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X55, European Yacht of the Year, Reviewed by Galgani

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X-55's rig and sails, x-55's performances, x-55's auxiliary engine, x-55's accommodations and layout.

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X-Yachts X46: Best Full-Size Cruiser 45 to 55 Feet

• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: December 9, 2019

The big-boat classes in the 2020 Boat of the Year competition presented some big problems for the judging panel. Take the Full-Size Cruiser 45 to 55 Feet fleet, with a quartet of extremely solid contenders across a wide range of price points and with different design briefs and objectives, ranging from versatile performance-style cruisers to a dedicated bluewater passagemaker. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

At $550,000, the Bavaria C50 packed a lot of punch into a 50-footer. “It’s billed as a family cruiser, and features twin helms and a single rudder,” judge Dan Spurr said. “The representative who presented the boat emphasized the division between the entertainment area and the cockpit and working areas, and that cockpit really resonated with me—for a bigger boat, it’s very efficient to sail.” The Bavaria also struck a chord with fellow judge Ed Sherman: “I’ve been watching the evolution of Bavarias since they first started coming to the United States, and they’ve come a long way. Everything about them is significantly better than the earlier boats, and you get a lot of features for the price. It’s a player in this group.”

From a value standpoint, the Elan Impression 41.5 left a strong, good impression on the judging panel. Judge Ralph Naranjo was particularly enamored with the overall build quality of the hull laminate. “It’s an ­ISO-approved Category A offshore boat; they did a really nice job with the vacuum infusion,” he said. “I was crawling in those aft lockers looking at the autopilot arrangement, and could see how well the deck elements and bulkheads went in. And the autopilot installation was great, with an excellent stainless-steel bracket that was bolted and cantilevered to catch both the deck and the bulkhead. The autopilot and rams have to take a huge amount of thrust or push/pull; they need to be in there securely. And they were.”

It was clearly going to take an outstanding vessel to sway the panel’s opinions. It turned out there was not only one other formidable yacht to choose from, but two.

“The Amel 50 is truly an oceangoing globe-trotter,” Sherman said, speaking about the latest, highly anticipated model from the long-standing stalwart French builder. “With a signature watertight forward crash bulkhead, a centrally located sea chest for easily isolating a leak and shutting it down, to a globally conscious shore-power system that can deal with 50 or 60 hertz and 120 or ­230-240 volts, Amel has designed a boat that will have you covered wherever your travels take you. For those who want to cruise in luxury, this is the boat.”

“Amel has long been one of the only worldwide ­companies to offer what is essentially a ‘ready to cruise’ boat,” Spurr said. “The boat can be operated entirely from the security of the cockpit, which has a windshield and hardtop, like many solo offshore racers. Some of my colleagues didn’t like this feature, feeling it isolated the helm from feeling the weather. The boat is not inexpensive, but it also seemed to have the highest-quality finish.”

“To me, it’s more of a motorsailer than a traditional cruising sailboat,” Naranjo said. “Her performance under sail is somewhat limited by a fairly high displacement and a modest sail area. She is easy to handle, though, because of her power-assisted sail ­trimming and setting capabilities.”

Sailing prowess is never a debatable issue with X-Yachts, however, and after treating the judges to a world-class sailing experience, they ­ultimately decided that the X-Yachts X46 was the Best Full-Size Cruiser 45 to 55 Feet for 2020. (It was a back-to-back winning effort from X-Yachts; in 2019, X-Yachts’ X49 was also honored as the Best Full-Size Cruiser.)

“This was just a joy to sail,” Sherman said. “A ­performance sailing boat in every sense —very close-winded. It was everything I’ve come to expect from X-Yachts. They are put together by real craftspeople who take a great deal of concern in everything they do. So many little things. For instance, the wiring connections behind the panel board are all bent to 90 degrees and secured in place, and they hand-solder the solid copper bus links between the switches. This is all labor-intensive stuff that you just don’t see on most boats. They’ve always been known for using top-quality gear, and they certainly didn’t cut any corners here.

