The docks on collins Avenue were alive with chatter at Yachts Miami Beach in February — and with good reason. There were plenty of new models being rolled out. One of the most popular, one that attracted harmless gawkers and serious buyers alike, was the Princess S65.
Her crowd appeal should come as no great surprise. The first thing that grabs you about this boat is her lines. They’re sleek and low profile, aided by sharply angled windows that leave no doubt what the “S” in this boat’s title stands for: sport.
Of course, you don’t get to call yourself a sport boat without having some numbers to back it up. To that end, this Princess can be outfitted with four different engine packages, the largest of which — twin 1,400 hp MAN V12s — will have her flying along at a jaunty 38-knot clip (not to mention a 30-knot cruise). With the standard twin 1,000 hp MAN V8s, she should hit a slightly more pedestrian, yet still respectable, 32 knots. Based on my experience running other Princess yachts, I would bet dollars to doughnuts that the handling on this boat will be extremely precise, making her an absolute pleasure to wheel.
On the boat’s main deck, the focus will be on indoor-outdoor living. Perhaps nowhere on board is the emphasis on this theme so strong as in the galley, which is aft in the salon. This space serves not only as a galley, but also as a de facto outdoor bar once an electric window is opened. The aft galley has become a popular trend in recent years, particularly in the U.S. and Australian markets, and it’s no surprise why. The layout choice is a fun and versatile way to really open up a boat.
This yacht also has a tender garage that can house a RIB up to 10 feet 8 inches long — not too shabby for a 66-foot boat. A tender that size will certainly come in handy when it’s time to shove off from the big boat to find some secluded, and no doubt beautiful, beach.
The S65 is the latest iteration of Princess’ S class; an S72 also exists. The S class yachts not only have sporty performance features, but also flybridges, a design element that should appeal to yachtsmen who love the feel of the wind in their hair. (You can count me in on that.)
Indeed, this boat should end up being a lot of things to a lot of people. She has plenty of space, serious performance numbers and the high degree of luxury on which Princess has staked its reputation. Plus, she has that highly usable interior layout. What’s not to like?
