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It was 1998 when Cantieri Navali dell’Adriatico unveiled the Pershing 46, a yacht just under 15 meters long that combines elegance, sportiness, and power.
Excerpted from *Barche a Motore* 2010, No. 2, March, pp. 102–109.
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Under the name Pershing, the Adriatic Shipyards They produce a line of express cruisers ranging from 10.38 meters to 22.83 meters in length; with their sporty and aggressive styling, these boats are very reminiscent of fast commuters, though they offer a higher level of comfort. We tested the Pershing 46, a sleek 14.72-meter boat, featuring a very comfortable deck, complete with plush sofas and sunbathing areas where you can soak up the sun, as well as meticulously designed interiors with a cabin ceiling height of at least 1.90 meters and berths suitable even for tall people.
The Pershing 46 is a modern vessel that leverages Fulvio De Simoni ‘s expertise in designing innovative hull solutions. The profile is characterized by the unique shape of the windshield, supported by curved uprights, a design already successfully used on other boats in the same series. Besides offering a pleasing aesthetic impact, it also contributes to improving the vessel’s aerodynamics. Guides run between the uprights and the rollbar to attach the sun canopy. The aft cockpit serves as a large sunbathing area, partially resting on the engine compartment and a cabin with independent access. The other outdoor areas are furnished with sofas and create a pleasant social area behind the helm station.
Cantieri Navali dell’Adriatico builds its vessels using cutting-edge technology and premium materials, carefully crafting every stage of the process and paying meticulous attention to detail. The hull and deck are constructed entirely of reinforced fiberglass, while the interior furnishings, also designed by architect and designer Fulvio De Simoni , are partially molded in fiberglass and complemented by many fine woods. The onboard steelwork is oversized, mounted on special supports embedded in the fiberglass for greater construction strength. The aft deck is covered in teak.
The Pershing 46’s deck is particularly functional. Starting from the bow, whose highest point features a sturdy anchor roller and an electric winch, served by a spacious chain locker, you come across the sundeck recessed into the deck molding. This feature, in addition to enhancing the aesthetics, prevents the cushions from lifting at high speeds. The barely visible sidedecks run on two different levels until they join the gunwale around the perimeter of the aft sundeck. The cockpit furnishings include a full-fledged lounge with a large C-shaped sofa positioned transversely to the hull, interrupted in the middle to allow access from the stern by removing part of the cushions to avoid stepping on them.
Forward of this sofa, along the port side, is a cabinet with a sink, and on the starboard side is the helm station, which features a two-seater sofa that conceals a spacious storage compartment. The aft platform is uniquely designed on two levels: the first is a sort of step to which the gangway is also attached, while the second consists of a large teak-decked area capable of accommodating a tender when needed. To simplify mooring maneuvers, two mooring winches have been installed alongside the retractable cleats in the gunwale.
As soon as you go below deck, along the portside, you’ll find the elegant fold-down galley tucked into a wooden cabinet with a very attractive but heavy folding countertop, which stays in the open position thanks to two springs (I think it would be a good idea to install a safer system). It is equipped with a four-burner glass-ceramic cooktop, a terrazzo countertop with two built-in sinks, a very large wall-mounted refrigerator, and a combination microwave oven. A television is built into the upper left corner. Opposite it is the guest cabin, furnished with a double bed and a wardrobe; forward of it is the dinette, which can also be converted into a double bed.
This area features a number of wall cabinets with curved doors that echo the rounded lines—a recurring theme throughout the hull’s design. The restroom is on the left and can be accessed from the saloon or the owner’s cabin. The bathroom features a shower stall with a sliding door, a flush-mounted toilet hidden beneath a seat, a mirror, storage cabinets, and a sink. The forward cabin is furnished with a very large double bed flanked by two side seats. There are also numerous wall cabinets and hanging closets here, as well as a spacious chest of drawers located under the bed. Ventilation and lighting are provided by the portholes and the hatch that opens onto the deck. At the stern, there is a completely separate cabin—even in terms of access—furnished with a single bed (or two beds in the inline configuration), a full bathroom with a shower, and ample storage space.
As befits a boat of this class, the standard equipment is truly comprehensive, selected from the best on the market. The surface-drive version we tested even comes standard with a bow thruster to simplify docking maneuvers. There are also winches aft, located near the cleats, and a series of electronic instruments to make navigation safer and easier: an autopilot, video plotter, depth sounder, and a VHF radio with dual receivers.
Cantieri Navali dell’Adriatico offers two different engine options for the Pershing 46 : a traditional in-line shaft with two 600-horsepower CAT engines , and a second with Arneson surface propellers and two CAT engines that develop 660 horsepower at full rotation (2,300 rpm). The model we tested is the more racing version, equipped with surface propellers that can accelerate the hull, undoubtedly improving the engine’s efficiency. To accommodate this type of propeller, the shipyard must make room for some of the aft cabin. Access to the engines is through a hatch located in the center of the cockpit, between the sink unit and the helm station. The CAT 3196 DITA engine is a new electronically controlled model, equipped with a microprocessor that optimizes performance and fuel consumption by constantly monitoring everything that happens inside the engine and transmitting it to the control station equipped with alarms. This control unit also allows you to maintain a constant rotation speed.
Beneath the Pershing 46 ‘s racing exterior lies a safe and comfortable vessel, capable of reaching a top speed of 44 knots with the same ease with which it can dock. The deck remains particularly dry during navigation thanks to the effective design of the waterlines.
by Roberta Limardo
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