semi displacement yachts

Semi-Displacement Hulls Explained (Illustrated Guide)

If you want to know exactly what a semi-displacement hull is, this article is right for you. Here, I explain simply what it is, how it works, and why it's different from other hulls.

What is a semi-displacement hull? A semi-displacement hull is a hull design that combines features of the displacement and planing hull. It displaces water at low speeds but is able to generate lift at cruising speed. It is more stable than planing hulls, and faster than displacement hulls. It planes at lower speeds than regular planing hulls.

Generally, you'll find this type of hull on motor cruisers, trawlers, and the likes. Sailboats don't really come in this flavor, and I'll explain why below.

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Semi-displacement hulls explained, maximum hull speed, semi-displacement hull advantages, semi-displacement hull disadvantages, differences between the hull types, who might like this type of hull, sailboats with semi-displacement hulls, examples of boats with semi-displacement hulls.

A semi-displacement hull is a perfect hybrid between displacement hulls and planing hulls. It's the perfect medium speed range hull design. It is also called the semi-planing hull. To summarize briefly:

• A displacement hull lies inside the water, and displaces it as it moves. It holds up the boat using buoyancy.
• A planing hull lies on top of the water as it moves and holds up the boat using lift. This is called planing .
• A semi-displacement hull displaces water at low speeds, but is able to semi-plane at cruising speeds.

All three of these hull types come with their own unique advantages and disadvantages:

• The displacement hull is efficient and very dependable in rough waters.
• The planing hull is extremely fast and agile.

The semi-displacement hull is a bit of both. It's seaworthy and can be relied upon in rough waters, but at the same time, it's a lot faster than displacement hulls. Semi-displacement hulls are perfect for boats that need to be steady and seaworthy but fast at the same time.

Design Features

The most important thing to understand is that generally, planing hulls are fine and flat aft (in the back), and displacement hulls are bulky and round. The semi-displacement hull combines these two design features. It is flat aft but gets bulkier towards the front. The bow (the front), has more of a wedge shape to it, like a Deep-V. The bow has to be able to displace water and lift at the same time. That's why the quality of the design is really important with these boats.

From the front, it looks like a sailboat, from the back, it looks like a powerboat.

The hull shape allows it to semi-plane. Planing simply means it's riding its own bow wave, lifting it out of the water. Planing is a great way to add speed, but it decreases stability.

The semi-displacement hull is heavier than a planing hull but lighter than a displacement hull. Because of its weight, it can't generate enough lift to fully plane. But because of its weight, it's also a lot more stable in rough waters.

How Does a Semi-Displacement Hull Work?

So now we understand the different features of this hull type, let's see how it comes together. At low speeds , the hull acts as a displacement hull, cutting through the water instead of riding on top of it. This makes it stable and reliable in waves. Its weight and keel make sure it handles well in choppy waves and rough weather, which is why it is a great design for coastal cruisers and trawlers and the likes.

At high speeds , the hull acts as a planing hull, riding on top of the water. This makes it a lot faster. Its flat back allows it to plane, as this will lift the front out of the water (but only partially). At the same time, the design of the bow helps it to climb out of the water. Between 12 - 16 knots (cruising speed), the semi-displacement hull will start climbing its own wave, generating lift. This reduces drag (water resistance). This adds a lot to its top speed. Roughly anywhere between 5 - 10 knots. That's a lot.

The semi planes at lower speeds than planing hulls though. This is great because most semis aren't that fast. The reason? The center of gravity is farther forward than planing boats 1 .

The reason the semi-displacement hull is so much faster is that it's able to climb its own bow wave. Regular displacement hulls can't do this. This means they have an upper-speed limit, called the maximum hull speed. The maximum hull speed is a direct correlation between the length of the boat's waterline and the maximum speed.

To learn more about calculating maximum hull speed, and to view examples of different boat lengths and their upper limit , please check out my previous article here .

• faster at cruising speed
• can outrun storms thanks to speed
• larger range
• excellent rough-water boats
• are able to cross oceans
• shallower draft
• less efficient at low speeds than a displacement hull
• uses a lot of fuel at lower speeds
• a bit less comfortable than a displacement hull
• less storage due to flat aft and fine bow
• not as fast as planing hulls

Difference between semi-displacement hulls and displacement hulls

Semi-displacement hulls:

• have finer bow entry
• are flatter aft
• can generate lift, making it faster
• can outrun storms because of their speeds
• have less storage due to flat aft and fine bow

To learn more about displacement hulls , I recommend reading my full guide on it. It explains the pros and cons of displacement hulls .

Difference between semi-displacement hulls and planing hulls

• are narrower than planing hulls
• have a deeper and narrower hull forward, more like a deep V
• are not as fast as planing hulls
• are a lot steadier than planing hulls
• vessels weight is still supported by buoyancy

Yes, that's right. You can cross oceans with a semi-displacement hull. With a planing hull, that's not recommended. However, for those types of journeys, I'd still pick a full displacement hull over a semi every day of the week.

For examples of the most common hull types , please read my Illustrated Guide to Boat Hull Types here .

If you want to have a comfortable ride, even in moderate to heavy chop, and want to have a reliable boat that also has some speed up its sleeve, this is a great hull design for you. With pretty decent speeds, often anywhere up to 20 - 30 knots, this hull can has plenty of thrill to it, while at the same time being comfortable and reliable. It's perhaps one of the most versatile hull designs out there. In my opinion, it offers the perfect fast-paced family cruiser for people who live near the coast and want to take her out for a bluewater spin.

I haven't heard of any sailboats - monohulls - that have semi-displacement hulls. (If you have, please let me know in the comments below.) I think the reason is simply that sailboats can't deliver the power necessary to generate any meaningful lift. Cruising speed for most semi-displacement boats is roughly 15 - 20 knots - that's when lift is generated and it starts to semi-plane. Monohulls can't get up to that speed.

Catamarans can. There are cats out there with wide and flat aft hull sections, enabling them to get into a semi-plane. This is one of the reasons why cats are so much faster than monohulls.

The most famous semi-displacement boat type is the Maine Lobster boat. Other boats that use semi-displacement are trawlers and motor cruisers.

https://www.soundingsonline.com/boats/how-different-hull-types-react-in-rough-water   ↩

Thank you for a well formed explanation—assuming you’re correct. My wife and I are looking at boating as a retirement plan. She asked what the difference is between hull types. I can send her your link.

