The eagerly anticipated 48-knot Itama Sixty will be revealed to the public for the very first time at the forthcoming Cannes Boat Show.

Under the nurturing arm of the Ferretti Group, with technological input from Pershing, Itama has undergone a transformation in the past few years. This latest addition to the family, which harnesses the formidable combined talents of designer Marco Casali, Itama’s own engineers, and the Ferretti Group’s AYT (Advanced Yacht Technology) division, surely comes the closest yet to realising the true spirit of Itama. With their classic, muscle-boat looks and deep-V hulls, Itamas are the perfect platform for enhancing their performance with surface drives. And so it is with the Sixty: twin common-rail V12 MAN diesels deliver a total of 3100hp through two of the new Searex surface drives from ZF. This puts the Sixty’s 20° deadrise deep-V hull in its element, delivering a top speed of 48 knots, and a rooster tail that will put a grin on the face of even the coolest skipper. What other boat gives you the thrill of open-top powerboating at 48-knots, yet also offers all the comforts of a sophisticated, luxurious motor yacht when you moor up? Another Itama perhaps, but little else.

‘Open’ she may be, but in practice those on board are not entirely at the mercy of the elements in the Sixty’s cockpit. She has an all-weather electro-hydraulic canopy – as introduced on the Itama Fifty-Five – which can be deployed at any speed, and fully protects the entire cockpit seating area. The huge stern platform will carry a sizeable tender, or a pair of PWCs, and the central, electrically-powered extending passerelle doubles as a crane to lift them in and out of the water. Any Itama is of course primarily designed to make the most of wind-in-the-hair high speed boating and other open-air watery frolics. But that is only half the story. The clean, crisp, low-profile lines of the Sixty give little hint of the cavernous and beautifully appointed interior space beneath that vast foredeck. The dining saloon and galley make full use of the Sixty’s broad 15ft 7in beam. Up forward is the master suite. While aft of the saloon is a second double cabin and a twin, both with their own en suite facilities. A crew cabin, right at the stern, is optional. Depending on individual taste, there’s a choice of interior décor, with surfaces finished in either a cool, crisp, bright white lacquer to enhance the modernist style, or in walnut for a warmer, more classic look. Either way the entire accommodation is equipped, styled and finished to the exemplary standards that have come to epitomise the products of the Ferretti Group.

The Itama Sixty makes its public debut at the Cannes boat show, 8-13 Sep 2010.

RCD CLASSIFICATIONS: Every boat from the Ferretti Group under 24m – which includes Ferretti, Pershing, Riva, Mochi, Itama and Bertram – is certified as RCD category ‘A’ [apart from the 33ft Riva Aquariva Super which is RCD category ‘B’].

The RCD design and construction regulations require that boats meet specified standards for Structure, Stability, Buoyancy, Openings [in hull, deck and superstructure] and Flooding when carrying a specified Load.

CATEGORY ‘A’ [OCEAN]: boats are approved for use where conditions may exceed wind force 8, with wave heights over 4m.

CATEGORY ‘B’ [OFFSHORE]: boats are approved for use in conditions up to wind force 8, with wave heights up to 4m.