“X-Yachts are put ­together by real craftspeople who take a lot of pride in their work.”

“The epoxy resin they use in the layup is going to last forever, and the post-cure process is just top shelf,” Sherman continued. “I mean, what can I say? And I believe the pricing is actually pretty darn good. This boat costs $740,000, which is nothing to laugh at—it’s a significant amount of money. But when you compare it dollarwise to some of the other boats out there of similar lengths, you know what? It kind of stands out. And so, yes, I’m a fan. I’ve always been.”

“Like all X-Yachts, it has a unique feature in the construction, with a steel grid that sits on stringers with a balanced lifting point where you can actually lift the entire boat with a crane, with a strop that comes down through a hatch,” Spurr said. “The quality of construction all around seemed very good, with the keel actually bolted to the grid. Basically, we were told that you can’t lose the keel on this boat, which is pretty remarkable. And it’s really a handsome boat all the way around.”

Not to mention, when the final votes were cast, it was a winning one.

See All Winners:

2020 Boats of the Year

Other Winners:

• Overall Boat of the Year
• Best Performance Cruiser
• Best Midsize Cruiser Under 45 feet
• Best Full-size Cruiser
• Best Full-size Cruiser Over 55 Feet
• Best Midsize Cruising Catamaran
• Best Full-size Multihull
• Best Charter Boat
• Most Innovative
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X-Yachts Xp 50

From eur 650,000.

Price data is acquired from numerous open sources and aggregated, it can only be used as a rough starting point and not a precise tool for comparison.

It most cases price:

• does not include VAT
• does not include delivery to a client
• accurate only for most basic options

Final price might be 30%-80% higher if you choose high specification.

2.35 m - 3.0 m

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from EUR 320,000

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X-yachts x4-0.

from EUR 280,000

X-Yachts X4-3

X-yachts x4-6.

from EUR 440,000

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The jaw-dropping X6 from X-Yachts – a super-stylish step up for this Danish builder

• Toby Hodges
• December 12, 2016

Toby Hodges takes the highly customised hull number one of X-Yachts new 65-footer for a test sail and found a yacht with untold potential for idyllic onboard life. Photos Richard Langdon.

The X6 is a bold design: a muscular, small superyacht blessed with powerful lines; a yacht that will place most others of her size firmly in the shade. The flagship of the new X range (the 41ft X4 was launched simultaneously – see full X4 test report ), the X6 is a completely different animal, inside and out, from X-Yachts Xp performance cruiser range , designed to be a semi-custom cruiser with a healthy dose of testosterone and raw contemporary appeal.

“I have never walked into a boat before and fallen straight in love with it like this,” said our veteran photographer Richard Langdon, not one normally prone to exaggeration. The formidable natural light illuminates a mix of finishes including bare teak, clear-coat carbon, stainless steel and walnut – all modern, light, and fresh looking. “It’s sensational,” I agreed.

It should be noted however that this first X6 was built in collaboration with its British owner and is customised with a multitude of optional extras, including the carbon and leather trim, the brushed-stainless galley surfaces and the backlit feature bookshelf. He has also opted for a carbon Hall Spars mast and custom-made roller boom, which, together with features like her large hull portlights and bespoke dinghy stowage – there is room to stow a RIB facing forward on a roller-launching system that hinges down, as the aft deck lifts up – help identify her as very much a scaled-down superyacht.

Twin rudders are unusual for X-Yachts. The X73 in 2001 was the first model to have twin rudders – making room for the tender garage. “We don’t do it on smaller models because of prop walk,” Jeppesen explained. “But at this size you have a stern thruster.”

The X6 has very similar hull lines to the X65 I tested in 2009, seven of which were produced. She has a similar price and specification but her interior design is a quantum leap ahead.

Interior panache

To descend the bare teak steps of the shallow companionway is to witness a new dawn for X-Yachts. Yes we’ve seen a lot of raised saloon models before, but this has lashings of added panache. Stand in the saloon and you are at the perfect height for near-panoramic views, including that most prized angle looking forward over the flush foredeck. The amount of natural light in the saloon and galley is phenomenal.

