PRINCESS S65

Torn between the V and F Class flagships? The new S65 might be the boat you've been waiting for...

- Alex Smith

Princess's S Class of sleek, agile sportsbridge yachts are getting all kinds of attention these days. We saw the introduction of the S72 a few months back and we can apparently look forward to a new S Class flagship in the form of the S80 when it makes its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival later this month. But what's particularly interesting about the new S65 is its position in the Princess fleet and its potential appeal on the wider market. After all, while it can't help but position itself as a direct alternative to the 65ft flagship models in both the V Class sportscruiser line and the F Class flybridge range, it also appears to offer a very realistic alternative to the distinctly prestigious S72 at a much more manageable size and price. But before we leap to grandiose conclusions, let's get on board and see how it actually compares.

S CLASS DAY SPACES

It's no secret that the S Class tends to flex the balance between internal shelter and external conviviality in favour of the latter, but when you step into the saloon, it's clear that the use of relatively narrow side decks has done really good things in terms of maximising the volume. As you would expect of a sportsbridge cruiser, the space is split into two levels to help preserve headroom at the aft end, where the stooping deck of the flybridge kicks in. While the lower tier of the saloon is dedicated to a port galley and a starboard L-shaped dinette, the upper level is dominated by a C-shaped lounge opposite the helm and starboard cabinet. As you tend to see on Princess motor yachts though, the fluidity of the space is very strong, thanks to broad companionways, cleverly contoured furniture and a starboard dinette that straddles the step, helping to soften the transition between the two deck levels.