Princess Yachts announce the latest edition to their S Class Sportbridge range, the all-new Princess S65. Since its inception 10 years ago, the Princess S Class range has delivered a sublime combination of sports yacht styling and breathtaking performance with the sumptuous space and comfort of a flybridge yacht. The Princess S65 follows the distinct S class personality defined by its S hull graphic, strong graphical canopy features and powerful bulwark haunches.

Designed by the in-house Princess Design Studio in collaboration with naval architects Olesinski and Italian design house, Pininfarina, the S65 features a sleek, low-profile exterior that gives it a powerful, sporting stance. So much so that it almost completely hides the large sports-bridge above. Her clever design means there is still enough room to accommodate a large sunroof which, when opened, fills the saloon and lower helm with light and air for those open boating, ‘wind in the hair’ moments.

The ‘life outdoors’ theme continues into the generous and flexible cockpit which inspires relaxation and equipped with twin MAN V8 1200 or V12 1400 engines, giving a maximum speed of 36 knots she also delivers the exhilaration expected from the sporty S Class models.

The S class has opened Princess up to a thrill-seeking audience who are searching for speed, fun, and excitement but who refuse to compromise on space and flexibility. These yachts are about feeling connected to the water, bringing loved ones together and cruising in ultimate comfort and style. They exemplify all the ability, quality and design expected from a Princess and inject a unique level of performance, style and on-water attitude.

Design 

“Defined by Princess’ sweeping design language and sculpted exterior surfaces, the S65 illustrates a prominent yet sophisticated presence”, says Andy Lawrence, Director of Design at Princess Yachts. “Maintaining that low-profile, powerful stance while accommodating a spacious flybridge is a crucial element of the S Class design and I am delighted that we have created something that still looks sporty but provides more space on board than we have ever had in this size range.”

On approach to the S65, you are met with her teak laid Electro-hydraulic bathing platform and a garage to store a tender of up to 3.3m, with electro-hydraulic door and tender launch system with electric winch. The cockpit features U-shaped seating and dining area with folding teak table, and aft sunpad. The cockpit countertop to port connects to the galley countertop separated by an upswinging door which, when open, seamlessly connects the inside with the outside. There is an optional top-loading cool box, storage cupboard and to starboard there also is the option for either a servery unit, including 100l drawer fridge and bilge locker; or an L-shaped aft facing seat including bilge locker.

Leading to the flybridge is a stairway with teak step treads, opening the way for her spacious sportbridge deck on which owners can experience the S65’s immaculate handling and comfortable ride with unbroken views of the horizon. Featuring an optional table with infill cushions that can be transformed to create a large sun bed means guests can relax in comfort whilst enjoying the smooth ride that the S65 has to offer. The Sportbridge helm station features twin helm seats and dual station instrumentation and controls. On the right is a large U-shaped upholstered seating area with storage below and teak-double-fold dining table with built in drinks holders for added practicality.

S80 Main Deck

Moving inside, the sociable deck saloon offers a versatile environment to kick back and relax, featuring a U-shaped sofa with crockery drawers, coffee table, and sideboard unit with bottle and glass storage, providing sufficient places to store kitchen and home ware. Opposite the saloon seating area is a 55” UHD LED TV on rise and fall linked to Marine audio system paired with speakers to provide a state-of-the-art entertainment system. Looking forwards, the Dinette features an L-shaped sofa with folding dining table and cup holders, plus a stainless-steel framed sliding door to the cockpit with integrated hinging window aft of the galley. The well-equipped open plan galley seamlessly connects to the saloon, featuring a full height fridge/freezer and twin sinks.

The foredeck offers a truly unique cruising experience featuring a U-shaped seating area and walk through, as well as a sunbathing area with twin sun beds including cushions and storage lockers. This area welcomes a perfect environment to relax alfresco with family and friends. 

Below deck, the S65 accommodates eight guests across four cabins, with the option of an additional crew cabin towards the aft, with separate WC and shower. The full beam master stateroom makes full use of the generous beam, featuring a large double bed with drawers below, twin bedside tables, and walk-through wardrobe area for ultimate storage options.

Craftsmanship

Every element of the S65 is designed with meticulous attention to detail by the Princess Design Studio. Both Exterior and Interior elements are crafted with flowing yet functional forms to deliver the ultimate standard of luxury when at sea. The company is renowned for designing and manufacturing luxury yachts from its Plymouth headquarters for almost 60 years. The very essence of the S Class is powerful, exhilarating and precise, with stylish, contemporary, and seamlessly executed finishes. The S Class blends iconic design, exceptional engineering and unrivalled craftsmanship to create an unforgettable, emotional experience.

