name || 999' builder
princess 32 || 92’ princess yachts international
Ferretti CUSTOM LINE 124
Mixing exceptionally good looks with top performance, Ferretti dishes out a new Custom Line flagship that represents an evolution in design. text by Dag Pike photography by Maurizio Paradisi
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custom line 124 || ferretti
As the Custom Line range has been built around the image of the classic Navetta semi-displacement cruising yachts, the sporty style of the new Custom Line 124 flagship comes as a surprise. Not only is this the largest yacht in the Custom Line range, but its low profile and high-level performance make it one of the most exciting yachts of its size on the market today. “We have spent a lot of time fine-tuning this hull design to get the right combination of performance and luxury accommodation,” says Andrea Frabetti of Ferretti Group’s Advanced Yacht Technology center. “The most suitable engines for this project were the new MTU 4000 Series V16 engine, which in its most powerful form produces thirtyfive-hundred horsepower,” says Frabetti. “With these engines, we found we could realize a very sporting design that would take Custom Line into a new area of size and performance, where we could see a useful market developing.” This concept brings together the skills of long-time Ferretti style associates Zuccon International Project and the experience of the Advanced Yacht Technology design team to create a stunning concept that will take Custom Line into new territory. Hull number three is already under construction and there will be more to follow. To get the required level of performance and seaworthiness, the hull 56 SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL
above The company’s founder, Norberto Ferretti, suggested a square dining table to inspire greater sociability. It fits well with the relaxed, modern style of the salon, which is appointed in calming colors and rich wood.
design is narrower than usual for this size yacht. This reduces the resistance and thus increases speed but it also allows the hull to cut through the waves to offer a more comfortable ride in head seas. During the sea trial off Ancona, Italy, where the 124 was built, the seas were uncharacteristically calm for April in the Adriatic, so we could not put the seaworthiness to the test, but the captain reports that there is very little pitching even when heading into six-foot seas. The fine entry to the moderate-V hull and a narrow beam make the hull more accommodating to the waves. In these calm conditions, the smooth performance was almost magical. Vibration was absent and the noise levels were certainly low enough for normal conversations. This particular version of the 124 was fitted with both fin stabilizers and the unique Mitsubishi Anti Rolling Gyro, so even when we passed through our own wake there was absolutely no rolling, and when turning, the yacht maintained an even keel. The performance felt very stately with no real impression of speed; then when you looked at the chart display and realized the yacht was doing 27.5 knots, it was hard to believe. This speed was achieved despite the additional weight that had to be added to meet the MCA requirements. Frabetti reckons the heavyduty metal piping, additional safety features and even oversized fuel
tank vent pipes added close to 10 percent more weight. “Our focus has always been on safety, so we are happy to meet the MCA requirements, but we do feel that some of the requirements are more appropriate to ferry designs rather than yachts,” he comments. “In developing this design we have worked closely with the MCA to negotiate such features as the outside air intakes.” The stabilizer fins fitted to this version reduce the top speed by between one and two knots; as the next 124 will not have these fins, it’s expected the top speed will increase to 29 knots with the same engines. The gyro stabilizers fitted as standard are primarily for use when the yacht is at anchor and for this role they are very effective. In addition to stabilizers, the 124 has trim interceptors that can be set to operate automatically to achieve the best trim angle for the prevailing conditions, so the captain can make many adjustments to control the ride. As the name implies, this yacht can be customized to a high degree. On this first hull, the customization took two forms: one was the interior décor to meet the requirements of a Middle Eastern owner and the other was the range of electronic equipment fitted in the wheelhouse. The décor is a relaxed, modern style based around rich walnut wood matched to tones of brown and gray. The wood is the striking feature, giving a very solid look and feel. SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL 57
custom line 124 || ferretti
custom line 124 || ferretti
All four guest cabins are of equal and generous size so none of the guests will feel they are second class.
this page A hub for entertaining, the bridge-deck salon (top left) has a large television that allows the space to easily convert to a cinema. The galley (top right) is a clean, open and user-friendly space.
