Princess 45

Good things come in small packages. Take the second smallest Princess motoryacht to be shipped Down Under. While most Princesses in our waters battle it out in the heavyweight class, this is a comparative bantamweight with a long reach and plenty of punch.

As for going the distance, the P45 has an efficient hull form and electronic Volvo motors that sip rather than gulp fuel. Offshore it can spar with much bigger partners. Which is to say nothing of its agility about the ring and off the ropes.

But such big-boat qualities don't come gratis in a compact UK-made cruiser. The P45 will set you back more than $1 million in a market dominated by local boats costing substantially less. However, this exceptional 45-footer should appeal to serious boaties with tickets on serious cruising.

Discerning couples with children or retirees with grandchildren are also likely buyers of the P45. So, too, sailors. The owners of this boat had stepped off a 40ft yacht after finding sailing too much of a burden.

A good size, the P45 is especially user-friendly. While a bowthruster and fingertip-control electronic Volvo motors create a stress-free drive for owners, away from the marina the boat really shines.

Two cabins with ensuites and an airy open-plan living area with plenty of head and shoulder room accommodate four people. (A three-cabin layout is optional.)

And away from the marina, the P45 is self-sufficient. You could complete a serious passage, decamp with the small fry for weeks at a time and never feel overawed at the prospect of making camp in an isolated anchorage or finding your way back home. The importers equipped the boat with plenty of good gear - extra big anchors, electronics and suchlike - for these very purposes.

AUSSIE DETAILS
In the last two years, more than 20 Princess boats have been shipped to Australia. First released in 2000, the P45 is one of the newer wide-body models with a high-efficiency hull. An Aussie-specification has made the test boat even more suited to local waters.

Despite it being a two-cabin layout, the three-cabin air-conditioning system was installed, the Kohler generator was upgraded from a 7kVa to a 9kVa model and an inverter was added for the entertainment system. Scottish leather was chosen for the saloon lounges.

But outdoors the real fun begins. There you will find that most essential summer amenity, the cockpit icemaker, plus a concealed hydraulic tender crane with a 250kg lift capacity for the outboard-powered ducky. A bowthruster makes light work of parking, while a chain counter and upgraded stainless steel Manson 45lb plough bring peace of mind while swinging on the pick.

An optional forward sunpad turns the foredeck into an outdoor living area, while the custom bimini top with its stout stainless framework makes the bridge inviting in summer. For serious cruising, Raymarine takes the helm with a combo Rl70C chartplotter/radar, autopilot, and separate speed and depth displays.

BRITISH BULLDOG
British tenacity is evident in the construction. The P45 is like all other Princess boats, beginning life as a set of lines and a pile of data. Both CAD software and CAM processes are used with crash-test dummies trialling the mock-ups in the English Channel off Plymouth.

The P45 has a modified deep-vee hull and prop tunnels for efficiency. The hull is solid handlaid fibreglass stiffened by an integrally bonded girder system. Weight is reduced and the righting movement increased by the foam/balsa coring on the decks and superstructure.

Engineering is a highlight. The twin TAMD74P EDC Volvo motors are reached through a hatch in the cockpit sole near the saloon door. The hatch is equipped with nice big handles and gas struts. Wet exhausts are evident as you descend the ladder. High-volume air intakes and an electronic extractor fan keep the turbos cool and the engines breathing freely.

You can easily inspect the strainers and fuel filters, including the separate system for the genset. Fuel tanks are located to the sides and have cross valves to keep the boat on an even keel and taps for emptying the system in case of a foul fill. Dual fillers let you park any which way at the bowser, and there are remote fuel cocks in keeping with a surveyed boat.

Hiding up front are the hot-water service, computer panels for the electronic straight-six Volvo motors, and both auto and manual firefighting systems. Stainless steel and white gelcoat surfaces, plus good lighting, help with maintenance.

Aft of the engineroom is a lazarette/utility room housing the Kohler generator, engine-start and house batteries, and a water tank. There is room left over for carrying provisions, spares, diving and fishing gear, fenders, covers and suchlike.

Auto and manual bilgepumps are in the engineroom, the lazarette and under the forward cabin. The boat's wiring is a professional job - labelled, numbered, and backed by circuit-breakers and diagrams in the owners' manual.

Attention to detail extends to the supply of fenders and warps, a first-aid kit, boathook, tool kit, emergency tiller, porthole covers, and teak planking on the cockpit and boarding platform.

