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A Ducati Edition Unveiled Before the Boat Itself
The Ducati name is making its debut on the water, but we?ll have to wait a little longer to see the boat bearing that name sail. SACS Marine unveiled the Pirelli 44 Ducati Edition on September 10, 2026, in Cannes, on the sidelines of the Cannes Yachting Festival. This first appearance took the form of a scale model. The manufacturer has announced that the final version of the boat will be unveiled in the coming months, though no specific date has been provided at this time.
The series will be limited to 26 units. The number was not chosen at random: Ducati was founded in 1926 and will therefore celebrate its centennial in 2026.
This timeline is important for understanding what we can actually analyze today. The images, the scale model, and the announced specifications allow us to describe the project. However, they do not yet allow us to assess its seakeeping, its actual performance, or the impact of its modifications compared to the conventional Pirelli 44.
Ducati isn't going it alone in this venture, by the way. The motorcycle manufacturer is joining an existing partnership between Pirelli and SACS Marine. The latter builds and markets Pirelli Speedboats under license. The Pirelli 44 Ducati Edition is therefore a variant of a boat designed by a boatbuilder, not a boat developed directly by Ducati.
This distinction helps avoid a tempting oversimplification: behind the Borgo Panigale emblem lies, first and foremost, a SACS Marine maxi-RIB.
The Pirelli 44 provides the technical platform
The base model is the new Pirelli 44, a walkaround boat with floats that is listed as having an overall length of 13.10 m and a maximum width of 4.30 m. The specifications for the standard model indicate that the floats are 60 cm in diameter and divided into six compartments.
The term ?maxi-RIB? warrants some clarification here. The Pirelli 44 retains inflatable floats, but its features and layout set it apart from the stripped-down RIB designed solely for high-speed travel. With its spacious deck, relaxation areas, and ample interior volume, it can be used as a dayboat or even for short overnight stays on board.
Beneath the meticulously crafted deck line, the most technically interesting feature is the hull designed by the Mannerfelt Design Team. It features two steps, or transverse ridges.
At high speeds, these breaks in the hull?s geometry help manage the flow of water beneath the hull. However, their effectiveness depends on numerous factors: trim, weight distribution, speed, the position of the engines and propellers, and sea conditions. A double step, therefore, does not in and of itself guarantee speed or comfort.
Most importantly, this design is not unique to the Ducati Edition. It is part of the Pirelli 44. The project?s main nautical elements therefore existed before the Ducati designers came on board.
Three Mercury Racing 500s bring the rated power to 1,500 ch
The most striking difference on paper is at the stern. The Pirelli 44, presented in its standard outboard configuration in Cannes, is powered by a setup consisting of three 425 ch Mercury Verado V10 engines. The combined power output is 1,275 ch.
For the Ducati Edition, SACS Marine is introducing three 500 ch Mercury Racing engines. The total output rises to 1,500 ch, which is 225 ch more than the configuration featuring three 425 ch V10 engines.
On a high-speed boat of this size, however, adding power is not simply a matter of improving a few numbers on the spec sheet. Such an installation raises questions regarding transom weight, center of gravity, structural strength, propeller selection, mounting height, and trim adjustment.
And there is one piece of information in particular that needs to be clarified. The technical specifications published for the standard Pirelli 44 currently list a maximum installable power of 1,350 ch. The Ducati Edition, however, is advertised as having 1,500 ch.
We should not conclude from this that there is an incompatibility: the special edition may have a different technical specification, structure, or certification. However, no information published at this stage allows us to determine this with certainty.
Before unveiling the final version of the boat, SACS Marine will therefore need to clarify how this 1,500 ch engine fits within the Ducati Edition?s certified specifications.
Ducati is focusing first on the boat's identity and details
Ducati?s influence is much more evident in the design and finishes. The styling was developed in collaboration with the Centro Stile Ducati and draws on the design cues of the Superleggera V4 Centenario. The hardtop is made of carbon fiber, while the cockpit features Alcantara, among other materials. Black metal accents, a commemorative plaque, and a unique identification number for each of the 26 units round out these distinctive features.
The connection to the world of motorcycling extends all the way to the fuel tanks. On Pirelli Speedboats, the tread pattern traditionally features a design inspired by the brand?s competition rain tires. On the Ducati Edition, the announced design references the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP used on the Superleggera V4 Centenario.
The design was developed in collaboration with Pirelli's research and development center. It serves primarily as a visual signature. No data has been provided to suggest that it serves any specific hydrodynamic function.
The same caution applies to the elements that visually extend the stern around the engines. Their design is inspired by the fairings used in MotoGP, and SACS Marine describes them as aerodynamic extensions. However, without measurements or comparative data, it is impossible to assess their impact on the boat?s performance.
At high speeds, the aerodynamics of an open boat are certainly not negligible. But there?s still a long way to go between a design concept and a quantifiable improvement.
The plan is still to take a (very) quick walkaround
Beneath its Ducati exterior, the boat retains the Pirelli 44?s design. The deck layout prioritizes ease of movement around the console and the outdoor areas. At the bow, the deck features a large lounge area. The aft cockpit features seating that allows the space to be adapted for different uses, while the helm station is protected by a windshield and the hardtop.
The interior space also makes it possible to extend a trip beyond a single day. On the standard Pirelli 44, the lower deck features a convertible sleeping area and a separate bathroom.
The standard model's specifications also list a fuel capacity of approximately 950 liters and a fresh water capacity of 200 liters. The weight with standard engines is listed at around 8.5 metric tons.
These figures serve as guidelines for understanding the boat, but they should not be automatically applied to the Ducati Edition. The carbon fiber hardtop, special equipment, and?above all?the Mercury Racing engine may affect the boat?s weight and weight distribution.
The performance of the Pirelli 44 Ducati Edition remains unknown
With 1,500 ch over a length of about 13 m, it would be very tempting to immediately turn the Pirelli 44 Ducati Edition into a record-breaking machine. However, the available data does not allow for this.
No verified maximum speed is yet available for this configuration. The same applies to cruising speed, fuel consumption, range, and engine speeds corresponding to different speeds.
These figures will, however, be crucial in assessing the overall consistency of the data.
On a fast boat, top speed tells only a small part of the story. The ability to maintain proper trim, handling in choppy water, acceleration, directional stability, and handling in turns are at least as important. Added to these are much more practical considerations: fuel efficiency, noise, range, and ease of maneuvering.
The Mannerfelt hull gives the Pirelli 44 a platform designed for high speeds. But only a test run will reveal how it performs with the three Mercury Racing 500s and the Ducati Edition?s specific weight configuration.
How much does it cost?
No price has been announced yet. Given the pricing of similarly sized Pirelli models, the triple Mercury Racing 500 engine setup, and the special features of this limited edition, the Ducati Edition could approach?or even exceed?one million euros. However, this price point has yet to be confirmed by SACS Marine.
