New Boats - Princess 56
Brit builder Princess has been on a real surge recently, with a raft (forgive the pun) of new launches and new designs coming from the yard — every month seems to bring a new addition to the range. This year has already seen the debuts of the V39 and V57, and the giant 40M is due for delivery any day. Meanwhile, the flybridge range is to get a new sibling in the form of the Princess 56.
The yard has firmly adopted the resin infusion method of building, and the 56 will be no different. A deep-V hull and carefully profiled spray rails should ensure a comfortable, dry ride, while the resin infusion process helps save weight, which in turn gives better performance and longer cruising range. Comfortable cruising is clearly what this yacht is aimed at, and it has a layout to match these ambitions. Three generous cabins on the lower deck will include a full-beam midships master with large hull windows providing plenty of natural light and great views, while a twin guest cabin nestles between the master and a forward VIP cabin. An optional aft cabin with head could be used either as an occasional guest cabin or as a crew cabin.
The main deck offers a starboard helm just in front of a galley, opposite of which is a dinette with U-shaped seating. The main saloon area is in its conventional slot at the aft end, with good connectivity to the seating and dining area in the cockpit. A further alfresco dining area is offered up on the flybridge, which will also provide opportunities for catering with a full wetbar, fridge and a barbecue. A starboard companion seat to the twin-seat helm up top converts to a sunbed, and of course there is the obligatory foredeck sunpad for those who like to have their bikinis blown off when the throttles are dropped full open.
Princess is not the most shouty of boatbuilders, but the quality of their yachts has been pretty impressive in recent years in the quality of finish both exterior and interior. It has already made its mark with some of the best flybridge cruisers on the market, and there is no reason at this stage to think that the 56, when it arrives, will be any different.
From Trade-a-Boat Issue 427, May-June, 2012.