Ferretti 780 for Sale

Ferretti 780 Specifications

The 780’s GRP planing hull was developed by the Ferretti Group Engineering Department using computational fluid dynamics and extensive tank testing. At 65 tonnes loaded displacement, the 780 is a substantial vessel — roughly double the mass of the Ferretti 580 — and the hull form reflects that weight class: a deeper deadrise forward for wave penetration, transitioning to a flatter running surface aft for efficient planing at higher speeds. Unlike the 580, which uses Volvo Penta IPS pod drives, the 780 employs conventional shaft-drive propulsion with twin propellers. At this size and displacement, shaft drives remain the predominant choice among Italian builders, offering proven reliability, lower long-term maintenance costs for the pod units, and straightforward propeller replacement during routine haul-outs.

The 5,000-litre fuel capacity is generous for a planing yacht of this class and provides a cruising range of approximately 300 nautical miles at 24 knots — sufficient for most Mediterranean island-hopping itineraries. At displacement speeds of 10–12 knots, range extends substantially, making longer coastal passages or Balearics-to-mainland runs comfortable single-fill operations. Fresh water capacity of 1,050 litres, supplemented by an optional watermaker, supports extended cruising without frequent portside refills.

Performance and Sea-Keeping

Power and speed: The Ferretti 780 is offered with two MAN V12 diesel engine options. The standard configuration pairs twin 1,400 MHP engines, delivering a cruising speed of approximately 24 knots and a top speed of 28 knots. The upgrade option — twin 1,550 MHP MAN V12 units — pushes the cruising speed to approximately 27 knots and the top speed to 31 knots. Both configurations drive through conventional shaft-line installations with twin propellers. The MAN V12 is a proven marine diesel with an extensive global service network, and its use across the Ferretti Group (including Riva and Custom Line models) means that Ferretti’s engineering team has deep integration experience with this powerplant. Most buyers opt for the 1,550 MHP package: the incremental cost is modest relative to the yacht’s total price, and the additional speed margin provides useful reserve power for adverse conditions.

Fuel consumption and range: At cruising speed with the 1,550 MHP engines, combined fuel consumption is approximately 400–450 litres per hour, providing a range of roughly 300 nautical miles from the 5,000-litre tanks with a sensible 10% reserve. Backing off to displacement speed — 10–12 knots — drops consumption to approximately 80–100 litres per hour, extending range to 500–600 nautical miles. This is typical for a 65-tonne planing flybridge yacht: the physics of pushing this much mass through the water at 27 knots consume significant fuel, but the generous tankage compensates. For owners who plan to cruise actively through the Western Mediterranean — the Riviera to Sardinia, the Balearics, Croatia — the 300-mile cruising range covers most practical passages without anxiety.

Sea-keeping and stabilisation: The 780 benefits from Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilisation as standard equipment — a significant inclusion that competitors often list as a costly option. The Seakeeper unit reduces roll by up to 90% at anchor and substantially improves comfort under way, transforming the experience in beam seas and at anchor in exposed anchorages. The Ferretti Engineering Department’s hull form, combined with the yacht’s 65-tonne mass, delivers composed motion in moderate to rough conditions. Press reviewers have noted commendably low noise levels throughout the interior at all speeds — just 66 dB(A) measured in the master cabin at 20 knots — reflecting the Italian approach to noise and vibration management that treats engine room isolation, structural damping, and resilient mounting as integral to the design from the outset.

Handling and manoeuvrability: At 78 feet and 65 tonnes, the 780 is not a boat that handles like a sports cruiser. It is a large, deliberate motor yacht that rewards smooth throttle inputs and planned manoeuvres. Bow and stern thrusters are standard, providing the low-speed manoeuvrability essential for Mediterranean stern-to berthing in tight marina spaces. The twin-shaft configuration offers differential thrust for tight turns. Experienced skippers report that the 780 docks predictably once you have calibrated for its mass and windage — the high flybridge and superstructure create significant sail area in crosswinds, making thruster availability important. The yacht tracks well at cruising speed, with positive helm feel and no tendency to wander.

