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the 8X’s deep-V hull to roll. When he switched the gyros back on
again, the yacht snapped upright and level once again.
Operating a high-speed yacht with surface drives can be daunting,
but all these advanced-tech systems combined to make driving the 8X
significantly more manageable. Doing so from the upper station on
the flybridge added yet another level of exhilaration to the experience.
With no hardtop and just a venturi-style windshield for protection,
“wind in your hair” took on new meaning. The upper station also
has three comfortable bucket seats—the helm is on centerline—and
features a pop-up helm electronics array with two large Simrad MFDs.
According to Pershing’s test results, the new 8X delivers speeds in
excess of 48 knots with optional, 2,638-hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L
diesels—which is the propulsion package we had in our test boat.
The wind and waves picked up during the course of our sea trial, so
we were unable to run all the way through the speed curve in both
directions, but I did see 46.5 knots on the GPS display.
In addition to the yacht’s monster MTUs, carbon fiber construction
is the reason this large cruising yacht is capable of such speeds. The
interior features luxurious amenities, but all the cabinetry and other
components (apart from the heavy one-piece glass windshield) are
carefully engineered for ultimate weight savings.
In addition to performance, Pershing’s other mission statement for
the new 8X was style. “The design goal was to make it look fast when
it’s not moving, making you go, ‘Wow!’” said Ferretti Group Chief
Commercial Officer Stefano De Vivo.
The yacht’s “go-fast” exterior styling was created by the Ferretti
Group’s in-house team in collaboration with yacht designer Fulvio
De Simoni. A particularly distinctive design element is the 8X’s
port “wing”, which artfully combines form and function. Gracefully
sweeping out and over the walkaround, this unique, carbon-fiber
structure incorporates the stairway to the flybridge from the aft deck.
This is quite a departure from the stairs on the Pershing 9X, which
are solidly integrated into the yacht’s superstructure. The tradeoff is
it provides more space on the aft deck, allowing for a larger alfresco
dining area.
“Most Americans dine outside on the aft deck,” said De Vivo,
explaining that many of the design decisions on the 8X were made
with U.S. customers in mind. “Pershing’s number one market is the
U.S.,” he said, adding that nearly 50 percent of the yachts are sold here.
The “wing” stairway design also opens up the back of the salon,With the 8X, it’s the elements you don’t notice
right away that make it truly unique. Case in
point: the hidden stairs to the flybridge and the
tender garage with room for a tender and PWC.