The Prestige 420 S is the only boat in the class with a separate access master cabin but is it any more than a one-trick pony?
Regardless of any of its other pros and cons, the Prestige 420 S has a distinctive design feature that makes it unique in its class – a separate second stairway leading down from the back of the saloon into the midships master cabin.
It is this element that defines the 420 S, and for this 30+ knot sportscruiser to make it onto your shortlist, the trade-off that this novel arrangement produces has to be one that you’re happy with.
So the question is, what is that trade, and has it paid off? On the flybridge version of the 420, the bulkhead above the stairwell (and the raised seatback above that) intrude noticeably into what would otherwise be the usual open aspect of a 42 footer’s saloon.
See our video of the Prestige 420 from the Southampton Boat Show
But the 420 S sports the significant bonus of its big powered sunroof, and when this is wide open it transforms the feeling inside the saloon – it becomes a far more open and airy space.
Compared with its rivals, the second stairway still does diminish the saloon’s open aspect, but in my opinion to a bearable degree.
The payoff is immense. The two sleeping cabins are separated not by the usual thin plywood bulkhead but by a pair of generous, sound deadening, privacy enhancing en-suite heads. And there’s no lobby that has to be shared either.
Compared with anything in its class, night time privacy is in a completely different league – there are sixty footers that don’t come close.
A pair of Volvo’s 370hp IPS pod drives sit well backing the boat – using these instead of shaft drive is what makes this layout possible.
Not surprisingly, the modern trend to maximise the accommodation at all costs means there’s no sign of an old-fashioned lazarette, so you’ll need to think carefully about storage for all the bulky paraphernalia that cruising invariably brings with it.
Help at hand, though, thanks to a huge high-low bathing platform that should swallow even an ambitious tender, plus a dedicated liferaft locker under the cockpit seats. So at least the two biggest items have been catered for.
Pros
- Separate private stairway access to each cabin is unmatched in its class
- Lofty headroom throughout
- Huge hyrdaulic bathing platform
- Mini-bulwarks help create exceptionally safe sidedecks
- Elevated saloon seating gives a great view out
- Excellent saloon ventilation
Cons
- Engineroom access severely impeded by the ladder and the small hatch
Price as reviewed:
£386,000.00 as tested
Verdict
Amazingly, Prestige has pulled off the same trick it first used on its sixty footer, this time on its smallest sportscruiser. And the consequence is a boat that has no real rivals when it comes levels of night time privacy.
Details
Length: 41ft 6in (12.6m)
Beam: 13ft (3.97m)
Fuel capacity: 242 imp gal (1,100 litres)
Water capacity : 88 imp gal (400 litres)
Draught: 2ft 7in (0.79m)
RCD Category: B (for 10 people)
Displacement: 13 tonnes
Test engines: Volvo Penta IPS500 (370hp)
Top speed: 30.5 knots
Cruising speed: 24 knots
Range: 216 miles @ 24 knots
UK price: £345,000 (inc. VAT)
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