Discover Princess’ dynamic S Class range here: princessyachtsamerica.com

The post The Princess S65: Latest Addition to the S Class appeared first on Yachting.

Tim Derrico’s to-do list dates all the way back to 1996. That’s when he joined HMY Yachts as a sales broker and started thinking about ways to help customers get exactly what they want. After he became director of sales in 2011, Derrico started to think even bigger—including the idea of finding a power-cat line worthy of being associated with the HMY Yachts brand. 

It was a tall order, given the growth that HMY Yachts had experienced ever since Steve Moynihan founded the company in 1979 on a houseboat located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Today, HMY Yachts sells new and brokerage boats out of a dozen locations, offering some of the world’s top brands such as Viking Yachts, Valhalla Boatworks, Princess, and Nimbus. Most power catamarans, to put it mildly, didn’t even come close to the level of fit-and-finish and outfitting seen on those fishing and cruising boats. 

All of which is why Derrico and Moynihan began a fact-finding mission in 2019 to learn more about a rumored top-end power catamaran concept out of Cape Town, South Africa. The power catamaran was still in the design phase, but it was the brainchild of a team with serious boatbuilding credentials. 

For starters, the shipyard with this power-cat concept was Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing, which had long been known for custom catamaran and monohull builds up to 110 feet. Two Oceans also builds Balance Catamarans, which often sail well above their class in terms of construction, design and performance. The designer was Du Toit Yacht Design, also based in Cape Town, South Africa, with a stellar reputation dating back to 2001.

“I met with some people in my office here in West Palm Beach and got the conversation going,” Derrico recalls. “We ended up having a dinner meeting one night during the Miami boat show in 2019. It went well, and things proceeded from there.”

Next, HMY Yachts leadership brought in Dave Jirikovic, who, prior to joining HMY, had spent years selling products and managing dealerships for two mainstream express-cruiser brands. He’d also had significant input into new-product development. Jirikovic, plain and simple, knew what to look for in a shipyard. He flew to South Africa on a reconnaissance mission. 

“I got there and saw this massive facility within the secured port of Cape Town, a bustling metropolis of people working—and that was not just on our 555 cat project, but also on two Balance sail catamaran models, and on South African National Sea Rescue Institute boats, which is like their coast guard. And then there were all of the custom boats, like the first Two Oceans 870 Power Catamaran at 87 by 40 feet, and even custom sport-fish builds. It was impressive,” Jirikovic says. “My phone call back to Tim and Steve was: ‘This guy’s a builder. He’s got the skills, he has the labor, and he has the facilities. All of the ingredients to build are here,’ which is something you cannot say often.”

Two Oceans Marine felt the same way about HMY Yachts. It takes a lot to trust a dealer with not one but two lines of boats: the Two Oceans Power Catamarans, and the ECLIPSE Express Cruisers. HMY’s well-rounded network and experienced sales team offered everything that Two Oceans Marine needed to bring its boats to a much wider, worldwide clientele. 

Two Oceans 555 Power Catamaran

Combining Two Oceans Marine’s construction know-how with HMY Yachts’ sales prowess and reach made complete sense. Seemingly overnight, HMY Yachts became a global dealer—and exclusive US dealer—for Two Oceans Power Catamarans, starting with the Two Oceans 555 model. Jirikovic sat down with the team in South Africa to discuss what American buyers want, including all the little details that can take any boat concept from good to great. 

“We sat in their conference room for seven hours straight, with one restroom break,” Jirikovic says. “We talked about every single component.”

That group of people, still to this day, has remained laser-focused on ensuring that the Two Oceans 555 delivers everything American yachtsmen desire in a power catamaran. And boaters are already responding big-time. Hull No. 1 of the Two Oceans 555 sold to its owner before the design was even complete, and before anyone had seen a physical boat (Two Oceans Marine knew the buyer from a prior build). Hull No. 2 was displayed at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October 2023, and soon after, HMY Yachts was sold out on the model’s production slots until 2025. 

The plan is to keep the Two Oceans 555 a premium product with only about 10 of the boats being built each year, each one of them customized to the owner’s taste—setting the Two Oceans line apart from competing brands that pump out far more mass-production quantities of catamaran hulls annually on their construction lines. 

ECLIPSE Express Cruisers

Next, following up on the success of the Two Oceans 555, HMY Yachts is also preparing to debut a line of cruising powerboats from the same builder. The first two models in this line from Two Oceans Marine will be the ECLIPSE 505 and ECLIPSE 605. 