The transition from displacement to planing: The hull form delivers a clean transition onto the plane in the high teens, without the pronounced hump that can characterise heavier flybridge yachts. Passengers feel a gradual acceleration rather than a sudden pitch change — a direct result of the Ferretti Engineering Department’s attention to running surface geometry. Once established on the plane, the 780 rides with the solid, planted feel that press testers consistently describe as the defining characteristic of the boat. This is not a yacht designed to impress with agility; it is engineered to inspire confidence over long distances and in variable sea states.

Build Quality and Italian Craftsmanship

The Ferretti 780 is built in Italy by artisans who work within an industrial framework that would be recognisable to anyone familiar with Italian luxury manufacturing — from the automotive plants of Maranello to the leather workshops of Florence. The hull and superstructure are constructed from GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) using modern infusion techniques that ensure consistent resin distribution and structural integrity. The Ferretti Group’s engineering department oversees structural design, including finite element analysis of load paths and fatigue modelling, while the physical construction relies on skilled laminators whose expertise has been developed over years of building within the Ferretti system.

Where the Ferretti 780 distinguishes itself from volume-production competitors is in the interior fit-out. Joinery is executed by specialist craftspeople using select hardwoods — typically bleached oak or American walnut for the contemporary mood, darker walnut or mahogany for the classic specification — with visible grain matching across adjacent panels. Countertops in heads and galley feature genuine marble or engineered stone, sourced from Italian quarries. Upholstery uses premium Italian leather from specialist tanneries, with stitching details that reflect the automotive-grade craftsmanship associated with Emilia-Romagna’s motor car heritage. The attention to material selection and finishing is a tangible, visible differentiator: run your hand along a Ferretti 780 bulkhead panel and you will feel the difference between hand-finished Italian joinery and machine-cut production woodwork.

The 2021 restyling introduced significant architectural advances to the 780 platform. Extensive hull glazing — large double-glazed windows integrated into the hull sides — floods the lower-deck cabins with natural light, eliminating the bunker-like quality that afflicts some competitors’ below-deck accommodation. The main-deck saloon benefits from floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the boundary between interior and exterior living spaces. These are not merely aesthetic choices: the glazing is engineered to meet CE Category A (Ocean) structural requirements while maintaining the thermal performance necessary for air-conditioned comfort in Mediterranean summer conditions.

The Ferretti Group’s scale provides engineering resources that a standalone builder of this size could not match. The Group’s shared engineering department develops hull forms, structural solutions, and systems integration across all seven brands, meaning that innovations proven on CRN superyachts or Pershing performance yachts filter down to the Ferretti Yachts range. The 780 benefits specifically from shared expertise in noise and vibration management, hydraulic systems engineering, and electrical systems architecture — areas where the Group’s cumulative experience across thousands of delivered yachts provides a meaningful engineering advantage.

Interior Layout and Accommodation

Master stateroom: The full-beam master suite is the centrepiece of the 780’s lower deck. Positioned amidships for minimal motion in a seaway, it spans the full 5.80 m beam and delivers a genuinely residential experience. A centreline island berth anchors the space, with walk-around access on both sides. The suite includes a separate walk-in wardrobe, a dedicated vanity and study area, a lounge chair, and a sofa — furnishings that reflect a considered approach to onboard living rather than the cramped compromise typical of smaller flybridge yachts. The en-suite head features marble finishes, a separate shower stall, and premium fittings. Large double-glazed hull windows with integrated portholes bring natural light deep into the cabin, creating an atmosphere closer to a boutique hotel suite than a yacht cabin.

Guest accommodation: Forward of the master, the VIP cabin provides a double berth configuration with its own en-suite head. Two additional guest cabins — positioned port and starboard — offer twin or convertible double berths, each with en-suite facilities. The result is four genuinely private staterooms, each with its own bathroom — a configuration that supports two couples travelling together in comfort, or a family with older children who appreciate their own space. All lower-deck cabins benefit from the 2021 restyling’s enhanced hull glazing, which transformed the guest accommodation from adequate to genuinely inviting.

