Profile of the yard
History and positioning of Custom Line
Custom Line is the brand of Ferretti Group dedicated to yachts “tailor-madebetween 30 and 50 meters, with lines planners e displacement (Navetta). Integration with Ferretti Group Engineering Department guarantees methodological continuity on hull, plants and industrialization, while the Custom Line Atelier presides over the custom interior design, modulating materials, palettes and furnishings on the preferences of the shipowner. The line Saetta represents the renewed planing range, in which the 120’ is the pivotal proposal in area 38 m.
Building philosophy
The site works on moulds and processes tested in GRP, favouring dimensional repeatability and predictability of performance and weights. The choice of the composite — with the use of sandwiches in non-structural areas and targeted reinforcements — allows a good rigidity/weight ratio, ease of corrective maintenance and containment of the baricentre. Late preparation, Custom Line applies multi-level quality control (acceptance suppliers, plant tests, sea testing) and protocols for noise reduction perceived, today project drivers as much as speed.
Reputation and production rhythm
The Saetta series recorded a rhythm of significant launches. The 24 july 2025 it was launched 14th Saetta 120’, within a campaign that saw five launches between July and September, as reported by the Group’s official channels and resumed by the international press.
In-depth technical analysis
Main dimensions and characteristic parameters
- LOA: 38,36 m
- Maximum garlic: 7,65 m
- Fishing: about 2,15–2,18 m (depending on sources and installations)
- Material hull/overstructure: GRP
- Guest cabins: 5 (10 places)
- Cabine crew: 4
- Fuel tanks: ~16.300 l
- Fresh water tanks: ~3.000 l
- Economic speed: 11 kn — Autonomy: ~~1.100
Shipbuilding: hull, trim, weights
Saetta 120’ famine is optimized for regular plan and soft passage on the short wave typical of the Mediterranean. The deadrise to the master section and the sharp bow work in synergy with the distribution of weights (lower tanks and machinery, reduction of the high masses) to stabilize the arrangement on 3–4° cruise speed. The axis lines, in addition to simplifying cinematics, allow to finely calibrate the% of the propellers compared to the volume of famine immersed in various loads.
The metacentre transversal is also managed through the choice of materials: superstructure and lightened installations (honeycomb, composite chips, lightened stones) limit weight, with benefits on the proper roll period. This setting, combined with stabilizing fins and/or gyroscopes, guarantees a composted behaviour and high comfort at anchor.
Materials and construction processes
The GRP (vetroresina) remains the most rational choice in this class for balance between cost, repeatability and lifecycle. The hull favours full laminations in the structural areas and sandwich with light souls in the extended non-carrying surfaces; the composite superstructure helps to reduce the center of gravity. The widespread use of longitudinal and transversal structures optimized (longheroni, stiffened bulkhead) increases global stiffness, reducing vibrational peaks transmitted to the interior.
For the interior, philosophy is of intelligent lightening: alveolar panels, veneers of stone on light support and custom-built furniture. The combined effect is twofold: better dynamic response speed and more uniform acoustic dispersion, with a “soundscape” more cared on board on cruise and in rada.
Engines, propulsion and transmission
Saetta 120’ adopts proven binomy:
- Engines: 2 × MTU 16V 2000 M96L (2,638 mhp each)
- Transmission: axis lines (shaft line)
- Eliche: optimized for compromise push/efficiency/rumority
- Stabilization: active fins and/or gyroscopes (on request), zero speed and on the road
The choice of axis, compared to waterjet or surface area, privileged mechanical strength, efficiency cruise speeds and predictability with a more linear maintenance profile for charter fleets and private shipowners who intensively use the yacht during the summer. The declared speeds — 25 kn maximum, 21 kn cruise — are in line with the class; at 11 kn, the declared autonomy (~1.100 nm) is consistent with the tanks from ~16.300 l and with the consumption profiles typical of the M96L in partial load planant hull.
