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[ MEGAYACHT ]
Pershing’s new flagship and its first ever aluminium model is a powerful and ambitious yacht that unleashes all the brand’s aggression. With interiors and exteriors by Fulvio De Simoni by Paola Bertelli - ph. courtesy of Ferretti Group archives
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ttempting to transfer unabashed sportiness and
sliding carbon-fibre platform. Even the anchor area is hidden away
blistering speeds of an open to a 43m superyacht
automatically.
is not for the fainthearted. But Pershing has
The interiors have a similarly contemporary feel and were custom-
succeeded impeccably and Chorusline is the
designed around the owner’s wishes. “To date, we have launched
result. An imposing, muscular yacht that retains
two vessels,” explains De Simoni. “On the first, Chorusline, the
the brand’s identity with both clarity and purpose.
owner asked for a separate dining room forward on the main deck
Chorusline is a craft in which the formal and aesthetic sophistication
and a multimedia room in a private location, preferring to keep his
of the lines creates the perfect balance between volumes and
stateroom below deck. On the second example, the master suite is
proportions. That was no small feat. Nor was the technological
forward on the main deck and its design makes admirable use of the
challenge involved: Chorusline ticks all the powerboat boxes too,
exterior architecture suite to create a very unconventional space”.
sporting four MTU 16 V 2000 M96L engines of 2,600 hp apiece and
Chorusline’s main deck is a sequence of saloons, dining areas,
water jets that deliver superb performance both at cruising speed
conversation areas and relaxation areas with grey-stained brushed
(35 knots) and full throttle (38 knots).
European oak parquet flooring. There spaces are dominated by
Added to this heady mix are overt references to the automobile
a dark grey and cream colour scheme and a sense of constant
world in the exterior design, particularly the sports car-style grille
movement is guaranteed by alternating materials and their finishes:
on the bow. The superyacht was sculpted by Fulvio De Simoni who
everything from the wallpapers to lacquer work, leather, treated
has been penning all Pershing’s models for the last three and a half
woods and even decorative accents in leather and Dacryl with metal
decades –the architect did the exterior and interior design in this
chips, a subtle nod to her construction material.
instance in collaboration with Ferretti Group. The resulting tri-deck
There are very clearly separated flows for guests and crew: in the
has mezzanine-like exterior levels, resulting in dynamic spaces that
lobby there is access on one side to the service areas on the lower
both overlook the sea and are well connected with each other. The
deck (galley included) and to the helm station above, while on the
cockpit too is split-level: the dining area is very private and at the
other, moving forward, there is access to the guest quarters on the
same height as the interior saloon but the conversation area aft has
lower deck.
been raised to create a mezzanine effect. The latter choice provided
A large double bed topped by an imposing headrest area dominates
space to carve out a very liveable beach club with better interior
the master suite. The headrest itself is designed to soften the tapering
headroom. The impressive exterior stairs design aft ensures that
forms of the bow and distract from the slight narrowing of the cabin
all al fresco areas from water level to sun deck are connected too.
in that area, by highlighting a sense of continuity with the decorative
The idea with the bow was to keep the design of the very long
elements on the sides. “We wanted to imbue the cabin with a sense
deck as clean and seamless as possible in line with this seafaring
of dynamism and brightness by carving out the lower part of the
coupé’s sporty soul but without compromising on a proper exterior
headrest and adding Drop lights by Fuoriluogo to the upper part,”
lounge with sofas, tables and a Jacuzzi. In the end, the lounge was
says De Simoni.
set into the deck and is covered when the yacht is underway by a
www.pershing-yacht.com
The stair system connecting the interiors from beach club to sun deck is beautifully designed. The yacht unleashing all her potential (opposite) in an automobile-inspired design that includes a faired-in forward deck. Opening page, the saloon on the main deck features sofas and occasional tables by Roche Bobois and armchairs by Midj Guapa @@@cepe pre doluptio quiae non con es des et id most eos sunt eictotae volo eum veris diasperuptat opta dellanis estia consequid qui ipsus eliquae prestib usandae rferroribus, conecat uribusa cum ut vit erovid maio coreic to officat as as volorias as eatecto blaut et liti assit quatur aliquias est et et, et odic tem rem. Fero dem dolo opta simi, occum ratia dolore nosae ratist prerias sitatus
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The lower deck which is home to the guest cabins, including the master suite (above), where the elaborate head rest is designed to soften the tapering shape of the bow and distract attention from the slight narrowing by highlighting the sense of continuity with the decorative elements of the sides. The upper section features Fuoriluogo Design lights. The main deck (facing page) features a mix of conversation and dining areas with a Cassina table and Midj Revolution chairs, a bar and a multimedia room
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Exterior Design Fulvio De Simoni, founder Italprojects
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he goal of the Pershing 140 project was to create a yacht that reflected Pershing’s DNA: sportiness, dynamism, high performances and innovative content. The result is a craft with aggressive, beautifully proportioned and original lines. Its signatures are the likes of the raised roof that covers the beach club aft and strongly influences the boat’s architecture, producing its unusual proportions: in fact, the imposing stern lends a sense of power and sleekness to the whole profile. Every single element is integrated into the design in such a way that the occupants’ gaze can run unobstructed from bow to stern. We essentially designed a boat in the occupants’ interest - design follows architectural function and vice versa. There are clear nods to the car world too – the “shield” aft is reminiscent of a car grille, for instance. It is a strong signature styling element that makes the boat instantly recognisable. The fairing on the bow references the long bonnets you would see on classic sports cars: however that fairing retracts to reveal a dinette with plunge pool and further forward the anchor area. The arched glazing on the helm station, a styling cue debuted in the yachting world on the Pershing 70’ in the early 90s, is automotive-derived too. We worked long and hard also to boost the comfort typical of craft of this size. For instance, having a liveable beach club without having to go below the level of the beach platform meant we had to raise the aft deck. That meant we could use the area on two levels and so guests can hang out in the cockpit aft of the saloon and feel very private as they are further protected from prying eyes when in berth.
