Ducati is celebrating 100 years with a move onto the water. SACS Marine and Ducati unveiled the Pirelli 44 | Ducati Edition at Zuma Cannes on 10 September, bringing the Italian motorcycle brand’s styling to a 1,500hp maxi RIB. Production will be limited to 26 boats, a reference to Ducati’s founding in Bologna in 1926.
SACS Marine has produced the Pirelli Speedboats range under licence for more than 20 years. For the Ducati Edition, it worked directly with Ducati to give the new Pirelli 44 a very different character. Nicola Antonelli, SACS Marine’s Chief Growth Officer, said the aim was to create a boat that could evoke excitement before its engines even start.
Much of the inspiration comes from Ducati’s Superleggera V4 Centenario. The usual Pirelli Speedboats tube tread has been replaced by a pattern hand carved by Pirelli’s R&D Centre, based on the Diablo Supercorsa SP tyre fitted to the motorcycle. The engines gain aerodynamic appendages inspired by MotoGP fairings, while Ducati’s Style Centre worked on the livery and graphics. A carbon fibre hardtop, black steel detailing and Alcantara trim continue the theme onboard. Each boat also receives a commemorative plaque and customisable racing number plate.
Underneath, it remains a Pirelli 44, with the dual step hull designed by the Mannerfelt Design Team. SACS describes the new 44 as a natural evolution of the Pirelli 42, the range’s most commercially successful model. The standard 44 shown at Cannes carried three 425hp Mercury Verado V10 outboards, producing 1,275hp. The Ducati Edition steps that up to three 500hp Mercury Racing outboards and 1,500hp in total. Its top speed has yet to be released.
Only a scale model of the Ducati Edition was shown at Cannes, so the finished boat is still to come. SACS Marine says the first completed Pirelli 44 | Ducati Edition will be unveiled in the coming months. Until then, its 1,500hp performance on the water remains an intriguing unknown.
