We’re buying a new boat !!

[julians]

That is a valid point - I was only in the marina, guess more of a breeze at sea helps it cool?

We had flexiteak fitted on the bathing platform of our windy 37 when the original teak on that wore out, in my opinion it was a mistake because of how hot the flexi teak gets in majorca, not just in the marina, but out at anchor too. It was utterly unbearable, and you had to spray the shower over it before you could walk on it with bare feet.

Flexiteak would be fine on a boat in the UK though.

 

[henryf]

@Portofino I will be interested to see how the hull design fares in operation. There are a few other little tweaks compared to our 50. The water tank moves forward and sits lower in the hull. We were out on the 50 today giving her a little run in pretty much perfect conditions. A chance to top up the fuel tanks, I don’t like having them half full in winter. I will miss the delicate accuracy of this hull but accept we are buying a more “grown up” boat.

 

[henryf]

We also touched on Bimini design whilst touring the factory. It may be possible to add some bracing wires, I shall await the factory’s suggestions. I am definitely not going down the hard top route. Were it a 75 foot boat then a hard top works but at this length for us not from a visual and potentially a performance perspective. I hear the arguments on here but no

Another really great thing about the 50 Mk3 is the way the flybridge screen dodge performs. The helm seat enjoys pretty much total wind protection. This is not the case on either the F55 or Manhattan 55. The latter has a somewhat crude pull up screen but I think there’s a neater solution possible on the F55. You could fit an additional curved dodge to the leading edge of the instrument cluster that replicates the main dodge.

 

[henryf]

Agreed.
Not the specific example, 'cause I can think of fishes that I like better than cod, but the principle is faultless.
That doesn't answer my question anyhow, which was about your (and ari's, originally) menu preference rather than mine - which I already expressed.
Not that you have any obligation, of course.
Silence can be worth a thousand words anyhow, as they say...

Princess bought me a fish finger sandwich for lunch right after we saw the X95 so I could never say anything bad about it

However…..

Visually it isn’t my cup of tea but then I’m not the target market. What I would say is it would make a fantastic cruising and entertaining boat. Lovely area aft of the helm position. Massive saloon, forward main cabin, easy descent to the lower accommodation which runs fore - aft rather than abeam meaning less steep, infinity hot tub / plunge pool and this particular boat had something I’ve seen in the Horizon FD series a beach club that doubles as crew accommodation. I really like that, it’s a win win.

So I totally get the appeal. Not everyone is from the classic boat lover’s school who’s ideal is a Sunseeker Tomahawk, there are people who see their boat as a vessel to provide entertainment space. No one who goes cruising bases their choice on what the boat looks like, they base it on the restaurants, the entertainment and whether or not they have dodgem cars.

 

[rafiki_]

I saw 3 of these boats at various stages of completion in the bay at Plymouth. I have to say they are even fuglier in the flesh than in pictures. In 2 weeks on a raggie boat I felt fine in all conditions. Seeing these Princess abominations had me heaving over the sides.

 

[MapisM]

So I totally get the appeal. Not everyone is from the classic boat lover’s school who’s ideal is a Sunseeker Tomahawk, there are people who see their boat as a vessel to provide entertainment space.

I appreciate that.
In fact, as I'm told that's a very common boat usage for wealthy people in the People's Republic, who couldn't care less about cruising and they only look for secluded Karaoke party platforms.
Maybe that's where the buyers of those twelve X95 are coming...
But mind, while I guess my comment could come across as ironic, I'm actually serious.
From the builder's viewpoint, if they found a new market with new interests, it's only logical to try to exploit it!
And after all, also Wally seems to be aiming at those wishes with their new WHY200.
Though arguably they managed to minimize the eyesore effect that to some extent is inevitable when "inflating" a boat...

 

[Portofino]

X95 .Just clicked around the Priny web site to see what all the fuss is about .
I was at Genoa when SL debuted the SX 88 .
It sure stood out and looked odd .Attracted crowds gawping and then queuing up to get on board .
Initial reaction was urgh ! How could they ? After all the times less classic SL FBs a good seller across the Med ,pretty boat etc .

Scroll Fwds 4 yrs now and I regularly see them around and the range has grown .
As you know I am a “ watcher “ seen a few inaction at anchorages seen the rear beach club work , the hidden crane clear the toys , the upper glass disappear , the guests enjoying the vast acreage etc etc .Seen them D speed it in basking in the med sun etc .

