Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a sailing catamaran and a power catamaran? In most cases, there isn’t much of a difference. But today, we’re taking a look at a truly special multihull, one that Prestige Yachts has specifically designed and built to be a large and luxurious motor catamaran. Its name is Prestige M7, and we’re testing it in this exciting new video review.
Prestige M7 Sea Trial
Our video test on board the Prestige M7 begins at idle, cruising at 600 rpm and 4 knots. It’s a perfect day: the sun is shining and the sea is calm, with just a slight residual long swell coming from the southwest. From the flybridge, we can immediately feel that the stability is out of the ordinary. Pushing our Prestige M7 are two Volvo D8 engines delivering 550 horsepower each, for a total of 1100 horsepower—perfectly suited for a boat of this size. We throttle up to 1300 rpm, reaching 8.3 knots while consuming less than 24 liters per hour. At this speed, the boat’s range exceeds 1600 nautical miles, which is truly impressive: with performance like this, you can cover long distances without worrying about refueling.
But we want to see how the Prestige M7 performs at higher speeds, so we push up to 10 knots—another typical cruising speed. We’re at 1600 rpm and fuel consumption is around 48 liters per hour, still very low. Ten knots is quite a strategic speed for covering these passages, which are often done overnight. At 2500 rpm and 17 knots, the Prestige M7 reveals another side of its character: it’s a boat capable of fast transfers when needed, or of getting out of bad weather if necessary. Of course, at this speed, fuel consumption rises to 160 liters per hour, but that’s still lower than what you’d expect from other boats of this size. As for top speed, we manage to push the catamaran to an impressive 20.3 knots at 2950 rpm. But the real surprise with the Prestige M7 is how it behaves during turns and counter-turns. The catamaran handles like a superyacht, as you can see in the video: the level of comfort is extremely high, and you don’t feel the impact of the waves at all.
Comfortable and outsized living spaces
The Prestige M7 features an impressive beam of 7.5 meters, which allows for very spacious and comfortable interiors. The outdoor living area is split into two distinct zones: on the port side, there’s a relaxation area with a large two-person chaise longue that can also be converted into a sunbed, while to starboard there’s a central table surrounded by a large L-shaped sofa that seats 4 to 5 guests. Everything here is designed with style in mind, and the sense of luxury is tangible throughout. At the stern, another key feature of the Prestige M7 is the huge platform, perfect for imagining evening dinners. But more importantly, this area can be lowered to align with the two other decks, or even be submerged below the waterline, making boarding and disembarking much easier. It’s a feature that truly changes life on board.
As impressive as the stern is, it’s nothing compared to the grand saloon on the main deck, which genuinely takes our breath away. It houses a large sofa with a table and opposing poufs, along with another armchair. There’s space here for 10 to 12 people, and luxury is front and center.
Walking forward, we find a large U-shaped galley, fully equipped with everything you might need at sea: a full-size refrigerator, oven, sink, induction cooktop, and plenty of additional accessories. At the bow, there’s a second helm station cleverly concealed within an elegant side cabinet wrapped in fine leather. It’s designed for navigating in bad weather, offering protection from the elements. But it also plays a key role during docking, thanks to the presence of throttles and a joystick.
When it comes to conviviality, the flybridge of the Prestige M7 is the ideal setting. In addition to the helm station, there’s a table for eight and a fully equipped bar unit with a grill, sink, and double refrigerator. Toward the bow, there are two more large sofas, and the furniture layout in this area can be customized to suit the owner’s preferences. Everything is sheltered by a comfortable hardtop. As for the sleeping quarters, the master cabin on the Prestige M7 is simply stunning. Every detail—from the finishes to the lighting—reflects a dedication to luxury and design. At the center is a king-size bed flanked by two nightstands, and to the left, there’s a large chaise longue that can be converted into a sofa. The spacious en-suite bathroom features double sinks and a separate shower. Completing this beautiful owner’s suite are two large semi-transparent wardrobes, which are more like walk-in closets in terms of size.
Prestige Yachts didn’t hold back with the VIP cabin either—it’s spacious and well-equipped, featuring a large central bed and a bathroom with a separate shower. The starboard hull of the Prestige M7 houses two more cabins: a second VIP cabin with a private bathroom and a twin cabin that’s generously sized. For a boat of this size, having four cabins of such high quality is truly impressive. In conclusion, the Prestige M7 is a truly out-of-the-ordinary motor catamaran, and we’re confident it will be highly appreciated on the market.
Prestige M7 Technical Specs
LOA | 17.94 m |
LH | 17.6 m |
Max Beam | 7.54 m |
Standard Draft | 1.55 m |
Height from the waterline | 5.45 m |
Light Displacement | 39499 kg |
Full Load Displacement | 51457 kg |
Max Speed | 20 kn |
Cruising Speed | 17 kn |
Fuel Capacity | 2900 l |
Water Capacity | 760 l |
Boiler Capacity | 120 l |
Black Water Capacity | 340 l |
Architecture | Garroni Design – Marc Lombard Yacht Design |
Test Data
RPM | Speed | Consumption in gal/h |
600 | 4 | 1.21 |
800 | 4.5 | 2.21 |
1000 | 7 | 3.01 |
1200 | 8 | 4.94 |
1400 | 9.2 | 7.34 |
1600 | 10.3 | 11.06 |
1800 | 10.7 | 17.19 |
2000 | 11.4 | 23.51 |
2200 | 12.2 | 30.9 |
2400 | 14.6 | 37.51 |
2600 | 17.3 | 44.64 |
2800 | 19.5 | 52.57 |
2950 | 20.2 | 58.64 |