Princess V48

Specifically, Princess designed its new V48 around Volvo Penta’s IPS600s (435hp D6 diesel engines). The move is a nod to the new luxury-boat market and answers today’s cruiser-consumer call for: (a) a joystick docking device, (b) a full-beam master, and (c) better performance from smaller engines.

Princess went with a fully resin-infused hull. It’s still a preferred Bernard Olesinski-design, as touted on the naval architect’s Facebook page, only the pod drives have the V48 riding much higher than his usual shaft-driven craft. This is, we feel, a trait of IPS boats.

Of course, the big plus from resin infusion is the exact lamination and resin content that ensures the boat weighs-in to meet performance targets. And at 32-34 knots, the V48 is no slouch. Not that resin infusion is a first for Princess, mind you. The yard has been embracing the technology for its new models and the 40M it launched last year is actually the biggest resin-infused production hull in the world.

There are other gains from this ‘new way to lay’. Environmentally, vacuum bagging and closed moulds are better. Design-wise, because the hull derives a lot of its rigidity from its form, the supporting structure can be reduced.

Fewer stringers and cross members permit space gains in the cabins, creating more headroom, more floor space and bigger beds that are lower to the ‘ground.’ You really notice this in the forward VIP cabin of the V48. At the other end of the boat, the aft engine location customary with pod drives helps create the stunning full-beam stateroom.

Yet there was something else that grabbed our attention during our V48 dalliance. The automotive-like fit and finish takes Princess to the next level of luxury boating. From the impressive helm station to the mullions and saloon superstructure, the moulded panels with complex curves and edgy matt-grey finish look smart.

Together, these things create a cutting-edge sport yacht with contemporary lines that are more Italian than British. To this writer’s eye, the interior styling was enlivened further with the choice of satin-finished light-oak joinery and flooring instead of a high-gloss option.

Along with the standard IPS600s, the boat came with an optional bow thruster -- presumably just in case -- upgraded 11kW Onan and 56,000 BTUs of tropical-strength air-con to all cabins and bathrooms. Think total climate control.

The navigational kit was from Raymarine and included twin i70 LCD multifunction displays, a separate 12in chartplotter (ahead of the co-pilot), p70R autopilot with LED display, push-button and rotary knob control, and Shipmate VHF. Suffice to say, the loaded dash was full of intent. We also like how it’s designed from the word go to harbour all this kit.

The boat comes with Australian electrical compliance and all the electrical wiring looms are made in-house, we’re told. Extra appliances were added. They include an icemaker in the cockpit and a dishwasher in the galley. The black-water system was upgraded, while the ground tackle included a stainless-steel Ultra Anchor and extra 10 metres of chain to take it to 50 metres in length.

The AV upgrades ran the gamut from the four LED televisions up to 32in with Bluetooth facility to a Fusion IP600 with iPod/MP3 compatibility and outdoor speakers.

Our V48 was furnished with optional saloon stools, loose rugs, leather helm seats, Avonite galley and bathroom tops. A second door to the second head facilitates its day use, while optional scissor berths in the VIP forward cabin can be converted from singles to a double.

A big-ticket addition, the hydraulic swim platform comes with a 400kg carrying capacity, meaning you can tote a tender big enough to take two couples into that waterfront digs.

When dining aboard, the cockpit table is adjustable from its sun-pad position earlier in the day, while the upgraded cockpit wet bar sports an electric barbecue, the icemaker and sink. An optional foredeck sun pad was included as a perch for the pre-dinner drinks.

As if this wasn’t enough, the boat was bundled with a fine China dinner setting, David Mellor cutlery, Princess drinking glasses, fluffy towels and fenders. Yet none of the kit seemed extraneous in what is a smart integrated boat from the pods up.

Oh, and the docking joystick comes standard.

From the hydraulic swim platform, you enter the cockpit via moulded teak-topped stairs and through a gate. Walkaround decks facilitate bow-to-stern crew duties when not reclining on the sun pad located in tracks. The cockpit, meanwhile, is conceived to entertain, with a plush C-shaped lounge for six or more around the afore-mentioned dinette that converts to the aft sun pad.

As the galley is below decks, the amenities centre received the royal treatment with that upgraded hot-rock barbecue, big sink in which you can shuck oysters, and icemaker for the G&Ts. There is scope to add a fridge here we’re told, although it’s just a reach inside at the cocktail cabinet.

LED lights are standard, but an extended Euro-style awning was likely to be cut locally. Storage ranged from sub-seat areas and the amenities module to a boot accessed from the swim ladder. There’s even dedicated fender and liferaft hidey-holes.

