Superyacht
CUSTOM LINE 120: ACCUSTOMED TO CLASS
With the Custom Line 120’s specifications released before the big European shows, we were eager to step on board her at Cannes and check out the superyacht many innovations (including a liftback-style cockpit door) for ourselves.
Steve Chalmers
Custom Line released the specifications and images of its 120’ just before this year’s Cannes International Yachting Festival, which gave us a sneaky peek of the 38-metre, planing yacht. The sporty styling was the first detail we noticed, with the sleek profile and low-slung silhouette courtesy of Francesco Paszkowski Design. This is the first time the Italian studio has collaborated with Custom Line, where it operated closely with the Ferretti Group Strategic Product Committee, headed by Piero Ferrari. The Ferretti Engineering Department assisted in the creation of the 120’s efficient hull (which has been based on power boat racing technology), while Ferretti’s naval architects concentrated on reducing resistance, improving performance as well as consumption – and all this is wrapped up in the 120’s seductive lines.
COCKPIT HATCH
Surprisingly, it was not the Custom Line’s use of carbon fibre in the superstructure, nor the deep cutouts in the hull that had us intrigued, instead, it was, of all things, the cockpit door. This huge frame sits at an unusual 45-degree angle, with an equally huge glass area. There’s definitely a different feel about it, and at the touch of a button, the two-piece glass partition slides open normally. However, it can also rise up into a compartment in the ceiling, creating an unobstructed space between the cockpit and main salon. This eye opening system has been developed in conjunction with Mecaer Aviation Group (a company best known for developing landing systems and flight controls for jets), with the mechanism seamlessly incorporated into the 120’s superstructure. Should you wish to split the cockpit and main salon without lowering the partition, a curtain can be dawn across for total privacy.
The 120’ adds a sporty flavour to the Custom Line fleet and opens up the brand to some potentially younger owners.
Huge glazing lets in plenty of natural light and a panoramic terrace can be requested.
MAIN SALON
Curtains also play a major part in the main salon’s ambience, where they not only cover the windows, but also split the lounge from the dining area. It’s a simple idea and with the aft hatch fully opened, the breeze ripples through the light material. Layout wise, there is an L-shaped sofa, a modular table system and a pair of loose chairs in the lounge, with an eight-seater table and various storage compartments in the dining area.
MAIN DECK LOBBY
Stepping through the starboard door, we enter the 120’s lobby, with the staircase to port along with the pantry and galley access corridor a few steps forward. The pantry also gives access to the wheelhouse, where the captain has a LOOP integrated bridge system (created in conjunction with Naviop-Simrad) at his disposal. These touchscreens are seamlessly incorporated into the dash in one single interface, giving it the look of a starship: great for guests, who often like to sit and watch the captain at work.
OWNER’S SUITE
At the end of the lobby (with its day head to starboard) is the Owner’s suite. A walk-in wardrobe to port and an office to starboard greet the Owner, with the full-beam bedroom creating a light, open and airy atmosphere, emphasised by the light and dark colourway. Huge glazing also lets in plenty of natural light and a panoramic terrace can be requested. Forward, the bathroom features his and hers areas with a central shower making most of the 120’s full beam.
GUEST CABINS
The guests are treated to similar warm colourways as the Owner’s suite, with the two forward twins sporting an overall shade of stone, with the VIPs aft adding a heavy wood theme to the mix. Here, the beds face the large portholes, meaning guests can lie back and gaze at the seascape through the large hull windows. It’s a bedroom layout common on catamarans, but not seen enough on superyachts, in our humble opinion.
SUNDECK
One of our favourite 120’ design features is the sundeck treatment. Here, the black tint of the wheelhouse glazing carries on through the superstructure giving the impression of another deck, while keeping the 120’s silhouette low and sleek. It’s a clever use of colour and with the high buttresses and low profile canopy, the sundeck can be enjoyed on the move and at high speed without any major buffeting or notable discomfort.
At anchor, the aft sunpads and Jacuzzi come into play, with a ten-seat dining table and L-shaped sofa served by the wet bar. The foredeck area can also be accessed from the sundeck (as well as the main deck), creating a huge 100m2 area with sunpads forward and a lounge at the bow. This can be covered by bimini tops, making it one of the most private outdoor areas on board.
The Dual Mode Transom which when opened upwards can be used as a float-in garage, or flipped downwards to create a beach club.
DMT
The Ferretti Group’s Dual Mode Transom can be found aft, which when opened upwards can be used as a float-in garage for the 5.56-metre tender, or flipped downwards to create a beach club, ready for some loose lounging furniture and a table full of drinks.
PERFORMANCE
With its planning hull, the 120’s a natural performer, cutting through the waves at up to 25 knots courtesy of two MTU 16V 2000 M96L turbo diesels – engines built specifically for high-performance yachts, fast patrol boats, coast guard and fire-fighting vessels. As the huge, torquay V16s have a rev limit of only 2450rpm, fast cruise speed is not much lower, with a comfortable 21 knots easily achievable. Range wise, at an economical cruise speed of 11 knots, the Custom Line can travel over 1100 nautical miles on its 16,300 litre
fuel tanks.
| CUSTOM LINE 120’ SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 38.36m |
| Beam: | 7.65m |
| Draught: | 2.13m |
| Displacement (laden): | 175,000kgs |
| Fuel: | 16,300 lt |
| Water”: | 3000 lt |
| Material: | GRP |
| Engine: | 2x MTU 16V 2000 M96L |
| Max speed: | 25 kn |
| Cruise speed: | 21 kn |
| Range: | 420 nm |
| Cabins: | 5 |
| Crew cabins: | 4 |
| Builder: | Custom Line, Ancona, Italy |
CONCLUSION
The 120’ adds a sporty flavour to the Custom Line fleet and opens up the brand to some potentially younger owners. The 38-metre has a fresh, modern feel to it, with the décor, furnishings and accessories reflecting the open and welcoming ambience.
Details like the (quite literally) uplifting cockpit door and the use of billowing curtains to segregate areas add to the 120’s experience, making her a real contender in the 40-metre range and one of our favourite yachts of the Cannes Yachting festival.
