David Lockwood•14 Mar 2014

REVIEW

Princess V57 with twin 800hp Volvo D13s

Name: Princess V57 with twin 800hp Volvo D13s
Brand: PRINCESS

The perfect owner/driver sportyacht with a very special Missoni designer interior

Luxury-boat builder Princess has raised the bar after French luxury-goods conglomerate, the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) Group, took control of the British yard in 2008. The lift in fit and finish, the princely yet practical interior, the design smarts and liveability team with signature sport-yacht performance for a true luxury-boating experience. But this V57 was something out of the box, with designer Missoni splashes from the Italian fashion house making a statement in style. There’s a lot of refinement for just over $2 million and with twin 800hp D13s you get one of the most dignified rides about town in a shaft-driven sport yacht.

OVERVIEW?
- The haute couture of British-built pleasure cruisers provides a visual and sensual feast

The Princess V57 pictured and driven hereabouts was highly and intelligently spec’d for our discerning luxury-boat market. Here’s a boat in which the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. From the sweet drive and performance to the accommodating decks, from the Missoni interior décor to the full-beam stateroom, this V-Class is all class.

Taking the good things from the past and enhancing them with the new, Princess has rediscovered its mojo thanks to the fresh investment from its ‘new’ owners, the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Group (LVMH). With a cache of luxury brands with undisputed cachet, LVMH wasn’t going to settle for anything but a first-class boating fit, we suppose.

Step aboard this V57 and you can see the attention to detail. The lack of silicon wipes or self tappers, the fair hull derived from the resin-infused process, the resulting enhanced living spaces below decks, and the availability of semi-custom fashion-house interiors -- as is the case with Missoni here -- have lifted the bar. Add great performance and the Princess reputation for production-boat luxe has been reinforced.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

?- $2 million more than met by the fitout

Princess Yachts Australia has a close relationship with its brand-loyal boat-owning family, staging cross-promotional luxury events with other key partners, hosting cruises in company from its large dealerships and their impressive amenities on both East and West coasts. To wow this cultured and cultivated market, the V57 pulled no punches in the specifications department and deftly equipped.

Our boat had a pair of smooth-running Volvo Penta D13 800hp engines, which are the base option giving a 36 knot-plus top speed. The factory quotes up to 38 knots with the optional 900hp upgrades, but the standard engines remain a great match all the same. A Xenta electronic Joystick controls the upgraded bow thruster and engine transmissions to assists docking.

The 11kW Onan generator takes care of the upgraded tropical-strength air conditioning that includes the saloon/helm deck, lazarette/aft crew cabin as well as windscreen for demister purposes. To assist entertaining there was a dishwasher, washer/dryer (lazarette), icemaker in saloon, lava-brick BBQ in cockpit, and we welcome the optional freshwater anchor wash.

The AV set-up left no cabin ‘untuned’, with a Harmon Kardon Blu-Ray system and 26 LED TV in the saloon, plus separate TVs with radio/iPod/MP3 players with video and Bluetooth connectivity in the three cabins. Navigation gear was the latest user-friendly Raymarine kit.

Along with some soft furnishing upgrades, the Missoni décor touches using signature chevron and bold colour combinations, the V57 had a $2.035m price tag. This compares favourably with, say, the Riviera 5800 Sport Yacht that we recently tested for $2.3 million with the latest Volvo kit, Avon jet tender and more.

Mind you, the V57 is physically smaller than the Riviera 5800 SY and it carries less fuel and water. But it’s a higher-end product offering a refined ride in open water. In the never-ending balance between performance and space, the V57 honours its sport yacht tag.

DECKS AND OUTDOOR LIVING?

- Integration is the key to an amenable deck layout

We boarded stern first, stepping across the 300kg-capacity hydraulic swim platform (aka jet-ski carrier), ranging up the moulded steps either side of the garage, which is designed around a Williams 325 jet tender. There’s an eight-person party sunpad above, where a couple can roll around, and access under the integrated U-shaped lounge to the lazarette (optional crew fitout) with washer/dryer.

We would consider adding an awning of some kind to help shade the cockpit lunch setting, which with folding teak table will swallow 10 people. The integrated amenities centre nearby has Smeg hot-rock barbecue (add a bigger crowd-pleasing barbie on the swim platform), sink and top-loading champagne cooler with Waeco fridge plate. Servery space lets you stage a buffet and, with big saloon doors thrown open, the indoors on the same level, well lit by windows and sunroof, extends the V57’s above-water living space.

