Princess 52 Flybridge

On paper, the comparison is interesting. The new 52 -- launched at the 2013 London Boat Show in January and arriving here in July – has exactly the same beam and accommodation plan as the 56. The saloon layout and cockpit space differ, but you need to weigh-up the minor losses there with a $400,000 saving compared with the 56.

The space gains on the 52 come back to the resin-infused hull that gains a lot of strength from its form and therefore doesn’t need the same amount of internal structure as a conventional hull. The UK yard is quite expert at building these new boats and its 40M superyacht is touted as the largest resin-infused production hull in the world.

But set foot aboard and there’s something else to talk about. Unlike some of the more introspective motoryachts of the past, the new 52 remains wonderfully connected indoors. This is the first Princess with an aft galley that, together with a fully equipped wet bar opposite, creates one big service centre ready to entertain.

The aft entertaining arrangement will endear the 52 to our way of boating rather than the European way, where the galley is hidden from view, hired hands are packed aboard, and they’re given dedicated crew quarters should the owners decide to sleep aboard. Instead, you get a nice big lazarette for your watertoys, victuals and cruising kit on this boat, a joystick to help dock her yourself, and that galley very much on show as we like it.

Step up to the forward saloon and you’re dining in style, doing a casual breakfast, enjoying a coffee with the lowered table, watching television and/or cruising as the ocean vistas unfolding through the abundant glazing. As the 52 is designed to be driven from inside, it offers truly commanding views. Team that with the Olensinski hull that runs flat and dry, and an auto-inspired helm, and there’s a lot of driving pleasure aboard the 52.

In fact, it’s just so enjoyable cruising this boat from the lower helm in the climate-controlled living area that it’s easy to forget you’ve got an immense flying bridge above. But with brilliant blue skies, the wind in your hair and ocean views as we head offshore, riding in that bridge proves no less of a buzz. And in this sense, the 52 offers an exciting European motor-yachting experience.

Bottom line: the 52 we drove remained keenly priced when you go shopping with $1.689 million and consider the upgrades aboard this boat. The big addition was Xenta, an electric joystick-docking device for shaft-driven boats such as this 52, which engages the gearboxes and bow thruster to shunt your boat this way and that. The thruster was upgraded from the standard 120kgf to a 150kgf model that should be welcome aboard this high-volume hull.

An upgraded 11kW Onan replaces the standard-issue 7kW number, as tropical-strength air conditioning was included, along with a windscreen demister system that will handy on those dewy Autumn mornings. But there wasn’t an inverter. And as part of the premium audio upgrade, there was a BOSE 3.2.1 system (with separate outdoor zones) connected to LED TVs in the saloon and master stateroom.

Bose needs an AC supply and, thus, the boat’s generator if you want to watch a DVD. The importers say they usually fit a small inverter as an aftermarket item for this very purpose. So the fix shouldn’t be a big deal. And full marks for the fully Australian compliant electrical systems all the same.

The extensive Raymarine navigation suite, mirrored at upper and lower helm stations, included a 12in multifunction display, autopilot and VHF with intercom function so you can dial-up lunch up top on the trot. Radar wasn’t included, which we’d like for those night passages and especially when negotiating the offshore shipping and anchoring lanes.

The optional hydraulic swim platform with 400kg lift capacity will ensure snappy dispatch and retrieval of your tender on this 52, while also creating a slosh pool for the grandkiddies, and dampening roll on the anchor. Anchoring hardware upgrades will provide peace of mind, too.

The optional electric high-low pedestal on the saloon dinette creates a casual coffee table from the dinette. On the appliance front, there were some key upgrades including icemaker in the aft wet bar, dishwasher for the post-party clean up, and lava-rock barbecue in the bridge. We also welcome the washer/dryer in the utility space under the companionway stairs. You shouldn’t need to head home for clobber and, with some planning, you can leave the boat with a clean wardrobe and sheets.

As with all Princess boats now imported here, the 52 had fine China for six (stacked in a dedicated galley cupboard), a David Melor Paris cutlery kit, Princess glasses and tumblers, embossed fluffy towels, even neat blue socks for the fenders. The choice of bedding, soft furnishings and high-gloss cherrywood joinery created a pretty special effect, too.

Heavy-duty stainless-steel deck gear is a feature from the transom to the foredeck, via the moulded cockpit steps and along the wide cabin sidedecks to the sunpad on the bow. The high bow rail, grab rails and moulded toe rails add to the safety, while the freshwater anchor wash system was yet another handy upgrade.

