Spotlight: Prestige 550

First flagship in the Flybridge line heading to Sydney

The Sydney owners of the first Prestige 550 destined to arrive in Australia have made the trip to France to attend a VIP launch weekend at the factory in Les Herbiers. They were shown over the new 550 by Sydney Prestige dealer Matthew Willett and met General Manager of Prestige, Jean-Paul Chapeleau.

"We were thrilled to be able to host our customers," said Mr Willett. "Visiting the factory is an ideal and easy way to have a look first hand at the building process and to see these stunning yachts as they take shape. We encourage any potential owners to consider making the trip."

The new 550 is said to be designed with form and function foremost in mind. Building on the success of the prize-winning Prestige 500, the 550 Flybridge retains the same elegant, distinctive profile, whiling contains a contemporary interior that enhances comfort on this flagship.

THE SPACE RACE

- Private master cabin and separate guests area forward

The immense living space is on a single level with a spacious, centrally located galley that serves both the interior and exterior. Circumambient views bath the living space in light, explains Prestige, while the lower helm station is ideally located up front with all controls within easy reach of ergonomic seating for two.

The owner’s suite is described as immense. Accessed by a private stairway leading off the saloon, the master cabin features a large lateral window in the hull, bathing the room in natural light and affording impressive sea views. With adjoining head compartment, shower and walk-in closet, the en suite is said to rival that on a 60-plus footer.

The forward cabins are located in an independent living area, with a generously sized head compartment and separate shower. The exceptional volume continues, with the added benefit of a dedicated space for a washing machine located under the stairway.

The spacious guest cabin features a double berth that can be converted into two single berths. The third cabin has two single berths that can be converted into a double berth.

Accessed by an open stairway, the flybridge is oversized for a 55-foot motor yacht, with a generous sundeck, true twin seating at the helm, a galley and a large table and lounge area.

ZEUS POD DRIVES

- J&J naval architects go with Zeus pod drives

In collaboration with J&J naval architects, the hull was carefully studied and designed to yield the best performance. Using an infusion-moulded hull and deck ensures greater solidity, rigidity and weight savings, explains Prestige

Twin Cummins QSC 600hp engines equipped with ZEUS 3800 pod drives provide: guaranteed easy handling by joystick control; enhanced comfort due to reduced noise and vibration; and increased fuel efficiency by around 20 per cent over a conventional (shaft) propulsion system. There is also the availability of optional automatic trim tabs.

Optional equipment includes: powerful air conditioning adaptable to any climate, the latest generation sound system, a gyroscopic stabiliser, and a hydraulic swim platform.

AUSTRALIAN SPECIFICATION

- First 550 Flybridge arriving with local specification

Base price landed is $1.25m, which includes genset, air, flybridge covers, teak cockpit, crews qaurters, the Cummins Zeus system, and basically to turnkey level at the Matt Willett Marine, The Spit, in Sydney.

The main options on the first 550 not included are electronics and hydraulic platform. This one also has a soft furnishing package, cockpit joystick, tender, Foxtel and TVs throughout, plus lots of little custom upgrades.

The final price for the Sydney owner's 550 Flybridge with factory options and as they have specified is $1.34m. The owners spent another $50,000 or so customising the boat to their own specifics -- upgrading helm chairs, mattresses, adding reversing cameras, spotlights. and so on.

The boat has now left the factory and is scheduled to arrive in Sydney December 1 for a timely December 14 handover.

Specifications

Priced from: $1.25m turnkey in Sydney including genset, air, flybridge covers, teak cockpit, crews qaurters, the Cummins QSC 600s with Zeus pod drives.

Length overall: 17.92m

Hull length: 16.06m

Light displacement: 17,700kg

Max Beam: 4.79m

Standard keel draught: 1.17m

Fuel capacity: 1930 litres

Water capacity: 800 litres

Cabins: 3

Heads compartments: 2

Berths: 6

Top speed: 30 knots

Cruising speed: 24 knots

Consumption at cruising speed: 193 litres/hour

Range at Cruising speed: 240 miles

Optional generator: 11kW

Optional air conditioning system: 59,000 BTU

Engines: 2x Cummins QSC 600hp with ZEUS 3800 pod drives

CE Category: B-12 / C-14

Designers: J&J - Garroni Design - JP Concept - Prestige Engineering

For full details go to www.prestigeaustralia.com

Spotlight: Prestige 550

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