The stainless-steel catches, gas struts and deck gear underscore the boat’s high quality, while its utility is reflected in the positioning of grab rails, aft-reaching bow rail and moulded toe rails. Flush deck hatches and concealed fender baskets in the anchor locker ensure the boat’s fine lines remain unfettered. And with an integrated sunroof with skylights, plus electric side windows, the V48 looks fast merely idling.

The cocktail cabinet housed tumblers, bottle storage and a 24V Waeco fridge, plus a pop-up television that faces the portside dinette and lounge. The optional poufs tucked under the dinette boost seating from four to six. Terrific views extend out the deep widows and the enlarged electric sunroof is at your beck and call.

Below decks, the lower saloon and galley create an intimate area for preparing and sharing meals, kicking back in movie mode, playing cards or just hanging out. The dinette will seat four in comfort, with an extendable table leaf that adds to the dining space. Or convert it all into an impromptu berth aka TV lounge.

The light-oak joinery and flooring, solid-stone ‘copper-canyon’ galley work surfaces, and black lounge upholstery look sharp, while opening portlights and the atrium effect from the wide companionway cut-out keep you connected with crew up top and conditions outside.

Galley highlights include a full-sized standing fridge and freezer, Franke sink with HansGrohe mixer, dishdrawer dishwasher, convection microwave oven/grill, three-burner 240V ceramic cooktop with exhaust fan, soft-close drawers and cool grey splashbacks.

The cupboards and storage space will more than accommodate the likely weekend provisions and appliances including coffee machine. Sated, you then move to your digs…

Split, you have the option of putting kids in their own beds and, in this mode, the useable floor space seems to increase. You also get trapezoidal fixed windows for views, timber-lined hanging space, full-length mirror, air-con control and separate Fusion TV and AV system.

There are double doors to the communal bathroom. Like the owner’s en suite, it boasts a black tiled floor, vanity with English-made Perrin and Rowe washbasin, freshwater Dometic head, opening portlight and extractor fan for ventilation. But the owner’s en suite distinguishes itself through it truly big shower stall, trick blue lighting and cool splashback. It’s rather hotel-like.

As touched on, the high-volume V48 boasts a full-beam stateroom with full headroom. It’s a class-leading cabin, among the best staterooms we’ve seen, with island queen-sized bed, inbuilt settee, dressing table and light-oak chest of drawers. Fixed trapezoidal hull windows and opening portlights prevent any feeling of stuffiness, while an upholstered panelled bed head, Italian reading lights and Sheets Ahoy bedding lift the luxe factor.

Meanwhile, the engine room accessed from a cockpit hatch is immense, with oodles of servicing room around the modest D6 engines and their pod drives. There are integrated sea strainers on the Volvos and remote fuel filters. Check them, dip the oil, take a look around for leaks and you’re about done. The fully-electronic engines will alert you to any issues in any case.

We also noted top access to the air-con units, batteries outboard of the engines, wing fuel tanks with shutoffs each carrying 600 litres, generator with gas-water splitter for quiet operation, Seafire system, and very tidy electrical installations. The 364 litres of water will last a long weekend, but holiday boaters will need a desal.

The V48 benefitted from the use of electro-hydraulic trim tabs, with a half setting getting the nose down to where the boat runs desirably flat like a shaft-driven Olesinski hull. Yet vision is never compromised and, with the engines well aft, this is a quiet boat. In fact, water action on the resin-infused hull was the loudest thing offshore.

We saw 34.4 knots on the day, with SOGs of more than 30 knots. Princess claims 32-34 knots top speed in its brochure. So we were on the money. Cruise at 3000rpm and 21-22 knots seemed efficient for 117 litres per hour for a safe 200nm range, while at 25-26 knots fast cruise we remained comfortable offshore. All the while, the hull proved very dry and it turned off the wheel in a more sporty fashion than some other pod driven boats we’ve run.

Of course, the IPS setup is just perfect for berthing in a big city like Sydney. Jump on the joystick and decamp from a busy marina. Head out for dinner ashore or entertain aboard. And when not sleeping another couple or your kids -- you can bunk six thanks to the convertible saloon dinette -- enjoy the run of the boat and that private full-beam stateroom all to yourselves.

The new V48 is a cutting-edge sport yacht that takes Princess to an altogether new and exciting place. Yes, you get a five-star finish, enlarged cabins, chic Euro styling, fittingly sporty handling with affordable running costs. But there’s something else, a certain synergy, where 1+1 = 3 and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts including those IPS600s pod drives with must-have joystick. Take a look-see.