Pershing 8X
- LOA: 25.55 m
- Beam: 5.86 m
- Engines: Twin MTU (2,435 hp standard, 2,638 hp option), automated surface drives
- Top speed: 45 knots standard, over 48 knots with uprated engines
- Accommodation: 4 cabins for up to 8 guests, plus crew quarters
- Fuel capacity: 6,200 litres
- Displacement (light): approx 57 tonnes
- Design / introduced: Fulvio De Simoni, from 2018
The heart of the X Generation
Introduced in 2018, the 8X sits in the middle of Pershing's X range, above the 7X and below the flagship 9X. At 25.55 metres it crosses into superyacht territory while keeping the low, muscular stance of a Pershing sportboat. The extra length buys real interior volume and a four-cabin layout for up to eight guests. It has proved one of the marque's most popular models, with hulls delivered every year since launch.
The 8X answers a clear brief, giving owners the accommodation of a larger yacht without losing the sensation of speed. A waterline length of 19.6 metres and a 5.86-metre beam create a stable, generous platform. Crew quarters keep service discreet on longer trips. The boat suits both hands-on driving and a professionally run programme. That combination of length and beam is what lets the 8X sleep and seat far more people than the sportboats below it.
Muscle drawn with restraint
De Simoni gave the 8X a long foredeck, a wraparound windscreen and hull glazing that lightens the profile. The superstructure is set well aft, exaggerating the length of the bow and the sense of forward motion. A hardtop shades the cockpit and helm, with an opening section for sun and air. Sunpads forward and aft turn the deck into a sequence of open-air lounges. The overall shape is unmistakably Pershing, low and predatory even at rest.
The transom folds down to a broad bathing platform at the water, opening the stern to the sea for swimming and toys. Wide side decks lead safely forward past the deckhouse. Every exterior line is tuned to look quick at rest, in keeping with the family look shared across the X boats. Finish quality on the topsides matches the yard's larger models. The teak-laid platform doubles as a launch pad for tenders and water toys.
Superyacht volume for eight, an all-leather De Simoni interior and a genuine shot at 48 knots.
Italian leather and full-beam calm
Inside, the main deck saloon runs bright and open, linked to the cockpit through large glazed doors. De Simoni handled the interior himself, lining walls and ceilings in soft Italian leather for a hushed, cosseting feel. Marble counters, polished wood and stainless accents lift the material palette, and the furnishings come from Poltrona Frau. The effect is warm and modern without shouting. Overhead skylights and the glazed doors keep the saloon connected to the sky and the sea.
The lower deck holds up to four cabins for eight guests, arranged around a full-beam owner's suite that exploits the boat's width. A forward VIP and further guest cabins complete the layout, each with its own bathroom. Separate crew quarters keep staff movement out of the guest areas. Hull windows and hatches feed daylight into every space below.
MTU power, up to 48 knots
The 8X runs on twin MTU engines driving automated surface drives. Standard 2,435 hp units deliver a top speed of around 45 knots, while a more powerful 2,638 hp option has recorded better than 48 knots on test. Cruising is swift and settled, with the surface drives trimming the boat for efficiency at speed. The hull holds a clean, level attitude when pressed. Owners choose the engine package to suit the balance of top speed and range they want.
A light displacement of about 57 tonnes keeps the big sport yacht agile for its size. A 6,200-litre fuel tank supports longer coastal passages and island-hopping. The 8X carries its speed with the composure expected of a boat in this bracket, staying quiet and stable in a seaway. Handling stays approachable for owners who like to take the wheel. Owners can run the boat hard across open water and still arrive relaxed.
The owner it suits
The 8X is built for the owner who needs to sleep eight in comfort yet refuses to give up Pershing pace. It works as a family yacht for a fortnight afloat and as a fast weekender for shorter escapes. The four-cabin layout and crew provision make longer, further cruises realistic. It is a step up in scale that keeps the sporting soul intact.
Buyers often reach the 8X after outgrowing a smaller sportboat and wanting genuine superyacht volume. The De Simoni interior gives it a presence that holds its own against flybridge rivals of similar length. Crew provision and running costs stay sensible for a private programme. Owner-drivers who still want a professional aboard for the big passages are well served.
Who it is for: The owner who needs to sleep eight in real comfort but refuses to trade away Pershing speed and drive.