Stay safe and healthy!

Thank You for an excellent education, I learned much from your article. Is there a chance ou may provide your comments/comparison of the Majesty 140 and theh Benetti Diamond 145? I would so much appreciate your commentary. Most Appreciated !

MacGregor 26M is a semi displacement sail boat :-)

The MacGregor 26X sailboat is also a semi-displacement hull. Factory specs suggest 24 knot top speed under sail or with a 40 hp outboard motor. I have not reached those speeds under sail … more like 14 to 16 knots.

Thank you so much I understand the different types of hulls so much better!

robert salverda

Hi Shawn, I once owned a Lancer 39.5 foot sailboat. It had two Perkins 4-254 85 h.p engines in it. At full throttle it could actually plane, defying all the rules of a displacement hull, so I am assuming it must have had a semi-displacement hull.

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You may also like, the illustrated guide to boat hull types (11 examples).

I didn't understand anything about boat hull types. So I've researched what hulls I need for different conditions. Here's a complete list of the most common hulls.

A Complete Guide to Displacement Hulls (Illustrated)

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Semi-displacement motor boats: 4 of the best on the used boat market

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Nick Burnham picks out four of the best semi-displacement motor boats on the market that deliver on this compromise hull form

Boats are a mass of compromises. A perfect example is the hull shape. The best shape for space optimisation at any given length would be a rectangular box. Of course that’s also the very worst shape for seakeeping.

What you need to cleave waves offshore is the exact opposite, something as long, narrow and pointed as possible to reduce wave impact to a minimum. But as if that were not enough, our beleaguered naval architects have to consider hull form.

A full displacement hull that sits fully immersed tends to give the best low-speed efficiency and seakeeping but is hampered by a low hull speed. As an example, a 30ft waterline length displacement hull tops out at about 7.5 knots.

If you want speed, you’ll need a planing hull which creates dynamic lift with speed and skims across the top – great for velocity but not very comfortable in choppy conditions. But there is a third way. A semi-displacement hull gives enough lift to overcome displacement hull speed limitations but doesn’t skim over the top like a planing hull.

Four great semi-displacement motor boats

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Built: 2008 Price: £345,000

There’s a YouTube video of an Elling E4 being rolled though 180 degrees, complete with Elling Yard director, Anton van den Bos, strapped into the helm seat. You can actually observe the angle of the roll from the dangle of his tie on the internal camera!

Once completely inverted, they let the straps go, at which point the boat instantly rights itself, much to the relief of Mr. VDB! This, is no marina queen, this is a serious Category A Ocean class offshore boat.

Despite the heavy focus on serious offshore capability, it still feels like a luxury boat inside thanks to lashings of beautiful high-gloss cherry woodwork. There’s a fully enclosed wheelhouse on the main deck, and a decidedly sailboat vibe to the lower deck layout. The owner’s domain is at the back beneath the aft deck, and there’s a generous saloon with the guest cabin forward. A third cabin with a pair of bunks is located aft to starboard.

High-gloss cherry interior still looks the part on this serious Category A offshore cruiser

Neptune Marine deliberately kept the air draft to a minimum, making this boat work as well in the inland waters of Europe as it does offshore, so there is no flybridge or aft deck helm position, just the cockpit area on the aft deck and then side decks forward. As a result, apart from being a nice simple layout, it’s also a very good looking boat.

Performance

It’s not a conventional twin-engined boat, although it does actually have two engines. Rather than the usual pair of motors sharing propulsion duties that you normally find in a 50ft offshore boat, this one has a centrally mounted Volvo Penta D6 435hp which gives it about 17 knots flat out, plus a back-up D1 39hp get-you-home unit. The result is fantastic fuel economy. The owner reckons on about 1nm per litre at a 7-knot cruise.

Aft cabin layout ensures good privacy for both the owners and their VIP guests

We tested an E4 in some fairly challenging sea conditions, concluding that: “These conditions proved the point that it’s nigh on impossible to get the E4’s deep, fine bow sections to slam unless you take to launching off short, steep waves at full speed with the intention of landing on the flatter sections amidships”.

Specifications

LOA: 49ft 0in (14.9m) Beam: 13ft 11in (4.2m) Draft: 3ft 11in (1.2m) Displacement: 17 tonnes Fuel capacity: 1,500 litres Engine: Volvo Penta D6-435 diesel engine Contact: Ancasta

Beneteau Swift Trawler 35

Built: 2019 Price: £290,000

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 was one of those sweet-spot boats that was just right, making it a sales success with over 400 sold and a tough act to follow. Very wisely, the Swift Trawler 35 is a careful evolution of that boat, riffing off all the good points and gently massaging a few of the rough edges to create a worthy successor.

Perfect examples of that evolutionary massaging can be found throughout the interior. The basic layout remains the same with two cabins on the lower deck – an owner’s cabin forward with a central double bed and a guest cabin with bunks to starboard opposite the heads – but upgrades abound.

That forward owner’s cabin now sports a lower bed and hull windows for more light and a better view and the curtained off shower in the heads has been banished in favour of proper shower doors.

Head up to the main deck and again, the basic premise is the same – a traditional trawler yacht layout of helm to starboard with a galley alongside it to port and a sofa aft opposite a sideboard. But the door next to the helm is wider, the windows larger and a useful seating perch has been added in the galley area.

U-shaped galley next to the helm is designed and located for cooking under way

The biggest change to the outside, beyond a gentle but effective restyle, is the split and hinged transom that opens out the cockpit to the bathing platform, beach-club style. The mast is gone, and with it the ability to hoist a tender onto the flybridge, but there’s plenty of space aloft, plus a second alfresco helm position of course.

Beneteau stuck with the big single 6.7 litre Cummins diesel, which puts out 425hp through its shaft drive. We maxed out at 19 knots at 3,000rpm on test with this engine but drop it back to an economical 8 knots at 1,600rpm to achieve a 14lph fuel burn and a near 400-mile range.

Big windows and a side door next to the helm ensure the saloon feels bright and airy

We punched an ST35 through a steep short chop in a stiff breeze and found it a solid performer, if understandably wet in those conditions.

LOA: 37ft 0in (11.3m) Beam: 13ft 3in (4.0m) Draft: 3ft 10in (1.2m) Displacement: 9 tonnes Fuel capacity: 800 litres Engine: Cummins QSB 7 425hp diesel engine Contact: Ancasta

Built: 2014 Price: £414,995

Broom began making boats in 1898 and went on to garner a reputation for solidly built aft cabin cruising boats. In latter years some felt the designs were becoming rather staid and old fashioned. This 430, launched at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in 2014, was Broom’s attempt to redress this issue.

