Out of the box

The first to appreciate the craftsmanship of the renowned shipyard from Ancona were the guests of the inaugural Salone Nautico di Venezia yacht show, organized with the direct involvement of the Ferretti Group, which includes Custom Line.

The first honorary guests aboard the Custom Line 106 were members of Italy’s political elite, who attended the grand opening ceremony of the exhibition. The event was accompanied by the music of a military orchestra and the roar of fighter jets from the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team, which performed breathtaking stunts and painted the Venetian sky in the colors of the Italian flag. The Venetian Arsenal, where the exhibition was held, is a highly symbolic and strategically significant location. To this day, it houses an active military base and hosts the famous Biennale, the world’s leading contemporary art exhibition. The Ferretti Group made an excellent choice in selecting this venue to unveil the Custom Line 106 – such a vibrant event as the Venice Boat Show perfectly matches the status of this innovative yacht, which showcases a wealth of technological advancements. Not to mention, the yacht’s sleek lines look stunning against the historic walls of the City of the Doges.

The Ferretti Group actively collaborates with several renowned design studios. For the Custom Line 106, the shipyard invited Francesco Paszkowski, who previously designed the Custom Line 120. Notably, Francesco is best known for his superyacht projects and has a deep understanding of the needs of high-end clients. In this case, he was tasked with bringing his vision to life on a 32.8-meter yacht, despite being accustomed to working with vessels at least 10 meters longer. Applying superyacht concepts to a comparatively smaller yacht is one of the most relevant trends in the yachting industry, and this trend is embodied in the new Custom Line. As a result, even on a 33-meter yacht, owners and guests can enjoy the same level of comfort as on yachts measuring 45–50 meters, without compromising on luxury.

At the 2018 Monaco Yacht Show, Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi jokingly remarked that some of Paszkowski’s ideas posed significant challenges to the shipyard’s engineers. Nevertheless, the technical team rose to the occasion, brilliantly showcasing their ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

First and foremost, it’s worth noting that the Custom Line 106 is a fairly wide yacht. With a length of 32.8 meters, it boasts a beam of 7.4 meters. For comparison, its larger "sister" in the model range is 6 meters longer but only 20 centimeters wider. This relatively wide hull allows for an impressive 220 square meters of space for the owner and guests. However, it’s not just the numbers that matter – it’s how this space is utilized.

From the shore, the Custom Line 106 may give the impression of being a four-deck vessel, but in reality, it has three decks. What might appear to be windows of an upper deck saloon are actually the glazed sections of the flybridge. By increasing the height of the flybridge’s side panels and equipping them with windows, Paszkowski created a comfortable 53-square-meter outdoor relaxation area, shielded from wind, heat, and prying eyes, while still offering unobstructed views. The generous headroom ensures tall guests feel at ease, and the freestanding furniture allows for easy reconfiguration of the layout.

A subtle yet revolutionary feature of the Custom Line 106’s layout is the direct connection between the flybridge and the open foredeck, seamlessly linking all outdoor relaxation areas. The captain can quickly descend to the main deck without having to traverse the entire flybridge to the aft staircase or pass through the saloon. Guests can also move effortlessly to the spacious, two-level foredeck lounge. At its center is an “island” – a private zone with sofas and a table, perfect for enjoying sunsets.

Below this area, there are two large sun loungers with adjustable backs, each accommodating two people. During the peak Mediterranean sun hours, guests can retreat to the shade provided by a bimini. There’s also storage space for a small auxiliary tender or a second three-seater jet ski, in addition to those housed in the aft garage.

The cockpit on the main deck offers various leisure options: guests can dine at a large rectangular table or relax on a wide sofa that converts into an even larger sunbed. This space is also ideal for receptions and parties – the conveniently located bar near the saloon entrance makes it easy to set up a welcome area where guests can grab a cocktail and either head into the saloon or up to the flybridge. The saloon is separated from the cockpit by floor-to-ceiling glass doors, which can be opened to merge the two spaces. The yacht’s glazing deserves special mention. The saloon, with a total area of nearly 40 square meters, features windows that span almost the entire wall. With ceiling heights of 2 meters, this creates a bright, open space where the sea views take center stage. Maximizing the connection to the sea is a consistent theme throughout the Custom Line 106. Even in the dining area, there are doors leading to the side deck.

Moving further along the main deck, you’ll find the master suite, which spans 6.5 meters in width. It features large rectangular windows on both sides, as well as a fold-down balcony – a rare feature for yachts of this size. Unlike competitors, the balcony does not encroach on the interior space of the cabin, maintaining its full volume. The balcony’s flooring is seamlessly integrated with the cabin’s interior, ensuring a cohesive look when the balcony is closed.

Guests are accommodated in four cabins on the lower deck: two with double beds and two with twin beds, which can be converted into doubles if needed. All rooms are bright, thanks to large portholes. The forward section houses the crew quarters, with a lounge and five berths.

And what about the beach club? It’s an essential feature. Once the tender and three-seater jet ski are launched, the patented Dual Mode Transom door transforms the garage into a beach club.

The standard Custom Line 106 is equipped with two MTU 16V 2000 M86 engines, each producing 2,217 hp, delivering a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots. Alternatively, MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines, each producing 2,638 hp, are available, increasing the top speed to 26 knots and the cruising speed to 22 knots. The yacht features two types of stabilization systems – gyroscopic and electro-hydraulic fin stabilizers – ensuring effective roll reduction both at anchor and underway.