet tender up to 5.20 metres long and a three-seater jet ski are parked in the stern garage. The bulwark conceals a crane that allows the toys to be quickly lowered into the water after gliding out on rails. "For a ship of this size and performance, there is a lot of space for toys. They are indispensable for this type of owner, who uses the GTX116 as an absolute fun boat," says Pershing dealer Torsten Sieckmann, speaking from experience.

The two-stage rear is by no means just about increasing storage space. It is also about creating a balanced overall appearance. "I wanted to give the stern a certain strength. If we look at all the open boats that are equipped with folding bathing platforms aft, these areas are not normally closed. They give the impression of a platform added to the boat. We wanted to give the boat a finished look. That's why we closed the two levels aft," says Fulvio De Simoni. The challenge was not to cut off the beach club from the outdoor living area. This is made possible by two movable segments of the aft bulwark. Like wings, they can be moved synchronised to the side to create a flowing spatial continuum that extends from the main deck to the platform in front and finally down to the surface of the water. Another special feature: "There are open areas where you can sunbathe. But there are also zones in the centre of the boat and at the bow that are covered. You can sit there and enjoy the view in the shade without having to put up awnings that interfere with sailing and have to be taken down again," emphasises Torsten Sieckmann. The yacht should always be ready to set off on new adventures. Elaborate sunshade installations only slow things down. Pershing equips the spacious bow area with an optional whirlpool for six guests. At the stern are three Kamewa water jets, whose pumps are powered by MAN V12 engines with 1324 or 1471 kilowatts each. Under full load, the log shows a maximum of 34 knots, 29 knots in cruising mode. "This makes the GTX116 the fastest boat in its segment. We have focussed a lot on the use of carbon because it improves performance and reduces consumption," says de Vivo. The dimensions of the engine compartment have been kept compact in order to create space for the tender garage above.

Pershing's response to a changing market

The helm station is accessed through two doors - one in the saloon and one in the galley. The windscreen spans a width of around five metres in one piece and has no vertical elements. Pershing produced the frame using 3D printing technology, which was also used for the unconventional geometries of the ventilation grilles. "At Pershing, the owner often takes the helm himself. That's why we focussed on installing a state-of-the-art bridge for him and his captain," says Stefano de Vivo. An ergonomic carbon fibre captain's chair, specially designed for GTX116, is available as an option. It looks like it belongs on a spaceship. All the controls and screens are integrated into the armrests so that you can remain seated and have all the controls within easy reach. The captain operates the bow thruster joystick with his elbow. For high-precision navigation, the bridge is equipped with ultra-wide, high-resolution Simrad screens.

"We wanted to give Pershing a second life. Of course, very fast boats are the soul of the brand. It has increased its share of this market with flying colours, even though the segment as a whole has shrunk. Pershing remains a very important brand for the Ferretti Group and the superyacht world," says Stefano de Vivo. The GTX116 marks the start of an entire yacht series that will be gradually expanded to include other sizes over the next few years. It marks the future of the company by responding to changes in the market. The first GTX opens the way to a new typology that does not demand an either-or decision. It merges opposites without creating a rupture. Comfort becomes faster. And speed becomes more comfortable. Its power lies in the right balance.