Yachts

The Pershing 8X Has Arrived

Pershing says its new carbon fiber 8X is the masterpiece of the X Generation range.

By Kelley Sanford

Updated: January 30, 2019

The 8X’s sleek and sporty lines are “enhanced by characteristic Pershing elements like imposing side wings and the aerodynamic profile of the sundeck,” says the builder. Ferretti Group

The Pershing 8X — which joins the Pershing 9X and 5X in the X Generation range — recently debuted at BOOT Düsseldorf. Pershing’s parent company, Ferretti Group, partnered with designer Fulvio De Simoni on the project and a few highlights include her carbon fiber construction, her space-saving cockpit steps and an innovative design that Pershing calls a “Music Hull.”

This 83-footer is light on her feet thanks to that carbon fiber construction, and with twin 2,435 hp MTU 16V engines she reaches a reported 45-knot top speed and cruises at 38 knots. Should owners choose twin 2,638 hp MTU 16V engines, her performance reportedly increases to a 48-knot top hop and a 41-knot cruise speed.

All exterior areas on the Pershing 8X can be shaded by Bimini Tops and sun canopies. Ferretti Group

The 8X’s cockpit steps are framed by carbon fiber uprights and are designed into Pershing’s “side wing” aesthetic. The portside steps arch and curve out sideways, saving cockpit real estate. However, the 8X’s “Music Hull” might be the most unique feature on the yacht. In order to provide underwater entertainment for guests, the Ferretti Group Engineering Department collaborated with Videoworks to design a loudspeaker into the vessel’s hull. This innovation adds a whole new dynamic to at-anchor swimming and diving.

This yacht’s swim platform opens into a tender garage that houses a Williams Sportjet 345 and a Jet Ski. Ferretti Group

Pershing also takes great pride in the 8X’s intuitive propulsion controls integrated with maneuvering, navigation and monitoring systems. Also found on other Pershings, the 8X’s “EasySet system — produced in exclusive partnership with TopSystem — automatically optimizes the performance and the trim of the surface propellers, adapting to variations in the engine load and the speed of the yacht,” says Ferretti Group. Xenta Systems and Naviop-Simrad LOOP support maneuvering, navigation and monitoring on the 8X, and all these systems are combined and controllable at the Poltrona-Frau-leather-framed, carbon-paneled helm that has up to 24-inch touchscreens. There’s the always-handy joystick control option here as well.

(Clockwise from left) Besides carbon fiber, the cockpit steps are constructed of steel and teak; Besides a sun pad and settee with retractable table, the cockpit has a mobile grill and sink to starboard as well as stowage in both bulwarks; The main deck helm station fully forward on the main deck is paired with 3 chairs and is covered by a tinted sun roof; The Pershing 8X’s master stateroom is full-beam amidships. Ferretti Group

This yacht has space to soak up rays with sun pads in the cockpit, foredeck and sun deck, as well as additional exterior seating. The main-deck salon has a C-shaped settee to starboard opposite a TV, the whole space adjoining a dining area for eight. Belowdecks is four staterooms, including the amidships, full-beam master. The master’s head and closet are, unconventionally, abaft its forward-facing berth — a design move made to pad the space between guests and the engine room, Pershing says. Further insulation between the engine room and the master, however, is the 8X’s galley down as well as the two crew cabins abaft it.