Comfort zone
Few shipyards—at least in the production segment—work with their clients as closely and meticulously as the Ferretti Group. Parties and receptions around the world, private previews, and exclusive concerts by stars of the calibre of Sting and Duran Duran—being part of the Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Custom Line, Itama, Wally, and CRN family is like belonging simultaneously to a gentlemen's club and a large, hospitable Italian family: beautiful, lively, heartfelt, a little whimsical, and always, always very dolce. When you are "in the family," you learn about new models not from magazines or the internet but from your manager, long before the first hull touches the water. Such was the case with the Ferretti Yachts 580: a full year before its official premiere at boot Düsseldorf, seven hulls had already been sold. After its debut, the yacht caught the attention not only of the specialist press but even of fashion magazines—the French edition of GQ, for instance, wrote about it. Whatever else it may lack, this flybridge yacht has no shortage of style—or rather, that relaxed elegance, the very Italian sprezzatura, which you can admire in the films of Fellini and Sorrentino and at the Pitti Uomo exhibition in Florence.
The exterior styling was overseen by Filippo Salvetti—the designer behind the magnificent 860 and 1000 models, as well as the Navetta 30 for Custom Line. The successor to the bestselling Ferretti Yachts 550 is one metre longer. Its overall length is 18.24 metres, waterline length 16.9 metres, and maximum beam exactly 5 metres. The model has widened by only a few centimetres, but this is a case where slimness matters more than bulk. Light displacement is 31 tonnes, full displacement 37 tonnes. Fuel tanks hold 3,250 litres, and the fresh water capacity is 700 litres. The yacht is designed for 14 people on board, is rated for ocean class A, and is also RINA‑certified to classes B+F+A1.
The first thing that catches the eye is the "floating" flybridge. With an area of 18 sq. m—exceptionally large for a yacht of this size—it projects far over the cockpit and is raised high. The dark‑glass bulwarks flare upward. According to Salvetti, this device "dresses the yacht in a sporty suit," lending it a bold, swift appearance.
The flybridge, at roughly 18 square metres, features two wide sun loungers, a helm station, a wet bar with provision for a grill or teppanyaki plate, and a sofa group with a table. The sofas are arranged to leave as much free space as possible—there is ample room for yoga. The flybridge helm is located to port, in contrast to the main helm, which is to starboard. This allows equally convenient side‑to docking on either side. The radar arch in the standard configuration (without a hardtop) is very low and set beyond the flybridge's footprint, so it does not break the clean lines or obstruct the view. In the event of rain or excessive sun, an electric bimini can be raised over the flybridge. A rigid hardtop, covering almost the entire flybridge, is available as an option.
The bow area offers surprising habitability for a 58‑foot yacht. It houses a vast sunbathing pad, two face‑to‑face sofas seating 7–8 people, and multifunctional tables. Concealed stowage compartments and cup holders make this zone exceptionally comfortable. An awning can be fitted over the foredeck lounge if desired.
The aft cockpit has a flexible configuration: the sofa backrest folds aft, the table lowers, a long cushion is placed on top, and the dining area transforms into a daybed. Under the starboard staircase to the flybridge and in the transom, there are 65‑litre stowage compartments. To port is a console for an ice‑maker and a third mooring station. A tender of about 3.5 metres (such as a Williams 345) can be carried on the bathing platform, which hydraulically lowers below the waterline. An integrated folding ladder makes it easy to step onto the platform when it is in the water.
The galley on the Ferretti Yachts 580 is located at the entrance to the saloon, so when the glass door and the partition between the cockpit and the saloon are open, it becomes a connecting link between interior and exterior spaces. From here, it is convenient to serve dishes both during al fresco lunches and dinners inside the saloon. The galley layout, with a U‑shaped work area and two breakfast bars, is convenient both for cooking and for informal breakfasts—as if you were sitting in a diner overlooking the sea.
Various configurations are available for the saloon: for example, two sofas, one with a TV lift behind the backrest, or a sofa and a cabinet with a fixed 42‑inch television. Tall panoramic windows flood the space with light, allowing a nearly 360‑degree view. Ceiling height never drops below 2 metres.
The helm station is equipped with two Poltrona Frau seats and a clean instrument panel with two Simrad touchscreens. Both seats have folding bolsters for comfortable standing operation, and if you raise the left‑hand cushion beside the captain's seat, you can lean on it comfortably while seated. Standard equipment includes an XENTA electro‑hydraulic steering system with automatic return‑to‑centre and Humphree dynamic trim interceptors. As an option, an XENTA joystick with X‑Aid function can be installed—in this mode, the automation compensates for wind and current, easing docking, which can be useful if the owner wishes to handle the boat themselves.