Onboard systems: electronics, home automation, navigation
The bridge integration multi-display redundant for navigation, engines and hotel systems, with digital monitoring subsystems (HVAC, lighting, shadings, pumps, levels, generators). The logic is user-centric: clear interfaces for commander and officers, hierarchical alarms and remote access for predictive diagnosis. Extended domotic integration allows scene mode (night mode, movie, quiet) orchestrating lights, curtains and entertainment, reducing the need for widespread manual interventions.
The energy plan provides dimensional electrogen groups for loads of hotels summer, service batteries and inverters to level peaks; more and more required packages “silent mode” that allow supports in satin with minimal generators or off for defined time windows — trend consistent with the strategy of comfort acoustic and with the attention to consumption and emissions of the evolved tourist ports.
Design, interior architecture and layout
The external language is spinning, with extended glass surfaces that lighten the mass of the superstructure and transfer natural light to the main environments. The living room on the main bridge benefits from almost full height stained glass with a view to 270°, emphasising continuity indoor–outdoor. The shipowning suite (in typical configuration at the bow main bridge) enjoys generous volumes, bathroom en-suite with lightened marbles and walk-in closet.
- Main bridge: wide living room, dining area, service galley (or professional second specification), day head,shipping suite; side access protected.
- Lower bridge: 4 guest cabins with private bathrooms (two double VIPs and two convertible doubles with Trains), separate circulars for crew; local laundry/services.
- Sun deck/Fly: modular lounge, sunbathing, bar/grill area, possibility of hard work with openings; predisposition for furniture free.
- Poppa & beach area: bathroom platform, garage for dinghy and toys with simplified movements; showers and dedicated storage.
Interior design, edited by Custom Line Atelier in dialogue with the shipowner, adopts clear palettes, natural essences, warm metals and nautical “contract” textiles. Theergonomics real (passages, heights, outlet points) is the object of study: the goal is to reduce micro-urti and noise of everyday use, while the lighting technology layeres direct and indirect light for different atmospheres between day and evening.
Innovation and research: efficiency, stability, safety
The innovation of Saetta 120’ is not “breaking” on the individual component, but systemic:
- Weight optimization and management of weight for a slower roll and superior comfort.
- Vibroacoustic insulation laminated (salt machines, technical premises, plant rooms) to break down structural transmissions.
- Power management with logic of peak shaving of users hotels, gradual increase in battery capacity services and predisposition for shore-power advanced.
- Stabilizers electrical/hybrid zero speed and on the road, integrated into bridge with user-friendly interfaces.
- Security: automatic fire systems room machines, temperature monitoring and trends, remote support critical systems.
In the medium term, the evolution of the Saetta range suggests a trajectory of energy refinement (carishes) hotels more efficient, longer silenced modes) and interface increasingly intuitive to reduce the complexity perceived by shipowner and crew.
Life on board and comfort
Generous inner heights and diffuse natural light make the experience on board close to that of a villa on the water. The five guest cabins offer “upper luxury” hotel standards: lightened stone baths, home-size shower cabins, integrated storage and beds with ventilation systems for warm climates. The privacy is favoured by separate crew paths and discreet shielding in the areas of greater external passage (side corridors, access to the beach area).
On the acoustic plane, the combination of insulation, stabilization and hotel mode intelligent allows low tone conversations in the living room even with sea format, while the shock wave at the bow is filtered by geometries and materials to avoid resonance at low frequencies.
Navigation performance: tests, observations, feedback
The walkthroughs of twin units and the informal tests collected on boats with similar equipment indicate a compound trim in acceleration, with contained spray and good hold on the short. The answer to the rudder is progressive; the transmission on axis and the wide lateral surface immersed gives predictability in the fast course changes. At anchor, active fins “zero speed” reduce the residual roll making available outdoor spaces and dining even with daytime ray traffic.
