When you think of Italian yachts, any number of adjectives related to youthfulness comes to mind. There’s “vivacious,” “speedy,” “sleek,” and the ever familiar “sexy.” In fact, it’s hard to find write-ups about these same yachts that don’t mention “sexy” at least once. Blame the builders for wanting thirtysomethings and fortysomethings to become customers. Even blame us journalists for falling for the sweeping lines of their craft. It doesn’t really matter who you blame, however. The facts remain that the boat-buying public as a whole got a bit younger and broader.
Of course, consumers age, but unlike the buyers of 20 or 30 years ago, they don’t equate the number of candles on their cake with having to forego an active lifestyle. To use a familiar colloquialism, they still have some pep in their step.
Ferretti Yachts not only understands this, but embraces it, in its Altura 840, which debuted stateside at last October’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. When a group of other journalists and I were given a tour, the sales broker readily revealed that the buyers tended to be a bit older, perhaps with grandkids. Even with a practical layout and equipment that history shows appeal to these owners, the Altura 840 still fulfills the fun factor.
Whether the owners take the wheel themselves or hire crew, they’ll appreciate the extra bow and stern thruster controls beneath a cover to starboard on the aft deck. They’ll also appreciate the overhead stowage on the opposite side of the deck for a boat hook – more practical than having to lift a settee or run down to the lazarette.
Similar to other Ferretti models, the Altura 840 is fitted with Mitsubishi ARG (Anti Rolling Gyro) stabilizers. But just because the owners appreciate comfort while cruising doesn’t mean they have to forego some speed. Ferretti’s sea trials reportedly show the megayacht is capable of a 30-knot top end, thanks two twin MTU 2000 M93s.
That’ll keep the grandparents and the grandkids alike happy – as will the way the staterooms are arranged. Guest staterooms are fully forward, while the master (above) is aft. This positioning lends greater privacy to the owners/grandparents yet still welcomes upwards of six family members, in three staterooms. Those staterooms are down a step from the open floorplan of the main deck. A twin-bed cabin lies to port, opposite a queen-bed stateroom that positions the berth down one additional step. There’s also a VIP fully forward.
As for the master, it’s where you’d expect to find the lazarette or tender garage, accessed via a private staircase aft to starboard in the saloon. A large window overlooks the swim platform; the idea is to give owners an unimpeded and unmatched view of an anchorage when they wake up. In addition, three vertical windows to each side plus round opening ports in their midst further brighten the space.
Speaking of bright, Ferretti chose matte-finished teak for most of the furnishings and soles throughout the yacht, instead of the darker, high-gloss woods of previous years. It works particularly well in the saloon, underscored by the fact that no bulkheads divide the room from the dining area or even the pilothouse. Take a look at the photo below, shot from the raised pilothouse looking down and aft into the saloon. It’s a refreshing change that makes the Altura 840 feel larger than similar-size megayachts.
The way the dining area is arranged is also a refreshing change. Even though it’s open to the saloon, it’s five steps down, on the starboard side. This gives the feeling of being in a separate space, since owners and guests won’t be looking directly at the back of a couch or pop-up TV console. Another nice touch: a hydraulically operated window, to let in cool breezes on nice afternoons or evenings.
If the captain or owner is driving the Altura 840 from the inside helm and wants a snack or a drink, the galley, tucked down slightly off the dining area, is conveniently a few steps away. Also convenient is a chef’s cabin, down three more steps from the galley, near the engine room. But the cabin is incredibly tight. The only way to get into bed is to sit, then swing one’s legs up and over the bed, to avoid hitting a wall/locker. I can’t imagine most American owners will have a full-time chef here for that reason. The bunk crew cabin that’s next to the washer and dryer will see better use.
Ferretti Yachts seems to be trying to grow old with its owners – gracefully. Here’s more of the Altura 840.
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