Brits' grand designs on boating

The eye-catching V62 hits a shade over 34 knots and does it with a superb sense of style. Photo / Supplied

Although large sports yachts do not play a big part in our boating culture, they are becoming more popular.

While our Kiwi versions tend to be more practical (suited to our fishing/diving/playing lifestyle), those from abroad tend more towards the luxurious, with a strong focus on both entertaining and relaxing.

While many international manufacturers now have a sports yacht or two in their catalogue, companies such as British-based Princess Yachts tend to dominate the genre.

Founded in 1965 and based in Plymouth, Devon, Princess has long been at the forefront of sports yacht design and innovation.

Its latest offering, the V62, looks likely to continue that tradition. At the recent annual Motor Boat of the Year awards the V62 not only won the Boat of the Year title in the Sports Cruiser category, it also picked up some impressive accolades.

Citing its spacious accommodation, quiet operation, impressive performance and handling attributes, the judges described the new V62 as "close to sports cruiser heaven". Reading between the lines, it was the sheer volume of the V62 that so impressed the judges. Within the LOA of 19.39m and a beam so close to 5m that it doesn't matter, the Princess design team has incorporated an astonishing amount of features.

There is an upper and lower saloon, a fully fitted-out galley, two spacious staterooms and another twin-single cabin, a separate laundry, a "garage" for the tender, separate crew's quarters and no shortage of exterior space for those who want to lounge about.

Like many vessels of this size and class, the V62 also features a large hydraulic rise-and-fall swim platform. Almost 5m in width, it is a perfect launching and retrieving pad for swimmers and snorkellers. It is also large enough to provide space for a jet-ski cradle or even a tender base. But many owners may prefer to keep this area uncluttered, using the adjacent "garage" to stow their small boat.

Accessed through the hydraulically operated transom beam assembly, this area is large enough to accommodate a nearly 3.5m jet-powered tender or a 3m outboard-powered RIB.

The garage also doubles as a base for the rear lounging pad (an absolute must on this style of vessel). A truly massive area, this one features three upholstered squabs, each large enough for a well-acquainted couple.

Another lounging area awaits on the bow, too; this time accessed easily via wide, well-protected, teak-lined side decks.

The cockpit lies for'ard of the aft lounger. Tiny by Kiwi standards, with not a rod holder or a barbecue to be seen, it is essentially an al fresco dining area complete with L-shaped settee, dining table and protected from the elements by the top-deck overhang.

At the same level as the main deck, the cockpit simply flows into the saloon and helm station areas that comprise the V62's main deck.

Light oak woodwork complements chocolate-coloured helm seats and there is a contrasting cream-coloured lounge, "planked" timber floors and an abundance of light, thanks to large wrap-around windows and a giant clear-glass sunroof.

Entertaining is again the main focus here with a full-length sofa dominating the port side of the saloon while cabinets, complete with a TV, occupy the starboard side.

For'ard of these is the helm. With its twin captain's chairs bench seating, it is a subdued affair for this style of yacht.

There is just the single large display for navigation and a series of smaller wind and depth gauges.

A nice touch: the engine controls for the large Caterpillar diesels, along with the trim tab activators and the VHF, are all positioned handily on the starboard side, close by the skipper's right hand.

Recognising that piloting a vessel such as the V62 can be hard work, the Princess design team have cleverly incorporated a combination fridge and icemaker under the helm seat.

The galley, dining area and accommodation are all on the lower level. Perhaps acknowledging the lower levels of light in this area, the designers have opened portholes here to give this space something of a sailing yacht feel.

One of our leading trailer boat manufacturers once told me that the secret of good design was to ensure that the boat looked like it was doing 30 knots while sitting on the trailer. Princess has clearly taken this approach to heart. What's more, they have ensured that when the hammers go down their creation not only looks like it is doing 30 knots, it does actually do 30 knots. Well, a shade over 34 knots to be precise.

A pair of 1150hp Caterpillar C18 ACERT diesel engines power the standard V62. These run through ZF-550A (1.97:1 ratio) gearboxes and use conventional shaft drives to turn the large Veem propellers. (An upgrade option of a pair of 1200hp MTUs will give an extra knot or two.)

These are impressive figures, even given the V62's relatively light displacement of 23 tonnes.

Designed no doubt to comfortably handle the notorious English Channel, the V62 features a generous deep-V hull. This provides extremely good handling and cornering, brilliant acceleration and great downwind directional stability.

The V62 also comes with twin 1705-litre fuel tanks, a 500-litre water supply, 24.9kW (85,000 BTU/h) of Cruisair air-conditioning and a set of crew quarters off the engine room.

Orakei Management represents the Princess range in New Zealand and there are several earlier models of the V62 gracing our waters.

Princess V62

LOA: 19.39m

Beam: 4.99m

Draft: 1.13m

Displacement: 23 tonnes

Construction: GRP Composite

Engines: 2 x 1150hp Caterpillar C18 ACERT

Max speed: 34 knots

Cruise speed: 20-25 knots

Fuel capacity: 3409 litres

Water capacity: 500 litres

Price as described: A$2,823,284

Want to know more?
Check out the boat review on the Princess V62 in the November/December issue of Pacific Motoryacht magazine.