The interior of the X6 sparkles with natural light, her design and layout outshining all other recent production yachts.

Lift up the floorboards in the saloon and you’ll find high-calibre engineering: X-Yachts’s galvanised steel grid immediately imparts peace of mind; the tanks and batteries are all centrally positioned for optimum weight management and the hoses and wire looms are housed in metal cradles to keep them neatly together and out of the bilges. The plywood soles are thicker than those used in my house. I’m told that matching the walnut veneer in those lengths was somewhat tricky. The predominant trim is light oak Alpi again, but this has been brushed when bare for a more tactile finish.

By providing a modular layout to the three-part accommodation plan, X-Yachts can offer a variety of options. The test boat had a four-cabin format (two Pullmans and two double cabins). The choice of an extra Pullman forward, reduces the size of the sail locker and removes the space for a forepeak crew cabin. The aft Pullman is ideally placed for a professional crew next to the walk-in engine room and galley, although the addition of an en-suite here would make it more practical for crew use.

The telescopic coffee table in the saloon is an odd, over-complicated device with four diagonal folding leaf sections to seat a maximum of seven. Combined with a small cockpit table, this restricts the options for hosting any kind of slap-up meal from the wonderfully light and large galley, the size and quality of which is a real selling point of the boat. It has a phenomenal amount of locker space and cold storage, plus space for extras like a trash compactor, coffee machine, dishwasher, and microwave.

The owner’s cabin forward, with over 7ft of headroom, is again well lit and inviting with a distinct impression of luxury. The double aft has a corridor-style entrance that extends under the cockpit sole. It then widens out to reveal a generous cabin with a large hull portlight and private access to the adjoining heads.

More design features: stylish porthole-style barometer and temperature displays

Twin rudder power

Anyone familiar with X-Yachts will not be surprised to read that this is a slippery, powerful beast. In just 5–7 knots of breeze the X6 will almost match the wind speed to windward. Add a couple of knots in a puff and she heels elegantly and clocks 7.5–8 knots. When it piped up to 14 knots we were slicing upwind pointing 30–35º at 8.5 knots, even topping nine if we footed off 5º.

It was a potent and commanding performance. The inhaulers make a notable difference, adding five degrees to her pointing. An X-Yacht is consistently a delight to sail upwind, but the twin rudder grip offered on the X6 encourages you to push a little offwind. In 10–15 knots and with the Code 0 unleashed we maintained a steady 9.5 knots at 55–80º(apparent). This felt to me more steady than exhilarating and I noted excessive drag off the leeward rudder and wash off the windward rudder in this mode. Jeppesen said they had been tuning the rudder angles to get the best orientation. The loaded helm when reaching was probably more down to poor trim, as it was a nicer, more neutral feeling going upwind.

There’s no doubt that the X6 will make a formidable passage-maker. And if the wind does dip below 5 knots, the standard Yanmar 160hp engine with three-blade Flexifold propels her at 7.4 knots at 1,700rpm, consuming just 5.6lt of diesel per hour.

The optional carbon arch keeps mainsheet lines out of the cockpit.

Cockpit arch benefits

For a large, powerful design, she’s a calm yacht to sail, thanks in part to a very smart, well thought-out deck design. The sheets for example disappear below deck aft, reappearing at two Harken 980s abaft the cockpit. The furlers for staysail, genoa and Code 0 are all under the deck and I like the versatility her cutter rig provides. The mainsheet is led from the arch forward through the boom and back to winches.

Personally I’m a fan of the cockpit arch. It’s a look reminiscent of the showpiece spoilers that typified the dream cars of the 1980s, but an arch also helps to create a cockpit enclosure, a sense of privacy and protection, and keeps the boom clear. The custom-made furler boom on the test boat has a manual override so the deck winch can be used in case of any power problems. This UK owner was also having a fixed bimini fitted with solar panels on top.

