Pershing GTX80: 24-metre powerhouse turned on its head

"Comfort is getting faster," says Pershing project engineer Andrea Le Moglie with a smile, while shipyard captain Dario Astolfo confidently steers the shipyard's latest model from Mondolfo onto the Golfe de la Napoule. "The GTX80 is the first Pershing with IPS drives from Volvo Penta and the associated bridge equipment in the form of intuitive joystick control and automated trim control via humphree tabs. Two optionally available Seakeeper 9 gyros ensure maximum stability in fast turns and, of course, at anchor," adds the technician, who is very familiar with the product range.

Pershing's target group: maritime petrolheads

Firmly anchored in the portfolio of the Italian Ferretti Group, the Pershing brand has been synonymous with uncompromising performance based on surface propellers and powerful engine packages for almost four decades. Target group: maritime petrolheads with a penchant for high speeds. With the new GTX line, which made its first appearance two years ago with the 35 metre long Pershing GTX116 the brand heralded a new era and opened up to a wider audience for the first time.

The styling of the Pershing GTX80

The styling of the GTX80 is the result of collaboration between the Ferretti Group's Product Strategy Committee, headed by Piero Ferrari, Vallicelli Design and the shipyard's own design department. "We wanted to retain the masculine and performance-orientated design while creating more usable space in the interior and on the exterior decks in line with today's customer requirements," explains designer Michelangelo Vallicelli, whose studio is based in Rome.

But that was not all. In keeping with its robust counterpart on the road, the newly created Sport Utility Yacht (SUY) class was to convey a feeling of safety while at the same time racing through the waves in a convincingly sporty manner. The shipyard's own engineering team found the solution with the Swedes from Volvo Penta. The pods with counter-rotating towing propellers have dominated the market for semi-planing and planing yachts for many years and are particularly popular with owner captains thanks to their above-average intuitive operation.

Harbour manoeuvres become child's play

"The GTX80 has three IPS units, each with 735 kilowatts of power, which give the fully loaded glider, which displaces 61 tonnes, a top speed of 34 knots and make it much tamer compared to surface propellers," reveals Andrea Le Moglie. This domesticated Pershing therefore appeals to a wider customer base and provides convincing arguments even for newcomers with a penchant for rapid progress.

This is also confirmed by Hamburg yacht broker Oliver Sieckmann, who has been selling Mondolfo sports yachts for many years and has followed the development of the models over the last few decades. "The IPS drives make a huge difference," says the yacht connoisseur. "Boat control and even complex harbour manoeuvres are child's play, even for inexperienced owners, as the propulsion unit is very easy to operate." Although top speeds of 50 knots or more are unattainable without a surface propeller, the majority of Pershing customers are also more than satisfied with 34 knots, the dealer adds.

Ergonomic captain's chairs for the best overview

The GTX80 captain has a choice of two helm stations, one on the flybridge, which is fitted with an optional carbon fibre hardtop to provide shade, and one on the main deck at the very front of the saloon. If cruising at top speed is planned, the raised command centre in the interior, which is dominated by three Simrad MFDs and two comfortable captain's chairs, is ideal. The skipper's seat is ergonomically shaped, the joystick for harbour manoeuvres and an autopilot control panel are located on the right armrest, while the controller for the Sleipner bow thruster is on the left. The XL windscreen - in the Pershing tradition without a disturbing centre pillar - and the large saloon glazing ensure an almost seamless 360-degree view.

There is a sliding roof above the windscreen, which can be opened electrically and can remain open even at high speeds. "The natural ventilation is sensational, even at anchor," enthuses Oliver Sieckmann. Directly behind it, the starboard staircase leads down to the lower deck, which is available in two versions: with four cabins and en-suite bathrooms, as in this first unit tested off Cannes, or with a small galley plus day toilet instead of the fourth guest cabin on the starboard side.

New style concept

The full-width master suite is located amidships and has a large bathroom in front of the engine room, plenty of storage space and a cosy sofa on the port side. Light grey carpeting and dark oak panels dominate the cabin, which is flooded with natural light from two horizontal bands of windows. The new style concept of the GTX80 is reflected in the ceiling panels with intersecting LED light strips, which echo the aesthetics of the main deck and are a key feature of the interior design of the Pershing 80GTX. Ahead of the owner's area are two guest cabins with single beds that can be converted into double beds in a few simple steps.

The bow belongs to the VIPs, LEDs adorn the ceilings here too and create a spaceship-like atmosphere that still feels cosy. "We work closely with the owners when selecting the fabrics and woods so that their tastes are met in the best possible way," says Oliver Sieckmann. Access to the crew area is well hidden behind the staircase to the flybridge. A steep ladder leads to the compact space on the lower deck. "The majority of owners will only have crew on board sporadically and will usually steer the boat themselves, which is why the cabin was designed in a minimalist style," says Andrea Le Moglie, explaining the concept.

Rear area over two levels

In addition to the tamed power, the two-level rear area is one of the most striking features of Pershing's novelty. The beach club at the very back can be enlarged to 28 square metres and a total width of 8.80 metres by folding the bulwarks to the side at the touch of a button and under oil pressure control. The integrated and also hydraulically operated stern platform has three different positions. It can be used as a tender lift, as a semi-submerged bathing ladder after entering the water or, in the uppermost position, to enlarge the beach club on one level. A large storage space for toys such as Seabobs and jet skis is accessible from the transom.

In front of the XL stern terrace and three steps higher is the 14 square metre aft cockpit, which is occupied by a dining table and free-standing chairs. "This area is directly connected to the galley, which was integrated into the saloon for the first time on a Pershing," explains dealer Sieckmann. Electrically retractable windows seamlessly connect the interior with the cockpit and transform the aft galley counter into an open-air bar. Next to it, a door consisting of two sliding elements leads into the 36 square metre living area. The galley, which is open on three sides and located to the left of the saloon entrance, has a second internal bar counter in addition to ample work space - a solution that gives the new power format an even more sociable character and emphasises the continuity between the interior and exterior areas.

Interior design of the Pershing GTX80 to match the driving style

Opposite the galley, the owner opted for a dining table for eight guests, in front of which is an L-shaped lounge area directly adjacent to the two captain's chairs at the helm. A large-format TV is electrically operated from a sideboard on the opposite companionway, while a powerful soundbar integrated into the furniture provides rich sound. The interior design of the Pershing GTX80 perfectly matches the driving style: sporty and dynamic without overwhelming the senses. The extensive test drive in the Bay of Cannes convinced even speed sceptics. Even with a one metre wave, plenty of wind and maximum speed, the 24-metre glider conveys an impressively safe feeling that Pershing newcomers will appreciate. Without a rooster tail, but with maximum riding fun.

Technical data

• Length over everything: 23,98 m
• LWL: 20,62 m
• Width: 5,80 m
• Depth: 1,85 m
• Displacement (empty): 52 t
• Material: GRP
• Motors: 3 x Volvo Penta D13 IPS 1350
• Motor power: 3 x 735 kW
• Speed (max.): 34 kn
• Speed (travelling): 28 kn
• Range @ 28kn: 300 nm
• Generators: 2 x Kohler, 19 kW, 7 kW
• Stabilisers: Seekeeper 9
• Fuel: 5.200 l
• Construction: Ferretti Group
• Exterior design: Piero Ferrari, Vallicelli Design
• Interior design: Vallicelli Design
• Class: CE "A"
• Shipyard: Pershing, 2024
• Starting price: from 5.29 million euros
• Dealer: Sieckmann Yachts