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name || 999' builder princess 32 || 92’ princess yachts international

FerrettiCUSTOM LINE 124

Mixing exceptionally good looks with top perforMance, ferretti

dishes out a new custoM line flagship that represents an evolution in design.

text by Dag Pike photography by Maurizio ParaDisi

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custom line 124 || ferretti

above the company’s founder, norberto ferretti, suggested a square dining table to inspire greater sociability. it fits well with the relaxed, modern style of the salon, which is appointed in calming colors and rich wood.

As the Custom Line range has been built around the image of

the classic Navetta semi-displacement cruising yachts, the sporty style

of the new Custom Line 124 flagship comes as a surprise. Not only is

this the largest yacht in the Custom Line range, but its low profile and

high-level performance make it one of the most exciting yachts of its

size on the market today.

“We have spent a lot of time fine-tuning this hull design to get the

right combination of performance and luxury accommodation,” says

Andrea Frabetti of Ferretti Group’s Advanced Yacht Technology center.

“The most suitable engines for this project were the new MTU 4000

Series V16 engine, which in its most powerful form produces thirty-

five-hundred horsepower,” says Frabetti. “With these engines, we found

we could realize a very sporting design that would take Custom Line

into a new area of size and performance, where we could see a useful

market developing.”

This concept brings together the skills of long-time Ferretti style

associates Zuccon International Project and the experience of the

Advanced Yacht Technology design team to create a stunning concept

that will take Custom Line into new territory. Hull number three is

already under construction and there will be more to follow.

To get the required level of performance and seaworthiness, the hull

design is narrower than usual for this size yacht. This reduces the

resistance and thus increases speed but it also allows the hull to cut

through the waves to offer a more comfortable ride in head seas.

During the sea trial off Ancona, Italy, where the 124 was built, the

seas were uncharacteristically calm for April in the Adriatic, so we

could not put the seaworthiness to the test, but the captain reports that

there is very little pitching even when heading into six-foot seas. The

fine entry to the moderate-V hull and a narrow beam make the hull

more accommodating to the waves.

In these calm conditions, the smooth performance was almost

magical. Vibration was absent and the noise levels were certainly low

enough for normal conversations. This particular version of the 124

was fitted with both fin stabilizers and the unique Mitsubishi Anti

Rolling Gyro, so even when we passed through our own wake there

was absolutely no rolling, and when turning, the yacht maintained

an even keel. The performance felt very stately with no real impres-

sion of speed; then when you looked at the chart display and realized

the yacht was doing 27.5 knots, it was hard to believe.

This speed was achieved despite the additional weight that had to

be added to meet the MCA requirements. Frabetti reckons the heavy-

duty metal piping, additional safety features and even oversized fuel

tank vent pipes added close to 10 percent more weight. “Our focus

has always been on safety, so we are happy to meet the MCA require-

ments, but we do feel that some of the requirements are more appro-

priate to ferry designs rather than yachts,” he comments. “In

developing this design we have worked closely with the MCA to nego-

tiate such features as the outside air intakes.”

The stabilizer fins fitted to this version reduce the top speed by

between one and two knots; as the next 124 will not have these fins, it’s

expected the top speed will increase to 29 knots with the same engines.

The gyro stabilizers fitted as standard are primarily for use when the

yacht is at anchor and for this role they are very effective. In addition

to stabilizers, the 124 has trim interceptors that can be set to operate

automatically to achieve the best trim angle for the prevailing condi-

tions, so the captain can make many adjustments to control the ride.

As the name implies, this yacht can be customized to a high degree.

On this first hull, the customization took two forms: one was the inte-

rior décor to meet the requirements of a Middle Eastern owner and

the other was the range of electronic equipment fitted in the wheel-

house. The décor is a relaxed, modern style based around rich walnut

wood matched to tones of brown and gray. The wood is the striking

feature, giving a very solid look and feel.

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custom line 124 || ferretti custom line 124 || ferretti

The wheelhouse has perhaps the most extensive range of equip-

ment seen on a yacht of this size. Across the dash are six main displays,

with one dedicated to the monitoring and control of the onboard

systems and one dedicated to the cameras located around the yacht.

The remaining four are used for navigation displays connected to the

Furuno NavNet system. Then there are the MTU engine displays, a

control and display for the FLIR infrared camera, the Interphase

forward-looking sonar and the various radios. The finishing touch

comes with the traditional analog engine dials mounted in a panel

above the windscreen. With all this electronic information perhaps

the view out of the windscreen is not so important but the wide

mullions do obstruct the view; these are necessitated by MCA require-

ments to restrict the windscreen panel size.

A unique feature is the cameras fitted in the hull close to the propel-

lers. Up in the wheelhouse you can watch the propellers going round,

this page the full-beam master is located on the main deck to take advan-tage of excellent views. each state-room is elegantly appointed with plush carpets, white leather and grained-granite en suites.

which demonstrates the absence of cavitation, but these cameras would

not be effective enough to avoid mooring ropes close to the propeller.

