Across the Oceans with a Ferrari

"In addition to sports cars, the manufacturer now also wants to build a racing yacht.

 

The goal is an energy-independent circumnavigation of the world.

 

 

Ferrari will also be on the water in the future. The luxury and sports car manufacturer presented the concept study for a particularly high-performance regatta yacht on Wednesday at its headquarters in Maranello, south of Modena. It is intended for participation in competitions and, at the same time, is intended to push previous technical boundaries, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann explained to journalists. "Passion and expertise come together here," said the Italian manager, who is also a sailor himself.

 

For the first time, a "unique boat that will fly across the oceans" is to be launched next year. Initial data reveal that it will be a comparatively large boat with a hull 100 feet long, or around 30 meters, with various "foils" – the wings on modern racing sailboats that ensure the boat stays above the surface in appropriate wind conditions. The yacht is said to be 40 meters high.

 

This is a new business area that will be integrated into the "Racing" division within the group, like Formula 1, said Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna. Significant revenues do not appear to be planned for the time being. Ferrari doesn't want to sell boats, but rather make a name for itself in the world of regattas as a driver of innovation. As with Formula 1, there could be a positive marketing effect, experts suspect. Luxury companies can capitalize more on a strong brand if they successfully expand it into new business areas.

 

Project Name: Hypersail

 

So far, the manufacturer has remained secretive about the project: rumors that it will cost around 20 million euros have not been commented on.

 

The location of the boatyard, which, according to sailing publications, is near Pisa, has not been confirmed either. Ferrari does reveal, however, that Hypersail, as the project is called, will not participate in the prestigious America's Cup. The race will take place in Naples in 2027 and will feature Prada CEO Patrizio Bertelli's team, Luna Rossa, as one of the favorites. The America's Cup places strict limits on participants due to its excessive number of rules, Elkann said. As the world's most famous sailing competition, the event generates considerable publicity, but it consists of several relatively short races for specific boat types only.

 

Ferrari, on the other hand, is considering longer distances: The Jules Verne regatta, a circumnavigation of the world, is a candidate, Elkann confirmed. The French-dominated Vendée Globe regatta, the only single-handed circumnavigation of the world, is out of the question because the boats there must be smaller. The Ferrari yacht will also require a crew of eight to eleven people, it is said.

 

The automaker has hired Italian sailor Giovanni Soldini, who has already completed several circumnavigations, as project manager. He has also crossed the Atlantic several times with John Elkann. The Italian manager is involved with the family holding company. Within his Agnelli family, he is not only the largest Ferrari shareholder, but also the chairman of the board and major shareholder of the Stellantis car company. Among its 14 car brands is Alfa Romeo, which is an official sponsor and technology partner of the Italian America's Cup team Luna Rossa. Another Stellantis brand, Maserati, has already built its own racing yachts in collaboration with Soldini.

 

In addition to the Italian sailor, French boat architect Guillaume Verdier and his team are key partners in the project. He has primary responsibility for the design. A tilting keel [1] will be used as a support for one of the foils. Another foil could be attached to the rudder, alongside two more attached to the hull. The yacht will test the boundaries between sailing on water and flying. "Stability is one of the biggest challenges," said Soldini.

 

Sailing with a Flight Control System

 

Hypersail is also set to be the first yacht of its size internationally to be energy-self-sufficient. For this purpose, the company plans to use a large solar panels on deck. According to the presented, but still very rudimentary, drawings, the yacht's shape is very streamlined. Many synergies with automotive engineering are to be utilized in the aerodynamics, it is said. Furthermore, the yacht will sail with a "flight control system" developed on the basis of expertise acquired in the automotive sector. It is intended to ensure that Hypersail "glides over the ocean for extended periods of time - without pit stops and without any external support," it is said. So far, a comparatively small team of around 20 people is working on the Ferrari yacht. But up to 90 additional employees from the automotive manufacturer would provide selective assistance.

 

Shareholders reacted positively on Wednesday. The investments are not so large that the company would have to change its forecasts for the near future, emphasized Ferrari CFO Antonio Picca Piccon. The share price rose by around three percent on the Milan Stock Exchange by the afternoon, giving the company a market capitalization of around 80 billion euros. This makes Ferrari one of the most highly valued car companies in the world, despite its small production volumes. The company aims to reach an important milestone – far more significant than the yacht – on October 9 of this year, when it presents the first all-electric Ferrari. Ferrari is significantly ahead of its arch-rival Lamborghini from the VW Group in terms of electrification. Its expertise in the electric field could also benefit the new Ferrari yacht, it is said. [2]

 

1. A tilting keel, also known as a canting keel, is a type of keel found on some sailboats that can be swung or tilted to one side (usually to windward) to improve stability and performance. This mechanism allows the boat to sail more upright in strong winds, reducing heeling and increasing speed.

 

    Function:

    A canting keel pivots to the windward side, shifting the ballast (heavy weight at the bottom of the keel) away from the center of the boat. This creates a greater righting moment, counteracting the heeling force of the wind on the sails.

 

Benefits:

By reducing heeling, a canting keel allows the boat to carry more sail area, increasing speed and efficiency, especially in strong winds. It also improves the boat's handling and maneuverability.

Mechanism:

The keel is typically attached to the hull with a pivoting strut or a similar mechanism. Hydraulic or other systems are used to control the tilting angle.

Examples:

Canting keels are commonly found on racing yachts, where maximizing speed and performance is crucial.

Trade-offs:

Canting keels can be complex and expensive to design and build, and they require careful maintenance.

 

2. Mit einem Ferrari über die Weltmeere. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 26 June 2025: 21.  Von Christian Schubert, Maranello