You would think Norberto Ferretti, chairman of one of the largest yacht companies in the
world, hardly would have time to think about the design of yet another boat, in
a series of boats, in a series of companies he owns. Ferretti Group sales were
valued in excess of 933 million euros in 2007. Yet Ferretti, by all accounts,
has his finger on the pulse of all of his brands: Ferretti Yachts, Apreamare,
Bertram, Mochi Craft, Riva, Pershing, Itama, CRN and, of course, Custom Line.
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This smorgasbord of products is geared to appeal to every
conceivable palate. How, then, does he have time to be hands-on? I envision
Ferretti jetting around the world, officiating at board meetings, rendezvousing
with VIP clients, and perhaps spending his spare time with his family, cars and
other hobbies. But maybe I am naive. The new Navetta 26, which made her debut
last fall, is entirely his brainchild, assisted, of course, by his company’s
Advanced Yacht Technology engineering department and architect Gianni Zuccon of
Studio Zuccon International Project. Together they have come up with the next
new thing.
Plenty of windows give natural light to the main
and sky decks. Top: The main salon. Bottom: Open dining area. (Click images to enlarge)
What exactly is this new thing? Well, the 26-meter (86-foot)
semi-displacement Navetta is not terribly speedy. She is not particularly
trendy, nor jarringly modern. She is not a wild and crazy boat. According to
Corrado Del Fanti, publications and communications director for Custom Line, the
boat was conceived to allow the owner to "cruise in a new dimension of
comfort, well-being and relaxation." You’ve heard of the slow-food movement: The
Navetta embodies the Italian slow-motion movement—a kind of holistic harmony
that’s all about taking time to enjoy the good life. The exterior styling is
integrated with the interior spaces. Peace and harmony is key to the design
concept.
I took a little jaunt out into the Mediterranean off the Côte
d’Azur aboard this new vessel and, sure enough, the description is apt. The ride
was sublimely quiet and smooth. Inside, the décor is subtle, simple and elegant.
She has an understated, yet universal appeal. The boat is being marketed to the
mature yachtsman (this does not mean old). Perhaps you are an owner who has had
several other yachts in the past. Or maybe you are someone who is discerning and
seeks a blend of all the things you enjoyed in former boats. Without going
custom, Ferretti has anticipated what you might want.
The main-deck cockpit is ample size with a table that can
extend to accommodate eight guests. The main salon has a coffee table set before
an L-shaped settee, which can easily seat 10. There is a slightly Asian
sensibility of clean and uncluttered furnishings. The paneling is a warm elm.
Natural daylight is ever-present, uplifting the interior mood.
 The
skylounge. (Click image to enlarge)
This is not a big boat, yet it has the space to accommodate
plenty of guests. Forward is a formal dining area and forward of that, the
galley. On the same deck level is the master cabin with expansive picture
windows port and starboard. The lower deck can have either three or four
staterooms depending on the option chosen by the owner. One layout provides for
two commodious VIPs and one twin stateroom, and the other option can be
configured to have two reduced VIPs plus two twin cabins. Crew quarters for four
are forward, and there is an aft garage that could contain a small tender or a
PWC, which can easily be removed using the crane attached to the flybridge (the
tender is located on the flybridge). When the garage hatch is lowered, it
doubles as a swim platform.
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