Review: Pershing 115' Silver Streak

Pershing 115' Express Cruiser​

A Sleek, Silver Streak...​

by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy​

Speed fanatics, racers, car makers and advertisers often gush breathlessly about their latest design prodigy, such as: “Ooooh! Looks like it’s breaking the speed limit even when it’s parked!” Now, in the yachting world, raise the curtain on the brand new Pershing 115, and softly repeat… “Even when it’s at the dock!” ​

This sleek, elegant race horse-graceful vessel, even at the maxi-yacht size of 115’ could lay claim to that same boast. Yet this is about more than speed, which we’ll explore in a moment. It’s not made to compete with those go-fast fanatics which forever loom close to a rocket launch. This is about elegant Italian style, class plus performance, and a totally indulgent comfort realm where, day and night, it’s always party time.

As for performance, the Pershing 115 is available in two versions – fast, and faster. The first features twin diesel MTUs with a total of 7,400 hp, combined with KaMeWa Rolls Royce waterjet drives, which offers speeds up to 43 knots. The second option uses the same diesels plus a 5,100 hp Textron Lycoming turbine – for a total 12,500 hp – which pushes the 115-footer to max out at 55 knots. That equals a Gulfstream crossing – Miami to Bimini – in less than one hour. Clearly astonishing for a yacht this size.

Starting from the far bow, on deck, a semi-circular sofa and dinette table – adjustable up and down – is a quiet, private area for relaxation, covered with a sliding bimini top. As a sequestered sunbathing deck, a very private small sundown party, or an evening tête-à-tête in the moonlight, it’s as far from the madding crowd as might be imagined on a 115’ floating chateau.

Consider, for example, her huge upper sunbathing deck that is designed to furnish complete privacy, and her generous cockpit that doubles as an extended, covered party lounge, a mobile bar, and a spacious solarium. Even that is only a beginning peek into the designer’s mind. Above the cockpit, another large and private sun deck awaits, sans sun-roof. Reached by a winding stairway; it’s an innovation certain to be appreciated. The cockpit itself also has ample sun pads, as well as copious built-in seating arrangements, for those who desire a large helping of sun and company at the same party.

For both day and night socializing, sunning, relaxation, the roomy cockpit is the focal point. Its solarium section also features a large covered area, well equipped with chairs, lounges, an extendable table and fully equipped refrigerator and bar.

This picture at rest shows the stern's garage door down. The distinctive wedge shape of the Pershing 115' is accented from this angle. At the stern, the gigantic swim platform, easily large enough for the whole crowd, reaches out to the sea and also provides cover to protect the water jets just below.

Aft, where port and starboard staircases reach down to the swim platform, a tender is stowed in a large garage which conveniently opens full scale for removal and installation, via its launching crane. There is also a second hangar in the bow for various water toys – including twin PWCs -- with its own convenient crane.

Engine compartment access is through a door in the cockpit that also enters an ancillary compartment housing switchboard panels, as well as watermakers and air conditioning. Huge as the mammoth engines are, there is ample walk-around space, head high, for the engines and the optional turbine, reaching the 12,500 hp potential.

Seven screens for highly sophisticated command and top-speed decision making, with ultra-sensitive monitors, face the Captain.. Pershing has developed these systems to monitor all functions except the main engines, which have their own singular MTU displays; plus a separate monitor for the water jet.

Centered at the helm is the captain’s chair, which features engine and jet controls in the armrests, places ultimate authority directly at his fingertips. Two high-backed adjustable adjutant helm chairs flank the central control, for interested onlookers or optional second officers.

Forward at the helm, three white leather elevated chairs, high-backed and adjustable, face an array of state of the art navigation and communication equipment, radar and chart displays.

The noted Italian artist Vittoria Vangelis has collaborated by applying her work, “Visioni” (Visions) across part of the upper salon between two side windows. The work, she says, “Gives a flood of light to capture a change of dimension.”

That concept is not far fetched for this project, according to its builder. At the prestigious Genoa Boat Show, the Pershing 115 was awarded the coveted “2004 ICE Award Italian Style Mega Yacht” prize for its elegant interior styling. Conceived by yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni, it is the largest vessel built so far by the Ferretti Group, who have hailed it, “Yachting into the Future: The Next Generation.” Its appearance at Cannes and Monte Carlo as well as Genoa prompted unanimous applause and has so far resulted in four sales.

Enter the sliding double doors into the saloon and you are struck with the idea of a wall to wall minimalist painting. It is vanilla ice cream, with sparkles, and a maraschino cherry. White on white; floor to ceiling. White on light grey. Carefully contrived splashes of color. Settees in white leather; wall coverings of cream, trims a pale grey glaze over light pear wood. Colors are punctuation marks, accents, exaggerated because of their spare usage; such as blue leather locker doors and bright solid-color dining chairs. The polished and highly finished traditional woodwork of most yachts is missing here. This yacht interior is designed as a virgin art gallery ready to display itself and the finest of artwork, which it does, as well.

Aft Deck Settee is shaped for high speed flight too...

A separate section has been created between the main deck and the upper level, as an exclusive study/den/entertainment area which can fit into many plans as a private study, office, or separate TV realm, with a day head. Created through a unique line in the superstructure layout to foster style and livability, it features wide settees and lounge chairs grouped before a 62” plasma TV that also offers video, DVD, or satellite feeds.

The hull design and interior also take this stunner a step forward, with sinuous lines and external curves that promote its performance. The volume of this vessel is deceivingly grand, larger than any other built by Pershing. These and other innovations also lead to the comfort and satisfaction of its owners and guests.

Her vast saloon is the grand central gathering place, a stunning vanilla cream art gallery, full beam and easily one-third the length of the yacht itself. Here is plush white leather seating for a dozen guests, tastefully arranged in a semi-circular pattern on each side of the yacht, dedicated to conversation and pleasure, with two 52” plasma TVs; and just a few steps up or down to the staterooms below. The relaxing lounge area is centered in the saloon, while forward is a lustrous dining table for 10 in an open plan arrangement

The totally equipped gourmet galley is aft, next to the crew’s quarters, a few circular steps below the main saloon, ready to produce gourmet viands to suit any owner’s fancy.

Opposite side of Galley...

Staterooms situated on the lower deck provide the “night mode”, all grouped in the central and forward areas. The master stateroom, full beam, is gigantic, with a king-size island berth angled a third athwartships, and plentiful cabinet and locker installations. Here, too, the décor follows the near-stark, minimalized fashion, yet offers robust color accents on the berth pedestals, bright fabric coverlets and mirrored trims. Light grey-toned pear wood and leather-capped locker doors add to the softened, restful aura.

The Master Vanity is conveniently located near the bath, but open to the stateroom to provide space, as well as privacy for the bath.

A large shower with full bath, generous glass basins, his-and-her heads, with bidet, are placed diagonally at the opposite beam. Shower soles are wood, inlaid with metal strips for an unusual design effect. Immediately forward of the main berth is a full walk-in closet/hanging locker.