The 8X is a 24.4m (80ft) yacht that weighs nearly 60 tonnes, coming in as the second largest in the Pershing X range. But this is still a proper speed machine, capable of nearly 50 knots.
Pershing 8X Key Facts
- LOA 25.55m
- Model Year
- Cabins 4
- Crew 4
- Max Speed 48 knots
- Status In Production
- Yacht Type Sportsbridge
- Use Type Cruising
Review Video
The exterior design is central to the Pershing 8X’s appeal. It’s a Pershing – it looks like nothing else. The silver hull is part of the signature style, and carbon fibre runs through the hull and superstructure to keep the weight down and sharpen up the performance. It’s a theme across the X Generation, but it’s particularly well executed here, freeing up interior volume without adding unnecessary bulk. Of course, with over 5,000hp on tap, this isn’t a boat built with economy front of mind.
The 8X sits in the top end of the X Generation line-up, between the smaller, more compact 5X, 6X and 7X models, and the 9X flagship. It’s a core Pershing though - fast, lightweight, and unapologetically sporty - but with a bit of balance. You get the thrill of surface-drive performance with enough space to enjoy time on board. It’s one that connects the agility of the smaller models with the scale of the 9X.
The X-range styling is instantly recognisable from the wings that arch out over the side decks. On the port side, the wing cleverly integrates the staircase up to the sundeck, freeing up space in the cockpit and keeping the deck flow clean. The starboard wing is a pure styling flourish, there to emphasise the X-series profile.
Attention to detail runs throughout the design. Pop-up cleats and recessed fittings help preserve those sharp deck lines. The branded boarding gates leave no doubt about what you’re stepping aboard, and the carbon fibre poles supporting the optional cockpit canopy are a neat way to keep the structure light without spoiling the look.
The 8X comes from the long-standing collaboration between yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni, Ferretti Group’s Product Strategy Committee, led by Piero Ferrari, and the Group’s Engineering Department. It has the fast lines, but the real step forward is how accessible the performance has become. The propulsion, navigation, and manoeuvring systems are deeply integrated, taking down the usual barriers of handling a surface-drive boat.
The EasySet system automates the trim settings, the joystick makes tight-space manoeuvres straightforward, and the dynamic positioning system holds the boat in place with pinpoint precision. All of it is designed to make the Pershing 8X feel approachable for owners who want to take the helm themselves.
One of the best details on the Pershing 8X is how the cockpit and saloon flow together. The door slides across, then drops completely into the bulkhead - so you get this really clean, open connection between the two spaces. It transforms the saloon, makes the whole thing feel much larger and properly connected to the outside.
Inside, there’s a big sofa on the starboard side, with the TV popping up opposite. The TV stows away neatly when it’s not needed - it’s a well-thought-out setup. There’s a dining area further forward too. You probably won’t spend much time eating indoors, but it’s there as a useful backup. The galley’s just down the steps, sensibly linked to the crew space, which keeps things moving behind the scenes.
Owner's Cabin
You step down slightly to reach the owner's cabin, but once you’re there, the floor is completely flat all the way around the low-set bed. Headroom is excellent, well over 6f, and the large hull window brings in a good amount of natural light. Opposite the bed, there’s a huge TV - you can’t miss it - and storage is neatly worked into the space with a bureau over to one side.
There are some smart touches here too - backlit detailing behind the bed, strips of mirrored glass, and electric blinds that you can control from the bed itself. Reading lights are right where you need them, and the whole space feels carefully thought through.
Behind the bed, there’s a walk-in wardrobe which also adds a bit of separation from the engine room. On the other side, the en suite is finished to the same high standard - smart surfaces, a big shower cubicle, and a particularly nice feature wall behind the sink. It’s a lovely space - clean, well laid out, and fully in keeping with the rest of the boat.
Guest Accommodation
The guest spaces open with a choice. You can spec a media lounge - a comfortable, cinema-style space with a huge TV and big sofas - or you can opt to turn this into another guest cabin. Either way, it’s a useful retreat, especially when the weather turns or when guests need their own space.
The VIP cabin is positioned forward, with a private ensuite, storage under the bed, and hanging lockers on both sides. The space is finished in a brighter, lighter palette and has a skylight and opening ports for ventilation. The twin cabins sit port and starboard - the port side is simple, with two single berths, while the starboard cabin adds a Pullman berth, giving you the option to sleep three. This cabin links directly to the day head, which is shared from the passageway and includes a rainfall shower, ventilation, and enough room to move around comfortably.