Main-deck saloon and galley: The main-deck layout is defined by the extensive glazing that gives the 780 its distinctive profile. A long, comfortable saloon with low-profile contemporary furniture occupies the central space, brightly illuminated by the oversized windows. The standard layout positions a bar centrally within the saloon, while an open dining area forward accommodates formal meals. A 65-inch television provides entertainment. The enclosed galley sits to starboard, forward of the saloon, with domestic-grade appliances, stone countertops, and sufficient preparation space for serious cooking. The discrete wheelhouse is positioned forward, providing the helmsman with an unobstructed view while maintaining visual separation from the social spaces. An optional day head on the main deck serves the saloon and cockpit areas, eliminating the need for guests to descend to the lower deck during daytime use.

Crew quarters: The 780’s crew accommodation is separated from the guest areas by the engine room, with independent access from the cockpit — a layout detail that maintains the privacy expected on a crewed yacht. The crew area includes a captain’s cabin with a single berth and a sailor’s cabin with two bunk berths, each with its own bathroom. Ferretti describes the crew quarters as among the most spacious in this market segment, and the claim is credible: the 780’s 5.80 m beam provides enough aft volume to house crew comfortably without the prison-cell dimensions that smaller flybridge yachts inflict on their staff. Comfortable crew quarters are not a luxury — they are an operational necessity for retaining good crew members over multiple seasons.

Interior mood options: The 2021 restyling introduced two distinct interior moods: classic and contemporary. The classic mood features richer wood tones, traditional furniture silhouettes, and warmer textile selections. The contemporary mood uses lighter woods, clean-lined furniture, and a more neutral palette with accent materials. Both moods share the same structural layout and spatial proportions — the choice is aesthetic, not architectural. This flexibility allows the 780 to appeal to buyers whose tastes run from the traditional Mediterranean aesthetic to a more Northern European sensibility, without requiring structural modification.

Flybridge and Exterior Living Spaces

The flybridge: The 780’s flybridge is its defining social space and the area where most owners spend the majority of their time during Mediterranean summer cruising. The 2021 restyling introduced a larger L-shaped bar to starboard, opposite the main social area featuring a C-shaped sofa and dining table. Forward of the bar, a flexible sunpad with moveable headrests can convert into two facing sofas by removing the central pad — a versatile arrangement that adapts from sunbathing to conversation depending on the moment. The helm station to port features two Poltrona Frau chairs, reflecting the premium material choices that extend from the interior to the exterior. An optional Elena black hardtop provides shade over the main seating area. All exterior furnishings are from the Roda collection, exclusively customised for Ferretti Yachts.

The aft section of the flybridge offers additional flexibility: buyers can specify an island sunpad, an extended dining table, or clear the space for individual sun loungers. The aft end is surrounded by clear railings that preserve the open, uncluttered feeling. For owners who entertain regularly, the flybridge’s wet bar, refrigerator, icemaker, and grill provide a fully self-contained outdoor entertaining station that eliminates constant trips to the main-deck galley.

Cockpit: The aft cockpit provides a generous al fresco dining and lounging area at the main-deck level, shaded by the flybridge overhang. The cockpit connects to the saloon through wide-opening doors, creating the indoor-outdoor flow that is fundamental to Italian yacht design philosophy. This is the space for evening aperitifs at anchor, for watching sunsets, and for the relaxed transition between swimming and socialising that defines Mediterranean yachting.

Swim platform and beach club: The 780’s swim platform is a substantial engineering feature. Two panels can fold down separately or together to create a large waterside sofa at the waterline, and the entire area can be covered by a shade structure for sun protection. Storage lockers flanking each stairway provide dedicated space for water toys, including Seabob electric bodyboards. The platform doubles as a launching point for the tender, which is housed in the aft garage beneath the cockpit sole. The garage accommodates a tender up to 4.35 metres (14 ft 3 in) — large enough for a Williams 435 or equivalent jet tender capable of serious shore-ferry duty. With the tender deployed, the freed garage volume and lowered platform combine into an on-water beach club that is one of the 780’s most compelling features for the anchoring lifestyle.

Foredeck: The foredeck is fitted with a sunpad for forward sunbathing — a popular position at anchor, where the bow provides the most private outdoor space on the yacht. The combination of foredeck sunpad, cockpit, flybridge, and swim platform gives the 780 four distinct outdoor living zones, each with a different character and use case. This abundance of exterior space is one of the tangible benefits of stepping up from a 60-footer: on the 780, eight guests can each find their own outdoor space without crowding.

