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Text and photographs by Antonio Bignami
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FERRETTI 53
The most recent boat of the Ferretti yard is the 53 footer, born
from the joint collaboration of the Engineering Department of the
Forlì-based yard and the Zuccon International Project
studio. The Ferretti 53' is the result of a very well balanced
mixture of the most significant characteristics that are typical
of bigger Ferretti motor yachts. Soft and rounded lines that
highlight the design of the boat, excellent finishing quality,
elegant and comfortable on-board ambience, innovative design
combine to offer outstanding seakeeping capabilities and excellent
habitability on deck and belowdecks. The 53 footer is a deep-V
hull, especially designed by Ferretti Engineering, with similar
maximum and cruising speed and with excellent operational speed
and performance. As a matter of fact, the 2x660-hp Caterpillar
engines propel the boat at a maximum speed of 32.5 knots and at a
cruising speed of 29 knots.
The vessel was designed with an almost
manic care to guarantee a very high quality of life on board.
Interior linings were ad hoc designed to reduce engine noise as
much as possible. The flying bridge - with a 360° panoramic
view of the water - is extremely comfortable. It is fitted with a
very elegant cabinet with incorporated sink and grill, an original
round settee for 6 persons and a rationally designed table that
allows anyone to leave the table without bothering the sitting
persons. The salon, which is illuminated by elegant "almond-
shaped" windows, includes two dining areas and a very comfortable
and ergonomic helm station. Access belowdecks is by means of two doors.
The door amidships leads to the galley and to a cabin with
bathroom. This cabin may be a third guest cabin or an additional
crew cabin; the main crew cabin is forward. The second door leads
to the sophisticated master stateroom with two bathrooms and to
two VIP cabins with twin beds and one bathroom with two access
doors. The aft platform is a real "private beach". The dinghy and
the PWC may be stored inside the garage with the hydraulic and
electrically operated port. The Ferretti style and innovation
offer really pleasant rides onboard 53 feet of technology and reliability.
 TECHNICAL DATA
Designer of hull, power, superstructures and interiors: Ferretti Engineering Dept.
Styling and layout: Zuccon International Project
Yard: Cantieri Navali Ferretti, Via Ansaldo 5, 47100
Forlì (Italy); tel. +39-0543-474411, fax +39-0543-782410
Gross tonnage: 35.8 t
Italian VAT: 20%
L.O.A.: 55'1"
Beam: 15'5"
Depth: 15'4"
Draft from lower tip of propellers: 4'9"
Light displacement: 43,046 lbs.
Full boat displacement: 52,980 lbs.
Maximum passengers capacity: 15
Berths: 6+1+1 in 5 cabins
Test boat power: 2x660 hp Caterpillar 6L3196 DITA inboard Turbo Diesel
Total installed power: 1,320
Total engines and reduction gears: 5,518 lbs.
Light displacement/installed power ratio: 14.77
Type of transmission: in-line
Maximum declared speed: 32.5 knots
Cruising speed: 29 knots
Declared fuel consumption at cruising speed: 53 gallons/hr
Range at cruising speed: 360 miles
Fuel capacity: 660 gallons
Freshwater capacity: 211 gallons
Road transportation: special cargo according to EEC legislation
Price with standard equipment and test boat power: not declared
Notes: Optional 2x600MTU engine may be fitted for maximum
speed of 31.5 knots, cruising speed of 27 knots with fuel
consumption of 47.5 gallons/hr. The optional crew cabin with
access from the cockpit is fitted with one berth and private bathroom.
CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERTISTICS
Hull: Planing V-hull with 17°deadrise and hydrodynamic steps
Hull construction material: GRP (anti-osmosis epoxy resins)
Deck materials and characteristics: GRP with sandwich stratification
Bow area: pulpit, stem fitting with anchor, anchor chain
and anchor locker with 1500W anchor windlass with three operating
stations, cushioned sunning area, hatch, mooring bitts with
fairleads, mooring bitts amidships
Cockpit arrangement and fittings: teak deck, stairs to
side-decks; aft settee with lockers (optional: crew cabin
access), access to aft platform with folding door, 220V dockside
connection cable and relative locker, shower with hot/cold water
mixer, boathook stored inside a tube in the cockpit, sink with
fresh and salt water faucets, cabinets and lockers, multi-function
hydro-electric gangway, stainless steel and Plexiglas table
Characteristics of the aft platform: teak deck, swimming
ladder, garage for the PWC with hydro-electric port
Superstructure and windows materials: stainless steel and tempered glass
Characteristics of the flying bridge: two-seat pilot settee
with cabinet, 10-gallon refrigerator and sink, co-pilot settee for
3 persons, electrically opened instrument panel, dashboard with
full controls, gas throttle and electronic control of reduction
gears, compass, Autohelm 6000 auto-pilot, echo-sounder, log,
Tridata mile counter, extractable pivoting searchlight, rudder
angle indicator, VHF, sunning cushions, round settee for 6 with
central table, roll bar and inflatable raft for 10 passengers.
INTERIORS
Layout and characteristics: 3 cabins, master stateroom is
forward with a double bed and private bathrooms, two VIP cabins
with twin beds and bathroom with double access.
Salon includes two dining areas with two tables, bar cabinet with
20-gallon refrigerator; cockpit may be closed with a sliding door
having a hinged panel; two seats to port, hi-fi stereo with
loudspeakers is fitted in the salon and on the flying bridge. The
galley and the crew cabin with one berth and bathroom are to port.
Lower helm station: compass, log, Tridata mile-counter,
throttle and electronic reduction gears controls, 7" LCD Navigator
with GPS, weather station, Autohelm 7000 auto-pilot with
interface, 2-seat pilot settee, 36-mile radar, rudder angle
indicator, interior staircase to flying bridge, helm station with
full engine controls, VHF Shipmate semiduplex
Chart table: chart table is part of the lower helm station
with chart storing area
Galley: to port of the salon, access by means of a
staircase. It is fitted with cupboards and storage cabinets,
extractor, electrical oven (with grill and microwave oven), 42-
gallon refrigerator, 12-gallon freezer, three-burner and one
electrical hob range, granite worktop, two sinks with hot/cold
water mixer, dish drainer and cutting board, seawater faucet,
dishware, cutlery and glassware for 6 persons.
FITTINGS
Standard fittings: seawater faucet in forward locker,
engine room extractors, 220V water heater, 8 kW generating set,
trim tabs controlled from the lower and upper helm stations,
underwater overboard discharges.
IMPRESSIONS
SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING BOAT TESTING
Wind: none
Sea: calm
PERFORMANCE
Time needed to reach planing speed: 5 seconds
Minimum planing speed at 1,400 rpm's: 15 knots
Maximum speed at 2,300 rpm's with 1,320 hp: 32.5 knots
EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
Seakeeping ability, turning and behavior on waves: the
Ferretti 53' has an excellent hull design and is a very well
balanced boat. She is stable and maneuverable in any sea
conditions. The boat is very comfortable and very performing
Wheel and flap response: precise and efficient
Visibility in different weather conditions: excellent from
the fly and from the salon
Docking maneuverability: the boat is very maneuverable and safe.
EVALUATION OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY
Deck: fully fitted
Flying bridge: excellent habitability and fittings
Interiors: interiors are bright and very well furnished.
Habitability, comfort and privacy are primary concerns
Passengers' comfort: excellent
Chart table: excellent location and very comfortable
Galley: ample and superbly finished
Bathrooms: ample and well fitted
Engine room: very good access, practical and safe
Electrical switchboard and plants: very well positioned and fully fitted.
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