BOAT REVIEW - PRINCESS YACHTS 49 FLYBRIDGE
Although IPS has been around for 10 years, British luxury superyacht marque Princess Yachts has finally succumbed to the pod-drive marine engine phenomenon for recreational boating, set in motion by propulsion giant Volvo Penta way back in 2005.
Launching in 2016, the Princess 49 is — in addition to being the latest addition to the Princess Flybridge range — the first Princess yacht to incorporate the IPS pod-drive system. The yard says it combines to give the new boat high-performance, economical seakeeping, manoeuvrability and ease of handling.
The Plymouth-based builder’s Princess Flybridge fleet consists of 12 models from the 47ft6in (14.5m) Princess P43 up to the 98ft10in (30.12m) P98 Motor Yacht, the Princess 49 slipping in as the second smallest of the extensive range.
Volvo has always claimed significant benefits of IPS including up to a 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and up to a 20 per cent higher top speed, among others. Built on an efficient deep-vee hull, Princess estimates that under half-load conditions the IPS800-powered P49 will have a top speed up to 35kts with and a “highly economical” cruise of 30kts.
The Princess deep-vee hull also equates to spacious accommodation above and below decks. In particular, the lower accommodation includes a full-beam owner’s stateroom amidships, a forward guest cabin with the option of scissor berths and an over-and-under two-berth starboard cabin.
The open flybridge, accessed via the starboard staircase from the cockpit, is designed for maximising the views for fair-weather cruising, entertaining or just relaxing. A twin helm seat is set to starboard alongside a large L-shaped sofa that converts into a sunpad ahead of an aft lounge with folding table. A refrigerated icebox is fitted as standard and a wetbar with barbecue is optionally available.
Princess said the sociable layout continues in the main deck saloon where natural light and more views are maximised by panoramic windows. The popular aft galley concept is positioned portside to equally serve the saloon and cockpit through triple sliding doors, and can be fitted with a full-height fridge-freezer and optional icemaker. Ahead of the galley is the U-shaped dinette opposite the two-seat helm and settee lounged, while back in the cockpit is more seating at the transom and a folding teak table.
Princess 49 specs
PRICE To be announced
MATERIAL GRP
TYPE Planing deep-vee monohull
LENGTH 15.55m (51ft) overall; 14.16m (46ft6in) hull
BEAM 4.34m
DRAFT 1.25m (full load)
WEIGHT Approx 19.2 tonnes (half load)
FUEL 1500lt
WATER 460lt
ENGINE 2 x 550hp Volvo Penta IPS800
MORE INFORMATION Australian Princess Yachts agent The Boutique Boat Shop