Running Costs and Ownership Considerations

Owning a 78-foot flybridge motor yacht requires a realistic annual budget. The Ferretti 780 is a crewed yacht in most operating scenarios, and the cost structure reflects this reality. Buyers stepping up from an owner-operated 55–60 footer should anticipate a significant increase in annual operating costs — the jump from 60 feet to 78 feet is not linear but exponential in terms of marina fees, crew costs, fuel consumption, and maintenance requirements.

• Crew: Most 780 owners employ at least a captain and a steward/deckhand. In the Mediterranean, a competent captain commands €4,000–€6,000 per month plus accommodation and benefits; a steward/deckhand €2,500–€3,500 per month. Annual crew costs including social charges, insurance, training, and travel typically reach €80,000–€130,000 for a two-person crew. Some owners add a third crew member (engineer or chef) for extended summer seasons.
• Insurance: 1.0–1.5% of hull value annually. For a yacht insured at €2.5–€4.0 million, approximately €25,000–€60,000 per year. Mediterranean-only cruising grounds sit at the lower end; transatlantic deliveries or Caribbean winter seasons increase premiums.
• Marina berth: A 24-metre berth in the Mediterranean ranges from €25,000–€50,000 per year for standard locations. Premium marinas — Porto Cervo, Antibes, Portofino, Ibiza Marina — command €60,000–€120,000+ annually. Winter hardstanding or out-of-season rates can reduce costs significantly for owners who do not live aboard year-round.
• Engine servicing: MAN V12 diesels require routine servicing every 250–500 hours (oil, filters, belts, coolant checks) at approximately €8,000–€15,000 per service. Major overhaul intervals at 2,000+ hours can reach €30,000–€50,000 per engine. MAN’s global service network is extensive, with authorised centres in every major Mediterranean port.
• Haul-out and antifouling: €8,000–€15,000 for a yacht of this size, including travel lift, hull wash, antifouling application, anode replacement, propeller service, and hull inspection. Annual haul-out is recommended.
• Generators, Seakeeper, and systems: Generator servicing at €3,000–€5,000 annually, Seakeeper maintenance at €2,000–€4,000, air conditioning at €2,000–€4,000, and hydraulic systems (swim platform, tender garage) at €1,500–€3,000. Electronics updates and navigation system subscriptions add €2,000–€5,000.
• Approximate total (excluding fuel): €180,000–€350,000 per year including crew, depending on location, usage intensity, marina choice, and maintenance philosophy. Without crew (owner-operated with occasional hired captain), €90,000–€180,000. Fuel costs are additional: budget approximately €300–€400 per engine hour at cruising speed.

These figures should not deter a well-capitalised buyer, but they must be understood before commitment. The Ferretti 780 is a yacht whose annual running costs will typically equal 5–10% of its purchase price. This is consistent with the broader industry rule of thumb for luxury motor yachts in the 70–80 ft range. Buyers who find these numbers surprising should reconsider whether a yacht of this size is the right fit, or explore the Ferretti 580 as an owner-operated alternative with substantially lower annual costs.

Used Market Analysis and Pricing Guidance

New pricing: A new Ferretti 780 in 2024–2025 specification lists from approximately €4.0–€5.0 million ex-VAT, depending on engine choice, interior mood, and optional equipment. Well-optioned examples with the 1,550 MHP engines, upgraded electronics packages, Elena hardtop, and premium interior finishes can approach €5.5–€6.0 million. VAT treatment varies significantly by jurisdiction and flag state, and buyers should take professional tax advice before committing to a purchase structure.

Used market (Mk1, 2017–2020): First-generation 780s trade from approximately €1.8–€2.8 million depending on condition, engine hours, and specification level. The Mk1 shares the same basic hull platform but lacks the 2021 restyling’s enhanced glazing, updated interior design, and revised flybridge layout. Buyers can achieve significant savings by purchasing a well-maintained Mk1, though the visual and functional differences between generations are meaningful. Mk1 examples with fewer than 500 engine hours and documented MAN service histories represent strong value in the current market.

Used market (Mk2, 2021–present): Restyled Mk2 examples trade from approximately €3.0–€4.5 million. These boats benefit from the updated design, enhanced hull glazing, and refined interior, and command a meaningful premium over equivalent-age Mk1 models. Low-hour Mk2 examples — particularly those delivered in 2022–2023 with fewer than 200 hours — offer an attractive entry point for buyers who want the latest specification without the full new-build price and delivery wait.

