ALL PHOTOS: Princess Yachts International
Princess Yachts’ flybridge series has a new model, the Princess 82 Motor Yacht. She replaces the 78 Motor Yacht, introduced in 2009 but never imported to U.S. shores. The goal of the Princess 82 Motor Yacht is to offer buyers, particularly first-time megayacht owners, more to enjoy. Judging from the inquiries at October’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where the 82 Motor Yacht premiered, the builder is succeeding. Princess is seeing clients step up from its own 64 Motor Yacht and 72 Motor Yacht. It’s also seeing buyers come from other flying-bridge brands.
Since the megayacht is a flybridge model, naturally the deck is mostly devoted to fun in the sun. The dining area easily accommodates eight people. The bar just opposite it contains a grill, refrigerator, and icemaker. If you’re in port, the helm can retract. Princess offers some flexibility in arrangement, too. That’s why the sunpad on the Princess 82 Motor Yacht, by the arch, can be replaced with a hot tub. Down on the aft deck, there’s also room for a bar, not possible on the 78.
With a beam of 18’10” (5.78 meters), the Princess 82 Motor Yacht is only about an inch wider than her predecessor. However, she still has walk-around decks, and, in a layout change, the saloon and dining area are on one level. Walnut wood is used here, with wenge accents. Princess offers additional choices of oak, cherry, and an Italian oak called rovero, which has a medium tone.
The dining area on the Princess 82 Motor Yacht is set up the way most megayachts of this size feature it. But, it’s a nice change from the layout on the 78. There, the galley was flushed to port, opposite the galley and up a step from the saloon. It also was situated fore to aft due to the small floorspace. Princess includes wine stowage in the cabinetry. All cabinetry and most furnishings, including dedicated stowage for china, flatware, and crystal, are made in house.
Below decks, the master stateroom is full beam, as you’d expect, and down an additional step. Large ports to each side are akin to picture windows. If you stand close to them, you can tell that the bulkheads are essentially the hull sides. Princess says it increased the strength of the superstructure for the Princess 82 Motor Yacht, to the point where it could eliminate vertical stringers.
Three guest staterooms are aboard the Princess 82 Motor Yacht. There’s this forward stateroom, with an opening hatch overhead and additional opening ports to each side. Another double stateroom is just aft, and a twin cabin lies opposite. In customary fashion, the twins can slide together. Also customary for the U.S. market, a washer and dryer are in the foyer. (Not all owners want their crew to have to do their laundry—or even have crew.)
Even though some American buyers may prefer driving themselves, the Princess 82 Motor Yacht has a crew cabin fully aft. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some families use the cabin as a kids’ area, a common occurrence for megayachts like this. A separate head as well as a refrigerator and freezer are on hand, too.
Like the 78, the galley aboard the Princess 82 Motor Yacht is on the main deck. It’s compact but has pull-out pantry shelves to maximize stowage. Drawers are also deep enough for pots and pants. Another nice touch: The galley is open to the helm and cozy dinette adjacent to it.
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Here’s the just-mentioned dinette (left), well suited to being a breakfast area for owner-operators or buyers who like chatting with the captain. The helm (right) contains two pedestal seats and a handy side-deck door. Touchscreens simplify calling up systems’ status.
Back on deck, there are facing settees and a sunpad on the foredeck. There’s also tremendous stowage beneath the sunpad. Lockers to each side lift to reveal the stowage extends the full length and width of the spot.
Twin 1,622-hp MTUs are standard power for the Princess 82 Motor Yacht. Options up to 1,725-hp Caterpillars are available. With all the engine packages, cruise speed and top end are reportedly in the low-30-knot range. Bow and stern thrusters are optional, as is a variety of other equipment. Princess Yachts America works with each buyer to equip the yacht accordingly. The 82 does a nice job of bridging the gap from the 72 Motor Yacht to the 88 Motor Yacht, and in introducing yacht buyers—whether existing Princess clients or not—to the big-boat market.
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