The lengthy but shallow cockpit has a small table and a dedicated liferaft locker by the companionway. Abaft the benches is a pair of winches either side, with storage beneath the side decks for running rigging tails. A generous sail locker swallows fenders and furling sails, plus there’s a chain locker with a wash-down hose and windlass.

Specifications

LOA: 20.09m (65ft 11in) LWL: 17.85m (58ft 7in) Beam (max): 5.40m (17ft 9in) Draught: 3.00m (9ft 10in) Displacement (lightship): 29,500kg (65,036lb) Sail area (100% foretriangle): 222.9sq m (2,399sq ft) Berths: 6–10 Engine: 160hp Yanmar Water: 1,000lt (220gal) Fuel: 1,200lt (264gal) Sail area-displacement ratio: 23.7 Displacement-LWL ratio: 145 Price (ex VAT): €1,980,000 Test boat (inc VAT): £2,600,000 Design: X-Yachts design team www.x-yachts.com

Conclusions

The X6 is right in the sweet spot for this new X range, as the 55-80ft sector is where the interior can shine too. I was excited about the edgy, muscular looks of this new age for X-Yachts, but it was the interior of this yacht that blew me away. It’s a prime example of how, if you’re prepared to pay for the extras, the step up to this size level brings the sort of customisation and systems design more typically associated with the superyacht world.

This mid-60ft sector has traction, so new designs have to stand out. The modern styling of the X6 is certainly backed up with the performance X-Yachts is renowned for, although the increased size, load and power level, can lead to a certain ‘loss of feel’.

X-Yachts has a facility in north Poland with 110 workers where the initial hull and deck lay up for both the X4 and the X6 is done. The rest of the assembly, including quality control, takes place in Haderslev, Denmark.

The owner’s cabin forward has 7ft headroom and plenty of natural light through the hatch and the portlights.

The smart bookshelves on the forward bulkhead have indirect lighting.

Helm controls include a stern-thruster.

A nice mix of contemporary design and semi-custom finishing.

The bespoke tender garage aboard the test boat.

X6 interior layout.

X6 sailplan.

XPerformance

Sleek, comfortable yachts combining world-class performance and cruising amenities

• Contact your dealer

Combining a 35-year heritage of performance yacht design and the very latest in contemporary yacht design and build technology, the Xp range is the fourth generation of performance yachts by X-Yachts. The range consists of the Xp 44 and Xp 50.

X-Yachts believe these boats represent the most advanced yachts available in the market today, no other series production yard supplying boats in this size range, offer epoxy infused hulls with carbon hull structure built into a epoxy infused hull-liner. Epoxy infusion is an expensive but superior build technology which creates the lightest possible structure, giving us the ability to offer yachts, which are perhaps slightly lighter, but primarily having a larger proportion of their total displacement deep down in the lead bulb.

Xperformance Range

New External Features

The external appearance of each model of the Xperformance will become refreshed by a few means:

• New Waterline Stripes
• Larger Hull Portlights
• Extended Coachroof Window
• New Pedestals & Instrument Boxes
• New Pushpit/Pullpit and Stanchion Gateway Design
• New Light Grey Side Decks

Xperformance Features

• Vacuum infused epoxy hull construction
• High stability and large sail plan
• Composite, encapsulated lead T-keels with draft options, recessed hull fittings
• Discontinuous rod rigging as standard
• Carbon keel frame structure for strength, safety and reliability

Xp Innovation

The Xp yachts can be highly customised with many exclusive features.

The Xp range is designed to be truly dual-purpose, and each model is offered with both standard aluminium and optional high aspect carbon rigs. The Xp 44 and Xp 50 are also offered with a T-bulb keel in either standard or deep draught.

The X-Yachts steel keel frame has been updated with a new carbon/composite structure which gives an improved strength to weight ratio for hull impact resilience and rig stability with a lighter overall weight.

Asymmetric headsails and under-deck furlers ensure owners can switch simply between short-handed and fully crewed sailing modes. The Xp 44 and Xp 50 feature a choice of four multifunctional bowsprit options for flying asymmetric or ‘Code’ sails and easy anchoring.