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At launch, if you were able to lead an existing Broom customer inside the 430 without revealing what it was, it’s unlikely they would guess. The layout might feel familiar but the interior design certainly wouldn’t. Broom had brought Graham Warren, formerly head of Targa design at Fairline Boats, aboard to bring the boat up to date.

The layout remained the traditional aft cabin set-up with the owner’s cabin beneath the aft deck, guest cabin forward, saloon on the main deck, and the galley down and forward, but the sharply styled and beautifully lit interior was a quantum leap from Brooms of old. There were three layout options: a longer main deck, a lower deck dinette or a larger split galley.

Pale colours and light woods are a far cry from Brooms of old and still look good today

It was the same story on the outside. The concept remained true to Brooms of old, with the helm on the aft deck (negating the need for a lower helm), but now there were sweeping steps in the stern quarters, funky hull colour options and an optional GRP hard top. But practicality remained key. The side decks, for example, sweep low as they extend forward, making this an easy boat to side board from a pontoon, unlike many aft cabin boats.

The twin Volvo Penta D6 370hp diesels fitted to this boat were the mid- range option – twin 330hp and twin 435hp motors were also available. We achieved about 25 knots on test with the twin 370hp engines.

Aft cabins have rarely looked as big, modern or stylish as this one on a late model 430

Considering that it is a semi-displacement hull, the most surprising thing about this boat is just how dry it is. Beyond that, it’s a typical Broom through and through – rock solid and dependable out at sea.

LOA: 43ft 3in (13.2m) Beam: 13ft 11in (4.2m) Draft: 3ft 6in (1.1m) Displacement: 13 tonnes Fuel capacity: 1,300 litres Engines: Twin Volvo Penta D6-370 370hp diesel engines Contact: Parker Adams Boat Sales

Northman 1200

Built: 2021 Price: £249,000

Although still fairly new to the UK, Polish builder Northman actually dates back to 1995 when the company started a charter business. In 2007 it built its first sailing boat, a Maxus 33, followed in 2016 by the Nexus range of motor boats. But this 40ft 1200 was its first Northman-branded, launched in 2018.

It has a deck saloon layout, and bifold doors do a great job of melding the aft cockpit with the saloon in good weather. The galley has been positioned directly behind the starboard helm opposite a long L-shaped settee, which frees up the lower deck for an impressive three-cabin, two-heads layout.

Practical touches include large sliding saloon windows, a door next to the helm for easy access to the starboard side deck and a sliding hatch in the ceiling. Clearly, airflow will never be a problem. The owner’s cabin forward on the lower deck is a particularly generous size, with plenty of floor space.

Smart saloon belies its budget pricing. Sliding windows and helm door are a boon too

There are a couple of neat details on what is otherwise a smart but conventional looking motor boat. One is a thick rubbing band built into the hull at pontoon height. If it were calm and you were gentle, you could even tie up alongside briefly without deploying fenders. There’s a little seating area up at the foredeck but what’s really nifty is the set of steps built into the forward port corner of the windscreen that grant access to a sunbathing area built into the saloon roof. Interestingly, Northman also now make a flybridge version with the same unusually situated steps meaning that there is no space compromise in the cockpit.

Northman fits single engines from 57hp through to the Yanmar 4LV250 250hp motor fitted to this boat. Top speed is about 13 knots, with eight knots a sensible cruising gait, but the really impressive figure is low speed economy, because at five knots that Yanmar is supping just three-and-a-half litres per hour.

The forward owner’s cabin is one of three cabins on board are both doubles.

A straight shaft drive and rudder set up make for easy low-speed handling while Vetus bow and stern thrusters take the sting out of docking.

LOA: 40ft 3in (12.3m) Beam: 11ft 6in (3.5m) Draft: 2ft 4in (0.7m) Displacement: 8.2 tonnes Fuel capacity: 500 litres Engine: Yanmar 4LV250 250hp diesel engine Contact: BJ Marine

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Semi Displacement Hulls – A Detailed Guide For Owners

Understanding some of the basics is fundamental to understanding all the latest trends and most exciting technologies in boat design. 

For all their variations and quirks, boat hulls come in only three forms. Here’s a look at the various types, along with a closer look at the most misunderstood—the semi displacement hull.

Table of Contents

Displacement hull, planing hulls, displacement hull vs planing hull, semi displacement hull, identifying boat hull type, boating always involves compromise and balance, hull shape faqs.

Three Types of Boat Hulls

Even though there seem to be thousands of different types of boats, there are actually only three hull forms in the world. Sure, designers are constantly tinkering with little things to make them faster or more efficient. But boats will always have either a displacement, planing, or semi displacement hull.

The first type of boat is the oldest – the trusty old full displacement hull. Displacement hulls have been around forever – dugout canoes, cargo ships, cruise liners, and sailboats are all displacement hulls. 

What common things tie these seemingly different boats and ships together? For one, their design stability and the buoyancy that keeps them afloat comes from the water that their hulls displace. Hence the name – displacement hull.

A full displacement boat has a top speed limited by its waterline length. The longer the boat, the faster its theoretical hull speed is.

What is Water Displacement?

When discussing boat design, it is impossible not to talk about the elephant in the room—Archimedes. Ok, he wasn’t an elephant. He was a Greek mathematician and physicist—but you get the idea.

Archimedes was one of the first to apply math to the physical world, and he came up with the law of buoyancy. Archimedes Principle states that the upward force on an object immersed in a fluid (buoyancy) is equal to the weight of the fluid that the object displaces. 

For boats, this simply means that so long as the boat displaces an amount of water that weighs more than the boat, the boat will float. 

So what is a displacement hull? It is one that derives its buoyancy from the weight of the water it displaces. If weight is added to the boat, it sinks lower and displaces more water. 

The key here is that this is the only force that keeps the boat afloat. 

On the other end of the spectrum, we have the modern planing hull boat. If a boat goes fast, it must have a planing hull. Envision speed boats, power racing boats, most fishing boats like bass boats or center consoles, and things like jet skis or skiffs.

When these boats are not moving, they act as displacement hulls. Their shape displaces enough water to keep them afloat. But once they start building up speed, the water passing over the bottom of their hulls creates lift. 

