Pershing GTX80 Review: Triple IPS, Galley-Up, 34 Knots

“The GTX80 is Pershing’s first real attempt at building a boat for how Americans cruise, and they got most of it right. The triple IPS setup is the smart play—redundancy matters more than the last two knots of top speed, and the fuel economy at 28 knots makes this boat viable for Bahamas crossings without a chase boat. The galley-up layout is overdue in this segment, and the fold-down balconies actually work, unlike the gimmicky versions we’ve seen on other builders. Build quality is typical Pershing, which means excellent fit and finish with occasional quirks in the electronics integration.

This boat is for the owner who wants to run it themselves but has the option to bring crew when needed. If you’re planning to keep a permanent captain and stew, you’ll find better crew quarters on the Azimut Grande 27 Metri. If you’re planning to single-hand it most weekends, the GTX80 is one of the few boats in this size range that makes that realistic. The helm sight lines are good, the joystick is intuitive, and the systems are simple enough that you’re not calling a technician every time something beeps.

Resale will depend heavily on how the GTX line matures over the next three years. Pershing has strong brand equity in Europe, but the American market is still learning what the GTX series represents. Early depreciation will likely track with Riva, which means 10 to 15 percent in year one, then stabilizing. Maintenance costs are predictable with Volvo IPS, and parts availability in Florida is strong. If you’re buying this boat to keep for five years and put 500 hours on it, the ownership math works. If you’re flipping it in 18 months, expect to take a hit.”