Point is from the shock of turning a corner and spotting the 88 they are SELLING.
I think there is a new type of buyer for theses crossover boats .Traditionalist ( me inc ) might find it hard to understand there motivation .As shown by the responses .
Princess will sell them as inferred to Americans and Far East clients, but who cares adds to the balance sheet .
You can still buy a trad SL .

 

[rafiki_]

Henry, where is your new boat in build thread? Just to warm us up ahead of JFM's new boat?

 

[stelican]

Henry F.
Will you be doing your usual boatshow report this year, Always good reading.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

And after all, also Wally seems to be aiming at those wishes with their new WHY200.
Though arguably they managed to minimize the eyesore effect that to some extent is inevitable when "inflating" a boat...

Ok this will be a thread drift.... But here some personal notes of mine.

We had a Wally Why200 and Princess X95 moored opposite each other a couple of weeks ago.
If I where at the entrance of hell I would take the Wally, but I would still end up in hell for bad taste I guess.

The X95 really seems like a burst balloon, and while at some point I thought if you see it from the stern it might be more acceptable (someone said this I think here or was it on FB), it actually looked just as bad as from the front.
The Wally looks bad from the front, but the X95 is ugly from any way you see it. I cannot understand how anyone can praise this design.
The Wally is pretty from the stern, with its open stern layout giving some lovely open spaces, and once in that fore ship master cabin I guess you can also forbid the front, which is different to other previous foreship cabins.

With the X95 Pininfarina might have been up to something that day, and while they would be on the last of my list for designing a yacht, they did make some pretty ones, from the Riva Ferrari, Bruno Abbate Primatist G70, Azimut 65 Pininfarina, and Princess R35 just to name a few off my head.

For the Why200 and now upcoming 150, I think it deserve a separate judgement just because it is a Wally!
Wally, fair to say have always modified the wheel and changed how high end sailing yachts look, today Swan, Baltic and all have copied there style not little, as do most of the big tenders (Fjord, Pardo, Vanquish, Frauscher) nowadays. I mean if Baltic and Swan copy your style you are really doing something good.

Wally has always been the different builder doing things different, hence why whether we like it or not, it always deserves a separate judgement and a different point of view to anything else.

Princess on the other side has been the most conservative of the British builders, and possibly that on its own makes the X95 an unacceptable design in my book.

 

[Hurricane]

I think I know how Princess got to the concepte of X series designs.

Take a flybridge boat.
Enclose the flybridge to make a sky lounge (a concept that works for me).
Now you don't need the lower helm.
So expand that deck to include extended accommodation - even include a main deck master suite.
Now give the main deck more headroom by inverting the tilt of the forward facing screens/windows.
Maybe then move the main deck forward to create even more space.

IMO, whats left is a Princess X series.
It would be interesting to see if they do something like this on a 65/70 footer.

In fact, I don't dislike the X series design - but that's a taste thing.

 

[rafiki_]

I think I know how Princess got to the concepte of X series designs.

Take a flybridge boat.
Enclose the flybridge to make a sky lounge (a concept that works for me).
Now you don't need the lower helm.
So expand that deck to include extended accommodation - even include a main deck master suite.
Now give the main deck more headroom by inverting the tilt of the forward facing screens/windows.
Maybe then move the main deck forward to create even more space.

IMO, whats left is a Princess X series.
It would be interesting to see if they do something like this on a 65/70 footer.

In fact, I don't dislike the X series design - but that's a taste thing.

Should’ve gone to Specsavers Mike

 

[47GC]

Congratulations @henryf fantastic looking boat.

 

[henryf]

On the Princess X range I’m not a fan of the X95 but very much liked the X80 when we saw it in Plymouth. Princess put on a small show in lieu of the cancelled Düsseldorf event. The only thing I’m struggling with is the price and the fact nowhere in the Solent would be able to take us so for the moment we’re sticking with the F55 ?

Southampton was a good show this year. In terms of boats the new Princess F65 will prove to be a popular choice. 4 cabins, all be it with bunks in the 4th one, a great crew cabin with twin berths and a generous bathroom making it versatile. The show boat was a work in progress but you had to look hard to see.

