Princess Yachts has the V Class, the Flybridge series, the M Class…and now the S Class. The first model, the Princess S72, makes her world premiere at the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami in February.
The “S” in “S Class” stands for Sportsbridge, reflecting the series’ blend of sporty looks and performance with a flying-bridge layout. “S” certainly also stands for speed: The Princess S72 is expected to exceed 37 knots with a choice of Caterpillar or MAN diesels. LOA is 74 feet (22.57 meters), with the bow pulpit, while beam is 17’8” (5.38 meters). A skinny-water-friendly 4’10” (1.48-meter) draft should see the Princess S72 do a good deal of cruising. Furthermore, the yacht has a sleeker, lower profile. Chris Gates, managing director of Princess Yachts, tells us, “It’s going to be a little edgier, a little sharper, a little bit more aggressive.” The goal is to attract a different client than the norm. That’s also why the Princess S72 is debuting in Miami, versus a show in the builder’s backyard. The design should strongly appeal to buyers not just from the United States but also Latin and South America.
So what can you expect to see on the Princess S72? She has a tender garage topped by a sunpad. The swim platform pivots to permit easier toy launching and retrieval. Up top, the flying bridge has sunning and seating areas accompanying a helm station. More seating is at the S72’s foredeck, essentially becoming a second cockpit. The main cockpit, a.k.a. aft deck, becomes an indoor-outdoor area when the saloon doors are kept open. Below decks, the master benefits from enlarged ports and is accompanied by two guest staterooms.
Gates’ comments about being edgier extend to the Princess S72’s interior, too. Hull number one is highlighted by black, white, and silver tones from materials like polished steel, Macassar ebony, and silk panels. They’re mixed with traditional-toned leathers and even herringbone fabrics. Since the Princess S72 is targeted to a new generation of buyers, it makes sense. It also makes sense that, like all the large Princess yachts, the S72 allows buyers to customize the interior. Wood choices include light oak, Rovere oak (an Italian oak), walnut, and cherry.
The Princess S72 is being exhibited in Miami in conjunction with Princess Yachts America. She’s also just the beginning for the Princess S Class. Another S72 is under construction. Five contracts in total have been signed so far, according to Gates, with an S80 and smaller models in the works, too.
nxtboat
DANG that is one nice boat. I thought it would have been bigger after seeing how large the master bedroom was!