Prestige 500

[Spart]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. Whilst I have a reasonable amount of experience on the water chartering and messing around since young, I'm looking at a first bigger boat purchase. I've had more sailing cruising experience but with 2 young children (and some chartering experience with the family in tow to inform the decision) I'm looking to make my first motor cruiser purchase. I'm in that 50ft 3 cabin bracket. Having done plenty of research, and fully aware that the Fairline/Princess represent a step up at least in perceived quality of materials etc, for my budget and as an entry point I'm looking at the Prestige 500 or Monte Carlo 5, probably in the region of 2014/2015 possibly 2016 given budget and amount of depreciation incurred. I read a thread from this forum from about 6 years ago on the same subject - and the conclusions seemed to be that both appeared good value for money, but I wondered if there are any owners out there (and given some of the older boats are now 6 years on) who could provide any further guidance on pro's cons or other considerations. As you can tell, I'm only part way through the desk top research to try and whittle down options for seeing plenty of boats and thinking ahead to the show. Thanks all in advance for your help

 

[Seastoke]

Ok I have an old sealine that is starting to show some problems, things like door handles etc , but they are the same make a Princess use also the drive train ie engines are the same , so spend your money wisely .

 

[Seastoke]

Have a look at GalLeon range .

 

[ChromeDome]

Yachts - Galeon

 

[sgodseafarer]

The Prestige 500 and Monte Carlo 5 sound like sweet choices, and don't sweat the fact they're a few years old – sometimes that's when the real value shines.

 

[Steruth1]

Hi, I had a 2015/16 model . The boat was very under powered especially if you carry a rib, toys etc. It’s a great floating apartment and very comfortable in the marina. If you can cope with 18 knots flat out they are a good boat,

 

[Seastoke]

Ok I have an old sealine that is starting to show some problems, things like door handles etc , but they are the same make a Princess use also the drive train ie engines are the same , so spend your money wisely .

 

[Spart]

Hi, I had a 2015/16 model . The boat was very under powered especially if you carry a rib, toys etc. It’s a great floating apartment and very comfortable in the marina. If you can cope with 18 knots flat out they are a good boat,

Thanks for this, any idea how the MC5 compares? Did you trade into something else as a result?

 

[Spart]

Yachts - Galeon

Had seen the new Fly range - drop down sides pretty novel, beyond my budget new but will add to the list! Thanks all for suggestions

 

[Seastoke]

Two things to decide , do you want zips or shafts , and a high low platform .

 

[Spart]

Two things to decide , do you want zips or shafts , and a high low platform .

Useage is going to be coastal med, marinas, short hops - I've never used pods but from all the research seems like the horror shows have been dealt with and so long as maintained (and happy with ongoing costs) they're a good option these days. But I'm all ears to opinions. In order of priority for me its space then performance (although best combo of both!)

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Like any boat over fifteen tons, the IPS600 or Volvo D6 start to show there limits. It is more a litre then a HP game at this point.
The Prestige 500 like a Princess V48/V50 or a Sunseeker Portofino 48/San Remo 485 or an Absolute 50 is at the limits with those engines.
5.5 liters of engine are small for a boat weighting 16 to 18 tons in running order.

As for your question of MC5 versus Prestige, the Montecarlo series has a better quality, is also less wide and in running order is just under fifteen tons.
The thing is that the MC5 is a much smaller boat then Prestige 500 and is more comparable to the Prestige 450/460, so if you can live with that I would go for the MC5.

Monte Carlo MC5 specs Prestige 500 Fly specs

 

[TonyR123]

Had a prestige 500 from 2016. Sold it 2 months ago. Never had any issues with anything. Only minor issues like impeller on geny, seakeeper needing some bits replacing after 5 years. Was serviced without fail every year and everything always done. Survey for the sale came up with nothing of note - only remarks like flares are out of date in a month and the plotters werent responding to "touch" on the flybridge (due to the fact that I disabled that). Would usually travel round at 22 knots. Max was 27 knots. Had a williams minijet in the garage.

 

[Spart]

Had a prestige 500 from 2016. Sold it 2 months ago. Never had any issues with anything. Only minor issues like impeller on geny, seakeeper needing some bits replacing after 5 years. Was serviced without fail every year and everything always done. Survey for the sale came up with nothing of note - only remarks like flares are out of date in a month and the plotters werent responding to "touch" on the flybridge (due to the fact that I disabled that). Would usually travel round at 22 knots. Max was 27 knots. Had a williams minijet in the garage.

Thanks Tony, v helpful to hear from a prior owner

 

[Seastoke]

Thanks Tony, v helpful to hear from a prior owner

Spart did you buy a boat.