To maintain a low profile and a sporting image, the designers altered

the conventional yacht layout. The flybridge is small and mainly

comprises a large sunpad with a helm station forward. All the normal

flybridge features, such as a spa pool, extensive seating, a barbecue

and a 10-seat dining table, have been moved one deck down and are

located at the aft end of the bridge deck. This is the focus of open-air

living, and when the time comes to move inside there is a large upper

salon immediately behind the bridge where a large-screen television

allows this space to be converted into a cinema.

In designing the accommodations, Norberto Ferretti, chairman of

the group, lent his considerable experience. It was he who decided that

all of the cabins should be of equal stature so that none of the guests

would feel they are second class. He also proposed that a square dining

table in the main lounge was a much more sociable shape than the

usual long rectangle. These subtle changes can make a big difference

on a cruise with guests.

The crew accommodations forward have been given high priority

and the MCA had a say here as well, specifying minimum sizes for

the crew bunks. It’s rare to find such high quality crew cabins. Finished

primarily in light wood paneling, the four cabins include three en

suite twin-bunk cabins and the captain’s cabin with a double bed.

There is also a large mess with and a combined utility/laundry room.

The master suite is at main-deck level with beautifully appointed

fittings, particularly in the forward bathroom, which features grained

granite. The suite offers excellent views on either side through windows

that are built into the bulwarks so that the side decks can run forward

to aft without impediment.

The fold-out terraces on each side of the main salon come standard.

In this hull there are also lateral panoramic sliding doors but this is

an optional feature. Trying to accommodate two of these doors does

compromise the layout of the sofas but that was the owner’s choice.

The 124’s performance comes at a price; the two MTU top-of-the-

range 4000 Series engines take up a lot of space in the engine room.

It is here that you see the steel fuel and water piping and the addi-

tional valves and systems required by the MCA, but the Ferretti expe-

rience shows through in a well laid-out and accessible engine room

that gives you confidence in its reliability. The engines are on straight

shaft drives with the propellers in semi-tunnels.

The huge garage aft is large enough to house an 18-foot tender and

a personal watercraft. The garage door opens out to form the bathing

platform and because there is a long and secure passerelle, this door

can be opened even when the yacht is docked stern-to at a marina.

It’s evident that a huge amount of thought and planning has gone

into the 124’s design. The low profile is both appealing and practical

and makes the 124 one of the best-looking yachts in its class, with

performance to match. All this has been achieved in a design that still

meets all the regulatory requirements. There are many practical

features developed from long experience that make this yacht a plea-

sure to be on board both at sea and in harbor. Some of the improve-

ments are so obvious that when you see them you wonder why they

have not been incorporated before…but then yacht design is an evolu-

tionary process, and this Custom Line 124 suggests that evolution has

just taken a considerable step forward.

this page a hub for entertaining, the bridge-deck salon (top left) has a large television that allows the space to easily convert to a cinema. the galley (top right) is a clean, open and user-friendly space.

All four guest cabins are of equal and generous size so none of the guests will feel they are second class.

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custom line 124 || ferretti

LOA: 124' (37.8m)

LWL: 104' 2" (31.8m)

BeAm: 24' 1" (7.4m)

DrAft: 7' 9" (2.4m)

DispLAcement: 169 metric tons

pOWer: 2 x 3,510-hp Mtu series 4000 12v diesels

speeD (mAx/cruise): 27.5/23.5 knots

rAnge: 410 nm @ 23.5 knots

fueL cApAcity: 5,717 gallons

BOWthruster: american Bow thruster, 70 hp

stABiLizers: anti rolling gyro and trac fins

generAtOrs: 2 x 50kw kohler

freshWAter cApAcity: 803 gals

grAy/BLAck WAter cApAcity: 396 gals

OWner AnD guests: 10

creW: 6/7

cOnstructiOn: composite

cLAssificAtiOn: rina

nAvAL Architecture: ferretti advanced yacht technology

exteriOr styLing: Zuccon international project

interiOr Design: ferretti and Zuccon

Specifications: Ferretti Custom Line

Via Ansaldo 5/7 47122

Forli, Italy

Tel: +39 054 378 7511

Email: info@customline-yacht.com

www.customline-yacht.com

Price guide:

€14,700,000 ex. VAT

tender garage: the aft garage can hold an 18-foot tender and a pWc. the open door forms a swim platform.

stability: With both fins and a gyro stabilizer, hull number one of the custom line 124 is exceptionally stable.

aft bridge deck: entertainment amenities typically found on the top deck—from spa tub to al fresco dining—reside here.

guest staterooms: company founder norberto ferretti suggested equal-size staterooms so all guests feel special.

bridge: an extensive suite of electronics includes a display showing the camera that watches the propellers under water.

flybridge: to maintain a sleek look and low profile, the flybridge is small with only a helm station and a large sunpad.

fold-out terrace: fold-out terraces come standard, but the lateral panoramic sliding doors are an added feature on this 124.l