Princess V52

As this stunning V52 proves, the Plymouth-based boat builders are creating smarter evolutionary rather than revolutionary luxury cruisers these days. But while they are more sophisticated, the boats aren’t complicated.

Their systems are simple to operate, most everything is easily accessed, and there’s no high-tech control panel to baffle the skipper. This high degree of user-friendliness helps explain why there are some 50-odd Princess boats in Australia today.

We tested the first model, a 60 Motoryacht with flying bridge, back in 1998. Our test of the first V Series, a 50, occurred the year after. There are now nine different models in the popular V Series from the V39 to V85-S. The company still builds flybridge cruisers from 42 to 98ft and a new M Class up to 40 metres.

We’re told owners tend to remain brand loyal after experiencing the local servicing network that includes six English engineers who used to work at the Princess factory. The local agents also carry stock boats ready for immediate delivery, which assists sales at boat shows.

It also helps that, in 2008, Princess was 75 per cent sold to L Capital, an investment group sponsored by luxury brand group LVMH and Groupe Arnault, the investment vehicle of French billionaire Bernard Arnault, the fourth richest man in Europe last year, says Forbes.

Meanwhile, the V52 is a great mid-range cruiser that can be easily handled by a couple. The boat has poise and pose, a new level of Euro-inspired design, and tighter fit and finish. At the end of our test, I noted no rattles, not a drop of water on the windscreen or rear saloon doors, and no stress driving offshore or in the busy Broadwater. Real pleasure boating.

Specified for the Australian market, our V52 also came with Sidepower bow and stern thrusters with dual docking stations, Raymarine C120 combo chartplotter with 4kW HD radar, rear cockpit cover to better suit our climate, as well as dishwasher and Bose system for entertaining. These things complemented enough factory-fitted electronics kit to press your buttons some more.

While you don’t get a tender garage as per the V62, you do get a 400kg hydraulic submersible swim platform to make launching your tender a breeze. Indoors, there are electric side opening windows, pop-up large-screen television, and an electric sunroof.

You also get the level of fit and finish that is commensurate with the $1,551,352 price tag as tested. The boat seen here teamed dark Wenge flooring and cherrywood coachwork with black leather trim that’s well-lit thanks to abundant glazing. It was an austere but not introspective interior.

The lower dinette with big opening portholes was rather elegant, facing the galley and big television. We suppose eight can dine in comfort on more formal occasions. The en suite to the VIP guest cabin in the bow has a second door so as to double for communal head, and its tapware is fittingly stylish.

Two-pack Pewter-coloured cupboards, black leather servery, white solid-stone counters and leather-lined cutlery drawers add to the sophistication in the galley, while utility comes from the three-burner cooktop with extractor fan, combination micro/oven/grill, counter-height fridge with small freezer, and small dishwasher. Mount an extra freezer in the lazarette/crew quarters if you want to cruise. With just 364 litres of water you will need a desalinator, too.

That VIP Guest cabin in the bow is a revelation, with scissor berths that spread to create twin single. We can only presume, with sufficiently thick mattress protector, that the join between the bunks can be slept on when in double mode.

The surrounded high-gloss dark cherry joinery cabinetry and hanging lockers will swallow a week’s clobber, while opening portlights and escape hatch direct light and air inside, as contemporary reading lights lift the level of chic.

But the piece de resistance is the full-beam stateroom with headroom, queen-bed, flanked by sofa and buffet with dresser opposite, and with more opening portlights to keep you connected and comfortable. The ensuite is oversized, too, and the whole thing is just so very liveable that we couldn’t imagine anyone finding issue with the V52.

Back outdoors is the expected deck gear: hot-cold transom shower, LED lights, and big cleats. Bulwarks and moulded toe rails, and a long bow rail with lifeline, make going forward safe for kids and parents.

The attractions of the foredeck include sunpad, stainless steel Ultra Anchor with 50m of chain, recessed Lewmar windlass and concealed fender baskets. Looking back, the raked windscreen with big pantograph wipers adds to the intent, but a lot more time will be spent kicking back in the cockpit.

To this end, there’s a comfortable U-shape lounge for 10 set around a great big teak table that converts to a sunpad/daybed under the extended Aussie-extra awning and side clears.

Opposite is what comes close to the perfect amenities centre with electric barbecue, top-loading fridge/freezer, sink, storage for refuse, and drink holders so you can flip the marinated seafood. The six underwater lights create a stage at night.

Meantime, tri-fold day doors invite you indoors, on the same level as the cockpit, where the surround glass, opening roof and side windows create an atmosphere that’s bright but connected.

The windows frame the views from the 10-seater U-shaped lounge set around a high-gloss cherrywood table with leather inlay. An inbuilt buffet, opposite behind the twin leather helm seats, contains icemaker, wet bar, pop up television, and storage.

The engine room satisfied our inspection. It almost has standing room. There were upgraded 11kva Onan for three Crusair air-con units delivering 64,000btus, big sea strainers and coolant bottles that were easy to find, batteries in boxes, with the power steering and hydraulics for the swim platform back aft. There’s good access around the engines and 24DC fans for ventilation.

The latest variable-speed Sidepower electric bow and stern thrusters with “hold” function and optional joystick controller make the V52 a “virtual” pod-driven boat. Meantime, you get the great Olesinski hull and sporty handling that is very much an attraction of the Princess Vee Series.

The cruising groove of 400rpm off the top gave between 25 to 28 knots for 174-214 litres/hour. This will give a cruise range of about 260nm, which is plenty enough to port hop along the coast.

At the helm, the V52 really does deliver driving pleasure that’s commensurate with a British or European sports car. The twin Caterpillar 715hp C12 engines were more harmonious than in other boat installations we have recently experienced.

No vibration, low noise, just a heady combination of power and performance in keeping with the Princess marque.

But it’s the prop tunnels, which reduce draft to just 1.10 metres, and modest displacement of just 13,200kg (base boat) that ensure a snappy exit as you advance the throttles. Vroom, vroom!

At the same time, décor of dark wenge flooring, black leather and huge matt-black dash (with windscreen demister) doesn’t distract your eye from the ocean views, while cool stainless-steel air-con grills, metallic-pewter sprayed panels, and LED lighting add to the ambience.

The joinery is impeccable and the soft trims perfectly executed. All of it trumpets British class.