|
The Ferretti Group’s Privilege Days event for owners, high-rollers, and other promising prospects has become an annual fixture in the Italian seaside resort of Cattolica, on the Adriatic coast. At the quayside the company assembles a complete and fully crewed range of boats from the Ferretti, Custom Line, and Mochi shipyards, reserves the local restaurant, and waits for nature to take its course.
People say this is a good time to buy a yacht—there are deals out there. And this was a good weekend. Not only had a South American owner breezed in and ordered two new boats, both over 90 feet (so he could have one at home and one in the Caribbean), but the new Ferretti 840 Altura I had come to see had also been sold, to a Frenchman. The owner wanted it right away, too. Did we want a sea trial? Better be quick!
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
|
Ferretti positions this boat as a serious cruising vessel. In Italian, Altura translates as both “high ground” and “deep sea,” and in both senses the word implies far horizons, exploration, and adventure. The boat certainly looks the part—that stepped sheer and chunky, virile profile have an altogether more muscular appeal than the stiletto femininity of Ferretti’s mainstream motoryachts. Paint an Altura grey, and she could look quite menacing.
If this leads you to expect a tough, no-nonsense internal fit-out, though, you haven’t spent much time around Italian yachts. Inside, the Altura is simply stunning. Sturdy but transparent laminated-glass balustrades transmit light all ‘round the main deck, integrating the sunken dining area and raised helm station into one cohesive living space. And it’s not all about first impressions. That dining area, with its sociable extending table opposite a substantial galley, has its own big hull window, which actually opens. I don’t know about you, but it’s exactly the sort of place I’d like to have dinner, with a lightshow courtesy of the evening sky and the water lapping outside just feet away. Bliss.
Overhead there is a comfortable L-shape sofa arrangement on the starboard side of the helm deck, which has excellent views in all directions, but might also be a good spot for a snooze, assuming your captain has everything in hand. The Altura’s interior is finished in a pleasantly simple scheme of satin-varnished teak and white leather. It’s not exactly low-maintenance, but it’s practical enough and looks great.
Below, the guest accommodations are found forward of the galley. The port en suite stateroom has bunks—the lower one a practical 42" wide—while the one to starboard has pair of a conventional berths and semi-en suite access to an unusually spacious day head. The forepeak VIP suite is also a good size, with plenty of floor space, two generous hanging lockers, and a pair of big drawers under the berth, as well as several smaller lockers. Low-level LED lighting is used throughout the accommodations to great effect.
The owner’s cabin occupies the stern. This is a roomy and comfortable domain, with a generous 6'4" x 6'0" bed, two walk-in wardrobes, a chaise lounge, and windows on three sides. If there is anything to criticize it’s the headroom, which at 6'4" might be a little low for some owners, but any higher and there would be an awkward step down between the cockpit and saloon. Personally, I think the designers made the right decision (but then I’m only six feet tall).
With no internal companionway, the flying bridge is accessed from the cockpit via a set of safe teak steps. Sheltered by a substantial hardtop with a fabric sunroof, this area has plenty of seating and eating space, a bar and grill, room for an 11'9" tender aft, and an intriguing tinted panel forward of the helm station to transmit daylight down below.
Down on the foredeck, there is another comfortable place for lunch (or breakfast, or dinner) with big sunlounges and—I’m serious—an umbrella sunshade that at the touch of a button rises vertically out of the table. Cool.
The Altura 840 is without a doubt a beautiful example of the yachtbuilder’s art, although she’s billed as a cruising boat, and a fast and powerful one at that, with 3,600 hp on tap. But for a true test of such a machine, there’s only one place to go: out to sea.
|
PAGES:
|
1
|
|
 |
|