Meanwhile, side deck access to the foredeck is crew, kid and King Charles Spaniel friendly thanks to moulded toe rails, a long trailing bow rail, and inherently grippy non-skid decks. En route you might notice the high-quality heavy-duty stainless-steel deck gear.

The windlass sits proud, although the freshwater flush will assist shifting the inevitable mud, while flush deck hatches add to the racy styling of the V57. The sunpad is the destination if you want to escape the crowd. Back indoors, is something else again…

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION

- Three cabins, three bathrooms, and plush on-deck living

The three-cabin/three bathroom layout is an option over the standard three cabin/two bathroom arrangement. You lose the lower saloon dinette, opposite the galley, as a result. But select owners will appreciate the logic, especially those who like to entertain and maximise their above-deck floor and living space.

Thanks to resin-infused construction, the hull gains strength through its form rather than just the stringers. And that means enlarged cabins. This was evident in the spacious forward VIP, where scissor berths extend the sleeping options from twin singles to a double. Leather trim adds to the upmarket finish, while generous glazing funnels natural light. This en suite has a second door to double as a communal head.

Naturally, the full-beam owners’ stateroom is the crowning jewel. Swing aft from the galley and down three steps and you’ll find it. With big hull windows it’s well connected, light and airy. The queen island bed with Missoni spread, gloss walnut joinery and trick reading lights create an austere ambience that, with mood lighting at night and the water playing nearby, might summons the inner Casanova.

A leather chaise lounge to port beckons under the opening portlights, there is a dedicated leather-topped vanity with twin pouffes at the foot of the bed, while the integrated chest of drawers and hanging space will harbour your on-trend wardrobe. Headroom, ventilation, comfort, style, storage and en suite all got our tick of approval. The latter has a hotel vibe, with timber vanity, floating sink, black tiled flooring and man-sized shower.

The third cabin has bunks with a trick ladder and, after testing they were deemed adult-sized beds. Full hanging space and an opening port, plus a dedicated private en suite with separate shower stall, add to the amenity. Outside the cabin door is the apartment-like galley with drawers harbouring supplied Princess China, Princess glasses, and David Mellor “Paris” cutlery. The boat comes with monogrammed towels, insect screens on all hatches and portholes, and solid Avonite bathroom and galley counters.

Gourmands will welcome the four-burner cooktop, with range hood, combi convection microwave oven, drawer-style dishwasher, and small but handy bench-height fridge. The glass splashback and timber flooring add to the utility, while the servery space is sufficient to assemble platters before sending them back up top. A large atrium-type opening ensures the cook remains connected and with nice wide companionways you can bound back outdoors with the canapés. Incidentally, the saloon dinette converts to a coffee table for informal feet-up, post-party, cognac occasions.

The V57’s saloon doesn’t break new ground, but it does offer refined living, helming and a gathering space where the Missoni fashion fabrics add to the Euro chic. The leather-topped walnut cabinet behind the starboard helm houses the wetbar, glasses, icemaker and television in one discreet self-contained unit. The dinette opposite can seat six. Above is a large opening sunroof, while electric side windows give cross-flow ventilation.

Our critique was silenced by the great attention to detail, the on-trend walnut joinery, flush cabinetry hinges, concealed air-con vents, blinds on the sunroof helping protect the soft furnishings, the Missoni lamp and rug that add to the atmosphere. With doors, windows and sunroof closed, the saloon is a cosy all-weather cruising space where clear vision adds to the boating experience. You could almost say: bring on winter as the V57 is suitable for all seasons.

HULL AND ENGINEERING

- Princess raises the standards with a slippery hull

The V57 resin-infused hull is fair and stiff, with a signature Bernard Olesinski running surface, featuring a sharp entry, aggressive downturned strakes and chines, leading to great lift and serious spray deflection. With prop pockets and low shaft angles, the boat shoots horizontally to planing speed, while up and running it adopts a trim angle where its hull is working through the water and not leaping about.

A cockpit hatch to the engine room reveals what the average boat owner should be looking for: plenty of servicing room and the ability to spot leaks, good bilge access, room to change the generator impeller, ready access to the engine dipsticks and coolant overflow bottles, plus accessible fuel filters and sea strainers.

