|
Just aft of the saloon,
the full-beam master suite offers a queen-size berth that’s angled
to allow access on three sides and has roomy stowage beneath. Dresser
drawers that could swallow a wealth of apparel are built into beautifully
curved cherry cabinets, but the real clincher stowagewise is a huge walk-in
closet that offers about eight feet of full-height rod space for hanging
clothing, along with shoe racks, four five-foot-long shelves, and two
full-length mirrors.
The master was also
designed to let you mix a little business with pleasure, thanks to a handsome
cherry desk along the port side that has a nav station repeater and room
for a computer or other office paraphernalia. For owners who choose not
to take their business aboard, Pershing offers an L-shape settee in lieu
of the desk.
As impressive as the
yacht was at dockside, the real pleasure came when I took her out for
trials. As luck would have it, the weather was "rotten" for
a boat test: sunny, clear skies, and a gentle breeze that stirred ripples
barely a foot high. The yacht’s captain assured me that in his 23
years at sea, the 88 is the driest boat he’s ever driven. Judging
by her generous freeboard, fine forward entry, and aggressive deadrise
all the way to the transom, his assertion seems credible.
Naturally the 88 seemed
stable in the calm conditions, but the impression continued at wide-open
throttle, even with the wheel hard over. Visibility from the helm was
excellent, thanks to the widely spaced windshield pillars that offer an
unobstructed field of vision nearly 10 feet wide. I also noted little
bow rise throughout the speed range. In fact my only disappointment was
the yacht’s rate of acceleration: It took more than 30 seconds for
the diesels to spin up to full rpm and well over a minute for the 88 to
reach her top speed of about 40 mph. I found such acceleration out of
character for this style of yacht. The captain attributed it to the DDC-MTU
electronic control system, which fires only half of the 2000’s 16
cylinders at low rpm.
Maneuverability, however,
was excellent. Even at very slow speeds, the Arneson surface drives provided
positive steering, and I found the Twin Disc single-lever controls smooth
and precise. Returning from our sea trial, I navigated several miles of
narrow, winding waterway without having to touch the wheel.
Even maintenance could
be a pleasurable experience on this yacht, thanks to 6'6" headroom in
the engine room, three feet between the 1,830-hp diesels, and plenty of
room to get at auxiliary systems outboard and aft. Staterooms and a head
for the captain and two crew are just forward, with access via a circular
stair to the aft deck. The stairway is a little cramped, but current production
models have about four inches more elbowroom.
Fit and finish were
first-rate throughout, and her construction specs indicate that her internal
structure is built to the same high level of quality, with a solid fiberglass
laminate in her bottom and Airex-cored hull sides. All main structural
members are foam-cored for stiffness and light weight and are laminated
under vacuum to achieve good resin infusion for maximum strength.
Inside and out, literally
down to the very core, this racy Italian import delivers quality, luxury,
and sophisticated style. Offering so many ways for guests to relax and
enjoy, she could be a passport to pleasure.
Pershing Investments
Phone: (305) 637-8885. Fax: (305) 637-8535. www.pershing-yacht.com.
George L. Petrie
is a professor of naval architecture at Webb Institute and provides maritime
consulting services. His Web site is www.maritimeanalysis.com.
Next page >
Pershing 88 Specs > Page 1,
2, 3, 4, 5,
6
|