That is the critical difference. At some point, the hull of a planing boat gets on plane—it lifts out of the water. It is no longer displacing enough water to keep it afloat. Instead, a dynamic lifting force is being created by the water flowing under the hull. Once that force diminishes (as the boat slows down), the boat will start displacing water again and will once more become a displacement hull boat. 

There are a lot of differences between these two hull designs. They look different, and they function differently. 

Planing hulls are built for speed, and many compromises are made in the design to accommodate this need. It takes a lot of power to get any boat on plane. Engines must be big and powerful, which means they’re also thirsty. That means they’ll need large fuel tanks. 

In all other aspects of the boat, weight must be limited. A heavier boat will require more power to lift onto plane, so overloading a planing hull means it might not be able to get up to speed. Planing designs favor lighter materials and thinner construction to keep weight down—all benefiting performance.

On the other end of the spectrum, displacement hulls are all about everything other than speed. By committing to a displacement hull, the builder says, “speed is not the priority here.” So what is the advantage, if any, to an old-school displacement hull?

First and foremost, displacement hulls are efficient. It takes very little power to get a displacement hull to speed, which means less fuel and smaller engines need to be carried. 

There are also fewer limitations on how much weight a displacement hull can carry. A displacement hull will use about the same amount of power, whether lightly loaded or heavily loaded. As a result, displacement hulls are the types of design used for things like cargo ships and supertankers. 

Even if you aren’t hauling cargo, all of the room that a wide displacement hull provides makes for excellent living accommodations. On a cruising boat, this type of design usually gives you the most space for staterooms, galleys, heads, and salons – in other words, they are comfortable to live on.

The contrast is the planing hull, which often sacrifices creature comforts due to the hull design’s shape and depth constraints. Without adding enormous superstructures topside, there just isn’t much room inside a planing hull for living accommodations.

Finally, displacement hulls can be designed to be highly stable and self-righting. Sailboats, for example, with their deep keels and heavy ballast, are designed to be stable in all conditions. For this reason, displacement hulls are considered to be the most seaworthy design.

Ride Quality and Comfort Compared

When it comes to cruising boats, displacement hulls often get a bad rap for their ride quality. While they are safe and stable, the ride tends to be rollier than any other type of vessel. Their rounded hulls and low center of gravity allow them to slip through the waves, but they feel each and everyone nonetheless. 

Most cruising boats add some form of stability to reduce roll in a seaway. Sailboats use their sails, the pressure on which keeps the boat heeled over and resists the motion of the waves. Slow trawlers tended to have small stability sails, which did the same thing. Modern boats sometimes include stabilizers that keep them level and resist the motion of the seaway.

Rolling is less of a factor on planing boats since the boat rides above the waves. But the speed at which the boat moves creates another factor – a pounding as the hull goes from wave to wave. Depending on the vessel, this can be more tiresome and exhausting for the crew than the ride on a displacement vessel.

Of course, there’s also a limit to how much the boat can take. The stability and safety of a planing boat require the operator to pick and choose how and when they want to tackle each wave. This means the skipper’s job is never-ending in rough seas. 

At the helm of a displacement boat, the skipper might set the sailboat autopilot to a heading and take their lumps. But at the helm of a boat on plane, the helmsperson is more likely to be actively making adjustments to the boat’s course to find the smoothest ride and prevent jaw-clenching bounces.

So, what is the third type of boat then? A semi displacement hull could also be called a semi planing hull. This type of boat gets its buoyancy and stability from a combination of the two factors listed above – buoyancy and dynamic lifting forces on the hull.

Like all boats, the semi displacement hull design starts out as a displacement hull when sitting in the water. Its hull design makes a dynamic lifting force as it accelerates because of the water flowing around it – much like a planing hull does. The difference is that a semi displacement hull will never get entirely on plane. Its stern will always sit low, and a portion of the force floating the hull will always come from displaced water.

There are fewer examples of semi displacement hulls because they have limited commercial use. However, the hull design is well known from the Maine lobster boat, which handles offshore seas and conditions well while traveling quickly out of the harbor. A variant of this design used on cruising boats is the Downeast. 

Semi displacement designs are also common on modern “fast trawlers,” as well as on offshore deep-sea fishing boats like those made by Hatteras and Viking. Several brands of well-known motor yachts also use semi displacement designs to keep their speeds up while offering excellent living space.

Semi Displacement Boat Performance

That means that semi displacement hulls are not as fast as planing hulls but faster than displacement-only hulls. For a cruising boat, this is perfect because it provides a skipper with options—the option to go slow and safe fuel or the option to put the pedal to the metal and get there a little faster.

Like their speed, they find a compromise in many aspects of their use and form. 

For example, their hulls are generally shaped to resemble a slightly sleeker displacement hull. That’s good news for a cruising or liveaboard boat because it means lots of space for storage and living accommodations.

Offshore Ride Quality in a Semi Displacement Hull Boat

The design also has enormous implications for ride quality because the semi displacement boat does not inherit either of the nasty tendencies of the other two. It is stable and steadfast like the displacement hull, but it has enough speed to power through the chop and roll that might make the slower boat wallow. 

Likewise, it does not have the same lift on the hull as the planing hull does, so it does not come to the same jarring halt as planing hulls do in big chop. Instead, the boat plows the water out of its way, pushing the waves ahead and forging its own path. 

The result is a smooth ride in many different conditions. A semi displacement design is less likely to be rolled but a seaway, and it’s less likely to experience a stop-and-start jerky ride than a planing hull might. This type of boat is great in rough weather and experiences the least wave motion of any design, so long as conditions allow for the speed to be kept up. At displacement speeds, it is less stable than a full displacement boat.

Have you ever wondered how you would know what sort of hull a boat has? There are a few ways to tell.

If you’re lucky enough to see a boat in a boatyard, you analyze the shape of its underwater features.

• Displacement hulls often have round sides and round bottoms. Their transoms are more likely to be curved or rounded, as well. Displacement hulls tend to be very deep.
• Planing hulls have flat or deep v shaped bottoms with hard chines on the sides to create lift. They often also have strakes–vertical surfaces running fore and aft–that help deflect waterflow and make lift.
• Semi displacement hulls tend to look like displacement hulls in the front, with tall, deep bows, and planing hulls in the back, with flat transoms and a flat aft hull underwater.

If you’re on the water, a great way to tell is by looking at the speed a boat moves and the wake it makes.