The ECLIPSE 505 Shadow—a version of the 505 with an upgraded performance package (see details below)—will premiere at the Newport International Boat Show in September. Two ECLIPSE 505 Shadows will be at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October, and at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2025. The ECLIPSE 605 will premiere at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in March 2025.

These ECLIPSE boats are penned by renowned powerboat designer Michael Peters of Sarasota, Florida. Interiors are by the UK’s Design Unlimited, with consultation from Silver Arrows Design, an automotive design leader that brings innovative interiors to the marine market.

“Michael Peters said it best: ‘It’s a new timeless classic,’” Jirikovic says of the ECLIPSE line. “It’s built on his world-renowned Stepped Vee Ventilated Hull, and it’s a sexy package that also performs.”

The base ECLIPSE 505 and 605 models will pack serious power: twin or triple 600-horsepower Mercury V-12 Verados. The Shadow Performance Package 505 and 605 models will have triple and quadruple engine upgrades, respectively. All expectations are for the ECLIPSE powerboats to achieve north of 60 knots at wide-open throttle, with upper-end features and overnight accommodations for couples or families. 

The Power of HMY Yachts

Are the ECLIPSE powerboats a completely different style and cruising experience than the Two Oceans 555 power cat? Yes, they are—and that’s the whole point of adding both brands to the HMY Yachts list of offerings, Derrico says. 

“If you look at what we have at HMY Yachts, it’s a lot of different types of high-quality boats that can appeal to different types of consumers,” he says.

And beyond that, Jirikovic adds, the customer service and sales network that HMY Yachts has in place will ensure that the brands deliver on what they promise. HMY’s knowledge and years of experience make it the ideal partner for Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing on both of these brands. 

“We’re going to make sure that we exceed our customers’ expectations and that our customers are satisfied with the ECLIPSE experience, period,” Jirikovic says. “HMY has been around for 45 years by delivering results, not disappointment. From the purchase of the former Whiticar Boat Works yard as the dedicated ECLIPSE Service Center, to dedicated customer-care staff and dedicated ECLIPSE and Mercury technicians, an ECLIPSE owner will be in for a pleasant surprise.”

Take the next step: Learn more about the Two Oceans 555, ECLIPSE 505 and ECLIPSE 605 at hmy.com.

The post Power Player appeared first on Yachting.

If you missed them, check out part one and part two.

Washington, D.C.

The post Most Iconic Cities to Experience by Boat: Part Three appeared first on Yachting.

Ocean Alexander’s new 32L motoryacht offers brilliant space utilization and innovative crew access solutions, prioritizing the enjoyment of every moment for you and your guests. Featuring a magnificent open flybridge or a spacious skylounge, this luxurious five-stateroom yacht showcases impressive window views, an on-deck master, and inventive aluminum-beam engineering, providing an oasis for the owner. Whether for private ownership or charter, the 32L is filled with possibilities, boasting increased living spaces in the galley and crew area usually found only in larger yachts.

Key Features:

• Main Deck Master
• Huge Sliding Doors – Lots of Windows
• 2 King VIPs
• Convertible Twin Berth Stateroom
• Pullman Over-Under Bunk Stateroom

Specs at a Glance:

• Maximum Length: 106’ 4” (32.4 M)
• Waterline Length: 88′ 10″ (27.1 M)
• Beam: 23′ 0″ (7.01 M)
• Draft (approx): 6′ 6″ (1.99 M)
• Displacement (approx): 260,454 lbs. (118,140 Kg)
• Fuel Capacity: 4,000 gal (15,141 L)
• Fresh Water Capacity: 650 gal (2,460 L)
• Holding Capacity: 400 gal (1,514 L)
• Tonnage: 210 GT
• Standard Generator: Twin Kohler® 40 KW
• Standard Power: Twin MAN® V12 1900HP

The post Yachting On Board: Ocean Alexander 32L appeared first on Yachting.

Designed for water enthusiasts, the Galeon 450 HTC, a state-of-the-art model created in collaboration with Tony Castro Design Studio, seamlessly combines the elegance of a Galeon Yacht with a dynamic sports yacht ambiance. Featuring Galeon’s renowned beach mode, an optional hydraulic swim platform, and a versatile two-cabin, two-head design with a full-beam master, the vessel offers comfort and exceptional handling for waterborne entertainment.

