Pershing

1985

Italy

Pershing is an Italian high-performance luxury yacht brand founded in 1985 by Tilli Antonelli in Ancona, Italy. From the very beginning, Pershing focused on a product philosophy of ‘speed and design’, emphasising the integration of sports car-like lines and a sense of interior space into the performance of a speedboat. In 1998, Pershing joined the Ferretti Group and gained enhanced technical support and a global sales network. This transition has helped the brand to penetrate international markets and build a solid customer base, particularly in the United States, Europe and Asia, where Pershing's customers are mainly mid-to-high-end customers who value control, design and personalised experience, many of whom have a background in motor racing, flying or sailing.

Introduction to Pershing Yachts: a brand synonymous with Italian dynamism and high performance

Brand Origin and History

Pershing was founded in 1985 in Mondolfo, Italy by three Italian engineers. Initially, the brand's goal was to combine the thrill of driving a powerboat with the comfort of living on a yacht, and the launch of Pershing's first boat, the Pershing 45, caused a strong reaction in the Italian yachting market due to its streamlined shape and high-speed performance.

In 1998, Pershing joined the Ferretti Group as a high-performance luxury yacht brand. With the help of Ferretti's powerful shipbuilding system and global sales network, Pershing has gradually expanded its international market, especially in the Americas, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region has achieved remarkable growth.

The brand's production facilities

Pershing's main factory is located in Mondolfo, on the east coast of Italy, a modern shipyard with over 50,000 square metres of space for design, research and development, production and testing, and close to the Adriatic Sea, which facilitates the launching of new boats for sea trials and performance tuning.

All Pershing yachts are built at the yard. The hulls are made of high-performance composite materials, combined with robotic precision cutting and hand-finishing. Each boat undergoes a rigorous dynamic testing process prior to delivery to ensure that performance meets design standards.

Brand Design and Innovation

Pershing's design is led by renowned Italian yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni, who has led the design of Pershing's styling and spatial layout from the brand's inception to the present day. The core concept of the brand is ‘Power and Style’, i.e. speed and style.

Externally, Pershing's yachts have a recognisable low-slung shape, metallic grey paintwork and integrated hull construction. Many models are equipped with sliding hardtops and electric rear hatches to enhance aerodynamics and visual integrity.

In terms of technology, Pershing was one of the first in the industry to adopt Surface Drive. This system allows the hull to travel at high speeds with reduced drag and increased efficiency. Some models are even equipped with water-jet propulsion or V12 engines, allowing them to reach a maximum speed of over 50 knots.

Product range overview

Pershing's product line covers 50 to 140 feet and is divided into three main series:

Pershing 5X, 6X, 7X, 8X series: Suitable for individual users who like to drive at high speeds, these models are more focused on the driving experience, with simple internal layout and easy maintenance.

Pershing 9X, 10X series: focusing on the medium to large market, these boats are equipped with more advanced audio, lighting and entertainment systems, suitable for family sailing or small gatherings.

Pershing GTX series: a crossover innovative product launched in recent years, attempting to integrate the design language of supercars and superyachts, with wider hulls and larger platforms, suitable for longer periods of offshore lifestyles.

Yacht Style

Pershing's style never pursues a ‘holiday feeling’ or ‘domesticity’, but emphasises power, speed and futuristic feeling. Its design concept is close to that of a high-performance car, and some users even call it a ‘Ferrari on the water’.

The interior is a combination of cool grey tones, stainless steel, carbon fibre and leather, creating a clean, sharp and technological atmosphere. The control area is usually located in the centre of the main deck, emphasising the efficiency of the driver's view and the integration of instruments.

Yacht Usage Scenarios

Pershing's typical user groups include corporate executives, racing enthusiasts, and high net worth technology entrepreneurs. They are mostly people with strong personality and the pursuit of speed experience.

In terms of usage scenarios, these yachts are more commonly used for short-range high-speed crossings, daytime socialising, and fast transits. For example, travelling from Cannes to Monaco can be easily done in 1 hour on a Pershing 8X. Pershing is better positioned for quick city-to-city transits and weekend flash trips than long days at sea.

Sustainable Direction

Although Pershing is not known as an ‘eco-friendly’ brand, in recent years it has begun to optimise its sustainability strategy. The brand is introducing solutions such as hybrid propulsion systems, low-VOC materials and energy-saving lighting systems.

In addition, the Ferretti Group as a whole has pledged to achieve carbon footprint monitoring and milestones for its brands by 2030, and Pershing is working with various Italian marine research institutes to develop lighter, recyclable hull materials.

Customer Experience and Brand Culture

Pershing's customer experience emphasises ‘engagement’ and ‘customisation’. From the very beginning of the purchase process, customers can choose the interior scheme, electronic system, propulsion method, and even custom paint colours. Each boat is a ‘private order’, not an assembly line product.

There is an almost ‘mechanical aesthetics’ paranoia in the brand's culture. When many owners talk about Pershing, they don't say it's ‘comfortable to live in’, they say it ‘drives like an aeroplane’. This ‘sense of control’ is the biggest difference between Pershing and other luxury yacht brands.

Conclusion

Pershing is not a yacht for everyone, it is more a philosophy of speed at sea. It does not emphasise extreme comfort, but prefers extreme performance. It does not cater to the public's aesthetics, but pursues the combination of engineering and dynamics.

For those who love to sail and want to feel in control, Pershing is one of those rare luxury yacht brands that you can actually ‘drive’.