TRIPLE DECKER
The P45 has three outdoor living areas: the cockpit, foredeck and bridge. All serve a purpose and provide privacy for adults, children or couples during holidays afloat.

The first steps aboard are likely to be taken on the boarding platform, which has a concealed swim ladder, a wet storage locker and room to carry a tender, two deck chairs or two bronzed bodies.

The rope lockers concealed in the transom corners are a big-boat touch. The lids lift on hydraulic struts. The fairleads, cleats and Opacmare crane, hiding in a transom locker, are of Italian heritage. A deck shower isn't far away.

With the transom door closed, the cockpit is like a big rumpus room. Comfort will be found in summer thanks to the shade cast by the flybridge overhang. The plush aft lounge can seat five people. Add a loose table and chairs for a six-person lunch setting. The optional icemaker will call at sunset.

Three steps lead to the boat's wide sidedecks, past more designer deck fittings, to the foredeck, which has an optional sunpad with drinkholders. Even without the sunpad, the deck is a passenger-friendly spot. It has moulded toerails, a supported bowrail with an intermediate wire, a raw-water tap as a washdown, and a serious spotlight for night boating.

Deck three, the flybridge, is found by climbing a moulded staircase (not a dicky ladder) in the cockpit. There are two good helm seats for the skipper and navigator, a rail behind the seat for crew to hang onto, and room for five people on a massive U-shaped lounge to starboard set around a small moulded table. There's room for someone to take a nap here.

Amenities include a moulded top-loading icebox with a 12V fridge unit and a big aft sunbaking area under the raked radar arch. A storage locker keeps the cushions out of the weather when not in use. Aft perspex and safety rails keep guests on board. While the perspex windscreen looks pretty, its rolled top edge does distort the skipper's view.

But the helm console to port was practical, with Raymarine electronics, a windlass control, a thruster joystick, EDC fingertip controls, a searchlight and a spread of Volvo gauges. And from here, I found the P45 almost drives itself.

A locking hatch over the moulded staircase helps with bridge safety. People new to boating should find it a comfortable and reassuring place to travel. Seasoned skippers will prefer it as a fair-weather helm. Other times, you can drive from the lower station.

INDOOR BEAUTY
An impressive three-stage opening saloon door is the one item that, more than any other, reflects the integrity of the boat. It's a solid stainless steel and glass creation that lets a bit of the outdoors back in.

With the door locked open, the boat's aft deck flows seamlessly into the luxurious saloon lit by natural light or12V halogens. Plenty of natural ventilation comes via opening windows or reverse-cycle air-conditioning. And a neutral, natural colour scheme enhances the sense of spaciousness.

Straw-coloured Berber carpet, light cherrywood joinery, chalk-coloured leather lounges, off-white faux suede, textured vinyl liners and bronze-coloured curtains are a canvas on which you can add subtle personal decorating touches.

Style aside, amenities make the boat. Near the companionway is a cherrywood cabinet containing the entertainment centre. This features a DVD player linked to a pull-out television on a swivel bracket. The Sony CD player is linked to separate output areas in the bridge and saloon.

There is a 12/240V fridge, a bottle locker in the entertainment cabinet and a two-person settee alongside. Despite the brochure's insistence, the settee didn't detach and pull up to the dinette opposite. But the big U-shaped lounge provides a port-side dining setting for four people in any case.

COOKS & CAPTAINS
Gourmands will gravitate to the U-shaped galley set down behind the boat's timber servery to port. Unlike galleys on some motoryachts, this one has generous hip and head room for cooking at anchor or for preparing lunches mid-passage.

Black-ice Avonite counters assist with meal assembly, as does a cutting board over one of the two deep circular sinks designed to wash and rinse the supplied Princess crockery and silver cutlery sets. There is dedicated storage for both of these, as well as the boat's crystal glasses, in drawers and cherrywood cupboards above the counters.

Sub-floor is a pull-out storage bin for food or empties and a recessed kitchen tidy to help clean as you go. Plenty of timber cupboards are provided for provisions. Full marks for the extractor fan.

Amenities include a three-burner ceramic hob, a combination microwave oven/grill in a cupboard, and a 12/240V fridge hidden behind a timber facia. Water capacity is 577lt, but there is room for a desalinator if you plan on some back-country cruising. The water gauge is sensibly located in the galley. Hot water comes via a heat exchanger and a separate 32lt 240V tank.