Key Features:

• Two Cabins, Two Heads (Optional Third Bunk Style Cabin)
• Multipurpose Seating
• Retractable Cockpit Roof
• Interior Retractable Sunroof
• Cruising Speed: 24 Knots, Max 28 Knots
• Fold Out Side Decks – Additional 7” of Usable Space

Specs at a Glance:

• Length Overall: 45’9” (14 m)
• Hull Length: 42’ 3” (12.9 m)
• Beam: 20’ 8” (6.35 m)
• Dry Weight: 34,615 lb (15,701 kg)
• Maximum Load Weight: 41,240 lb (18,706 kg)
• Draft (maximum): 4’ 3” (1.3 m)
• Height (including mast light): 14’ 4” (4.38 m)
• Fuel Capacity: 450 GAL (1,700 L)
• Water Capacity: 112 GAL (425 L)
• Black Water Capacity: 34 GAL (130 L)

The post Yachting On Board: Galeon 450 HTC appeared first on Yachting.

With several impressive features, the Horizon Power Catamarans 60 truly stands out, specifically the main deck master. The Yachting team had the opportunity to get onboard during the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Key Features:

• Main Deck Master
• Day Head on Flybridge
• Extended Flybridge Deck
• Forward Garage
• Walk-In Electrical Room

Specs at a Glance:

• L.O.A: 61′ 7″ (18.78m)
• Beam: 24′ 6″ (7.47m)
• Draft (prop. tip clearance): 4′ 9″ (1.46m)
• Displacement (half load): 83,467 lbs (37.86 tons)
• Fuel: 1,000 US gallons (3,785 ltrs)
• Fresh Water: 300 US gallons (1,150 ltrs)
• Engines: MAN i6 800 HP
• Generator: Onan 17 KW (60Hz)*1

The post Yachting On Board: Horizon PC60 appeared first on Yachting.

As a brand with its heart on the sea, Princess Yachts feels strongly about reducing the harmful impact to our oceans and wildlife when manufacturing our products, by ensuring sustainable processes remain at the core of the business.  Princess is on a sustainability journey, starting with making significant changes to our industrial processes such as the installation of a Biomass heating system to utilise timber waste; a new agreement to install solar panels at the Newport Street Plymouth facility and a commitment to significantly reduce waste across the business through greater use of recycling.  

Our products too are part of a continuous process to improve efficiencies and sustainability.  Our latest hull designs are up to 20% more efficient for example: we use resin infusion for our hulls; we have also recently launched a number of sustainable fabrics and materials for our yacht interiors and; are committed to continuous research and development of sustainable alternatives to as many of our materials and finishes as is currently possible.  

 In 2016, Princess became the first luxury yacht manufacturer to officially partner with the Marine Conservation Society. We’ve worked together to support marine environments, preserve reefs and sea life, with the company becoming the custodian of the Eddystone Reef, an offshore ecosystem outside of Plymouth.

In 2018, MCS worked to replace traditional ‘swing’ moorings for recreational vessels with ‘Advanced Mooring Systems’. Advanced Moorings ‘raise up’ the gear from the seabed, reducing erosion of seagrass. MCS started with 5 volunteers in 2018 – undertaking meetings with local authorities, and eventually sub-contracting a commercial dive company to ‘screw in’ piles into the seabed, that firmly hold the riser chain. Since the original 5 were installed in May 2019, the MCS have successfully installed a further 10 moorings with support from Princess. 

Since the start of 2022 the Marine Conservation Society & Princess Yachts have embarked on an exciting new project – PLYMFISH – which aims to identify the fish species present in the Plymouth Sound and gain a better understanding of how different habitats influence fish and other species. 

Hull Efficiency 

Princess Yachts’ boats and components are made in Plymouth, including the hull and superstructure of the boat using the most efficient modern method of resin infusion, thus producing significantly less wastage. Components are all built inhouse, such as electrical wiring looms and furniture. This allows the business to take control over production supply and ensures the highest design, materials, craftmanship and build quality.  

Recent advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have played an increasingly important role in hull development. Princess “parameterise” the hull – meaning that if one parameter is changed (ie length, width, height or volume) the 3D computer model is able to proportionally change all other parameters. This allows a complete exploration of the design space to determine which precise combination of parameters results in the most efficient hull form for any particular application and operating profile.

The shipyard also closely look at all of the hull appendages and machinery to ensure that every component is working as efficiently as possible. This includes, for example, careful investigation of the fin stabiliser location and neutral angle at every speed to best complement the hull efficiency, or working with suppliers to optimise prop size and gear ratio. 

The net result of this detailed approach to eliminating energy loss is that the sum of multiple small gains results in an appreciable improvement that ultimately results in reduced fuel consumption, CO2 and particulate emissions over the yacht’s lifetime. 