I also saw the Y72. Interesting to see how Princess have developed what was a seminal model, The 68, into a Y class place of style and modernity. You kept noticing subtle design elements which were both comforting and practical. As with the X80 available funds mean we will be sticking with the F55 for the moment.

Got news that our hull is now 50% complete which means the build has finally started. We will be at the factory some time early ish October with updates to follow.

 

[colhel]

Just curious, on a boat in the 50-70 ft range, how often does the crew cabin get used as a crew cabin? Is there anything else that can be put in that part of the boat?

 

[Hurricane]

On the Princess X range I’m not a fan of the X95 but very much liked the X80 when we saw it in Plymouth. Princess put on a small show in lieu of the cancelled Düsseldorf event. The only thing I’m struggling with is the price and the fact nowhere in the Solent would be able to take us so for the moment we’re sticking with the F55 ?

Southampton was a good show this year. In terms of boats the new Princess F65 will prove to be a popular choice. 4 cabins, all be it with bunks in the 4th one, a great crew cabin with twin berths and a generous bathroom making it versatile. The show boat was a work in progress but you had to look hard to see.

I also saw the Y72. Interesting to see how Princess have developed what was a seminal model, The 68, into a Y class place of style and modernity. You kept noticing subtle design elements which were both comforting and practical. As with the X80 available funds mean we will be sticking with the F55 for the moment.

Got news that our hull is now 50% complete which means the build has finally started. We will be at the factory some time early ish October with updates to follow.

Even if your funds could stretch to a bigger boat, you would struggle to get as good value in the UK as the F55 that you have ordered.
Anything bigger (even the 20m boat that we have) just wouldn't get as much use.
We had our P67 in Torquay for a summer season before taking her to the Med and only managed to get her out of the marina 3 times during that season.
IMO, it is like "bang for buck" but in this case it is "bang for boat size".

 

[henryf]

I’m looking forward to using the F55 in anger. I will report back on my findings but we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves, we need to build the thing first ?

I’ll try to post up a photo of the half built hull tomorrow. In terms of spec we’re all sorted now. The major thing I’ve done is not option a crew cabin, instead we’re using it as fitted out storage. We’ve only ever used the crew cabin on our P50 for storage so I’ve decided to go for a proper designated area.

Access to the crew cabin on an F55 is awkward thanks to a protruding buttress as you go down the stairs. I’m 6’2” ( 1.88m in Euros) and whilst I can get in it’s awkward. With a galley aft the “crew cabin” storage is really convenient. On the P50 we use the 3rd cabin for all our over spill charter provisions on the F55 it will be that rear space.

We’re going with the factory canopies for the cockpit, on the P50 they were poor so we upgraded them to ones which allow individual panel removal or rolling up in situ, we’ll see how things go on the F55.

You get a TV the size of a football pitch in the saloon on an F55, we’ve gone for one in the master cabin as well. Not sure it will get used but hey ho. I was told in no uncertain terms that we were having the little coffee table / work station / seating area in the master cabin port side. I’m never going to sit there with a cup of coffee but I might do my weather and safety checks of a morning on the computer.

Fabric choices have all been made, I nodded in agreement at all the right moments and saw lots of fabric books. At the end of the day my choices were dismissed instantly in favour of wife & daughter who have chosen. I’ll tell you what it’s like when it turns up.

Navigation wise I’ve just gone with the best of the factory choices. A couple of large screens in each helm position and probably some smaller screens as well. It will be a learning curve whatever we choose So I’ll have to go to school again for a week or so. I’ve had a quick play with the variable power bow and stern thrusters on an F55 and they were lovely. Looking forward to making programming changes second nature.

Engine wise I’m moving away from CAT C12 ACERT 715hp to Volvo D13 900hp. The CAT’s have been a dream and they’ve never missed a beat. No sensor issues or electronic glitches. I pray the Volvos are equally as reliable. Obviously we’re still on shafts. I haven’t bothered with joystick control, I genuinely can’t see the point. Shafts and a bow thruster allow you to do anything, a stern thruster makes you look like a hero and spares the crew having to do any pulling on ropes.

The other big box ticked is Gyro stabilisation. Obviously on the plane it is redundant but for slow speed displacement / anchored up I’m really looking forward to seeing what a difference it makes. Specifically for charter work I think it might be a game changer for us in the Solent.