A step-up lower helm to port has twin leather-backed adjustable pedestal seats and electric windows on either side.

With the saloon and cockpit doors open, you can see the transom edge for bump-free berthing.

Underway, a touch of trim tab keeps the nose down and provides a good view of the road ahead. Offshore the two-speed wipers and freshwater washers keep the windscreen clean. A searchlight helps with night navigation.

The lower helm, with its giant burr elm dash, is akin to what you might find in a 50-footer or perhaps a luxury car. The navigator gets the customary map holder with a chart light and two drinkholders. The big dash unfurls all the way to the skipper.

There is room for 7in and 10in colour screens, VHF radio, windlass and searchlight controls, and the joystick for the Sidepower bowthruster. A raised brow contains a spread of Volvo engine gauges. Trim tab switches, a sports steering wheel and EDC throttles fall to hand. And before long you feel at one with the leather seat.

TWO CABINS OR THREE?
There are definite gains to be made with this twin cabin/twin head layout over the three-cabin version — at least 10cm extra length in the owners' forward cabin, for instance. The ensuite is as big and luxurious as I have seen on a 60-plus footer.

Storage is another highlight. The hanging robe has sufficient space to swing 10 suits, the wardrobe opposite has lots of handy shelves, and there are drawers under the bed. Cupboards surround the island double berth, which is topped with a silky quilt in tan and gold hues.

There are separate reading lights, a fly and privacy screen for the deck hatch, opening portholes, a separate air-conditioning system with controls, and speakers on the ceiling for the sound system. A small but functional dressing table with a mirror lets you look your best back at the yacht club.

The tremendous space isn't just a function of cleverly placed mirrors. The shower is huge and there is an opening porthole and an extractor fan, a big vanity and separate wash basin, and enough room to saunter past your partner. Oh, and lots of chic Italian fittings, of course.

The starboard guest cabin has the time-proven, popular Euro layout of twin single berths with a lowboy in between. These berths can be converted into a double using the supplied infill.

There is a handy amount of floor space at the cabin entrance and seated headroom when you step down into the footwell and plonk yourself on either bed.

Like all good boats, a lot of effort has been put into maximising the storage space for guests: I noted a big hanging locker and at least four other lockers. Fawn-coloured faux suede surrounds create a soft-touch finish while being easy to clean. The matching bedspread, pillows and joinery are first class.

The remains of the third cabin to port is used as a storeroom, with provision for fitting a washer/dryer. There is also space for a cellar and room to carry infills, a fold-up bike or even golf clubs.

The AC/DC control panel is nearby. I started the generator, which was barely audible from the cabins and saloon.

The dayhead/guest ensuite has a sliding circular shower screen and, well, a lot less floor space than the owners' bathroom. However, the specifications are impressive: electric loo, good-sized Avonite vanity and sink, and plenty of sexy Italian fittings.

CRUISING BEAUTY
Next, a run out to sea and back home again. There was low scuttling cloud, a brisk south-easterly blowing and a building swell. Actually, they were pretty benign conditions for this modified-vee hull.

Using the tabs, the P45 could hold a low planing speed of 12.8kt at 1500rpm. The sea let me enjoy speedier settings. Tabs off and running freely, with a slightly head-high attitude that was useful for deflecting spray, the boat punched east between 18kt at 1850rpm and 22.8kt at 2200rpm.

At a cruise speed of 19-20kt, the twin 480hp Volvo engines jointly consume around 140lt/h, says Volvo, though the figures on the boat are better. With 10% of fuel in reserve, the boat's theoretical range is more than 200nm and 10.5 hours of engine running time, according to maths using Volvo's curves.

Offshore the boat felt stiff and rattle-free into a headsea, as if it could cover the miles almost surreptitiously, such was its easeful manner. Surfing home at 2400rpm I recorded 27.6kt. The boat tracked straight and crossed some minor joggle without relaying bumps to the bridge.

Top speed was 30.9kt, and even then the P45 was quiet, smooth and dignified. The EDC controls are this scribe's favourites ? soft touch without too much delay. The steering wasn't power-assisted like the big Princesses, and you did have to lean on the wheel to get the boat to turn a sharp corner.

But by the day's end this British little big boat had earned my respect. Weighing in at 12,500kg dry with base motors, it's an aristocratic and manageable cruiser for a discerning couple.

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