Biomass Project 

For any business, the generation of power comes with a significant cost both financially and in terms of environmental impact. Princess Yachts’ South Yard site has historically needed around 500,000 litres of gas oil and 97,000 litres of kerosene a year for heating purposes. Since installing a biomass boiler in 2020, the business has been collecting waste wood from across all sites which are then chipped and used as fuel. Princess produces more than 1,400 tonnes of waste wood a year – instead of paying for it to be picked up and disposed of, the biomass project uses it to offset their fossil fuel consumption. 

The project has seen Carbon savings of around 1,500 tonnes a year by using wood instead of fossil fuels – the equivalent to switching 500 homes to a renewable heating source. In addition to the reduction in CO2, the project also delivers a cost saving, initially estimated to save up to £200,000 per annum, but current high fuel costs mean this saving will increase significantly. 

Solar Panels 

Princess Yachts have recently concluded contracting of an energy decarbonisation scheme in the form of the deployment of a Solar PV installation at two of the company’s manufacturing locations; Newport Street and Coypool, both based in Plymouth.   

The combined installations will provide installed capacity of an estimated annual 2,700,000 kwh worth of electricity which should generate sufficient output to satisfy approximately 15% of our annual electricity demand.  In addition, Princess will reduce CO2 emissions of around 700 tonnes.

The post Princess Yachts on a Sustainability Journey to Reduce Environmental Impact appeared first on Yachting.

Construction on the third build from Dutch shipyard Heesen Yacht’s all-aluminum 50m semi-displacement series is well underway, with delivery available by the second quarter of 2024.

Dubbed Project Jade, this latest build is remarkable not only for her elegant profile, but for a balanced and thoughtful interior and exterior design that leaves no desire unfulfilled. Longtime Heesen naval architecture partners Omega Architects are responsible for the exterior styling of the stately vessel, which echoes the sculptural quality of the yard’s acclaimed 65m custom build of 2013, Galactica Star.

With a profile that underscores her 23-knot top speed at half load, Project Jade exudes an air of sporty sophistication. A muscular reverse sheer line and flowing superstructure arches demonstrate the familiar essence of her Heesen heritage, while for this project, Omega’s Frank Laupman incorporated slightly chiseled lines and an integrated hull and superstructure styling that lends a crisp, modern feel to the 164ft (50m) beauty.

Project Jade also features an optimized hull design with a streamlined underwater body that keeps the transom depth to a minimum and raises the propellers within deep tunnels to reduce her overall draft to an impressive 7ft (2.15m). Fitted with the latest IMO Tier III-compliant MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines, Project Jade promises the excellent seakeeping and efficient performance that defines Heesen builds, with top speeds in excess of 23 knots and a transoceanic range of 3,100 miles at 11 knots. In fact, Heesen’s 50m fast-cruising class is the first of its kind below 500GT to comply with IMO Tier-III regulations.

The Balance of Performance and Comfort

Built to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards, Project Jade offers a five-stateroom layout with an on-deck master, large, well-defined guest spaces, and enviable deck areas – all within a 499GT package for the ultimate balance of performance, efficiency and onboard living.

Noted Italian designer Cristiano Gatto was tapped to create the layout for this latest design, and the resulting collaboration with Laupman is something Gatto himself refers to as one of his “favorite projects.” The design ethos? A harmonization of interior and exterior spaces that is fresh, contemporary and modern, but absent of the cold experience of the minimalism of the past.

Incorporating all of the desired amenities of superyacht living within a 50m, 499GT package presents a challenge for any designer, but Gatto considered important features on each deck to ensure the project’s success.

The first major key point in the design is the lack of division between interior and exterior – whether from the transition of interior spaces to aft deck areas or through the floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed views. The layout flows seamlessly from stem to stern, where a tremendous beach club doubles as a tender garage. Head room in this space is amplified thanks to the main deck aft design, which simply raises the aft sunpad lounging area by three steps to create a generous, full-size, multi-purpose beach club/tender garage below.

Within the interior on the main deck, a massive dining area featuring dedicated china storage is positioned forward of the main salon, while the full-beam master stateroom is positioned furthest forward. This generous space offers four distinct areas comprised of an office, a walk-in dressing room, a palatial, marble-lined bathroom and the cabin itself, which is graced by large windows.

The upper salon is another epicenter of the vessel, and, as with every guest space onboard, has been planned to comfortably facilitate entertaining. Here, the sofas are positioned to take advantage of the views afforded by the yacht’s large windows, while a bar is situated behind the sofa, allowing guests to sit with a drink and enjoy the view or the game on the wall television opposite. The option to entertain on this deck is enhanced, thanks to the well-proportioned aft bridge deck accommodating al fresco dining and lounging.

