French builder unveils its most important model yet at VIP weekend
Following the launch of its award winning 500 and 550
models, Prestige unveiled the new 450 to a select group of customers and press.
See the gallery here
The 450 represents the yard’s toughest assignment to date,
with the task of delivering the same privately accessed midships master cabin
seen on larger models in a significantly shorter hull.
Many flybridge and sportscruiser models in this size sector
have midship master cabins, but they usually have to share their access with
guest cabins from a central lobby area. Only aft cabin craft offer truly
private owners cabins.
Here the design team of Prestige and Garroni have pulled off
a real coup, delivering a superb master cabin complete with a large double
berth, masses of headroom, storage and a decent ensuite, with big hull-side
windows completing the picture. But it is that private entrance that sets the
450 apart – a wide, easily-climbed stairwell running down from just inside the
cockpit doors, with the boat’s 12v and 220v control systems set usefully close
by.
As USPs go, it’s a pretty big one, but this boat is about
more than a master cabin. The deck level employs a galley aft layout, with a
slight step up to the saloon level. Masses of window area and facing seats open
this area up and, together with the space delivered by the long clear run of
deckhead back to the cockpit doors, makes the 450 feel every bit the 50ft
cruiser.
Forward lies a VIP cabin with scissor berths and ensuite
access, while up top is what must be one of the biggest flybridges in this
class, with plenty of free deck area as well as seating and sun pads. Fit out
and finish is every bit as good as the larger models, though the new light oak
cabinetry recently offered by Prestige on the 500, 550 and 620 models will not
be available on the 450 as yet.
Power comes from IPS pod drives, with prices starting at
£406,000 for the IPS-500 (370hp) engines. With the larger IPS 600 (435hp) engines
speeds of up to 32 knots are expected.
At the same event Prestige also showed off the hardtop 620S,
with the flying bridge layout up top.
Look out for the full test, coming soon.