Depreciation profile: Ferretti flybridge yachts historically depreciate approximately 8–12% per year during the first three years, settling to 5–7% annually for years four through eight, and slowing further thereafter. The 780’s position as the range flagship, combined with the Ferretti brand’s strong recognition and the Group’s global dealer network, supports resale liquidity in key markets including the Mediterranean, the US East Coast, and Southeast Asia. Well-maintained examples with documented service histories and fewer than 400 annual engine hours hold their value most strongly.

What to check on a used 780: A pre-purchase survey should specifically examine: MAN V12 engine condition and complete service records; shaft and propeller condition including alignment checks; Seakeeper unit service history (these require specific maintenance intervals); gelcoat condition on hull and superstructure mouldings; all hydraulic systems (swim platform, tender garage, and any optional equipment); generator hours and condition; air conditioning performance (Mediterranean boats work these systems hard); teak decking condition on flybridge and cockpit areas; and all through-hull fittings and seacocks. Any gaps in the MAN service documentation should reduce the offered price proportionally — engine work on twin V12 diesels is the single largest potential cost exposure on a used 780.

Ferretti 780 vs Competitors

The 75–80 ft flybridge segment is fiercely contested by four major European builders — Ferretti, Princess, Sunseeker, and Azimut — each bringing a distinct design philosophy and engineering approach to a buyer profile that demands four-cabin accommodation, crewed operation, and the kind of exterior living space that justifies the step up from 60 feet. The competitive landscape also includes the Absolute 72 Fly from the newer Italian challenger.

Ferretti 780 vs Princess 78

The Princess 78 is the Ferretti 780’s most direct competitor from the British side of the flybridge divide. The Princess offers a class-leading deep-V hull form developed by the Olesinski naval architecture practice — widely regarded as producing the finest rough-water planing hulls in the industry — with twin MAN V12 engines in a similar power range. The Princess 78 tends to offer a more sea-kindly ride in North Atlantic and North Sea conditions, with superior wave penetration in steep head seas. The Ferretti 780 counters with measurably superior interior craftsmanship, the Italian design sensibility that permeates every surface and detail, standard Seakeeper stabilisation, and the depth of the Ferretti Group ecosystem for after-sales support. The Princess suits buyers who prioritise sea-keeping and intend to cruise in rougher northern waters; the Ferretti is the more refined choice for Mediterranean conditions where interior quality, design, and brand prestige carry greater weight.

Ferretti 780 vs Sunseeker 76 Yacht

The Sunseeker 76 Yacht brings bold Poole-designed styling, a powered hardtop, and Sunseeker’s signature emphasis on exterior drama and visual impact. The 76 Yacht features a resin-infused hull for weight reduction and improved performance, and offers both MAN and MTU engine options. The Ferretti 780’s advantages are its more spacious crew quarters, the quality of its Italian interior joinery, standard Seakeeper stabilisation, and a slightly larger tender garage. The Sunseeker counters with a bolder exterior presence, a powered retractable hardtop that transforms the flybridge character, and strong brand recognition in the UK and Northern European charter markets. For Mediterranean buyers, the Ferretti typically wins on interior refinement and build quality; Sunseeker dominates the UK market on brand recognition and visual impact.

Ferretti 780 vs Azimut 78 Fly

This is the Italian derby at the top of the flybridge market. The Azimut 78 Fly — from the Azimut-Benetti Group, the only other Italian conglomerate that rivals Ferretti in scale — offers carbon-fibre construction options for significant weight reduction, Alberto Mancini exterior design, and triple Volvo Penta IPS pod drives that deliver joystick docking capability. The Ferretti 780 counters with its shaft-drive simplicity and proven reliability, the Filippo Salvetti exterior that many consider more classically elegant, interior craftsmanship that reflects the Ferretti Group’s longer heritage in the flybridge segment, and arguably superior crew accommodation. The Azimut appeals to buyers who prioritise innovative construction, pod-drive handling, and design-forward aesthetics; the Ferretti suits those who value traditional Italian elegance, engineering conservatism, and the prestige of the Ferretti name.

