10 most iconic Princess motor yachts

AFAIK the P67 was only ever a 3 cabin boat.

I always say to people that a boat of the size of the P67 would usually have 4 cabins.
Indeed, as said above, the P64 was smaller and had 4 cabins.

It is often thought that more cabins means a better boat.
And for a charter boat this makes a lot of sense.
But as an owners boat comfort is high on my list.

Having had a P67 now for 10 years, we have only ever used our crew cabin (a fourth, usable cabin as an overflow) three times.
Twice in the early days when cruising out to Malta and once when our family invited friends to the Formula 1 in Valencia.
Other than that, we haven't had the need for any more than three cabins.

So, what are the benefits of a three cabin 20m boat.
All the cabins are large.
The full beam owners cabin is probably bigger than any master cabin of boats sub 75 feet - it is absolutely massive.
The forward cabin is also huge.
And each cabin has its own en suit bathroom.
And there are loads of cupboards for laundry and the washing machine is fitted in the main companionway.

The 67 is a boat that you can LIVE on.
Indeed, I got home last weekend after 4 months away.
She is as comfortable a home for me as my home in the UK.
So, what you get when you don't cram in a fourth cabin is comfort and space.
We have never regretted not having a fourth cabin.

The internal staircase to the flybridge trumps a fourth cabin any day.

Years ago, when SWMBO and I were lusting over boats at the various boat shows, it was the P67 that we always ended up on - never realising that some day we would get to own one.
10 years on, we are still very happy with "our old girl"
 
I know it as an only three cabin boat as well.

Mike whilst I understand your needs and opinion (taking the charter away) I think Princess lost sales by leaving it as an only three cabin boat.
A 20 meter motor yacht is used in many ways for two families with two or a kid with them. This is how I always see these kind of size boat running.

Also in most four cabin boats as the Ferretti 68 or the Azimut 68 Plus (Evolution) naming two best sellers who came before and lasted till the 67 was produced the fourth cabin always had to option to be changed to something else. An office a walk-in ward robe etc etc.
When you are in an 18-19 meter territory a fourth cabin is tight, but when you go into 20 meters plus the options should be there, and really design and planning it is really not that difficult.
 
I always loved the look of the 388, a real classic design from the late 80's but as far as iconic goes, there was a truly iconic MBM double page photo of the Princess 45mk1 beam to a huge wave in a force 7 from around 1990 which I had on my wall as a kid (and I can't find online anywhere)

For me, the 435 would definitely have a place on the list too.

Here you go (below), direct from my Princess brochure back catalogue! (It was reprinted on back of the all models catalogue. I think the original article must have been mid eighties as the P45 is pre GRP radar arch).

And just to join in the thread, I'll opt for:

Princess 45: Flagship at the time and also (I believe) the biggest production boat built in the UK upon launch (how times have changed!) Opened up the Med market for Princess and an outstanding boat then and now.

Princess 37: Launched 1973, flagship at the time and set the pattern for Princess for twin shaft drive diesel flybridge cruisers (and twin stainless steel horns on the front of the flybridge!)

Princess 266 Riviera: Not sure if 'iconic' (maybe the 286 Riviera would be more iconic as the first Princess sportscruiser) but one of my favourite Princesses ever for its styling, layout, manageability, but most of all its incredible sea keeping and phenomenal performance (42 knots with twin 4.3 V6 petrols!) A classic.

Princess 440: The boat with which Princess really got to grips with clever interior packaging, creating a hugely spacious interior for the boat's size.

Princess V39/V40/V42 trilogy: First of the V range (along with the original V55), brilliant combination of size, style and space. It was massively successful, from memory over 500 sold across the three versions.

Princess 22M: First of the M Class (back in 1996!) and a great looking (and distinctive) boat with its huge oval saloon windows.

Princess V65: The original V65 with the open backed hardtop. Great cockpit layout, twin garages, fabulous saloon with the glass topped bar, epic sea keeping and 40 knot performance with the 1,300 engines. Fantastic!

Princess V48: First pod drive, I think the first sub 50ft full beam master cabin (in a Princess) and took the V Class in a new, more accommodation lead, direction that ultimately proved to be hugely successful.

Princess 42: I think, the ultimate combination of manageability, capability, (relative) affordability and practicality. This was, still is, in many ways the perfect family flybridge cruiser and very successful.

Princess 40M: Biggest ever! (So far).

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Nick , I remember the report stating that the photo boat a Princess 415 had to turn back because it couldn’t keep up with the 45 , it’s crew were being tossed around like the inside of a washing machine , I think this boat the 45 might have been the first hull from Bernard’s drawing board ? I stand to be corrected of course . I’ve been out of a few of these old 45s , the best one was with the Caterpillar 3208 425 ho engines , nothing in its way stopped it , very fine entry with the reversed flick on the stern giving nearly another foot of waterline length , ahead of its time because no one else did this or copied it . Of course the moulded platforms came in giving the extra WLL.
Great pics .
 
The 415 came out shortly after the 45 and ran alongside it in production. It was also an Olesinski hull, but I think it's fair to say that the extra length of the 45 made it a better sea boat (not that the 415 was in any way bad). I think it's also fair to say that the 45 was recognised as being one of those 'magical' hulls that just worked better than could reasonably be expected, it was (and still is) an exceptional sea boat (and a great boat generally).

If I remember my Princess history correctly, the 45 was the first boat that Princess commissioned Bernard Olesinski to design, but not the first of his designs that they built. The 30S/30DS was the very first, but Princess didn't commission it, Olesinski took it to them as a design suggestion.

I'm pretty sure that prior to Princess he had designed for Powles in the seventies and early eighties (and no doubt others).

Prior to Olesinski, Princess had been using John Bennett, who had come up with boats like the old 41, 41+2, 414 etc. He might even have designed the original Princess 37 but I don't know for sure, that was before even my time!

Editing to add, agree totally about the Cat 425 boats - if I remember correctly they would crack 35 knots! Incredible.
 
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Princess 45 is a much better sea boat to the 415 in any sea state. The 415 is a not good in head seas at any speeds.
Interesting though the 415 had a deeper Vee closing at 18 degrees, while the 45 was a 15. I think the 15 was the magic number in Olesinski hulls.
All the Olesinski hulls closing with at 15 deadrise, from the old Fairline 50, to the 46 Turbo (or Sedan) are his best IMO.
 
Here you go (below), direct from my Princess brochure back catalogue! (It was reprinted on back of the all models catalogue. I think the original article must have been mid eighties as the P45 is pre GRP radar arch).

Thanks Nick, that brings back some great memories. Stunning shots!
 
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