• Displacement hull boats and ships move a slow speeds and make very little wake. There is seldom much whitewater in the wake and only a small bow wave that pushes water out of the way.
• A planing hull also makes very little wake, but it is white water pushed out of the way by the hull and powerful propeller.
• A semi displacement hull makes an enormous wake when at cruising speed.

Consider this as you evaluate the various boat hull designs – there is no perfect boat. 

There isn’t even a perfect boat for a particular boater. All boats represent some form of compromise. Perhaps even more surprising is how we grow and change as boaters. The more years that go by, the more you may find yourself appreciating boat designs that once might have turned you off. 

As much as we romanticize them, boats are equipment built for a purpose. As your purpose and use of boats change, so will the sorts of boats that interest you. 

What is a semi displacement hull?

A semi displacement hull can go faster than a displacement hull, but not as fast as a planning hull. In more technical terms, its buoyance and stability while cruising come from both buoyancy provided by the hull and dynamic lifting forces created by the hull moving through the water. 

What type of hull is best for rough water?

Much depends on the boat in question and the preferences of the skipper. The safest boat will likely be the slow displacement hull boat, designed to plow through seas and chop comfortably. A well-designed and well-ballasted displacement hull is exceptionally stable and is self-righting. The limitation of these boats is that they are slow – they are limited to their hull speed. 

Skippers looking for a faster ride but still smooth and comfortable may opt for a semi displacement hull. These boats are not efficient performers in the miles per gallon category, but good ones provide an exceptionally smooth ride in rough chop. The extra speed can also help a skipper time the seas for the best ride and get you out of the soup faster.

What is the most efficient hull shape?

In terms of fuel efficiency, the most efficient hull shape is the displacement hull. This type of boat is limited to its theoretical hull speed. They sit low in the water and push the water out of their way. Speeds less than their hull speed require very little power—and, therefore, very little fuel.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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• February 2, 2024

Semi-Displacement Hulls: Blending Speed and Comfort

Understanding Semi-Displacement Hulls: What They Mean for Your Yachting Experience

Semi-displacement hulls strike an enviable balance between speed and comfort, setting the stage for the modern yachter’s dreams. This architectural marvel uses design principles that allow a vessel to benefit from the efficiencies of both displacement and planing hulls. It’s a testament to the nautical evolution that answers a captain’s dual call for velocity and stability. But how does this translate to your time on the water? A semi-displacement hull offers smoother sailing with moderate fuel consumption, embracing both leisurely cruises and the rush of cutting through the waves. The ride is characterized by a gentle rise instead of a dramatic lift, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a versatile maritime lifestyle. The bow cuts cleanly through water, and the flatter stern section provides that extra push for speed – all without compromising on the sublime feeling of being at sea. With sleek lines and a sophisticated design, yachts boasting semi-displacement hulls encapsulate the very essence of modern seafaring innovation.

The Dynamics of Design: How Semi-Displacement Hulls Enhance Yachting

Moving beyond the basics, the science behind a semi-displacement hull is a fascinating study in naval engineering. At the core of its design is a balance between buoyancy and planing. When at rest or at low speeds, the hull behaves much like a displacement hull, yet as acceleration occurs, hydrodynamic lift comes into play. This translates to a hull that operates efficiently across a range of speeds, allowing for both extended voyages and brisk jaunts alike. The designed underwater profile minimizes resistance, which in turn optimizes performance. For the yachting enthusiast, this means enjoying the pleasure of a swift passage without the jarring experience that often comes with high-speed planing vessels. Such agile maneuvering is not only enjoyable but can be crucial in dynamic sea conditions. The result is a yachting experience that is luxurious, secure, and responsive to the captain’s intent.

Selecting the Right Yacht: What Might a Semi-Displacement Vessel Offer You?

Choosing the right yacht is a deeply personal decision that hinges on several factors including lifestyle, intended use, and design preferences. For semi-displacement hull enthusiasts, the decision is often driven by the desire for versatility. A semi-displacement yacht can be the perfect companion for those who appreciate both the journey and the destination. These vessels are known for their spacious accommodations, allowing guests to enjoy extended stays in utmost comfort. The intelligent design often translates to greater onboard space for amenities, storage, and living quarters. Key considerations when exploring these yachts include onboard technology, craftsmanship, and the level of customization available. Would you like a yacht with advanced navigation systems, opulent interiors, and ample deck space for social activities? A semi-displacement vessel might just be the ideal match for your maritime aspirations, ready to deliver unforgettable experiences across a spectrum of sea conditions.

Fly Yachts: Navigating Your Path to the Perfect Semi-Displacement Yacht

As the conversation around semi-displacement yachts continues to unfold, there exists a beacon within the yacht brokerage industry that stands out for its profound knowledge and commitment to the discerning yachtsman – Fly Yachts. We at Fly Yachts understand the nuances that make semi-displacement vessels both intriguing and valuable to our clients. Our team, consisting of seasoned professionals with a deep love for the ocean, is dedicated to guiding you through the intricacies of yacht selection. Each client’s journey is unique, and we pride ourselves on curating a personalized and enjoyable experience that culminates in not just a transaction, but a lifelong relationship with the sea. Speak to a Fly Yachts team member today, and embark on the voyage towards your perfect yacht with confidence and excitement.

For those on the lookout for a top-quality boat, Fly Yachts has a wide selection of  yachts for sale , including everything from swanky super yachts to sturdy center consoles. Curious about the crew you’ll be dealing with? The  About Us  page gives you the scoop on their experienced team. If customizing your own yacht sounds exciting, the  Build a Yacht  page is where you can explore all the ways to make it uniquely yours. Dreaming of a vacation at sea? The  Charter Destinations  page lists some awesome spots for yacht charters. Ready to sell your yacht? The  Sell Your Yacht  page is full of helpful advice on getting it sold. If flying is also on your radar, you’ll want to check out the  Aircraft for Sale . Learn all things yachting with informative  Compass Articles , and get the latest updates from  Gulfstream News . Considering renting a yacht? The  Yacht Charter  page details all the options. If you have any questions or need assistance, head straight to the  Contact  page. Begin your foray into the world of luxury boating from the  Homepage , where the journey into the extraordinary starts.

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The Case For The Semi-Displacement Hull Shape

I look back on many years of exploring the proper yacht, and the ideal passagemaker for cruising under power. Are you planning to go over the horizon for months at a time? If extended cruising is in your plans, trust me, some boats will work better than others.