Ferretti 780 vs Absolute 72 Fly

The Absolute 72 Fly, from the Piacenza-based builder, represents a value proposition in the Italian flybridge segment. Slightly smaller at 72 feet, the Absolute offers Volvo Penta IPS pod drives, integrated hardtop with opening glass panels, and a competitive interior specification at a price point typically 20–30% below the Ferretti 780. The Ferretti’s advantages are its larger footprint (the additional six feet translate to meaningfully more volume in every space), superior material quality in the interior, the Ferretti Group’s deeper after-sales network, and stronger brand recognition and resale value. Absolute has built an excellent reputation for value and engineering quality, but the brand does not yet carry the prestige weight that Ferretti commands in the Mediterranean brokerage market.

Within the Ferretti Group itself, buyers should also consider the Pershing 8X for those who prefer a sport yacht format over the flybridge configuration. The Pershing sacrifices the flybridge and its social space in favour of lower profile, higher speed, and a dramatically different aesthetic — but shares the same Ferretti Group engineering infrastructure, MAN V12 powerplants, and Italian craftsmanship DNA. The Prestige 590 from the Groupe Beneteau stable offers a smaller but well-resolved flybridge package at a significantly lower price point, and may suit buyers who find the 780’s operating costs beyond their comfort level.

For a full interactive depreciation comparison between the Ferretti 780 and competing models, visit the Hulls.io Market Intelligence tool.

Who Should Buy the Ferretti 780 — and Who Should Look Elsewhere

The ideal 780 buyer is an experienced yacht owner who has lived with a 60–65 footer — likely a Ferretti 580, a Princess F62, or a Sunseeker Manhattan 66 — and is ready to step up to a yacht with genuinely residential proportions, dedicated crew quarters, and the kind of exterior living space that transforms a Mediterranean summer into a floating villa experience. This buyer values Italian design and craftsmanship, understands and accepts the operating costs of a 78-foot motor yacht, and plans to cruise primarily in the Mediterranean (Riviera, Sardinia, Croatia, Greek islands, Balearics) or the Caribbean during winter seasons. They appreciate the Ferretti brand’s prestige, the Group’s financial stability as a dual-listed public company, and the depth of after-sales support that comes from the world’s largest luxury yacht conglomerate.

The 780 is also right for the buyer who entertains frequently and uses their yacht as a social platform. The flybridge, cockpit, swim platform, and foredeck sunpad provide four distinct entertaining zones, and the four en-suite guest cabins accommodate three guest couples in genuine privacy. The separated crew quarters support professional service without the awkward shared-space compromises of smaller yachts. For this buyer, the 780 is not merely a boat but a venue — one that moves between the most desirable anchorages in the Mediterranean.

Look elsewhere if you are a first-time yacht buyer. The Ferretti 780 is not an entry-level platform, and its operating costs, crew requirements, and systems complexity demand prior experience with motor yacht ownership. Start with a Ferretti 580 or equivalent, learn the rhythms of yacht ownership, and step up when you have the experience and the budget to extract the 780’s full value.

Look elsewhere if you plan to cruise predominantly in rough, open-ocean conditions — North Sea, North Atlantic, Norwegian coast. The 780 is a capable CE Category A vessel, but its design priorities are Mediterranean: interior refinement, exterior living space, and the aesthetic sensibility that resonates in Portofino and Porto Cervo. Buyers who need a yacht optimised for heavy weather should consider the Princess 78, whose Olesinski hull form is engineered specifically for northern European sea states.

Look elsewhere if your annual yacht budget (excluding purchase price) is below €150,000. The 780 will consume that amount in crew, berth fees, insurance, and maintenance before you burn a litre of fuel. Underfunding a yacht of this calibre leads to deferred maintenance, crew turnover, and accelerated depreciation — the opposite of the ownership experience that a Ferretti is designed to deliver.

Look elsewhere if you prioritise pod-drive handling and joystick docking above all other considerations. The 780 uses conventional shaft drives with bow and stern thrusters, which provide good manoeuvrability but lack the intuitive joystick control of pod-equipped competitors such as the Azimut 78 Fly with its triple IPS installation. For most crewed operations, this distinction is academic — the captain handles the docking — but for owner-operators who value the confidence of joystick control, it is a meaningful consideration.