Project Jade’s sun deck comfortably offers all of the al fresco activities one would desire aboard a superyacht, from large seating areas to an enormous bar, a Jacuzzi with sunpads and an additional space for dining.

Twelve guests are accommodated within Project Jade’s five staterooms that include the on-deck master plus two doubles and two twin ensuites on the lower deck. Crew quarters for eight are positioned forward, and a double Captain’s cabin is situated aft of the wheelhouse on the bridge deck.

A Blank Canvas

Project Jade is a speculative build, yet rather than create a single style that may appeal to one client, Gatto took a unique, blank canvas approach to the interior design that offers three style options to encourage the client to visualize the space as tailored to him or her: Aria, Terre or Mare.

Aria Interior

From the Latin word for “air,” the Aria interior presents a warm and inviting aesthetic with materials and textures that enhances the yacht’s natural lighting with chic undertones. The sky is reflected in the selection of materials and tempered glass, while shaded grey leathers, white lash gold-veined marbles and cool stainless steel deliver earthy tones.

Terra Interior

Latin for the Roman goddess of Earth, the Terra interior features warm tones, soft, cozy materials and earthy elements such as tanned leather and warm colors. Ideal for clients who plan to cruise in colder climates, the Terra interior features bespoke furniture by Cristiano Gatto along with a Patagonia marble-topped dining table and a custom beige, white and warm brown carpet reminiscent of autumn or early spring.

Mare Interior

Evocative of the sea itself, the Mare interior emphasizes the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The furniture evokes feminine touches and the lightness of water while custom designed carpeting illustrates maps of fantasy destinations.

Throughout the interior of Project Jade, rounded, organic themes dominate. Rounded contours for the fixed and freestanding furniture echo the curvaceous lines of the exterior, from the free-form sofa and coffee tables to the circular dining table graced by circular overhead lighting and ceiling panels.

Much research and development went into the selection of materials as well as the way they would be used and styled onboard. Classic materials such as marbles, stainless steel and mirrored glass combine with tactile textures selected to reflect and enhance the natural light from the large windows. Gatto also introduced a few innovative materials as well, such as a leather with a gradient shading that adds the effect of depth in its application. This shaded variant is also incorporated in the custom carpeting.

Because Heesen is one of the few shipyards in the world to have its own in-house interiors division, each of Gatto’s interior styles will be perfectly engineered and installed by the yard’s in-house interior construction team.

“I raised the bar with Project Jade in terms of design and welcoming different types of clients,” says Gatto. “It was quite a challenge but I really look forward to seeing this boat on the water.”

Embodying a stellar interior design, balanced exterior profile and high-caliber engineering that sets Heesen apart, Project Jade is one spec yacht that meets the expectation of a discerning client ready to combine a need for speed with the speedy enjoyment of their next yacht.

The post Speed, Style and Balance Defined appeared first on Yachting.

Princess Yachts continues to bring out new models at a fast pace, with investments in product development reaping big rewards for boaters this autumn and in early 2024.

The biggest news is the premiere of the Princess Y95, which is headed to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show for its Americas debut following a showing at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Another new model headed to Fort Lauderdale is the Princess X80, which premiered for North American boaters at the Palm Beach International Boat Show earlier this year. 

And, coming in spring 2024 are the Princess Y80 (look for it at the Palm Beach International Boat Show) along with the Princess S65.

Article At-A-Glance

• The Princess Yachts Y95 will make its Americas debut at the Fort Lauderdale boat show.
• The Princess Yachts X80, another new model, will also be on display at Fort Lauderdale.
• The Princess Yachts Y80 is scheduled to be at the 2024 Palm Beach International Boat Show.
• The Princess Yachts S65 is expected to arrive in spring 2024.

Princess Yachts Y95: New Y Class Flagship

The Y Class models at Princess Yachts are open-flybridge designs with the option of a hardtop. The Y Class includes vessels 72 feet and larger with crew spaces, while another open-flybridge line, the F Class, has vessels 45 to 65 feet that are built for owner-operators.

Within the Y Class, the Princess Y95 is the new flagship. It has accommodations for 10 people, a top speed of 24 knots, and lots of relaxation spaces inside and out. 

Princess Yachts Y95: Unbeatable Volume

A key design element of the Princess Y95 is interior volume. This yacht is built to feel bigger than similar-length motoryachts. Not only are there five staterooms on board, but the master spans the yacht’s full beam, with skylights for extra natural light. 

The Princess Y95’s volume also allows for multiple options when it’s time to dine and relax. There are seating and dining spaces inside on the main deck, outside on the main deck, and outside on the flybridge. Additional sun beds and seating are at the foredeck for unparalleled views of the scenery all around.