The time-proven Princess engineering is backed by a national network of dealers and engineers. And with distribution worldwide -- this was number 45 of the V57 following its early 2012 launch -- the Princess stable harnesses plenty of diverse user feedback to continue its fine-tuning process.

ON THE WATER
- Model helm, inspiring drive and great performance

Storage for personal effects is within arms reach of the helm which, with twin high-backed leather seats, offers a true sports driving experience for a cruising couple. The auto-inspired low-glare dash is a highlight, designed around everything you need. There were Raymarine HybridTouch nav screens, Volvo Penta engine-monitoring screen, Sidepower thruster and Xenta docking joystick, a neat spread of integrated rocker switches and engine gauges.

With the side window down and elbow out, you can assume a relaxed pose and enjoy a wind-in-your hair driving experience. Open the sunroof and even more light and fresh air blasts through. But as much as we were smitten by driving this boat, the V57 designers deserve the praise for the performance attributes.

With a level transition to plane, great acceleration and snappy off-the-wheel steering, the V57 offers a signature Princess ride. One could immerse themselves in the beauty of the harbour and tour the big-city attractions, do lunch or dinner ashore or at anchor, and very comfortably head offshore (as we did) before zooming up the coast (as we were left wishing).

Such was the dignified ride our neatly written notes convey the engine data without a squiggle: 18 knots at 1500rpm for 128 litres/hour; 21 knots at 1750rpm low-cruise setting for 165 litres/hour; and 26 knots cruise at 2000rpm for 220 litres/hour, then free-and-easy fast cruise of 30 knots at 2200rpm for 285 litres/hour.

We saw 32 knots at 2240rpm wide-open throttle, but the boat does a bit more according to the official data. While the 250nm range is modest, the V57 is a great around town and port-hopping sport yacht, offering a wonderful driving experience. We banked with alacrity, tracked as though on rails, and cruised like the proverbial Rolls Royce with poise and purpose.

VERDICT
- The ultimate shaft-driven 57 sport yacht?

From behind the wheel, the shaft-driven Volvo-powered V57 had us beaming. Some might say we’re old school, but we’re yet to find a ride quite as balanced, in such fine fettle, on a boat with pod drives. The attention to detail, the Princess aesthetic and Missoni-enhanced ambience, and the utility derived from the rear tender garage and hydraulic platform, combine to create a genuine luxury British boating experience.

With increased flexibility in layouts and interior finishes, be it Missoni or Fendi, just about every boating aesthete can create something special and personal with their Princess. The V57 certainly offers a seamless transition from upmarket abode to on-water cruising conveyance. And, in so doing, Princess has reaffirmed its status as a marque of distinction and high nautical style.

LIKES

>> Beautiful motion through the water and smooth 800hp D13 engines

>> Lots of refinement, great fit and finish, and attention to detail

>> Designer interior options let you create your own V57

>> Stunning full-beam stateroom and three cabins each with en suites

>> Amenities such as tender garage, hydraulic swim platform, Xenta docking remote, full climate control, upgraded AV systems and more

NOT SO MUCH

>> Modest refrigeration (add more in lazarette)

>> Needs watermaker if you intend to spent some time aboard

>> Aft vision to boarding platform -- consider cockpit joystick to assist shorthanded docking

Specifications:

Price as tested: $2.035 million including special Missoni designer soft-furnishing package and options as detailed in story above (per exchange rate at time of publishing).

Priced from: As above for the special V57 stock boat

LOA: 17.88m including pulpit

Hull length: 17.48m

Beam: 4.65m

Draft: 1.27m

Weight: Around 22,900kg with full fuel and water

Sleeping: Six

Fuel capacity: 2200 litres

Water capacity: 482 litres

Holding tank: 227 litres (upgraded)

Engines: Volvo Penta D13 800hp common-rail electronic diesels

Generator: Onan 11kW

Supplied by:

Princess Yachts Australia, Sydney Office

Suite 1, Rose Bay Marina,

594 New South Head Road,

Rose Bay, NSW

Phone: (02) 9302 5800

Email: info@princessyachts.com.au

Web: www.princessyachts.com.au

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Princess V57 with twin 800hp Volvo D13s

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