Spending summer months in Southeast Alaska, or winters in Mexico or the Bahamas or the Caribbean, remain cruising goals of many couples in North America. Immersed in crystal clear waters and sandy beaches, or surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife, they are unique aspects of cruising that capture the imagination.

I’ve hosted countless seminars and panel discussions on hull shape and finding the right boat. While I don’t intend to present you with a dozen PowerPoint slides and pro/con talking points, I will cut to the chase and state that for the majority of people planning extended cruising, there is one hull shape that offers the most flexibility.

And that is the semi-displacement cruising boat, whether it is a trawler style or other kind of cruising motoryacht.

Sleek, Downeast-inspired, planing boats are great for weekends or longer vacations, where the ability to travel at higher speeds makes short work of getting from Point A to Point B. But they come up short when a couple attempts to live aboard for longer periods. My wife and I have done it, as have many friends, but it is more like camping, as there is just not enough storage or living space. Given the choice, it is not my recommended path. People live on 28-foot sailboats, too, but most of us are beyond the romance of that experience.

(Seen below: The Hampton Endurance 658 is an excellent example of a semi-displacement yacht. Our Seattle Yachts Fort Lauderdale Office has a new Endurance 658 in-stock and at our docks.)

On the other end of the spectrum are full displacement trawlers , the salty and romantic go-anywhere ships that inspires confidence. A full displacement boat can be well suited for offshore passages and living aboard, with enough tankage for thousands of gallons of fuel and water, and tremendous storage of provisions, toys, and gear. That is why they have great appeal to many would-be passagemakers. But the reality is that very few people voyage across oceans in powerboats, and even fewer do it more than once. It is now common practice to ship the boat home, or on to the next cruising destination, as the transoceanic passage wasn’t as much fun as expected, or as satisfying. (With additional crew needed for a long passage comes the need to feed the crew, do laundry, and keep the boat clean.)

Weeks at sea also do not guarantee fair winds and calm seas, despite great advances in weather forecasting. (I will interview a professor of oceanography at the U.S. Naval Academy after the holidays on this very subject.)

Weaving All the Good Traits Together

The elements of a semi-displacement boat were once considered to be the ultimate set of compromises. As one builder says, they are neither fish nor fowl, as if this somehow invalidates the hull shape. But today I believe it is quite the opposite, especially with modern engines and stabilization systems.

For that extended adventure, the semi-displacement cruising boat offers the best of all worlds in terms of performance, economy, storage, and accommodations.

(See Below: Seattle Yachts' own Peter Whiting  and Yacht Designer Steve Seaton discuss the Northwest Yachts 45, a true semi-displacement yacht.)

Performance

One can cruise a semi-displacement yacht at trawler displacement speeds, enjoying great fuel economy, taking the time to smell the roses while gunkholing in exotic waters. But the beauty of this boat is that one is not limited to six or seven knots, and there will be times when it is preferable to throttle up and go faster. Forget the doomsday “outrunning bad weather” reasoning. There are real-world situations when running at higher speeds is safer and just makes more sense. I remember approaching Wrangell, Alaska in a full displacement trawler. We could see the town off in the distance and the crew was ready to be there. I would have loved pushing up the throttles to 15+ knots to cover the distance in short order. Instead, we plodded along for what seemed an eternity.

Or how about crossing the Gulf Stream from Florida to the Bahamas, or transiting the California coast? I’ve made the Gulf Stream crossing numerous times on many different boats, and the differences from my experience were startling. On one full displacement trawler, we planned our overnight watches, complete with each crew member checking safety gear and liferaft. I compare that to another trip where we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in West Palm Beach, then made a quick run over to West End at 16 knots, clearing customs in time for lunch. Weather forecasts and Gulf Stream reports are accurate for a three- or four-hour window. Ditto crossing Rosario Strait or the infamous run up or down the coast of New Jersey. Talk about removing the stress!

(Seen below: The Alaskan Yachts 57 MKII is a new project with Seattle Yachts that uses the benefits of a semi-displacement hull to its advantage.)

The ability to manage one’s fuel consumption is a marvelous thing, and balancing fuel economy with your boat speed to fit the moment is quite satisfying. This is especially true with electronically controlled engines, which offer great flexibility, while providing the helm with accurate fuel burn rates. One can use the sweet spots on the speed curve to match boat speed to the situation. Crossing the Gulf Stream at 15+ knots may burn lots of fuel, but only for a short time. Then one can slow down to cruise the islands at a relaxed pace.

This flexibility is not as easy to achieve with many deep-V or planing powerboats. They can be quite squirrely at trawler speeds. They are not designed to go slow as they gain stability from speed. My friend is currently replacing both of his high-horsepower engines’ turbochargers and wastegate valves as they were extremely clogged from years of the previous owner running his planing boat at slow speeds. It will be an expensive repair to say the least.

While a full displacement hull will always win in the ultimate storage comparison, with huge fuel and water tankage and space for everything, a semi-displacement trawler can still take on an enormous amount of gear, water, fuel, and supplies for that big adventure. Food and provisions can be properly stowed without burying cans in the bilges as there are usually numerous lockers and cabinets to take it all.

Having just two drawers for my clothes in a planing boat was a minimalist experience, whereas I can have a hanging locker and a set of drawers all to myself on the typical semi-displacement boat.

Accommodations

I know the “tiny home” movement has its supporters, but when living aboard and cruising for extended periods, most people will agree that even a boat built for two should have dedicated accommodations for sleeping, cooking, relaxing, and entertaining. A pilothouse is a marvelous place to work on ship’s business or write a journal, or simple read a book. And it is important for each crew member to have private space. Living for weeks on end with just a helm chair, settee, and folding saloon table for every activity gets old.

Today, modern, semi-displacement cruising boats are built with enough tankage to go the distance, and with stabilization, can provide owners with all the offshore capability and comfort they need for enjoyable boating. I know people have done amazing trips on semi-displacement trawlers and motoryachts, and we published many of their stories. Round Cape Horn? You bet. Cruise from Maine to Alaska or the other way around? Yup. I even know a fellow who brought his Grand Banks 42 home to Seattle from Hawaii. No stunt, just careful planning.

(Seen below: The salon of the Endurance 658 makes it easier to live on board for weeks at a time if needed.)

But I think you will agree that these trips are simply not on the cruising agenda of most couples, not by a long shot. The adventure is supposed to be fun.

