For the past four decades, Pershing Yachts has been carving a name for itself in the industry as a legendary Italian builder that blends design, performance, and craftsmanship in unprecedented ways. The Ferretti Group-owned brand is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, as it delivered its first boat, the Pershing 45, designed by Fulvio De Simoni. But the Italian builder actually stems from much more humble roots. The yard’s founders, Tilli Antonelli, Fausto Filippetti, and Giuliano Onori, originally came together to create a shipyard called Cantiere Navale dell’Adriatico, where they began repairing wooden boats. It was not until they met naval architect De Simoni that they began working together to create their own brand of yachts, ones that pushed the boundaries of speed, performance, and style. Here we take a closer look at Pershing’s journey over the last four decades, a true masterclass in innovation, design excellence, and understanding what yacht owners truly desire.
From Adriatic shipyard to global icon
Pershing’s story began in the early 1980s when three friends, Antonelli, Filippetti, and Onori, founded Cantiere Navale dell’Adriatico, aka the shipyard of the Adriatic, initially focusing on fixing laminated wood boats. The builder’s trajectory changed dramatically in 1985 after a fortuitous meeting at the Genoa International Boat Show with designer De Simoni led to the development and launch of the Pershing 45, the shipyard’s first own-branded yacht. The Pershing 45 mixed aggressive styling with high-performance engineering, featuring then-advanced innovations like hydraulic gangways and radar arches, with speeds exceeding 37 knots. Rejecting traditional Italian naming, the founders selected the name Pershing after the American general, John J. “Blackjack” Pershing, signaling their focus on performance, manoeuvrability, and speed.
Pioneering performance and advanced technology
Pershing’s reputation for pushing boundaries continued with groundbreaking models like the Pershing 70, fitted with a 5,000 hp gas turbine, achieving a blistering 46 knots top speed. The brand’s 1998 acquisition by Ferretti Group strengthened its presence across Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Pershing 50, launched in 2004, went on to become the brand’s bestselling model with 105 models sold, appealing to speed enthusiasts seeking both comfort and style. Since its inception, Pershing Yachts has delivered an impressive 160 yachts in the 24-meter-plus size category. Some of the builder’s innovative highlights include the Pershing 115’s pioneering use of water jets connected to gas turbines, and the Pershing 108’s introduction of triple-engine propulsion. Under Antonelli’s leadership, the brand also incorporated fighter-jet-inspired helm stations, early adoption of carbon-fiber hull construction, and joystick steering.
Evolution meets tradition
Pershing Yachts launched its GTX range in 2023, reframing the brand’s direction by moving away from pure speed toward more family-friendly yachting while retaining performance heritage. The GTX series has its own dedicated production site at Pershing’s Mondolfo, Italy headquarters, a state-of-the-art facility spanning over 84,000 square meters capable of building 27 yachts in parallel. Owners are invited to participate in the entire build process from beginning to end. Other standout innovations from the builder include its flagship model, the Pershing 140, launched in 2019, which is the brand’s largest model and first all-aluminum build. Designed by De Simoni, who has remained the brand’s primary designer, it connects the brand’s future with its storied past while weaving in the Pershing philosophy of owners handling their own yachts to feel the emotions and control, much like driving a Lamborghini.
Forty years of innovation, performance, and style have certainly solidified Pershing’s position as a leader in the high-performance yachting sector. If you’re drawn to the pure speed of the Generation X series or the comfort of the GTX range, a Pershing yachtt for sale is sure to be an ideal match. Now, with four decades of experience and excellence backing the brand, and more innovations ahead, there’s never been a better time to experience what makes Pershing truly legendary.