There are loads of little bits here and there, it gets to the point where anything under £500 almost isn’t worth thinking about within reason. Oh we ticked the Allure pack which gives a few bits of upgraded trim. Would it have killed the boat not to have it? Probably not but like the Hi-Lo platform I think everyone just says yes.

Hope to be in Plymouth early October when it all starts to get real.

 

[47GC]

Exciting times.

 

[benjenbav]

I’m looking forward to using the F55 in anger. I will report back on my findings but we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves, we need to build the thing first ?

I’ll try to post up a photo of the half built hull tomorrow. In terms of spec we’re all sorted now. The major thing I’ve done is not option a crew cabin, instead we’re using it as fitted out storage. We’ve only ever used the crew cabin on our P50 for storage so I’ve decided to go for a proper designated area.

Access to the crew cabin on an F55 is awkward thanks to a protruding buttress as you go down the stairs. I’m 6’2” ( 1.88m in Euros) and whilst I can get in it’s awkward. With a galley aft the “crew cabin” storage is really convenient. On the P50 we use the 3rd cabin for all our over spill charter provisions on the F55 it will be that rear space.

We’re going with the factory canopies for the cockpit, on the P50 they were poor so we upgraded them to ones which allow individual panel removal or rolling up in situ, we’ll see how things go on the F55.

You get a TV the size of a football pitch in the saloon on an F55, we’ve gone for one in the master cabin as well. Not sure it will get used but hey ho. I was told in no uncertain terms that we were having the little coffee table / work station / seating area in the master cabin port side. I’m never going to sit there with a cup of coffee but I might do my weather and safety checks of a morning on the computer.

Fabric choices have all been made, I nodded in agreement at all the right moments and saw lots of fabric books. At the end of the day my choices were dismissed instantly in favour of wife & daughter who have chosen. I’ll tell you what it’s like when it turns up.

Navigation wise I’ve just gone with the best of the factory choices. A couple of large screens in each helm position and probably some smaller screens as well. It will be a learning curve whatever we choose So I’ll have to go to school again for a week or so. I’ve had a quick play with the variable power bow and stern thrusters on an F55 and they were lovely. Looking forward to making programming changes second nature.

Engine wise I’m moving away from CAT C12 ACERT 715hp to Volvo D13 900hp. The CAT’s have been a dream and they’ve never missed a beat. No sensor issues or electronic glitches. I pray the Volvos are equally as reliable. Obviously we’re still on shafts. I haven’t bothered with joystick control, I genuinely can’t see the point. Shafts and a bow thruster allow you to do anything, a stern thruster makes you look like a hero and spares the crew having to do any pulling on ropes.

The other big box ticked is Gyro stabilisation. Obviously on the plane it is redundant but for slow speed displacement / anchored up I’m really looking forward to seeing what a difference it makes. Specifically for charter work I think it might be a game changer for us in the Solent.

There are loads of little bits here and there, it gets to the point where anything under £500 almost isn’t worth thinking about within reason. Oh we ticked the Allure pack which gives a few bits of upgraded trim. Would it have killed the boat not to have it? Probably not but like the Hi-Lo platform I think everyone just says yes.

Hope to be in Plymouth early October when it all starts to get real.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the coffee table/workstation and seating you mention in the master cabin gets used a lot. As I’ve got older I’ve found it’s one of the great luxuries to be able to get up and look at whatever I need for the day - business, weather, news …YBW forum even ? on a decent-sized screen rather than a phone or tablet and without having to disturb anyone by opening doors and stamping around the place.

 

[henryf]

I wouldn’t be surprised if the coffee table/workstation and seating you mention in the master cabin gets used a lot. As I’ve got older I’ve found it’s one of the great luxuries to be able to get up and look at whatever I need for the day - business, weather, news …YBW forum even ? on a decent-sized screen rather than a phone or tablet and without having to disturb anyone by opening doors and stamping around the place.

Like so many things in life I’m sure I’ll find myself sitting there with a morning coffee and the MacBook enjoying the view out of the huge window thinking how glad I am that my darling wife insisted we have it in lieu of storage on my side of the bed ?

I’ve just got to trust that the window tinting works and I’m not scaring everyone else at anchor….. ?