The wheelhouse has perhaps the most extensive range of equipment seen on a yacht of this size. Across the dash are six main displays, with one dedicated to the monitoring and control of the onboard systems and one dedicated to the cameras located around the yacht. The remaining four are used for navigation displays connected to the Furuno NavNet system. Then there are the MTU engine displays, a control and display for the FLIR infrared camera, the Interphase forward-looking sonar and the various radios. The finishing touch comes with the traditional analog engine dials mounted in a panel above the windscreen. With all this electronic information perhaps the view out of the windscreen is not so important but the wide mullions do obstruct the view; these are necessitated by MCA requirements to restrict the windscreen panel size. A unique feature is the cameras fitted in the hull close to the propellers. Up in the wheelhouse you can watch the propellers going round, 58 SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL
which demonstrates the absence of cavitation, but these cameras would not be effective enough to avoid mooring ropes close to the propeller. To maintain a low profile and a sporting image, the designers altered the conventional yacht layout. The flybridge is small and mainly comprises a large sunpad with a helm station forward. All the normal flybridge features, such as a spa pool, extensive seating, a barbecue and a 10-seat dining table, have been moved one deck down and are located at the aft end of the bridge deck. This is the focus of open-air living, and when the time comes to move inside there is a large upper salon immediately behind the bridge where a large-screen television allows this space to be converted into a cinema. In designing the accommodations, Norberto Ferretti, chairman of the group, lent his considerable experience. It was he who decided that all of the cabins should be of equal stature so that none of the guests would feel they are second class. He also proposed that a square dining table in the main lounge was a much more sociable shape than the usual long rectangle. These subtle changes can make a big difference on a cruise with guests. The crew accommodations forward have been given high priority and the MCA had a say here as well, specifying minimum sizes for the crew bunks. It’s rare to find such high quality crew cabins. Finished primarily in light wood paneling, the four cabins include three en suite twin-bunk cabins and the captain’s cabin with a double bed. There is also a large mess with and a combined utility/laundry room. The master suite is at main-deck level with beautifully appointed fittings, particularly in the forward bathroom, which features grained granite. The suite offers excellent views on either side through windows that are built into the bulwarks so that the side decks can run forward
this page The full-beam master is located on the main deck to take advantage of excellent views. Each stateroom is elegantly appointed with plush carpets, white leather and grained-granite en suites.
to aft without impediment. The fold-out terraces on each side of the main salon come standard. In this hull there are also lateral panoramic sliding doors but this is an optional feature. Trying to accommodate two of these doors does compromise the layout of the sofas but that was the owner’s choice. The 124’s performance comes at a price; the two MTU top-of-therange 4000 Series engines take up a lot of space in the engine room. It is here that you see the steel fuel and water piping and the additional valves and systems required by the MCA, but the Ferretti experience shows through in a well laid-out and accessible engine room that gives you confidence in its reliability. The engines are on straight shaft drives with the propellers in semi-tunnels. The huge garage aft is large enough to house an 18-foot tender and a personal watercraft. The garage door opens out to form the bathing platform and because there is a long and secure passerelle, this door can be opened even when the yacht is docked stern-to at a marina. It’s evident that a huge amount of thought and planning has gone into the 124’s design. The low profile is both appealing and practical and makes the 124 one of the best-looking yachts in its class, with performance to match. All this has been achieved in a design that still meets all the regulatory requirements. There are many practical features developed from long experience that make this yacht a pleasure to be on board both at sea and in harbor. Some of the improvements are so obvious that when you see them you wonder why they have not been incorporated before…but then yacht design is an evolutionary process, and this Custom Line 124 suggests that evolution has just taken a considerable step forward.
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custom line 124 || ferretti
flybridge: To maintain a sleek look and low profile, the flybridge is small with only a helm station and a large sunpad.
Aft Bridge Deck: Entertainment amenities typically found on the top deck—from spa tub to al fresco dining—reside here.
Bridge: An extensive suite of electronics includes a display showing the camera that watches the propellers under water.
tender garage: The aft garage can hold an 18-foot tender
Fold-out terrace: Fold-out terraces come standard, but the
and a PWC. The open door forms a swim platform.
lateral panoramic sliding doors are an added feature on this 124.l
stability: With both fins and a gyro stabilizer, hull number
guest staterooms: Company founder Norberto Ferretti
one of the Custom Line 124 is exceptionally stable.
suggested equal-size staterooms so all guests feel special.
Specifications: Ferretti Custom Line Via Ansaldo 5/7 47122 Forli, Italy Tel: +39 054 378 7511 Email: info@customline-yacht.com www.customline-yacht.com Price guide: €14,700,000 ex. VAT
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LOA: 124' (37.8m) LWL: 104' 2" (31.8m) Beam: 24' 1" (7.4m) Draft: 7' 9" (2.4m) Displacement: 169 metric tons Power: 2 x 3,510-hp MTU Series 4000 12V diesels
Speed (max/cruise): 27.5/23.5 knots
Range: 410 nm @ 23.5 knots Fuel capacity: 5,717 gallons Bowthruster: American
Bow Thruster, 70 hp
Stabilizers: Anti Rolling Gyro and Trac fins
Generators: 2 x 50kW Kohler Freshwater capacity: 803 gals Gray/black water capacity: 396 gals
Owner and guests: 10 Crew: 6/7 Construction: Composite Classification: RINA Naval architecture: Ferretti
Advanced Yacht Technology
Exterior styling: Zuccon International Project
Interior design: Ferretti and Zuccon