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• Yacht Reviews, Tests & Tours

Princess F55 Review (2022 Edition)

The 17m, three-cabin  Princess F55 is a classy cruiser that ticks a lot of boxes for owner-operators.

Princess has ranges that cover five distinct genres from traditional V Class sportscruisers to the pseudo explorer yachts of the X Class range, but this F55 is a staple of the modern Princess line-up and a timely reminder of what this British yard is all about. With three good cabins, well-arranged deck spaces, and twin shaft drive propulsion it's a tempting proposition for an owner-operator who values space on board but doesn't necessarily want to rely on crew when they go cruising. 

Princess's partnership with Olesinksi Design and Pininfarina seems to produce consistently appealing designs and the F55 is no different. Its lines are well-proportioned and perfectly judged, as is the spacious three-cabin interior. The F55 might be the most competent all-rounder in a highly competitive market, keep reading to see what it's like on board and out on the water. 

Princess F55 Key Facts

• LOA 58.005ft
• Model Year 2022
• Max Speed 29 knots
• Status In Production
• Generations 2
• Yacht Type Flybridge
• Use Type Cruising

Test & Review Video

YachtBuyer Score

In this article:

Our Verdict

Rivals to consider.

• Specification

Our Scores Explained

Performance & Handling

The F55 is available with two versions of the Volvo Penta D13 shaft drive block, with either 800hp or 900hp. For the small increase in price, the 900s are worth the outlay. Being the same block as the 800s they take up no more space in the engine room than their less powerful counterparts and that extra 200hp in total will be felt mid-season when there's some growth on the hull and a full complement of cruising kit on board. 

Princess quotes a 31-33 knot top speed and, depending on load, that is perfectly achievable. The 12.8-litre in-line 6s have plenty of punch and make easy work of shifting the F55's 31-tonne (at half load) weight on to the plane, where it will happily sit at 25 knots with noise readings in the saloon of just 73 dB(A).

Around the Marina

The F55 is only offered with shaft drives but if the joystick manoeuvrability of IPS holds great appeal don't worry, because Princess has an answer for that. As a cost option, there is a Volvo Penta joystick, which combines the twin shafts and Sleipner bow and stern thrusters to offer pod-style joystick control on a twin-shaft drive boat. The joystick isn't quite as smooth and responsive as an IPS installation but it's not far off and if the idea of using throttles and thrusters independently is a bit intimidating this is a great option to have.

Personally, I don't think a joystick is a must-have option because you have such great control with the throttles and brilliant proportional thrusters, but I would probably opt for the stern thruster for fine adjustments if you're going to berth stern-to, as is the norm in the Med.  

The absence of a door at the lower helm means that crewing isn't as easy as it is on, say, the Absolute 56 Fly or Sealine F530 but there are electric windows on both sides of the salon to aid communication with crew and natural ventilation on the main deck. 

Most skippers will probably opt to berth the boat from the upper helm, where you can see both ends of the boat very clearly when coming alongside. 

The day of our sea trial in Princess's home port of Plymouth brought with it stiff south westerlies and challenging sea conditions but the F55 took all of this in its stride. The twin 900hp engines have more than enough grunt to haul the boat out of deeper troughs without it getting bogged down and the hull irons out the worst of the bumps with ease. 

The handling is far more playful than you might expect of a boat of this style, the benefit being that amongst larger crests it is very easy - rewarding, in fact - to hand steer the boat through the worst of it. The steering is light but not artificially so and with just 2.5 turns from lock to lock, the boat reacts keenly to inputs from the helm station(s), banking eagerly and turning on itself within a couple of boat lengths.

It's quiet, too, with sound levels at the lower help barely registering above 70dB(A) at cruising speed, making this a very relaxing position to cover hard yards from. 

The driving position is good at both helms and with slide adjustment on the seats and adjustable steering wheels, it should be easy for skippers of all shapes and sizes to get comfortable. At the lower helm, there is enough headroom to stand and drive, even for those over 6ft, and the lift bolster on each seat provides a comfortable spot to lean on. Both around the marina and at sea, the F55 is polished and easy to handle. 

