Ferretti 450

FROM CANNES

Until recently, the smallest model in the Ferretti range was 56ft long with a price of more than €1.2 million, so it’s great to see a 46-footer back in the range costing nearly half that amount.

Despite its relatively compact dimensions, the designers have found space for that all-important full-beam owner’s cabin. They’ve even got round the limited headroom issue with the aid of a deep well at the foot of the bed.

The main deck features an aft-galley layout albeit without the lifting cockpit window of its larger siblings. A single step leads up from the galley to a comfortable seating/dining area with a relatively small glass table but plenty of sociable lounging space. Thanks to its wide beam-to-length ratio and a plethora of windows, the main saloon feels remarkably light and spacious for its size. There is quite a lot of exposed gel-coat in here but the glossy grey finish works well with the sophisticated mix of fabrics, wood and stainless steel.

Inevitably the helm seat is a rather flat and unsupportive affair with Ferretti’s trademark vertical wheel, but that’s all part of its little-ship appeal. In fact, the all-glass bridge with its piano-black fascia and digital dials is a pretty slick affair with joystick control of the interlinked thrusters and shafts to enable simple one-touch berthing.

The ladder up to the flybridge is pretty steep and the table looks on the small side for a crew of six. Without any radar arch, it feels very open up here but the seatbacks and screens are reassuringly tall and there is a bimini to provide shade when needed.

Power comes from a pair of 6.7-litre Cummins on V-drives, leaving room for an optional Seakeeper 5 stabiliser.

Ventura UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 74 95 2330. Web: www.ferretti-yachts.com

This month’s coolest new models from the French boat show