As touched on, the Princess 52 certainly embraces the trend in European motoryachts to rooftop-terrace entertaining. Moulded stairs lead from the cockpit, usefully close to the galley, to a massive bridge with a plush C-shaped aft lounge and second smaller crew lounge opposite the twin-seater helm.

You can do lunch up top with eight people, tugging on an aftermarket bimini top for shade, while using the integrated amenities centre with that promising lava-rock electric barbecue and sink. There’s an in-dash top-loading cool box for your plonk, after which the lounge converts to a sunpad for catching some zeds.

The aft galley and wet bar flow back to the outdoor spaces thanks large sliding saloon doors and, up a couple of steps, forward to the raised deck saloon with no-less-terrific views. Opening side windows and air-conditioned climate control create a true all-weather motoryacht, as to be expected from the British.

The dinette seats six, with as many dinner settings provided, while the optional electric pedestal creates a coffee table. With a two-person sofa opposite, behind the helm, from where the TV emerges at the press of a button, you have a great place for guests to enjoy some social cruising.

Accommodation is class-leading, with three impressively large cabins and two bathrooms that redefine the 52. From the third cabin with twin adult-length bunks to the deep and lofty VIP in the bow with an island berth, guests are treated very well. By doubling as en suite to the VIP cabin in the bow, the communal bathroom adds to the lodgings for a guest couple.

Then comes the aft master for the owners. The full-beam stateroom has a queen bed back aft, flanked by panorama windows including opening portlights for fresh air, a sofa and separate dressing table, wardrobe and shelves. Headroom is a highpoint, while the en suite has the vibe of an upmarket London hotel with a fittingly big shower. The 592 litres of water will last a long weekend if you’re splashing it about, but any cruiser buff worth his or her salt will fit a desalinator.

Meanwhile, the finish appears to have been lifted aboard this 52, the V48 we tested on the day and, we’re supposing, this latest generation of resin-infused Princess boats. While V48 had contemporary light-oak joinery perhaps to sway a younger crowd, this 52 was more your stately high-gloss cherry Princess in the decor department.

At times, the Caterpillar engines sound truck-like to this writer’s ear. Yet a gas-water splitter on the Onan ensures it operates very quietly when you are swinging on the anchor.

There’s not a lot else to add on the engineering front, as it’s all to the high standards found on Princess boats these days. The steering is electronic and power-assisted (with hydraulic backup) leading to the great off-the-wheel handling we have come to expect.

With four-blade props in pockets and the stiff resin-infused hull there wasn’t a lot of vibration. But there is possibly more transfer of water noise, perhaps as a result of less ambient running noise elsewhere, that’s echoes on these resin-infused hulls. You notice it from the lower helm when running hard at sea.

The big chines and spray rails are part of the solution and together they make driving from that lower helm station a very reassuring and relaxing experience. Sight lines are great, there’s room for your first-mate alongside, and the rest of the gang can recline on the lounge opposite.

At the end of your passage, you’ll emerge as fresh as when you first slipped behind the wheel and used that Xenta joystick to fast-track your exit. Yet, there’s something to be embraced in an altogether different way in the flying bridge. You’re in the elements, seemingly at the helm of a massive convertible sports craft, and everything including speed is a lot more tactile.

At 20.2 knots, a wonderfully smooth cruise sees the twin 715hp Caterpillar engines consume 166 litres per hour for a range of about 260 nautical miles from 90 per cent of the 2364 litre tank. So the 52 hasn’t especially long cruising legs, but what it does offer is a five-star luxury passage experience.

With engine options of twin 575hp Volvo D9s you’ll get just 25-27 knots top speed, claims Princess, while the 670hp D11s upgrades give a forecast 28-30 knots. These top-spec 715hp C12A Caterpillar produce 29-31 knots, claims Princess. We saw 30.5 knots after returning to Sydney Harbour, so the yard is spot on.

Some 200rpm off top revs returned 25.5 knots fast cruise for 210 litres per hour consumption and a range of about 260 nautical miles again. So if the seas allow, you may as well sit on fast cruise and get to that barely-rocking dream anchorage in quick time. After all, there’s a lot to savour aboard.

Best of all, the ‘Dreamliner’ ride remains on song and the 52 definitely lets you know you’re cruising on a Princess. The inverter, radar, watermaker, Foxtel, bimini and a tender were the only things left to consider on this spiffing British motoryacht. The boat we drove was selling at a discount to a new ‘custom’ order and ready to drive away for summer. It’s a lot of boat for the money and we’d happily snatch the keys.