Design & Build

The Princess/Olesinksi partnership is almost as old as time itself and the two brands appear to be able to knock out cohesive, ageless designs with staggering consistency. Adding the Turin-based design house Pininfarina into that mix has done nothing to upset that synergy and has bestowed the modern Princess with a swooping curvy architecture that is restrained and beautifully clean. 

Does the F55 lack a bit of visual punch? There's an argument that it does, certainly in contrast to the rakish Azimut 53 and more bombastic designs from the likes of Absolute and Galeon. 

Fit and finish are as high as we have come to expect from Princess and attention to detail is impressive. The quality and sculptural finish of the mooring gear alone sets the tone on a boat where it's clear that designers and engineers have gone the extra mile to provide aesthetic functionality. It's not just the stuff you can see, either. Digging behind the scenes is easy because access panels are hinged and open on simple pop catches, so getting behind the helm, for example, couldn't be simpler. 

It's the same story in the engine room where the motors are mounted with plenty of space around all sides, there are lashings of sound-deadening material, and plumbing and wiring are neatly labeled with functions and flow directions. It's an easy boat to drive but, for an owner-operator, it's also a very easy boat to live with. 

Interior Accommodation

The curvature that characterizes the F55's exterior continues inside where the neatly rounded edges are not only good on the eye but much more friendly to knock into at sea, compared to a sharp corner. There is a variety of wood and upholstery choices but the mix of oak wood and blue upholstery on our test boat (not pictured) struck a somewhat austere tone without the personal touches of an owner.

The quality can't be faulted, though, from the execution of the woodwork to the delightfully subtle use of recessed lighting and the dedicated storage for everything from cutlery to crockery and glassware.

The galley's position aft works especially well with the top-hinged window to port, which opens the kitchen to the cockpit and creates a bar between the two areas. The galley itself features a domestic fridge-freezer and induction cooking plus a decent dishwasher, replacing the slightly hopeless drawer-style machine that was fitted to the Mk1 F55. 

Another change from the previous generation boat is that there is no longer the spear of GRP running into the saloon windows, which makes for even better views out of the vast glazed area. The bulwarks neatly drop with the window line so even when sitting in the main saloon area the views out are superb. The levels of natural light drawn into the main deck are superb, too. 

Our test boat had a stylish coffee table at the dinette but there is the option to have a proper table on a hi-lo mechanism for those who want the option to dine inside the boat. 

The boat has a three-cabin layout with the option to add a (rather good) crew cabin in the transom as an option. The layout comprises three cabins and two bathrooms with the VIP and twin guest cabins sharing a bathroom, though the VIP has private access from inside the cabin. At this size, there is enough beam for the beds in the twin to be side by side, rather than bunks, and Princess has added to the functionality by adding (as an option) an electric mechanism so the two berths can slide together or apart in a matter of seconds to create a pair of twins or a decent double. 

The VIP ensuite is forward and has well over 6ft of headroom at the end of the bed and a good amount of floor space so it's easy to get changed.  There's a good variety of storage too with eye-level lockers all around, deep drawers built into the base of the bed, and a large hanging locker on the starboard side. It would be good to see fiddled edges on the areas on either side of the bed, so loose items can't slide off when the boat is at sea. 

Heading amidships there is day head access to the VIP ensuite and, in the companionway leading to the master suite, a locker to house the washer and dryer, neatly placed between all three cabins.

The master cabin, as is the norm on boats in this sector, is full-beam with its own private ensuite on the port side. Princess has cleverly employed a pocket door here, which slides into the bulkhead, a neat space-saving trick that maximizes the amount of room in an ensuite that isn't enormous but is nicely finished, though. 

The stateroom is spacious with plenty of headroom and a flat floor around the large double berth. Here, the hull windows are at their largest and the effect is wonderful. Princess has made the most of the view on the port side by installing a compact dinette where the owner could have a quiet coffee or do a bit of work in private. It's a great space and of more use than the ubiquitous chaise lounge.

