Ferretti 780: Re-Styled Legendary Yacht
When Ferretti Group’s Cattolica shipyard on Italy’s Adriatic coast launched its first yacht of 2022, it was notable that it was a Ferretti Yachts 780. Hull number 36, no less. In fact, sales of the 78’9” (24 m) model are already in the mid-40s, which shows consistent demand for a model that originally premiered at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2017.
The 780 has recently been enjoying a second wind as the newly restyled version launched last year features the same ‘Just Like Home’ concept introduced on the 500 and 1000, the brand’s first two models with interiors by IdeaeItalia.
The first owner of the new 780 was sold on the model after seeing an earlier version that had been heavily customized and features a lower deck with a large entertainment room and just two cabins.
The 780 appealed to the clients because of the yard’s flexibility to accommodate their customizations. It also helped that the model is RINA Category A, which allows her unrestricted navigation in open sea.
The new 780 features the standard four-cabin layout and IdeaeItalia’s Contemporary mood interior, an optional upgrade from the more colourful Classic that comes standard.
Outdoor Play
Although much of the restyling is focused on the interior, there have been a few changes to the exterior such as an expansion of the main glazed surfaces in the hull, which gives the yacht a sportier look.
The fun starts at the swim platform, which can accommodate a tender up to14’3” (4.35 m). The two panels can fold down separately or together to create a large waterside sofa and the whole area can be covered by a shade. To the side of each stairway are storage lockers with enough space to store a Seabob.
Side gates provide access to a cockpit with a forward-facing sofa and a table. Symmetrical side decks lead to a large, cleverly designed foredeck, where a C-shaped sofa faces an adjustable table and seating at the aft end of a huge triple sunpad. As at the other end of the boat, a Bimini top can cover the area.
The flying bridge, reached by starboard stairs from the cockpit, is one of the yacht’s main attractions and remains a winning design. Owners can choose a black hardtop with a fixed plexiglass insert, while options include a panel system that can open. For the restyled 780, the flybridge includes a larger central bar situated to starboard and has the option of bar stools.
Opposite is the main social area, a C-shaped sofa and table and an option for an extended sofa and dining table are available. All exterior furnishings are from the Roda collection exclusively customized for Ferretti Yachts.
Forward of the bar is a flexible sunpad with moveable headrests that can convert into two facing sofas by removing the central pad. To port, the helm has two Poltrona Frau chairs.
The aft end is surrounded by clear railings and can fit a large modular sunpad or be left clear to fit sun loungers.
Contemporary Mood
It’s the interior by IdeaeItalia that brings the 780 in line with the newest generation of Ferretti Yachts models exemplified by the 500 and 1000, which also offer either Classic or Contemporary moods.
Classic’s warmer, more traditional colours are inspired by the island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples, while Contemporary offers a more urban, modern look with cooler colourways inspired by Taormina in Sicily.
The main-deck interior features a long clear path on the port side all the way through to the raised pilot house, which makes for a nice sight line. The ceiling is clad in fine fabric and accommodates the new lighting design, with adjustable round spotlights plus three light cylinders in the dining area. Other new features include mirrored steel surfaces, electric window blinds and a hidden sound system.
The salon starts with a large L-shaped sofa to starboard and a coffee table, while to port is a 65” (165.1 cm) TV. Owners can add optional wine storage alongside. Forward is the dining area that has a able for eight to starboard and a long sideboard to port.
The galley, also to starboard, is available in various configurations. The standard version has a fixed glass partition, while options include a closed version or a sliding glass partition that reveals a bar counter. North American clients can order an open version.
Inside, the galley features the hobs, oven and main storage areas forward, while aft is a large refrigerator/freezer and a prep/serving area facing the dining table. The galley also benefits from multiple side windows including a small one that opens. A second layout option includes a day head just before the entrance to a galley with a different configuration.
In both layouts, the galley and other forward areas can be sealed off by a mirrored door that slides across from in front of the port door to the side deck. From the hallway, it’s three steps up to the raised pilothouse that has a comfortable dinette to port and the main helm station to starboard, featuring two gorgeous Poltrona Frau chairs and three Simrad screens.
Technology includes the electro-hydraulic steer-by-wire system developed in partnership with Xenta and the integrated Loop system from Naviop-Simrad that controls the main propulsion, navigation, monitoring and home automation functions.
Lower-Deck Options
Steps to the lower deck are opposite the galley and lead down to a hallway that starts aft with the entrance to the full-beam master suite, dominated by a large berth facing a mirrored TV.
On the port side is a comfortable sofa and the beautifully finished bathroom that has twin sinks with Silk Georgette marble tops, big mirrors with integrated mixer taps and a central rain shower. The starboard side of the bedroom features a desk-cum-vanity table, while aft is a walk-in dressing room, where a full-length mirror door comes into good effect.
The passageway leads up three steps to three en-suite guest cabins, starting with a twin to starboard, then a similar port cabin whose bathroom also acts as the day head. The VIP suite in the bow has an aft-facing bed, storage and hanging lockers on either side, plus a head to starboard.
Owners still have the option of an entertainment room in place of the master suite, as well as an open bar on the main deck, in which case the galley is located on the lower deck.
Access to the crew quarters is concealed in the cockpit, underneath the starboard stairs to the flybridge. A hallway leads aft to an en-suite captain’s cabin (or storage space), to port to the crew cabin with en-suite, and forward to the engine room.
The standard propulsion is twin 1,400-mhp MAN engines, which produce a top speed of 28 knots or an owner can bump up to 1,550-mhp versions for a top speed of 31 knots.
Other options include a joystick with docking mode, DPS (Dynamic Positioning System), a Seakeeper NG16 and Humphree fin stabilizers. New Ferretti Yachts models arriving in Singapore include a 500 and 550, while the brand’s next collaboration with IdeaeItalia is the upcoming 860, which will succeed the 850 and sit above the 780 in the eight-strong range.