Crew Accommodation
The crew space on the Pershing 8X is built around the galley - and unusually, this is the main galley on board. There’s no secondary kitchen elsewhere - this is where all the cooking happens. It has a Miele induction hob, Miele oven, a big double-door fridge freezer, an extra fridge, and plenty of storage. There’s a dishwasher fitted and a large sink set into the worktop, and it connects directly to the crew space.
The crew mess is fairly modest with a small dinette, a fold-out table and a TV on the wall. Two cabins branch off from here - one with twin bunks, the other with a single berth. One cabin can be specced with a washer and dryer built in. Storage is provided across both rooms - enough to make the space work without it feeling cluttered.
The whole area is accessed via a private staircase on the port side of the saloon. There’s also a direct hatch up to the cockpit, so the crew can move quickly between decks. The bathroom sits aft - a decent-sized space with a separate shower cubicle. The design includes a neat pass-through that links directly to the engine room, giving the crew quick access to the machinery spaces.
The sundeck keeps things intentionally simple - a huge sun pad, some seating, shade options when needed, and not much else unless you opt for the upper helm.
Most owners seem to - and it’s clear why. Piloting the boat from up here, joystick in one hand, throttles in the other, with nearly 50 knots on tap, is a pretty special experience. The helm is pared back but nicely finished - carbon fibre, silver trim, a couple of key screens and a steering wheel that sits flush in the deck when not in use. It rises up when you’re ready to take control. There’s a low-slung joystick for low-speed manoeuvres - it works well with the surface drives, which can be a bit lively at the dock - and you’ve got twin thrusters on the other side. Three seats across the helm finish the picture - fast-cruising territory with a front-row view.
Main Helm
But at the lower helm - this is where the Pershing comes alive. Joystick on one side, throttles on the other, and you’re perched high in beautifully finished seats with adjustable footrests. The view out over the bow is something else. Four big screens are laid out perfectly - two up, two down - and the surface drive controls are all within easy reach. Much of the tricky stuff with surface drives is automated these days, so it’s a lot less intimidating than it used to be.
There’s a sunroof overhead that opens up to bring in light and air, which really lifts the space. Add in the curved glass and the silver finish around the helm, and it just feels special. This is what a Pershing is about - speed, style, and an exciting driving position.
At the aft end of the Pershing 8X, it’s all about clean integration. The tender garage is set behind a platform that slides out before lifting, which won't give you room to manoeuvre when moored stern to. The transom door rises too, creating a wide opening for launching a Williams 345 tender, a jet ski and even a Seabob. There’s no hydraulic swim platform here - Pershing keeps everything flush and stowed once you’re cruising at 40-plus knots.
The passerelle is hidden, built into the top port-side step. When you’re stern-to, this is your access ashore - when you’re back on board, it slides straight back into place.
Carbon fibre poles give the cockpit canopy its structure - light, strong, and quick to set up when shade is needed. They don’t interrupt the boat’s lines and keep the whole aft area crisp and uncluttered.
Cockpit
When you’re using the Pershing 8X, the cockpit quickly proves itself as a comfortable, easy space. The sun pad over the tender garage is the perfect lounging spot, and just forward, the L-shaped seating around the dining table feels relaxed and practical. There’s not a huge overhang for shade, but you can quickly pull out the canopy when the sun’s beating down. It’s a nicely sheltered area that feels protected from the wind.
Storage on the port side is handy, but most of the action is on the starboard side - that’s where the wet bar’s tucked into the coaming with a sink, a grill and a pull-out fridge under the seating. Slightly odd that the grill isn’t near a sink, but that’s something for the crew to juggle.
The cockpit is the main outdoor dining space on board, though there’s plenty of room to add extra chairs opposite the fixed bench if you need to. The aft-facing benches are right up against the saloon doors, which means when you’re sitting out here, you’re always looking aft, straight out over the water.
The saloon doors are one of the cleverest features on this boat - they slide open as expected, but they also fully drop into the deck, creating a really open flow between the cockpit and the interior.
Side Decks & Foredeck
On the foredeck, there’s a generous sun pad with flip-up headrests, forward-facing benches under the windscreen, and an optional fixed table - perfect for drinks and snacks. There’s no over-complicated folding furniture here - just relaxed, usable lounging space. Shade can be added quickly with poles that slot straight into the deck, and the built-in sound system brings the space to life when you want it to.
