Forte Yachts will show its 47 Gran Turismo for the first time at the Cannes Yachting Festival, running 8 to 13 September. The boat has already completed its sea trial programme off Ameglia, Italy.
Power comes from three 600hp Mercury Verado V12 outboards, good for 47 knots. Forte says the trials confirmed stable, responsive handling across a range of sea conditions. "Acceleration is breathtaking and the ride is both stable and responsive in a wide range of sea conditions," says Livio Franchini, partner and technical manager at builder West Navaltech.
At anchor, drop-down side wings fold the cockpit out into an expanded outdoor platform of more than 40 square metres. The helm seats and aft lounge open up to the sun, and the portside cabinet, which normally houses a sink and grill, converts into a bar when the wing lowers. A flatscreen TV rises silently from a cabinet behind the pilot seats, and an electric passerelle hidden in the transom drops down for access to the water, or the dock.
Below deck, the layout includes two cabins, each served by its own bathroom facilities, an arrangement Forte says is unusual at this size. The master has a dedicated shower and separate heads. The guest cabin, which sleeps a double and a single, has a day head and its own shower. Designer Paolo Giordano says the setup is normally reserved for larger yachts, and expects it to appeal to younger owners and families.
There's also a second propulsion option. The Gran Turismo, with its trio of outboards, is the quicker of the two variants. A Lounge Deck version swaps in twin inboard Volvo Penta D8 IPS drives, with top speed falling to 37 knots, for a quieter ride and, according to Forte, longer range, along with more lounging room aft.
Both measure 14.35 metres length overall, with a 4.5 metre beam, a draught of 0.85 metres, and 16 tonnes displacement. Fuel capacity is 2000 litres. Naval architecture and engineering come from Umberto Tagliavini, working alongside West Navaltech, an Italian shipbuilder that supplies aluminium vessels, components and structures to major superyacht builders.
Learn more about the Forte 47 Gran Turismo.