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The al fresco lounge forward and its plunge pool are set into the deck and only uncovered when the yacht is at anchor. Underway, a carbon-fibre cover turns the area into a flush deck. Page opposite, the bar on the sun deck underneath the aluminium hard top. The owner asked for an al fresco cinema in this area too
Interior Design Fulvio De Simoni, founder Italprojects
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portiness and dynamism have always been part of the Pershing DNA and we wanted the interior to communicate those same emotions. There is a sort of severity that runs through the design that is typical of the entire range but the design and pairing of the various materials add prestige. The furnishings introduce a softer theme both in their forms and materials: all the tops and sides are trimmed in leather which is reminiscent of the interior of a GT car. One of the things we are most proud of is striking a good balance between the interior and exterior spaces on such an extremely sporty boat. Its high performance influenced its dimensions, weight distribution and demanded a serious amount of space for the engine room. Despite these challenges, the layout is still quite versatile. We used a lot of lightweight materials, an exclusive high tech solution that although not visible to the naked eye, brings added value to the project. Much more obvious is the way we treated the wood. We wanted to use wood, as it is a natural, classic material, but also to make it more contemporary by using a
particular process that creates an embossed fabric-type look that is then painted over. The resulting surfaces are both tactile and reflect the light very appealingly. Designers Guild and Rubelli fabrics paired with Arte and Effeitalia wallpaper also enhance the spaces. We chose white lacquer for the bathrooms and used the same colour for the texturised wood. Metallic accents, tinted glass tops contrasting with Glass Design handbasins and Porcellanosa trims really add a sense of luxury to the spare, elegant spaces. The fact that we were able to work on both the exterior lines and interior design meant we could think about light and lighting from the outset and, even more importantly, views of the outside world. A tangible example of that is the complex windowing that draws light into the bow area which is split into two levels on the main deck and also strongly influences the interior bulkheads. We created a soft, evenly diffuse kind of artificial lighting by using accent lighting in certain areas. My favourite area aboard? Probably the dining area because there is such a symbiotic relationship between the exterior lines and the interior design.
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Shipyard Stefano De Vivo - Chief Commercial Officer of the Ferretti Group
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e created a yacht that doesn’t look like anything else out there right now and is strikingly gorgeous. It has incredible spaces inside and out. And when you want to speed up your progress underway, it delivers unique performance levels but is also optimised for very low-key passage-making with all the engines with the kind of gear ratios you would get on a displacement craft. We began a development process years ago with the 115 and 108 that Pershing chose not to pursue for strategic purposes, but we began driving that forward again with the Pershing 140. In 2014, I joined forces with the Ferretti Group and Pershing in particular, and we decided that it was important to keep growing. As a group, we have all the know-how required to do just that. There were two main goals with the Pershing 140: performance
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Chorusline combines unusual design elements with iconic brand signatures such as the two side wings integrated into the superstructure at the start of the walkways. But even the design, the proportions and sinuous nature of the lines instantly hark back to the Pershing world
not just in terms of speed but also consumption, which made lightness a crucial factor, and interior and exterior spaces. You only have to look at the beautiful beach club with its wings opened out on the sea to allow guests to walk right around the stern, to know that. Its dimensions are unique and unequalled by any other yacht in its segment. The 140 was weighed every week throughout its construction and its supports were resting on load cells so that we could check that every component reflected the project in terms of weight. The furnishings were lightened too and we used a lot of carbonfibre aboard. In the end, we saved five whole tonnes on our estimated weight. Propulsion-wise, we went for water jets and installed four 2,600
hp MTUs which are light, compact engines in their own right. Chorusline isn’t an end point for Pershing in the superyacht world. Number two is ready to set to sea already and we are also working on the Pershing 170 which for now – and I would stress the ‘for now’ – is the yard’s end point. Otherwise, Pershing continues to focus on Generation X, the only VHP (very high performance) yachts on the market with speeds of over 50 knots, efficient hull forms, and lightweight constructions. The TØ range is also in the pipeline and is our new way of living and enjoying life at sea. A blend of design and performance. In 2022, we will also be presenting two different models…and that shows how much we believe in this new line which we have also co-designed with Fulvio De Simoni. 87