Engines, MOTOR BOATS

PRESTIGE 420: the big, family-style flybridge yacht

The Prestige 420 is the entry point in the most prestigious and most refined powerboat line built by the French giant Prestige Yachts. Like its large siblings – 14 units including coupé and flybridge models, from 42 to 75 feet – the yacht was designed by Garroni Studio. 12.64 meters long, the new Prestige resumes the concepts that have made the success of the line. First of all, the overall aesthetic design preserves a sporty profile and discreetly incorporates a wide flybride whose extension covers nearly the half of the hull.

The Prestige Yachts’ family feeling is then expressed by the superstructure, with lots of portholes and panoramic windows all around, whose frames are cleverly hidden behind the glasses. However, the main strength of this yacht is the inner volume. Compared with similar-sized boats, the Prestige 420 is the only yacht that features two separate stairways to the accommodation level, one forward and one aft.

Everything develops from the hull whose lines, in addition to provide a sufficiently wide space where to accommodate two large double cabins, guarantee extraordinary seaworthiness. Both the hull architecture and running surface were optimized for Volvo Penta IPS drives by Prestige Yachts design and engineering staff and Jernei Jakopin ( the founder, together with his brother Japec, of the J&J Design cabinet, which has been designing boats since 1983).

The layout of the main deck was custom designed to provide both the guests and the crewmembers with the best comfort possible. This space therefore encloses a wide, upholstered, built-in transom sun pad, a lounge and uncluttered work areas, including, for example, the forward section which accommodates the windlass. The various environments are all reachable through the wide side-decks, protected by a safe handrail and a sturdy gunwale.

Inspired by the most contemporary yacht design standards, the cockpit represents a connection point between inside and outside rather than a simple open-air area. Yet, the direct access to the aft boarding platform, which can be equipped with an optional hydraulic lifting system, gives it the natural extension of the swimming platform, well-sheltered by the large fly bridge.

In addition, the sliding glass door gives instant access to the galley which, this way, serves both the inner and the external dining area of this deck.

Totally dedicated to the en-plein-air activities, the flybridge is perfectly proportioned and contains all the comfort of a bigger boat: next to the helm station, positioned on the left, in front of the ascending stairway and served by the dedicated pilot chair, a sun pad can accommodate two adults in total comfort; behind it, there are a wet bar and, finally, the dinette, furnished with a L-shaped sofa and a center table with extendable top.

As mentioned above, the interiors of the Prestige 420 are the main strength of the yacht and the component on which designers have concentrated all their efforts and skills. The result is a triumph of light and spaciousness and an environment where the bright open living spaces of the main deck are cleverly combined with the very private spaces of the lower deck.

From bow to stern, the sequence is as follows: galley, private entrance of the master cabin, positioned on the left, and dinette, where the folding table can be transformed into an additional double berth. Between this area and the inner wheelhouse, located on the starboard side, is the second staircase which leads to the crew bathroom and the fore cabin.

The lower deck is entirely dedicated to the sleeping area. Worthy of a bigger boat, the overall layout takes advantage from the IPS propulsion system that, more compact than traditional right-shaft engines, leaves enough room to a large master cabin. The latter is found amidships, where rolling, vibrations and pitching are minor, and is equipped with various stowage compartments. Noteworthy is the king-size bed and the uncommon U-shaped layout, useful to enable the owner to enter the cabin without disturbing his partner, considering the absence of a walkable surface on each sides. An en-suite bathroom completes the equipment of the master stateroom. Full-beam, the fore cabin is just a little smaller than the master one and furnished with a stern-facing central bed.