We call it pleasure boating for a reason.

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157 yachts match you search criteria.

• Length 9.99 m
• Beam 3.53 m
• Draft 1.05 m

• 2013 - 2017
• Length 11.14 m
• Beam 4.00 m
• Draft 1.10 m

• 2010 - 2014
• Length 22.60 m
• Beam 6.20 m
• Draft 1.70 m

• Length 16.00 m
• Beam 4.65 m
• Draft 0.10 m

• Length 20.15 m
• Beam 5.40 m
• Draft 1.67 m

• 2008 - 2011
• Length 32.60 m
• Beam 7.00 m
• Draft 2.30 m

• Length 15.10 m
• Draft 1.00 m

• Length 16.89 m
• Beam 4.70 m
• Draft 1.44 m

• 1989 - 2016
• Length 24.40 m
• Beam 6.10 m
• Draft 1.81 m

• Length 13.88 m
• Beam 4.25 m

• Length 14.99 m

• 1974 - 2014
• Length 34.98 m
• Beam 7.40 m
• Draft 1.30 m

• Length 13.63 m
• Beam 4.40 m
• Draft 1.20 m

• Length 15.64 m
• Draft 1.33 m

• 2005 - 2008
• Length 26.00 m
• Beam 6.15 m
• Draft 1.80 m

• 2013 - 2014
• Length 26.22 m
• Beam 6.93 m
• Draft 1.68 m

• 2002 - 2009
• Length 30.95 m
• Draft 2.26 m

• Length 37.95 m
• Beam 8.00 m
• Draft 2.35 m

• Length 25.22 m
• Beam 6.35 m
• Draft 1.90 m

• 2013 - 2015
• Length 30.00 m
• Draft 1.75 m

• 1998 - 2010
• Length 33.10 m
• Beam 7.45 m

• Length 19.95 m
• Beam 5.36 m
• Draft 1.52 m

• Length 38.36 m
• Beam 7.65 m
• Draft 2.13 m

• Length 37.04 m
• Draft 2.27 m

• Length 33.20 m
• Beam 7.10 m
• Draft 1.40 m

• Length 13.80 m

• Length 12.00 m
• Beam 3.85 m

• 2011 - 2015
• Length 32.00 m
• Beam 7.11 m
• Draft 1.98 m

• Length 27.60 m
• Beam 7.15 m

• 2011 - 2013
• Length 33.91 m
• Beam 7.39 m
• Draft 2.33 m

• Length 21.50 m
• Beam 6.00 m
• Draft 1.50 m

• Length 34.00 m

• Length 36.80 m
• Beam 7.50 m
• Draft 2.40 m

• Length 47.25 m
• Beam 9.40 m
• Draft 2.25 m

• Beam 2.26 m

• 2008 - 2014
• Length 40.05 m
• Beam 8.09 m
• Draft 2.70 m

• Length 52.00 m
• Beam 9.20 m

• Length 63.00 m
• Beam 11.00 m
• Draft 3.70 m

• Length 40.00 m
• Beam 8.60 m
• Draft 2.00 m
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Yachts for Sale Semi-displacement

View yacht Admiral 55 S-Force Silver Star, available for sale

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View yacht M TOGETHER, available for sale

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View yacht DEFIANT, available for sale

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View yacht Dynamiq GTT 135, available for sale

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View yacht SWEET ESCAPE, available for sale

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View yacht FRANGELO, available for sale

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View yacht Leonidas, available for sale

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View yacht ESCAPE, available for sale

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View yacht Olivia, available for sale

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View yacht DREAMLINE 35, available for sale

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View yacht Dynamiq GTT 115, available for sale

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View yacht Missy B II, available for sale

Missy B II , yacht for sale

View yacht TWO KAY, available for sale

TWO KAY , yacht for sale

View yacht Papa Golfe, available for sale

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View yacht SEVEN YOU, available for sale

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Powering Progress: New Engine Deliveries Propel Selene’s Stock Boat Program Forward

A new shipment of engines has arrived, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing enhancement of Selene Yachts’ stock boat program. … Continue reading

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In the world of luxury yachting and trawler yachts, few events inspire more confidence and admiration than a successful maiden voyage… Continue reading

Celebrating the 2024 West Coast Selene Rendezvous at Roche Harbor

This April, the picturesque Roche Harbor in Washington was abuzz with the spirit of camaraderie and luxury yachting as it hosted the 2024 West Coast Selene Rendezvous… Continue reading

Sailing into the Future: Celebrating Selene’s Latest Marvels

Another remarkable journey with the final touchup and completion of the Selene 7220 at the Jet-Tern Marine shipyard… Continue reading

SELENE 62 OCEAN EXPLORER

The new Selene 62 Ocean Explorer is the very latest iteration of Howard Chen’s talent… Designed for a Selene repeat customer in Europe who wanted a yacht as beautiful and safe as any Selene, but faster in order to explore the Mediterranean Sea…

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SELENE 60 OCEAN EXPLORER

This brand new Selene 60 Ocean Explorer is the smallest vessel of the Selene Expedition line. A first look, the Selene 60 Ocean Explorer by Guido de Groot shows a number of the Selene family traits with her powerful raised pilothouse, Portuguese bridge…

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SELENE 128 OCEAN EXPLORER

Selene Yachts flagship of the Expedition line, the new Selene 128 will be soon in the production line for its European owner.

This brand new Selene 60 Ocean Explorer is the smallest vessel of the Selene Ocean Explorer line. A first look, the Selene 60 Expedition by Guido de Groot shows a number of the Selene family traits with her powerful raised pilothouse, Portuguese bridge…

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Read the Interview of Howard Chen, Founder of Selene Yachts

WHAT SELENE OWNERS SAY…

We wanted a compact yacht because we will load her on a cargo ship to explore new playing grounds like the Pacific Northwest or Northern European seas… It’s easily doable with a 42′ boat, and at a reasonable price. We want to see our new boat like a life enhancer and not as a financial or technical burden. This is why sizing the project, refining the specifications and a sound cooperation with the shipyard is essential, and Selene’s teams were ready to help from day one. We have found our perfect yacht…

I spent ten years as a full time vessel master and live-aboard owner. After obtaining my United States Coast Guard Master’s license, I spent countless hours cruising the waters of the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Gulf Islands.

Our constant, and the place we call “home” is M.V. Ellipsis, a Selene 60 Ocean Yacht delivered in 2007. We boat now without boundaries and enjoy navigating the rugged open waters off the west coast as much as we do the Inside Passage.