In standard trim, the yacht is powered by a pair of Volvo Penta D13 engines rated at 900 hp each, delivering a top speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 24 knots. Optionally, two 1,000‑hp engines are available—with these, top speed reaches 31.5–32 knots, with a cruising speed of 26 knots. At a cruising speed of 20 knots, noise levels in the main saloon do not exceed 70 dB. This means conversation is possible without raising one's voice. Fuel consumption at this speed is approximately 10.8 litres per nautical mile. Increasing speed to 25 knots keeps consumption virtually unchanged, indicating high hull efficiency. Range at 28 knots is around 250 nautical miles. When the helm is turned, the heel angle remains comfortable, and when crossing her own wake at full speed, the yacht behaves smoothly and quietly.
The owner's cabin, with en‑suite bathroom and study, occupies the midship section, spanning the full beam of the yacht. These quarters are among the most spacious in their class, and the presence of a study and an additional wardrobe makes this configuration particularly appealing for those accustomed to spending long periods on board. Natural light enters through wide windows and even through a skylight in the study. Three steps lead down to the sleeping area, set on a lower level. The total area of the owner's quarters is 17 square metres—a remarkable figure for a boat of this size. If you prefer complete privacy, the study can be separated from the bedroom by a translucent glass partition. If, on the other hand, light and openness are more important to you, omit the partition, and the two large windows will be joined by a smaller one in the study.
A spacious VIP cabin occupies the forward section. Between them, space has been found for a third cabin with twin berths—even in this guest cabin, the berths are of a respectable size. Ceilings throughout are no lower than two metres.
In the standard version, the guest cabin shares a bathroom with the VIP cabin, but in an alternative layout, the owner's study area can be converted into a third full head. A separate captain's cabin is also provided aft, with access concealed beneath the aft sunpad.
The interiors, by the Ideaeitalia studio, are in keeping with the brand's "Just Like Home" concept. Furniture, lighting—all furnishings have a clear geometric form. The seats of chairs and sofas are upholstered in plain matte fabric, while the backs and armrests are in natural leather. The quality of finishing and fit of all details is exceptionally high—just what the brand's audience has come to expect.
As with other recent Ferretti Yachts models, two colour themes are offered. The Classic palette comprises warm, earthy colours: green, cocoa, and dove grey. The cool tones of Contemporary are light wood, pale grey, and blue fabrics.
According to Oleg Goncharenko, a captain and IYT instructor who has repeatedly sailed on the Ferretti Yachts 580, this yacht is well suited to owners who like to take the helm themselves and prefer to operate without a crew. "The FY580 has an excellent hull that handles waves well, especially with the gyro stabiliser," says the expert. "Great manoeuvrability and good performance. Three helm stations—in addition to the main and flybridge stations, there is a concealed control panel at the stern, in the cockpit, under a flip‑up cover. Two engine controls, two for the thrusters, and start‑stop buttons—that's quite sufficient for calm stern‑to docking. I would also particularly mention the excellent Simrad navigation system. The radar is virtually on a par with professional‑grade equipment found on large commercial vessels. It can lock onto targets with or without AIS enabled, displays the minimum distance to collision and the time until that collision occurs—all without leaving the main radar screen. All onboard systems are integrated into a unified navigation interface, which, for instance, lets you know at any time how many miles you can cover at a given engine rpm with the current fuel level in the tanks."
"For guests on board, everything is done almost perfectly," Goncharenko emphasises. "Plenty of storage. For instance, under the stairs leading from the main deck to the guest cabins, there is a compartment for bulky items where large suitcases can be stowed—something that can be a problem on many other yachts of this size. There are quite a few power outlets, and they are not hidden away in cabinets, as on some boats."
"Of course, from a professional perspective, there are a few points that the shipyard might consider addressing in future generations of the model," the captain notes. "For example, the bright illumination of some controls at night forces you to cover them, so that reflections in the windows do not interfere with visibility. In a few interior spots, it would be good to add handrails for stability in rough seas."
Overall, the Ferretti Yachts 580 leaves the impression of a well‑designed, comfortable, and convenient yacht with excellent seakeeping qualities. It inspires confidence and gives a sense of being in a comfort zone from which there is simply no need to step out—no matter how much various "coaches" might urge you to do so, whom we suspect have never owned a yacht themselves.
