Pershing 9X

• LOA: 28.04 m
• Beam: 6.23 m
• Top speed: 42 knots
• Cruising speed: 38 knots
• Engines: twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L, surface drives
• Guests: up to 9 in 4 cabins, crew 3
• Gross tonnage: 115 GT
• Introduced: 2017 (Cannes, first hull Najati)

Superyacht scale, sports-yacht speed

The Pershing 9X marked the point where the X Generation crossed into superyacht dimensions without losing the family character. At just over 28 metres it offers the volume, the crew provision and the presence of a proper superyacht, yet it still runs to 42 knots on surface drives. That combination is rare at this size and sits at the core of the model's appeal. It made its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2017 with the first hull, named Najati, and quickly became one of the brand's strongest sellers. More than twenty-five examples have since been built.

For Pershing the 9X served as a flagship coupe through the late 2010s and set the tone for the larger boats that followed. It showed that the yard could scale its performance formula up to a genuine crewed yacht. The model competes with a small field of fast Italian coupes in the high twenties of metres. Its sales record speaks to how well it judged the balance of speed and space. It remains a benchmark for the type.

A coupe stretched over 28 metres

The 9X keeps the low, stretched Pershing silhouette even at superyacht length, which is no small feat of design. Fulvio De Simoni drew the exterior and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department handled the naval architecture. Long runs of hull glazing and a low, faired superstructure keep the profile taut, while the foredeck carries a sun lounge and social space. A sportsbridge adds an upper deck without breaking the line. Seen on the water the boat reads as a scaled sports yacht rather than a shrunken motor yacht.

The hull and superstructure are built in GRP with a teak deck, following Pershing's established methods for larger boats. The main deck opens up through folding balconies and a wide aft cockpit that flows to a bathing platform. A tender garage and beach access sit aft, giving the boat a proper base for water toys. The interior volume is considerable for a yacht that still looks this taut. That tension between pace and space is the model's defining trick.

A 28-metre superyacht that still runs to 42 knots, the 9X refuses the usual trade of size for speed.

Four cabins and a crew

Below deck the 9X carries four cabins for up to nine guests, with a full-beam owner's suite that makes the most of the boat's 6.23-metre beam. Separate crew quarters for three allow the yacht to be run and serviced properly, which sets it apart from the smaller X models. The main deck saloon is bright and generous, with large windows and a layout built for entertaining at anchor. Finishes are tailored to owner taste, drawing on the Ferretti Group's material library. The overall feel is that of a superyacht rather than a large sports boat.

The accommodation supports extended cruising in a way the 5X and 7X do not. Guests have real cabins with proper stowage, and the crew can keep the boat running through a long charter or a season aboard. Natural light is a theme throughout, from the hull windows below to the glazed main deck. The galley and service areas are sized for entertaining numbers. This is a yacht meant to be lived on for weeks at a time.

MTU power through surface drives

The 9X is driven by twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines turning surface-piercing propellers, the configuration that gives the boat its 42-knot top speed and a fast cruise around 38 knots. Surface drives keep drag low at the top end and deliver the direct steering feel that defines a Pershing. Moving a 28-metre yacht at these speeds takes serious power and a light, stiff hull, and the engineering is built around that goal. The boat holds a composed attitude at pace despite its length. It feels planted rather than skittish when pressed.

For a yacht of this size the 9X is unusually quick, and that pace changes how it is used. Passages that would take a displacement yacht a long day fall to a few hours, which opens up more of a coastline in a given trip. Range at cruising speed suits Mediterranean and coastal use rather than ocean crossings. The propulsion is matched to comfort systems that keep the boat stable and quiet at rest. The result is a superyacht that still behaves like a sports yacht.

A crewed yacht that still thrills

The 9X suits an owner ready for a crewed superyacht who is not willing to give up speed to get there. It carries guests in the manner of a much larger boat while still delivering the Pershing sensation when the throttles go down. Owners typically run it with professional crew and use it for entertaining, chartering or extended family cruising. The boat handles a full season across the Mediterranean with ease. It offers a step up in scale from the smaller X models without a change in character.

Its strong sales record gives the 9X a healthy presence on the used market, where a good number of hulls change hands. Buyers value the combination of a recognised name with real superyacht accommodation and genuine speed. Pricing depends heavily on year, hours and specification, so verified figures are best confirmed per boat. As a used purchase it offers a route into a crewed Pershing at a range of price points. It has held its place as one of the marque's most sought-after large models.

Design

• Exterior: Fulvio De Simoni
• Interior: Ferretti Design (Ferretti Group)
• Naval architecture: Fulvio De Simoni & Ferretti Group Engineering Department

Who it is for: Owners moving up to a crewed superyacht who still want genuine speed, for entertaining, charter and extended Mediterranean cruising.