by The first hulls of the Princess V50 and the much-anticipated X80 are in the water, where they’ve been tested around the builder’s base in Plymouth.
Princess Yachts has launched the first hulls of the V50 and X80, although their official world premieres have been postponed following the cancellation of Boot Dusseldorf for the second successive year due to Covid-related reasons. In December, the first V50 completed her initial sea trial in the manufacturer’s home of Plymouth, where the builder described its “impeccable performance, with sure-footed handling and a smooth ride”.
Featuring a deep-V hull, the new V50 replaces the popular model of the same name in the company’s V Class, which also includes the V40, V55, V60, V65 and V78. Designed by the Princess Design Studio with naval architects Olesinski and Italian design house Pininfarina, the V50 has been created using all-new hull, deck and canopy moulds to redefine one of the range’s core models.
The sports yacht is available with twin Volvo Penta IPS600 or IPS650 engines that can deliver speeds of over 30 knots and a longer cruising range than the outgoing model due to increased fuel capacity. The V50 features new interior fixtures and fittings as seen on the V55, while an extended canopy increases the shaded area in the aft cockpit.
The V50 has a twin-seat helm to starboard and is available in the standard deck saloon’ version featuring an enclosed saloon with a C-shaped sofa to port, as well as an aft cockpit with a C-shaped sofa and aft-facing corner sofa.
The model is also available in an Open version, with the main deck featuring a large sunpad adjoining a C-shaped sofa to starboard, plus a chaise longue to the port side of the helm station. On both versions, the lower deck features a galley to port and C-shaped dinette to starboard, along with a full-beam master suite midships and a VIP double in the bow, both with en-suite bathrooms.
Meanwhile, the X80 follows the much-acclaimed X95, the pioneer of the X-Line which debuted online in the summer of 2020 and is the builder’s current flagship.
Also designed with Olesinski and Pininfarina, the X80 features an extended flybridge that provides 30 per cent more indoor space than a traditional motor yacht, according to Princess. The model includes an enclosed bridge and skylounge on the upper deck, and an optional master stateroom forward on the main deck.
The British builder’s other new models include the Y72, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September. Princess has also launched the X95 hybrid system in collaboration with MAN engines, while other initiatives include the trial and testing of all-new eco-friendly fabrics for its full range of models.
Source: Yacht Style Issue 63, www.princessyachts.com
