Pershing’s journey started in the early 1980s, when three friends with a passion for boats founded Cantiere Navale dell’Adriatico 1°. In the early years, they focused on repairing laminated wood boats. The breakthrough came in 1985 with the presentation, in partnership with yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni, of the Pershing 45, a model as fast as a powerboat and as spacious as a motoryacht that marked the beginning of the Pershing era. Its success put the brand immediately into the spotlight, becoming synonymous with innovation, performance and design. The 1990s saw the start of the brand’s global expansion, and in 1998 it became part of Ferretti Group, launching a period of growth and consolidation in the luxury motoryacht industry.
In 2012, the arrival of Weichai group further strengthened the brand’s presence on international markets, driving strong performance in Asia, America and Europe. A star at the industry’s leading international boat shows, Pershing continued to stand out for its ability to anticipate trends and meet the expectations of the most demanding owners in terms of performance, design and luxury. Examples are the introduction of the Generation X and GTX ranges and the construction of the first superyacht, confirming the shipyard’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of nautical innovation.
Over the past 40 years, Pershing has introduced significant innovations, such as the transition from in-line shaft drives to surface piercing propeller systems—a technology in which it is a world leader for recreational applications—and the introduction of water jets with a gas turbine on the Pershing 115 (2004), capable of delivering over 5,100 HP. These are joined by the introduction of the triple-engine propulsion system on Pershing 108 (2011) and construction solutions that optimize weight, seakeeping and cruising comfort.
Pershing’s innovation also extends to design and on-board technology. From the outset the brand has blended aesthetics and functionality with innovative solutions such as the hydraulic gangway (the Pershing 45) and the concealed sliding glass door (the Pershing 72), both developed in partnership with Giovanni Besenzoni’s company Bensenzoni. Design-wise, Pershing has introduced sleek, sporty shapes with functional features such as the “Pershing wing” (since the Pershing 70), the retracting carbon fiber stairway and the pillar-free windscreen, while the boat interiors offer settings that are spacious, light-filled and carefully curated in every detail, not least thanks to collaborations with top brands including Poltrona Frau.
The Pershing fleet today consists of two ranges and a superyacht that embody the brand’s trademark innovation, performance and design. Generation X, comprising the 5X, 6X, 7X, 8X and 9X models, achieves a balance between power, lightness and advanced technology thanks to the use of ultra-lightweight materials, integrated control systems and sleek lines. The more recent GTX range, which includes the GTX116, GTX80 and new GTX70 models, redefines the Sport Utility Yacht concept by enhancing comfort and livability, but without compromising performance. Completing the fleet, Pershing 140 is the brand’s first all-aluminum superyacht, built at the Ferretti Group Super Yacht Yard in Ancona. This yacht combines sportiness, creative architectural solutions and a singular focus on detail.
For four decades, Pershing boats have been taking shape in Mondolfo at a world-class production facility adjacent to the storied shipyard. Designed by architect Sandro Sartini, the production site spans over 84,000 square meters today and contains four buildings, two paint booths and a testing tank. Every space is designed to combine technology, function and aesthetics, with tailor-made solutions for the various Pershing ranges, such as the fourth building dedicated to the GTX series, which has the capacity to build yachts up to 36 meters in length.
With a total of 27 stations used to build 27 yachts in parallel, the shipyard can handle highly specialized processes such as PPG-certified dry painting, which ensures that Pershing yachts have a level of finish comparable to that of luxury cars. A testing tank is used to perform comprehensive technical tests that ensure maximum reliability before Pershing yachts are launched from the nearby port of Fano.
For more information: pershing-yacht.com
