Humble & Hungry Is What Luxury Cruising at More Than 50 Knots Feels Like

Humble & Hungry is the unusual and memorable name of a 2018 Pershing 82 VHP (which stands for Very High Performance). The 82 VHP, the successor of the popular Pershing 80, made its debut at the Cannes Yacht Festival and won no less than three prestigious World Yacht Trophies – for best design, best layout, and best innovation in the yachts over-24-meters category.

The creators behind this floating work of art are long-term collaborators of the Pershing brand. One is the legendary Fulvio De Simoni, who designed the yacht's head-turning silhouette, and the other is Poltrona Frau, the studio that has styled all the Pershing yachts' interiors for more than a decade. The naval architecture bears the signature of the Ferretti Engineering Department.

Humble & Hungry (originally known as Monarc) was primarily built for exceptional speed and smooth cruising, with the added benefits of a highly luxurious onboard setup. The result is a high-end pleasure craft that delights guests with both the thrilling ride of a speedboat and the lavish amenities of a luxury yacht. It's 82-foot-long (a little over 24 meters) and 18-foot-wide (5.5 meters). Fully loaded, it weighs less than 145,000 lbs.

Built entirely in GRP, Humble & Hungry sports an elongated, extremely sleek silhouette and a signature so-called "rooster tail" that has become one of the Pershing yachts' trademarks. Two 2,638 hp MTU engines (currently under extended warranty until March 2025) propel this Italian beauty at more than 50 knots (92.6 kph). This speed monster cruises comfortably at a dazzling speed of 40 knots (74 kph) and can slice through the water at nearly 100 kph (52 knots).

It's no surprise, considering that it comes from a yachting brand that was deliberately named after a US missile used until the late 1980s. Pershing boats were affectionately described as "missiles disguising as yachts," and it's also been said that you don't sail a Pershing, you fly it.

The twin engines, with an output of over 5,000 horsepower, work hand in hand with advanced Top Systems surface drives and an easy set system that ensures flawless full-speed maneuvering. At the same time, the yacht was specifically engineered and insulated so that noise levels were considerably lowered. In other words, guests can enjoy a comfortable ride and normal-tone conversations even while this sleek beast cuts through the waves at maximum speed.

Speaking of comfort, the Humble & Hungry is as welcoming and sophisticated as a much larger superyacht. The three-cabin configuration can accommodate up to seven guests in a spacious master suite, an elegant VIP cabin, and a twin-bed cabin with an extra Pullman berth. The separate crew quarters can accommodate three people, including the captain.

The main salon feels much bigger than its actual size due to the expansive windows all around. It boasts generous seating and an expandable table for all the onboard guests. One of the most luxurious features of a yacht this size is the folding, retractable French door that separates the main salon from the cockpit. Another special treat is the lower deck media room for a luxurious cinema experience at sea.

A retractable carbon fiber stairway leads to the sundeck, a spacious sanctuary for sunbathing enthusiasts. The main aft deck is specifically designed for dining under the stars, and the foredeck turns into an attractive lounge area in the open air. Although this sports yacht is a water toy in itself, only at a larger scale, it also comes with a dedicated storage area for several toys. In fact, the garage was recently refitted in order to accommodate two full-size Sea Doo jet skis with a winch system.

Style-wise, this sophisticated pleasure craft follows the contemporary trend of ultra-minimalistic, clean aesthetics. Some might find it a bit cold because of the cool shades of grey throughout and the rigid minimalism. Still, no one could deny the remarkable elegance and unmistakable Italian touch.

Humble & Hungry is one of the most successful and popular expressions of Pershing Yachts' vision. Three Italian entrepreneurs founded the company in the early 1980s. By 1985, they had launched their first yacht, the Pershing 45, in collaboration with Fulvio De Simone. More than a decade later, Pershing became part of the prestigious Ferretti Group. Since 2012, the Chinese Shandong Heavy Industry Group – Weichai Group owns 75% interest in the Group.

The brand's flagship is the Pershing 115, designed by De Simone together with Advanced Yacht Technology. At just a little over 35 meters (115 feet), this luxury yacht packs an aviation gas turbine in addition to its twin MTU engines in order to hit the same outstanding speed as the smaller Pershing boats, 52 knots.

Humble & Hungry offers the same performance and luxurious experience in a smaller package and at a more accessible price of $4 million.