Review: Ferretti 650 Yacht

Ferretti, proud owners of several great yacht brands, are particularly proud of their oldest brand, Ferretti itself and their yacht range. This is where their heart lies as boat-builders, and as such they put their heart and soul in to any new member of the range.

The Ferretti Yachts 650 is another result of the cooperation between Ferretti’s own research, style and product development centre (Advanced Yachts Technology & Design), and Studio Zuccon International Project. Three were sold before the first hull was launched. The first to a buyer from China, the next to a buyer in Lebanon and a hard-top flybridge version is on its way to the US this year.

The hull sold to the Chinese buyer has already been featured in Yacht Style magazine – the so-called Tai He Dian – and was designed throughout (a testament to the flexibility of the hull and superstructure engineering) to be attractive to buyers from the Far East. Little things like round dining tables and reduced cabin space to provide room for cinema rooms or karaoke facilities as well as quite substantial increases in the public areas all make a difference if your boat is principally going to be used for business entertainment rather than extended cruises with the family.

Like other contemporary designs, glazing predominates. Interiors are light, bright and stylish and materials and finish colours are generally designed with light in mind. The flybridge offers most of the open space: the foredeck is the usual sloping sunpad, just forward of the internal helm station. This is placed well forward of the centre of the boat on the port side. The flybridge helm station is placed well behind and on starboard, so two very different viewpoints there. The flybridge is compact, and has a rear seating area that mimics the style usually associated with cockpit seating. Substantial enough.

The cockpit itself is more generous, with lots of space for just standing around and passing the drinks from the bar and the galley, both situated just inside the door from the cockpit. Very sociable. There’s even a handy flap on one of the rear windows allowing access to the galley even when the cockpit doors are shut. It’s the little things sometimes that set good design apart from the rest.

The rest of the saloon comprises the eight-seater saloon, the helm station and the companionway to the two double and one twin cabin, all ensuite. The seating part of the saloon is raised, as is the helm station, so care is needed walking past the bar to the sofas beyond as there are two steps to navigate. As befits a member of the prestigious Ferretti marque, the finishes and craftsmanship are of the highest quality and the entire finish and color scheme have been revisited for this new member of the family.

Two engine configurations are offered: twin 1015hp or twin 1150hp Caterpillar diesels. Depending on engine choice, your Ferretti Yachts 650 will cruise at 30kts and can get up to 33kts. You will have a range of 300nm, more if you nurse it, with the 3,700L fuel tanks.

Finally, at the end, at the rear end, and in point of fact the stern, there is my favourite toy – the lowerable bathing platform-cum-boat lift adding considerable living space to the yacht and keeping it davit-free. It also creates a super little private and sheltered sun spot.

Specifications

LOA: 19.67m

Max beam: 5.25m

Draught: 1.50m

Unladen displacement: 34.8tonnes

Laden displacement: 41.2tonnes

Engines: 2 x CAT C18 1015Hp

Propulsion: Line Shaft

Max speed: 30.5kn

Cruising speed: 27kn

Range: 270nm

Fuel capacity: 3.7L

Freshwater capacity: 530 L

Hull shape: Deep V

Hull material: GRP

Cabins: 3 + 1

Maximum no. persons on board: 18

Design: Zuccon International Project lines and interior, Ferretti AYT technical engineering

Builder: Ferretti Yachts

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