Market and competition
Positioning for price and segment
The Saetta 120’ occupies the high range of 36–40 planing meters with a premium positioning due to customization, fittings and finishes. The overall value depends on options (stabilization packages, hotel mode advanced, electronic, marble, furniture, tender and toys) andexecution sartorial on the inside. In the channel brokerage, for recent units with limited engine hours, the brand set and the productive rhythm support the hold of the value.
Direct competitor analysis
- Sanlorenzo SL120A (~36.9 m): asymmetrical architecture with enhanced side paths, strong continuity indoor–outdoor, fast performance. Plus: design-driven, greater perceived spaces on the main deck. Minus: more “architectural” approach than all shipowners prefer.
- Azimut Grande 36M (~35.3 m): semi-dislocating to “triple bridge” with emphasis on efficiency and volumes, distinctive aesthetic. Plus: great balance comfort/ autonomy. Minus: absolute speed below planants as well.
- Mangusta (Gransport 33/45): more sporty vocation, sometimes higher speeds with alternative propulsive solutions. Plus: look aggressive, brilliant performance. Minus: cost/benefit curve for real Mediterranean use.
The Saetta 120’ is differentiated by tailor made, mechanical consistency e comfort vibroacous, offering a mid-point of category: not extreme on the peak of speed, but extremely cared for on the experience of everyday use.
Industry Trend
- Advanced stabilization as a segment standard, even on flat units.
- Domotic e UX board more refined: preset scenes, remote control, native AV integration.
- Reduced acoustic footprint in rada and in port: packages “silent” and battery banks more capacious services.
- Energy efficiency (hotel load, air conditioning, lighting) to extend comfort without affecting consumption.
Target customer
- Private owners with mediterranean seasonality, attention to design and desire fast cruise without giving up volumes and silence.
- Luxury Charter oriented to experiences resort-like for 10 guests, with strong emphasis on beach area and interior “gallery-grade”.
- Representative companies and corporate fleets attentive to the image, maintainability and operational predictability.
Results and awards
The number of hulls launched and the industrial continuity of the series (14 units for 120’ in mid 2025) are an implicit recognition of the market. The specialized press highlights the perceived quality of the interior, the visual continuity with the exterior and the balance between performance and comfort. The 2025 summer launches confirm the appeal of the Saetta range.
Future prospects
Saetta 120’ is a technical platform solid and “scalable”. The predictable evolutionary guidelines are:
- Energy management increasingly granular, with peak shaving automatic, extended and battery bench support shore-power evolved to reduce generation times in port.
- Silenced mode extended: extended use of external areas without background noise.
- Digital interfaces even more intuitive and predictive (diagnostic, maintenance, updates), with analytics to support commander and shipowner.
- Aging stabilizers and control algorithms for further reductions ofangle of roll with sea formed.
Image gallery
Technical data (operational data)
- Model: Custom Line Saetta 120’
- Year: Custom Line (Ferretti Group)
- LOA: 38,36 m — Baglio: 7,65 m
- Fishing: ~2,15–2,18 m
- Construction: hull and superstructure in GRP; bridge in teak
- Engines: 2 × MTU 16V 2000 M96L (2,638 mhp cad. )
- Transmission: axis lines with high efficiency propellers
- Max speed: ~25 kn — Cruise: ~21 kn — Economic: 11 kn
- Autonomy at 11 kn: ~~1.100
- Tanks: fuel ~16.300 l; water ~3.000 l
- Guests: 10 in 5 cabins — Equipment: 4 cabins
Video
Conclusions on positioning
Custom Line Saetta 120’ is the benchmark “comfort-centric” between planants 38 m: does not aspire to the absolute speed record, but excels for silence, spatial continuity e customization. The axis propulsive platform and attention to weight engineering make the boat predictable, efficient in the medium radius and uneasy for guests and crew. If the owner’s brief gives priority to an experience resort-like with rapid transfers between Mediterranean bays — and a high perceived quality to the interior — the Saetta 120’ is an extremely coherent and robust over time also in value seal key.