Ferretti 560

In the tradition of the toptier Italian boatbuilders, Ferretti is known for yachts that couple elegant design and excellent craftsmanship. Beneath the styling and finish is state-ofthe- art technology that makes the allure of this brand more than skindeep. Those who follow Ferretti will be happy to know the company continues to build exciting boats. The new 560 is proof of that.

The interior of this flybridge cruiser is nothing less than beautiful. In fact, the amount of natural light in the cabin is testimony to what is clearly clever design. Yet the layout is practical too. The galley (very generous in size, with a dishwasher to boot) is positioned aft in the salon. This works well, since a serving counter is close to both the dining table and a deck hatch from which you can pass food to passengers on the flybridge. The salon itself has settees on both sides, and the passageway between them leads forward to the helm, which is modern by any standard and boasts good visibility.

Down and forward at the accommodations level, all is sweetness and light. I particularly like the big windows in the master stateroom. Here you can lie in bed and marvel at the view. For guests, there's a VIP cabin in the bow, also with windows, although they're smaller. A twin cabin is located between the larger staterooms. Pale fabrics matched to a bleached wood finish further lighten the decor.

As alluring as the interior is, this is a flybridge boat, and the top deck is a great place from which to enjoy the ride. The skipper can drive from the upper helm. A sun bed surrounds the helm, and the dining area aft is a good spot for meals on the hook (a barbecue is nearby). I was surprised to see the radar antenna mounted a bit too low on the aft mast (passengers could block the beam), but that can be modified on future models. Overall, the Ferretti design team has worked wonders on the new 560.

Ferretti Yachts; www.ferretti-yachts.com, alliedmarine.com

PRACTICAL PLAN. The galley is set aft.