Storage is impressive throughout as the starboard side of the cabin is almost exclusively dedicated to stowage solutions, be that deep drawers, a pop-out bureau, or the double floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. In a trio of really good cabins, the master is the icing on the cake. 

A single crew cabin is an option but it's a well-designed space that could act as an ad hoc guest cabin if required. It's as nicely finished as the rest of the accommodation, has decent good light thanks to a strip of glazing in the transom, and has 6ft of standing headroom. By putting the sink inside the cabin there is more space to move around in the ensuite wet room. If crew space is a priority, the Galeon 550 may be a better option as it has space for two crew.

Helm Station

Both helms benefit from good ergonomics thanks to sliding seats with bolster sections and adjustable steering wheels so most skippers will be able to find a driving position that suits them. The upper helm is more stylish than its counterpart downstairs, especially in the silver paint finish that comes as part of the optional Allure pack. 

Two large MFDs (one is standard) and a smaller engine data screen handle navigation and engine information. The amount of storage for loose items at the upper helm is particularly impressive with everything from shallow slots for mobile phones to cupholders and a deep glovebox that could swallow all manner of kit. 

The lower helm is similarly well designed, though the test boat only had one large MFD whereas most buyers will likely opt for two. The dashboard design is smart and clear, with dark materials dominating so you don't get a reflection of the dash top in the windscreen on really bright days. 

There are electric windows on both sides of the boat but no side door at the helm, which means the F55 isn't quite as easy to crew single-handed as the likes of the Sealine F530 and Absolute 56 Fly.

The F55 is tightly proportioned - and all the better looking for it - but it doesn't feel as spacious on deck as a Sunseeker Manhattan 55 or Absolute 56 Fly. The spaces are well-balanced, and the inclusion of sun pads with angled backrests, a sofa, and a walk-through section on the foredeck make the very most of this extra living space. 

Most boats in this sector stow their tenders on a hi-lo bathing platform (though the Prestige 520 has a tender garage) and the F55 has the capacity (450kg) to launch and recover a Williams 435 Sportjet. However, if the boat is fitted with the optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizer and a passerelle, the platform's capacity drops to 125kg. Worth thinking about if you want a decent tender on the back. 

There is symmetrical access on either side of the transom into the cockpit where there is a decent dinette with a hefty teak table. The quality stands out once again in the substantial stainless steel handrails built into the table support, inset cupholders, and the finger slots that are carved into the table edge to make it easier to lift the sections. 

There is a gentle ascent onto the side decks from the cockpit where tall guardrails and well-placed grab rails on the flybridge structure make moving along the sides of the boat safe and easy.  Fender storage is a touch limited but then the crew cabin can double up as a store for the occasions when the fenders need to be off the decks. 

The flybridge is a really well-designed place with a focus on seating. The dinette bench runs right across the aft end of the top deck and there is enough space on the other side of the table for a couple of stools or free-standing chairs. The wet bar is compact but has all you need to serve guests up top including a sink, BBQ grill, fridge, and optional icemaker. The bar's proximity to the flybridge hatch means those doing the cooking need to be careful not to step back and disappear down the flybridge staircase.

There is the option to have a hard top with a sunroof over the flybridge but the canvas Bimini with built-in LED lighting is a cheaper alternative that looks better and can be collapsed forward of the helm if shelter isn't required. 

Value For Money

You do tend to pay a premium for a Princess but it's easy to see where that extra money is going. The F55 feels like a quality product through and through, uses high-end components, and comes as standard with options that many rivals would charge extra for.

This eye on quality, the timeless styling, and the fact that Princess doesn't produce in enormous numbers means residual prices tend to be better than the competition, too. 

At the time of the review in August 2022, the price of the boat we tested was GBP £1.78M inc VAT. 

The exact elements of the specification will be determined by where the boat is kept. If it's off to the Med then air-con, a passerelle, and possibly the hard top are must-haves. 

