Forte 47 Gran Turismo: 47 knots, 6m drop-down terraces & over 40 sqm of outdoor living above the sea
by Forte Yachts 14 Apr 05:29 PDT
Sea trials are now in full swing for the impressive new debut yacht from Forte Yachts, destined to create its own space at the top of the market.
The Forte 47 Gran Turismo is backed by a deeply experienced build team and aims to raise the bar as a mini superyacht. Performance in the water has only confirmed an approach based on exceptional design and relentless quality.
Mind-blowing performance
Equipped with three mighty 600hp Mercury Verado V12 engines, the Forte47 Gran Turismo has no shortage of power, allowing it to reach exhilarating speeds of 47 knots. Extensive tests off Ameglia, Italy, have confirmed that the naval architecture and engineering from Umberto Tagliavini have indeed struck gold - finding the optimum balance between performance, comfort and handling.
"Acceleration is breathtaking and the ride is both stable and responsive in a wide range of sea conditions," said partner and technical manager Livio Franchini. "Beyond the mere numbers, this boat is an absolute joy to drive and has incredible presence on the water. All of us at Forte Yachts are delighted with the team that has helped to turn our yachting philosophy into reality. The vision of distinctive design, incredible detailing, and superyacht quality makes the Forte 47 Gran Turismo a compelling platform."
Powerful lines
The yacht's beguiling looks are the work of talented designer Paolo Giordano, whose experience covers boats from dinghies to superyachts. He has interpreted the brand's values and distilled them into a purity of form that is best expressed by the taught curve of the yacht's sheer- and waterlines, expressing power and simplicity at the same time. The flawless black strip of the hardtop seems to almost float above the cockpit.
At anchor, the concept fully reveals itself: the drop-down side wings transform the cockpit into an expansive 40-square-metre platform, creating a seamless connection with the sea. Now, the helm seats as well as the deep lounge sofa aft are open to the sun and cooling breeze to starboard. On the port side, the cabinet containing the sink and grill is transformed into a true bar with space for bar chairs out on the balcony.
This is true living at the water's edge, totally connected to the elements. Access to the sea couldn't be easier, either, with an electric pasarelle hidden in the transom that can extend steps down into the water (or up to the dock). The fold-down wings also serve as fantastic bathing platforms, with fittings for carefully designed swim ladders at the aft ends.
When it's time to relax, the free-standing sofa becomes a movie theatre for a family or a group of friends. A large flatscreen TV extends silently from a cabinet behind the pilot seats, its speakers carefully hidden from view. The fridge and icemaker built into the bar puts refreshment within easy reach, and the full-beam hardtop provides shelter.
Interiors by Designer Paolo Giordano
Designer Paolo Giordano has styled a calming oasis of peace below deck, but it is one that can be configured almost any way an owner wishes. Thanks to the hull's all-aluminum construction, no internal structure is necessary for support, meaning that you can use your imagination in dividing up this space.
All the same, Forte has drawn on its deep yachting experience to create a standard lay out that includes a spacious master cabin and a flexible guest cabin combining a double and a single berth. For comfort and privacy, the master has its own dedicated shower and separate heads. There is also a dayhead and shower for the guest cabin - almost unheard of yachts in this segment.
Storage space in both cabins is copious, with plenty of drawers, lockers and hanging space. There is ample standing headroom everywhere below and natural light in both cabins is abundant thanks to strategically positioned glass skylights.
"It is very unusual to find two cabins each with their own bathroom on a luxury yacht in this segment," said Paolo Giordano. "This is a feature normally reserved for different boats, and marks a unique selling point of the Forte47. And for the interior to offer both good headroom and excellent storage is a triumph. We fully expect this generous layout to appeal strongly to both younger owners and families."
Superyacht outfitter Genesis is building and installing the Forte47's elegant interior, mocking it up on site first for every detail to be verified. Exuding light, contemporary vibes, the finish of this first yacht is an object lesson in understated refinement. The floors are in pale pickled oak and walls feature matt lacquer and eco leather panelling, while Genesis has paid great attention to details from door latches to light switches.
Options, options
As a highly bespoke yacht, many elements of the Forte47 can be tailored to an owner's specific needs. Even on the technical side, there is a clear choice to be made between the more powerful and responsive outboard propulsion of the Gran Turismo version and the quieter inboard Volvo Penta IPS system of the Lounge Deck version of the boat.
Inboard drives run more efficiently, giving longer range for their lower top speed of 37 knots. Inboards also free up the aft deck of the boat, which is transformed into an additional lounging area and given a broad hydraulic platform for access to the water. The only other trade-off is the loss of the toy storage under the aft deck.
Forte has also designed a version of the boat with an enclosed cockpit and heating, for colder cruising grounds. The sides still fold down, but there are windows down the side of the cockpit and doors at the back, protecting guests from inclement weather. This option extends the boating season and makes the Forte47 the elegant option for cruising grounds from Maine to Scandinavia.
Following sea trials in Italy, the Forte 47 will be previewed at the Palma International Boat Show, ahead of its official world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026.
At the same time, Forte Yachts is already expanding its commercial footprint across the Mediterranean and into the United States through a network of carefully selected strategic partnerships, reinforcing the brand's ambition to establish a strong and lasting presence in key international markets.