Princess Yachts Y95: Luxurious Finishes

Inside and out, the materials that go into the Princess Y95’s construction are of the highest quality. Interior furnishings can be ordered standard in alba or rovere oak with a satin lacquer finish. There are additional options for furniture in silver oak or walnut with a choice of satin or gloss lacquer finishes. Stonework too can be personalized, with marble, quartz or granite floors in the guest-stateroom bathrooms and granite or quartz countertops in the galley. 

Additional choices are wide-ranging for carpets and fabrics, to give owners exactly the tones and textures they prefer. 

Princess Yachts X80: New X Class Luxury

The X Class lineup is the only one that Princess Yachts offers with an enclosed sky lounge. This line’s first (and flagship) model is the X95, with the new Princess X80 becoming the second offering this year. 

Owners of the Princess X80 get a choice in the layout: main-deck dining or a main-deck stateroom. James Nobel, vice president and marketing director at Princess Yachts America, says that the yard has built two hulls with the main-deck stateroom, while all other owners opted for the main-deck dining. “There’s a lot of flexibility in that model,” he says. 

Princess Yachts X80: Light and Spacious on All Decks

Glazing is the term that means glass incorporated into a window frame or wall. Glazing is about more than views; it’s also about smart construction for impact resistance and to help keep the inside of a vessel cool, even on the hottest of days.

Aboard the Princess Yachts X80, there is extensive glazing along the entire length of the main deck. Substantial glazing is all around the X80’s salon, galley and dining area, melding light and design for an improved onboard experience. Designers also increased the heights of the bulwarks, topsides and enclosed wheelhouse, creating even more of a feeling of spaciousness. 

Princess Yachts X80: Super Flybridge

Princess calls the X80’s top deck a “super flybridge” because it has 30 percent more useful interior space than a traditional flybridge on a yacht of the same length. 

The X80’s flybridge has multiple seating areas for dining, conversing, or kicking back with a good book. Its interior spaces are protected from the elements, while its outdoor section is open for fresh air.

For added protection, the open areas on the flybridge have substantive railings that don’t interfere with the views, but that do keep the owners and guests safe at anchor or underway. The positioning of lounge areas forward and aft means guests can enjoy privacy no matter where the yacht is tied up or anchored. 

Princess Yachts Y80: Coming in 2024

The Princess Yachts Y80 is expected to make its Americas debut at the 2024 Palm Beach International Boat Show. This is an eight-person yacht with a top speed of 33 knots and an open flybridge that’s ready for relaxation or entertaining. 

As the fourth model in the Princess Yachts Y Line (which also includes the Y95, Y85 and Y72), the Princess Y80 shares the best features from her sisterships while adding new refinements.

Princess Yachts Y80: Customizable Spaces

All of the Princess Y80 hulls are outfitted with seating and dining areas, as well as a fully equipped wet bar. However, owners have a choice for the rest of the flybridge layout. A crane for a tender can be hidden within the sun pad, or that space can be used for free-standing loungers or a hot tub. 

Another choice awaits on the main deck, where the layout includes the Y80’s galley and wheelhouse. Owners who want a more free-flowing ambience can leave these spaces open to one another, or, for more privacy, the yacht can be ordered with partitions.

Princess Yachts Y80: Ready for Family and Friends

Overnight accommodations on the Princess Y80 are all belowdecks, with four staterooms for eight people in total. The master stateroom is amidships—the part of the yacht with the least motion, for comfort at anchor—and spans the full beam. The master bathroom is abaft the sleeping space, giving the Y80’s owners an extra sound barrier from the engine space farther aft. 

Double-berth staterooms for guests are far forward and to starboard, with a twin-berth stateroom to port. All of the staterooms are en suite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Princess Yachts build its vessels?

In the United Kingdom. In Plymouth, to be precise, along the southern coast.

What are the five ranges that Princess Yachts offers?

The X Class, Y Class, F Class, S Class and V Class. The X Class is the only one with an enclosed skylounge. The Y Class (72 feet and larger with crew spaces) and F Class (45 to 65 feet long for owner-operators) are open-flybridge models. The S Class is the sport-bridge models, which are a hybrid of an express boat with a smaller flybridge. The V Class is a true express boat.

Which models will Princess Yachts display at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

Expect to see the Princess F50, F55, X80, Y85 and Y95.

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Evolution is the natural progression in a yacht model’s life cycle. In fact, it is largely influential on a model’s success. As owners change, as regulations change, as lifestyles change, so too should the model’s design, thus maintaining the distinguishing element that sets it apart in its class while offering the very best and latest that design can provide.