No matter where the boat is going to live, the Allure pack is worth having as it adds an extra bit of polish here and there that really brightens up the deck spaces. 

The NAIM audio system is another good addition, not only because it sounds sensational but it also comes with an inverter that is linked to TV meaning you don't have to fire the generator up to raise/lower it when the boat is disconnected from shore power.

The larger engines are a no-brainer given the small increase in cost and the gain in performance, plus most secondhand buyers will probably be looking for a boat with larger engines. The Seakeeper is a very expensive option but a game-changer if you plan to spend a lot of time on anchor. Keep in mind that if you have that and the passerelle you won't be able to have a tender heavier than 125kg on the bathing platform. 

There was a time when a boat of the F55's size would be a flagship for Princess but its range is in a different stratosphere these days. Even so, the F55 feels like a core Princess product and, in many ways, demonstrates Princess at its best. The styling is timeless, quality and attention to detail are outstanding and there are very few compromises on deck or within the impressive three-cabin interior. 

At sea, its twin 900hp engines provide effortless performance and a decent cruising band. The hull is soft riding and refined and the handling is far more engaging than one might expect for a boat of this style. 

It's a well-worn line but it still rings true: some will find the design a bit plain for this sort of money and if you agree with that statement then something from Azimut, Sunseeker, or Galeon offers more visual punch. But as an all-round package, there are few boats in this sector better executed or easier to live with than the F55. 

Reasons to Buy

• Timeless appeal
• Quality and attention to detail
• Solid ride and handling
• Excellent helm ergonomics

Things to Consider

• No side door at lower helm
• Styling may be a little safe for some

This is one of the most hotly contested sectors in the market so, as good as the F55 is, it faces stiff competition from some of the biggest names in production boat building. 

One criticism that the F55 may face is that its styling is a bit safe, which isn't something you can accuse the Azimut 53  of. Designed by Alberto Mancini, it is dripping with Italian style inside and out and its IPS drivetrain promises easy close control and smooth performance out on the water. On board, there are three good cabins and the option for a crew space. It is expensive, however. 

There is strong homegrown talent in the form of the Sunseeker Manhattan 55 . This is one of the most popular models that Sunseeker has built in recent times and it's not hard to see why. A class-leading flybridge deck, head-turning looks, three spacious cabins and 30-knot performance from the same D13 900s as the Princess make for a mightily compelling cruising machine. Those looks won't appeal to everybody, though. 

The Absolute 56 Fly is one of the cleverest boats in the sector and uses the available space on board brilliantly. It's IPS only, though, so if you don't want pods it's not for you. The reward is outstanding internal packaging including a very clever VIP double with the bed mounted facing forward on the centreline, creating one of the best guest cabins in the sector. It won't age as gracefully as the Princes but in terms of quality and attention to detail, Absolute is right up there these days.

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Specifications & Performance

• Builder Princess
• Range F Class
• Length Overall 58.005ft
• Beam 15.978ft
• Draft 4.626ft
• Yacht Type (Primary) Flybridge
• Use Type (Primary) Cruising
• Cruising Speed Max Speed
• Fuel Capacity 726 Gallons
• Fresh Water Capacity 164 Gallons
• Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta D13-900

Performance Data

Princess F55 version 2022. *Data collected by Yacht Buyer during testing.

Test Engines Twin Volvo Penta D13-900

• Liters Per Hour
• Liters Per Mile
•   CRUISE

Yacht Load: 85 Litres of water 97 Litres of fuel

Princess F55 Layout

A hard top is an option but it does the looks no favours; the bimini is a good compromise if you need shelter on the top deck

The aft galley layout makes it equally easy to serve guests in the saloon and cockpit  

A crew cabin is an option. If you don't have it this area becomes a large dry storage space 

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Jack Haines

Jack is YachtBuyer's Reviews Director. He is a writer, editor and presenter with 15 years’ experience testing over 350 motorboats of all shapes and sizes, from 20ft RIBs to 120ft yachts (and even the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Sutherland ). 

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