Summer and fall 2018, we will explore the Columbia and Snake Rivers, getting some experience with the locks on the river. 2019 should find us heading south in the Pacific, spending time cruising Mexico.

Even though my Selene 38 is the smallest in the range we’ve covered more than 20,000 miles in SE Asia; starting in Hong Kong, down to Vietnam and Borneo, then across to Thailand, later south to Malaysia and Singapore.

Everywhere I looked I was impressed with the quality. These are not production boats, but customized, handcrafted, solid vessels. Thank you for building us a beautiful and well founded boat! We look forward to many years of cruising in safety and comfort!

We want everyone in the yard to know just how happy we are with this wonderful boat you have made for us. Please convey our pleasure to everyone involved.

Our Selene « Adagio » has actually exceeded our expectations. Exceptional safety underway, comfortable for extended periods of live-aboard time, and excellence of workmanship are some of the reasons for our high level of satisfaction.

I went out on « Argo » today. The boat looks and performs fantastic. Convey my thanks to all the key people at the yard. The galley looks absolutely amazing. The new sound insulation you have done is really working with minimal vibrations!

We had a wonderful time in the San Juan Islands and Princess Louisa in British Columbia. The boat was perfect! We were in 25 knot winds with beam seas, some of which were well over 8 feet. « Mystic Moon » handled it perfectly!

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Yacht Hull Types

For many clients purchasing a yacht today, there are many things to consider. The most important consideration is choosing which hull design best suits them and their cruising desires. There are 3 types of hull designs in the recreational yachting world:

A planing hull runs the majority of the time on top of the water, achieving high speeds, getting from point A to point B very quickly. Planing hulls typically are the least efficient and have the least comfortable ride. Rather than going "through the water" they go across the top of the water and are subject to the state of the surface of the water at any given time. Planing hulls are not recommended when purchasing a cruising yacht.

Semi-Displacement

Full displacement.

When purchasing a yacht, choose a yacht for how you are going to cruise the majority of the time. Do not purchase a yacht for something that you may do once in the lifetime of the ownership of that yacht. Many people fall into the trap of dreaming of how they may cruise as compared to how they will likely cruise and most times end up making the wrong decision on the purchase of a yacht. Many Outer Reef Yachts owners don't want restrictions as to where they would like to cruise, and therefore, have chosen an Outer Reef due to the cruising freedom she affords.

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37m Custom Line motor yacht Sweet Lane for sale

The 37-metre Custom Line motor yacht Sweet Lane has been newly listed for sale with Will Bagshaw at Edmiston .

Delivered by Custom Line in Italy in 2017, the GRP semi-displacement yacht was designed throughout by Zuccon International Project , which gave her an angular profile. She is the second hull of the popular series, has never been chartered and is offered for sale by the second owner since new.

Designed for "extended stays at sea", Sweet Lane sleeps up to 10 guests in five cabins, including a full-beam master cabin on the main deck, plus two doubles and two twins on the lower deck. There are quarters for a crew of up to seven, comprising a captain's cabin and three crew cabins as well as a mess.

The open-plan saloon offers inviting seating in the aft section and a dining table forward, flanked by full-height opening windows. A second lounge space is positioned on the bridge deck facing a large TV screen that folds down from the deckhead, should guests tire of the views through the large windows. Dark wood soles, carpets, lighter wood bulkheads and cream upholstery all complement each other in the contemporary interior.

Open-air dining can be enjoyed aft on the bridge deck, shaded by the overhang. The main deck aft is mainly used for taking refreshments, perhaps after embarking at the large, fold-out, swim-cum-boarding platform, accessed via twin staircases. The foredeck boasts more lounge seating and sunpads while the sundeck entices guests with a bar below the fixed bimini as well as freestanding deck loungers aft.

Twin 1,800hp Caterpillar diesels push the 289GT RINA-classed yacht for sale to a top speed of 16.5 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots, and she has a range of 2,500 nautical miles at 10 knots.

Lying in Greece, Sweet Lane is asking €11,500,000.

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Ferretti Launches the First Infynito 80

• By Kim Kavin
• August 7, 2024

Ferretti Yachts has launched Hull No. 1 of the Infynito 80, which is expected to have its world premiere in September at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

The boat was built at the Ferretti Group’s new production site in Ravenna, Italy. The company acquired the location in March 2023 and expects it to be fully operational in 2025. Currently, there’s a workforce of 200 people there building five production lines for the Ferretti Yachts and Wally brands, which are both part of the Ferretti Group.

The Infynito 80 is the smaller of two models now in the Ferretti Yachts Infynito lineup. The larger model is the Infynito 90. 

With the Infynito 80, Ferretti Yachts kept what it calls the All-Season Terrace, a space far forward that is partially covered and partially open for use in various kinds of weather. The sundeck on the Infynito 80 can also be open or semi-enclosed. 

What’s different between this model and the Infynito 90 is the upper deck. On the Infynito 80, that space is a completely open sundeck with a hardtop that provides shade for the dining area and helm station. Aft on the Infynito 80’s upper deck is space for freestanding sun loungers.

Also part of this model is FSEA technology, which stands for Ferretti Sustainable Enhanced Architecture. It’s a package of environmentally minded elements including a fast-displacement hull that improves fuel efficiency, natural fabrics, regenerated leather, recyclable materials, water-based paints and lamellar teak with Forest Stewardship Council certification. The yacht also has an integrated system that stores the solar energy collected by photovoltaic panels that are on the hardtop and on the roof of the All-Season Terrace.

Inside, the main deck includes a salon and a forward galley with an electric window that looks out onto the All-Season Terrace. 

Belowdecks are four ensuite staterooms for a total of eight people. The crew area, with two cabins, is amidships and can be entered separately from the yacht’s port side. 

In terms of power, Hull No. 1 is outfitted with optional twin 1,400-horsepower MAN V-12s. Ferretti Yachts says these engines produce a top speed of 22 knots and a cruising speed of 17 knots. 

Standard power plants are twin 1,200-horsepower MAN V-12s for a top hop of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. 

Range, according to Ferretti Yachts, is 1,200 nautical miles at 10 knots.

Who designed the Ferretti Yachts Infynito 80? This yacht is a collaboration among the Product Strategy Committee led by Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, with exterior design by architect Filippo Salvetti and interiors by Ideaitalia.

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