Ocean Alexander’s Legend Series of motoryachts was introduced to the market in 2014 with the 100 Legend. Designed in collaboration with Evan K. Marshall, this entry-level yacht in the Taiwanese builder’s six-model lineup offered an enclosed sky lounge with large sections of glass and multiple accommodations configurations, the most significant of which was the on-deck master stateroom with its large wardrobes, sunken en suite and stateroom-level night head. Key features of the model included a five-stateroom layout, near floor-to-ceiling windows and all-around large spaces throughout, including for crew. 

Six years and nearly twenty 100 Legend builds later, OA introduced the next evolution in  its Legend Series with the 105-foot 32L at the 2020 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Marked by an updated exterior style with lowered bulwarks and complementing glass, carbon and aluminum-beam elements, the all-composite 32L was worth noting—if not for its spacious layout, redesigned on-deck master suite and optional open flybridge, but for its trans-Atlantic range as well. 

This year, two 2024 32L models will be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, each representing a distinct layout option that the 32L currently provides, and each, once again, demonstrating the builder’s continual focus on innovation. While an open flybridge remains an optional configuration, both yachts on display feature an enclosed sky lounge. The biggest differences between the two can be found in the master stateroom and galley layouts, the bow seating-area design, and the bridge deck layout.

The first—OA 32L Hull No. 8—showcases a hydraulic swim platform that has been reinforced to tow up to a 25,000 tender. The platform itself can hold 2,000 pounds for a rigid hull dinghy, jet skis, or other toys of the owner’s choosing. This allows for the bridge deck aft of the enclosed sky lounge and wheelhouse to be crane-free. Freeing up this space sees an uninterrupted bridge deck area with full-width sun pads surrounding a hot tub for four farthest aft. A barbecue grill is positioned to starboard, while the large U-shaped dinette on the port side is partially shaded by the hardtop overhang (with optional sun awnings providing additional shade) opposite a bar with three stools. 

On the main deck, a custom ceiling design on the aft deck adds indirect lighting to the bright and airy space, which features a raised U-shaped settee with two convertible high/low dinette tables facing a wet bar and fold-down television. The main salon is separated by a low credenza from the formal dining area with a table for 10, highlighted by the model’s sliding doors on either side. 

Forward, the large galley is kept separate from the guest spaces, while the master stateroom—in this case, configured with a large en suite aft with heated floors and separate toilet and shower enclosures—takes advantage of the 180-degree sections of glass overlooking the forward bow area. Accessed by the walkaround side decks, the bow area on this yacht is designed with a large, sunken U-shaped seating space and dinette, which also can be protected by sun awnings. 

On the lower deck, large crew quarters are positioned aft of the engine room housing the yacht’s twin MAN V-12 1,900 hp engines, while four spacious guest staterooms are found forward. The guest area comprises two mirrored queen VIP cabins amidships, with two convertible twin en suite staterooms forward. 

The second yacht on display—OA 32L Hull No. 9—positions the davit on the bridge deck for tender storage. Here, a three-person hot tub is positioned forward to accommodate the tender or free-standing lounge chairs when the tender is deployed. The hydraulic high/low swim platform accommodates up to 2,000 pounds and has also been reinforced to facilitate towing a tender up to 25,000 pounds. 

On the main deck, the first structural difference is found in the forward galley, which features an alternate configuration as well as a pass-through window to the dining salon for easy food service. It is the master stateroom on this yacht, however, that showcases the biggest differentiation from her sistership. Raised two steps from the main deck level, the stateroom itself once again enjoys near-panoramic vista views from the large 180-degree windows. The large master en suite—also with heated floors—occupies the forwardmost space just a few steps down from the bedroom and workspace area. 

The master suite configuration on this yacht allows for a large reclining sun pad forward on the bow, which can also be shaded with a sun awning. 

The lower deck sees the same spacious crew quarters aft of the engine room, while the guest accommodations comprise two mirrored queen VIP en suites, a convertible twin to starboard, and a portside utility room with a lower single bed, an upper Pullman berth, and a private head. 

Both yachts retain the aluminum-beam engineering that allows for impressively sized windows enhancing the exterior profile, as well as the spacious feeling on board, while also showcasing the different interior design templates—Hull No. 8 with Novus Dusk and Hull No. 9 with Novus Mist—that OA offers its clients.

While not the smallest yacht build that OA offers, the 32L is the smaller of the two models in the Legend Series, with the larger being the trideck 37L. By offering increased interior space, particularly in the crew and galley areas, and several layout variations to suit different a variety of lifestyles as well as private or charter use, OA continues to meet the needs of its clients and fulfill its mission to never stop evolving and innovating.

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