Thinking of buying a Ferretti

[TheNotYetChef]

My wife and I are thinking of purchasing a 2005 Ferretti 880 (ferretti seems to be best for open seas?). We have a three year old and would like to spend the next year living aboard and going wherever the urges take us because we will be tied down once she starts school. We have zero experience with vessels beyond a ski-boat and a large party barge that we take out on the lake a few times every year. The ferretti is 28' longer than anything I've operated so we may consider a crew for our first voyage.

We are thinking of starting with a trip up the Mississippi from Memphis, then heading down river to the gulf (good idea?). I would like any advice for a new yacht owner, especially classes or training that is credible. If we could hire someone to teach us about our boat ON our boat, that would be great. Safety, navigation, and communication are my main concerns before embarking on our new adventure.

I have lots more questions but I'll start with these

[Lagoon4us]

Good luck with that there's quite a few crew finders on the net. There's no shortage of FERRETTI's over here.

[TheNotYetChef]

I would like to hire a crew but security is an issue. I am a bit apprehensive to head out to sea with strangers. Who are the most reputable? Are any crew finders bonded?

You said there is no shortage of Ferrettis. Do you mean for sale or in use? I am not positive that this is the manufacturer for me. I will spend no more than 3.5 mil U.S. dollars and want the best balance of comfort, space, and stability in the water. Stability is much more important to me but we plan to liveaboard for the next year.

[Lagoon4us]

mail frank at mail dot com

[atoll]

most people have a skipper,hostess,engineer and a deckhand for that size boat,10% of boats value should cover running costs!

[Seaworthy Lass]

If it is an offshore power boat you are looking for, have you considered a Dashew FPB?
SetSail

[TheNotYetChef]

I haven't but I will. Thanks Lass

[TheNotYetChef]

Thanks atoll. I might need to consider a smaller boat. I want to get to the point where I know enough to make the crew unnecessary.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by TheNotYetChef

......
I want to get to the point where I know enough to make the crew unnecessary.

The FPB 64 can apparently being easily handled two up. They are absolutely superbly designed and built sea worthy craft, although very different to the Ferretti's. The number made are very limited though. Six FPB 64's have been completed, 3 more are in the process and only 4 more may be built as they are focussing on production of FPB 97.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by TheNotYetChef

We have zero experience with vessels beyond a ski-boat and a large party barge that we take out on the lake a few times every year.

There's a certain point beyond which amateurs shouldn't man the helm. We could argue where that point is, but most would draw the amateur/pro line by the time 100 tons has been reached. The Ferretti 880 is over 800 tons.

Even on the used market a boat like that is going to run several million dollars. Which means you're going to be wanting insurance, I assume, especially if you ever want to be able to dock the boat. I guarantee that any insurance company that would be willing to insure a boat that costly is going to demand that a professional captain is running the boat any time it goes out.

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by Bash

There's a certain point beyond which amateurs shouldn't man the helm. We could argue where that point is, but most would draw the amateur/pro line by the time 100 tons has been reached. The Ferretti 880 is over 800 tons.

Even on the used market a boat like that is going to run several million dollars. Which means you're going to be wanting insurance, I assume, especially if you ever want to be able to dock the boat. I guarantee that any insurance company that would be willing to insure a boat that costly is going to demand that a professional captain is running the boat any time it goes out.

Not sure why you would say a Ferretti 880 weighs in at 800 tonnes? We saw at least ten this summer and none were fatties!!!

Last steel/ally composite charter boat i built was 34.5 metres LOA and weighed in at 160 tonnes.

Methinks a Ferretti is more in the 80 tonne league.

A crew at this level is not an issue as most are chartered when not in use by owners.

Cheers

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

.......
Methinks a Ferretti is more in the 80 tonne league.
......

Had a quick look. The Ferretti 881 is only 91 tonnes laden.
Ferretti-Yachts - Technical data - Ferretti 881

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Had a quick look. The Ferretti 881 is only 91 tonnes laden.
Ferretti-Yachts - Technical data - Ferretti 881

That's correct around 80 tonne dry weight.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

That's correct around 80 tonne dry weight.

I was allowing for chocolate and wine

[Lagoon4us]

LMAO every one i saw that wasn't in a marina had at least two naked italian shielas on the foredeck!!!!! They weren't heavy girls!