For storage, there are big bins to port and starboard swallowing covers, fenders and lines. It’s the kind of space that works just as well when you’re anchored as it does when you’re cruising slowly and catching the breeze.
Getting to the foredeck is easy too - the wide side decks and tall, substantial guardrails make movement around the boat feel safe. Boarding gates in the railings are a nice touch when you’re moored side-to as well - no need to head aft every time you want to step ashore.
Access into the Pershing 8X engine room is via the crew space’s watertight door - though there’s a cockpit hatch if you need it - and you’ll find a space that’s clearly been engineered with usability in mind.
The twin 2,638hp MTUs dominate the space, but the central walkway is wide enough to move through with just a slight stoop. The tender garage above doesn’t cut into the working area, and there’s good clear access to the surface drives. The two generators are positioned aft - they’re big units, but still easy to get at.
The port side is home to the water maker - neat and fully accessible - while the forward end houses the retracted passerelle and the switch panel. It’s a practical, well-laid-out space with useful extras like wandering lights on cables, so you can get proper illumination into the tight spots. The air conditioning chillers hum quietly in the background. For a boat built to blast along at over 40 knots, this is a refreshingly usable engine room.
Our Verdict
The Pershing 8X is another fine example of Pershing just doing its thing. And it's a very simple formula of style and performance, but a very effective one.
Reasons to Buy
- Roaring performance
- It looks great
- Top notch engineering
- Stands out from the crowd
Things to Consider
- Expensive to run
- Tricky to handle
- Modest crew space
Looking to own a Pershing 8X? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Pershing 8X Yachts for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Pershing 8X, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used yachts for sale and find your perfect yacht today!
Rivals to Consider
The Princess S78 strikes a fine balance between sportiness and spacious, family-friendly cruising. Accommodation is generous: four ensuite cabins, including a full-beam owner's cabin that’s bright and comfortable. Performance is lively for a boat of this size, with twin MAN V12s giving it a top speed of 39 knots. That’s quick, but it can’t quite keep pace with the Pershing 8X’s thrilling 45-knot maximum. Where the S78 scores points is in day-to-day usability. Its electro-hydraulic bathing platform is superbly versatile, and the sportbridge delivers a social top deck.
The Azimut S8 brings a different kind of thinking. Also built with extensive carbon fibre to keep weight down, it still makes room for four well-appointed cabins. The galley layout is a clever one, positioned on an intermediate deck to free up the saloon and maximise living space. Top speed sits at around 34 knots, so the S8 doesn’t have the outright punch of the Pershing 8X – but then, that’s not really the point here. The S8 is more about blending performance with low-impact cruising and bold, Italian style.
The Riva 76' Perseo Super has three cabins as standard – a fourth is optional – but the real story is the finish. Over 40sq/m (430 sq/ft) of glazing brings in lots of light, while the decks are peppered with rich mahogany detailing that links directly back to Riva’s iconic heritage. Performance is solid, with twin MAN V12s pushing her to 37 knots - fast, but not quite Pershing-fast. Instead, it offers a beautifully curated balance of craftsmanship and open-air living.
Considering a new yacht? Explore Pershing's entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.
Specifications
- Builder Pershing
- Range X Generation
- Model Pershing 8X
- Length Overall 25.55m
- Beam 5.86m
- Draft(full load) 1.4m
- Hull Carbon Fibre
- Cabins 4
- Berths 8
- Crew 4
- Yacht Type (Primary) Sportsbridge
- Use Type (Primary) Cruising
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
- Fuel Capacity 6,200 Litres
- Fresh Water Capacity 1,300 Litres
- Engine Model 2x MTU 16V 2000 M96
- Engine max range (speed type) 320 (nm)
Pershing 8X Layout
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Sun Deck
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Standard sun deck layout
![Sun Deck Pershing 8X]()
The standard top deck us purely a living space
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Optional flybridge layout
![Sun Deck Pershing 8X]()
But the cost option of a adding a helm station is a must-have feature
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Main Deck
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Standard main deck layout
![Main Deck Pershing 8X]()
The standard main deck arrangement with a dining table in the saloon
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Optional drinks bar in salon
![Main Deck Pershing 8X]()
Or you can have a bar instead
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Lower Deck
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Standard 4 cabin layout
![Lower Deck Pershing 8X]()
As standard, the boat has four cabins
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Optional 3 cabin layout
![Lower Deck Pershing 8X]()
Or you can opt for three and add a cosy lower dinette to port
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