Climb aboard two of the most exclusive yachts in Nantucket Harbor.
Gawking at mega yachts parked one after the next in the Boat Basin has become something of a Nantucket tourist attraction. Calling from ports far and wide, these floating five-star hotels have become emblematic of extraordinary wealth, sophisticated design and lavish luxury. There are scores of mega yacht manufacturers around the world, but few have chartered their own course quite like the Ferretti Group. This summer, two of Ferretti’s top models—the Riva 66’ Ribelle and Ferretti Yachts 780—have been docked outside of Cru, allowing onlookers to get an up close and personal look at how the other half lives.
At the helm of Ferretti is Alberto Galassi, who took over as CEO in 2014. Formerly an executive at the Italian private jet manufacturer Piaggio Aerospace, Galassi was quick to make waves at Ferretti by launching twenty-four new models in just three years. Though he might have the throttle pegged, Galassi is also keenly aware that he is serving as a steward of these iconic seacraft that have been more than fifty years in the making. He talks about owning one of these yachts, such as a Riva, with the same sense of reverence. “You don’t own a Patek Philippe; you’re just merely looking after it for the next generation,” Galassi said at the Super Yacht Design Symposium earlier this year. “Riva is the same … you’re managing a legend.”
One of these legends was docked outside of Cru for most of July. Only four Riva Ribelles are in existence today. The Ribelle that was in Nantucket Harbor last month is the only one in the United States. This sixty-six-foot sportscraft looks like something Batman would drive. Indeed, ribelle means “rebel” in Italian, and the Riva designers clearly shattered the mold in creating a fast yet comfortable yacht that could motor from Hyannis to Cape Cod in around thirty minutes.
With four cabins, four bathrooms and 1,550 horses of power, this new sport fly bridge isn’t designed to sit idly tied up on the docks. The blue sapphire hull has sprawling glass windows allowing passengers to watch as the ocean screams by at a top speed of 37 knots. Opaque mahogany, gleaming stainless steel and fine leather abound throughout the interior. The VIP cabin at the bow comes equipped with its own large galley. Meanwhile, the cockpit has a stern-side sun pad perfect for lounging as the Ribelle cruises at 33 knots.
Taking the Riva’s slip outside of Cru this August is the Ferretti Yachts 780. At a sprawling seventy-eight feet and nine inches, the 780 exemplifies the clean lines, aerodynamic design and seaworthy sportiness that has propelled Ferretti to the top of the line over the last fifty years. Beginning at the stern, a tailgate opens and transforms into a sea-level lounge. Similar outdoor spaces continue throughout with an expansive top deck as well as a cushy sun deck at the bow.
Through its glass doors, the 780’s interior looks transported from a contemporary penthouse. With a palatial living room equipped with a semicircular couch, plush armchairs and several smoking tables, this truly is the lap of luxury. The dining room has a table set for eight, which has easy access to the fully equipped galley on the starboard side. Below deck, a hall connects to four bedrooms, each with its own en suite bathroom. The master suite takes up the full beam of the 780, providing more than enough space for its own study, lounge area, walk-in closets and master bath. Meanwhile, the VIP suite at the bow connects to two additional cabins. Propelling all of this are two twin MAN engines packing 1,400 hp, enough power to hit a top speed of 31 knots.
Last summer, the Ferretti Group marked its fiftieth anniversary with an over-the-top, three-day celebration in Venice. After the Italian Navy opened the Arsenal of Venice doors to eleven yachts from the Ferretti family, guests were treated to a dramatic flyover by the Italian Air Force with the Italian colors flowing from their jet streams. While Ferretti’s celebration on Nantucket this summer might not have been nearly as elaborate, the two models they docked here were every bit as illustrious.
