Fidelis: 56 Meters of Tradition and Technology for Navigation Lovers Perini Navi is the author of this 56 meter sailing ship named Fidelis. We are talking about vessel number 51 built by this famous Italian shipyard that, once more, confirms its condition as the global leader as a producer of huge sailing ships and motor yachts.
S/Y Fidelis, designed by the Perini Navi Group’s Technical and Design Department in collaboration with the New Zealander Ron Holland, has a hull and superstructu- re in aluminium with an optimized displacement of 545 tons and a gross tonnage of 497 tons. The ketch sail plan, designed and engineered by Perini Navi’s Mast Division, measu- res 1,500 square meters. Both the main and the mizzen masts are in aluminium and are respectively 58.37 and 47.97 meters high. The booms are both in carbon fibre and have in-boom furling systems. Fidelis represents the new generation in the successful Perini Navi 56 m series, a se- ries that already counts 10 sister yachts, all with similar naval architecture and com- pletely custAom interiors. The first 56 m in the history of the Perini Navi shipyard was Burrasca, launched in 2003. She has been joined by Santa Maria (now Zenji), Rosehearty, Selene, Salute, Silvana, Riela (now Asahi), Panthalassa and Melek. The design of the youngest sister in the 56 m series saw the light after a successful collaboration between the Perini design’s department and Ron Holland. Special emphasis has been put in offering the guest a large space to enjoy open air life on deck. The vessel’s exteriors, as well as its interiors, are defined by clear and clean lines. In the interiors, this concept is emphasized by the use of noble materials, such as walnut, marble, and leather. The fore cockpit is arranged around the main mast and has two “L” shaped sofas that can seat up to twelve and two removable tables. This area also has a waterproof canvas awning to protect the comfortable seating from the sun and spray and built- in lighting for evening enjoyment. Fore of this cockpit, the tender wells have been built completely f lush with the deck which is like a 60 square metre open-air terrace, a wonderful outdoor space for owners and guests. Wide and well-protected side walkways lead directly to the aft cockpit where a well- protected dining area has a table for twelve and a lounging area with three couches, two armchairs and a coffee table. There is also a guest heads and a semi-circular staircase, protected and embellished by a custom-built glass wall, which leads up to the fly bridge. This bridge has been completely re-modelled compared to her sister ships in that it has a wide sunning and lounging area aft with two central seats from which to enjoy the view. Starboard there is dining area with two tables that can be joined to make one. A helms station with both sail and engine controls is separated from the rest of this deck by custom-made islands that conceal refrigerators.
The main salon, designed as a light-filled open space, is divided into living and dining areas by an unusual central element that houses both the steel staircase that leads to the lower deck and two elegant sliding glassdoors that separate the two areas. The living area has two couches that face each other across a central table and four armchairs. A television can be concealed in a wall. The dining area has a table that can be extended to seat up to twelve and, to starboard, a games and cards area. The main salon also has a pantry for cocktails and snacks and an office both of which can be reached directly from the deck. An elegant sliding glass door separates the salon from the wheelhouse without cutting it off from view. Fidelis’ lower deck has a large, full-beam stateroom with a double bed at the centre, an office starboard and a couch port. The two large heads are separated from the ca- bin by a dressing room. One has a bathtub in Brazilian marble, the other a shower. The four en-suite guest cabins all have queen-sized beds and two of these also have retractable bunk berths and wide couches that can become beds. The transom can be opened to become a platform on the sea complete with a stair- case that leads into the water and can be reached directly from the main deck. There is also a hatch in the port side of the hull that can be opened to facilitate the loading and unloading of games and sports equipment stored in the lazarette. Perini Navi, With a fleet of 51 yachts on the water- 50 sailing yachts and one motor yacht- the Perini Navi Group is the world leader in the design and construction of large sailing yachts. In 2007 the Group also began to build motor yachts with the brand name Picchiotti and the series name Vitruvius, thus re-launching the historic Picchiotti shipyard acquired in the early 1990’s. The Group is made up of the Perini Navi shipyard in Viareggio, founded in the 1980’s by Fabio Perini who invented and developed a revolutionary automatic sail control system. Another division of the Group is the Picchiotti shipyard in La Spezia where the Group constructs its motor yachts and concentrates most of it refitting work, and the Perini Istanbul shipyard in Yildiz, Turkey, where its hulls and deck structures are produced. Perini Navi USA is a commercial division of the Group through whom owners of Perini Navi Group yachts can receive yacht management services, arrange charters and which also provides brokerage services for both new and previously owned Perini Navi Group yachts.
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