Pearl 82 Review (2024 Edition)

At Sea

Given that we were testing the boat on its way into the 2024 Cannes Boat Show, where it would debut, we didn’t get much time behind the wheel but enough to get a taste of how it performs. The immediate impression is one of immense power. It takes minimal throttle to get the twin 2,000hp MAN V12s spinning and the boat charging forward at a decent pace. 

There is an effortlessness to the way that the 82 performs. Ease the ZF throttles forward and before you know it the boat is romping along at 20 knots and it feels pretty easy up to its top speed of 32 knots. This performance makes for a wide cruising band, from 10 knots where the range is around 700nm, to a comfortable fast cruising speed of 25 knots where you can expect a range of around 230nm. 

You’ll note that those range numbers are a little lower than you might expect for a yacht of this size and that’s more down to fuel capacity than efficiency. One compromise of packing so much living space and a decent crew area on the lower deck is that the fuel tanks have to be smaller, so the 82’s capacity of 6,100 litres is down on its immediate rivals (7,000 litres for the Princess Y80 and 8,600 litres for the Azimut Grande 26m).

The boat can be specified with Sleipner Vector fin stabilisers or a Seakeeper gyro (or both!) and our test boat had the fins, which did a fine job of limiting roll both on anchor and on the move. We were anchored for an hour so on a windy, choppy day and the boat was rock steady the entire time. It's great kit and one of the many bits of tech that make boats of this size so easy to drive these days. As the skipper, you only really have to think about the speed of the boat and the tech will do the rest.

The 82 isn’t as engaging to drive as the Princess Y80 or Sunseeker 88 Yacht and although the fly-by-wire steering is lovely and light there is a numbness to the handling but, of course, this is not designed to be a slalom machine, it will be eating up the miles in a straight line more often than not.

The Pearl 82's naval architecture and exterior design is by British designer Bill Dixon and the 82 keeps some of the typical Pearl styling cues, like the extended windscreen which draws an incredible amount of light into the boat's interior.

The interiors by South African/British designer Kelly Hoppen, has three distinct styles to choose from. Building on the themes introduced with the Pearl 72, the 82 offers a modern style with warm woods, an indulgence style featuring dark grey wood cabinets and cladding, and a new monochrome style that, as the name suggests, has a clean black and white palette.

The collaboration between Kelly Hoppen and Bill Dixon has resulted in six yachts for Pearl and it’s fair to say that their partnership has, once again, been a success.

The choices extend to the exterior as well. You can select from four different hull colours, three options for exterior detailing, and four choices for exterior upholstery.

There are two cockpit layout options:

Riviera Layout - featuring a convertible seating area that transforms into twin sunpads facing the sea, complemented by twin hi-lo tables in the cockpit.

The raised pilothouse design has really set this yacht apart in its class. The main deck has an owner's cabin - something you won’t find on any other yacht in this sector. The connectivity between the upper and lower helm stations is a very practical design; you can quickly pop through the hatch from the flybridge bringing you straight to the lower helm, great for changeable weather conditions.

The square design of the lower deck foyer is at a 90-degree angle in the guest cabin foyer, which allows for an extra door to the day head/ensuite of one of the twin cabins.  The foyer connects to the staircase leading down to the four guest cabins and steps up to the raised pilot house, creating an atrium effect with light filtering down.

Engine Room

Headroom in the Pearl 82's engine room is actually quite generous. Two access points: a nice big door from the crew area or a ladder from the cockpit. Either way you’ll find an engine space with plenty of room to move around. However, the position of the tender garage does impact the aft section, reducing headroom significantly. By the time you reach the back, you’re almost crawling on your hands and knees.

The Pearl 82 has two massive MAN V12 engine blocks, which are easy enough to inspect with good access to the shafts. Despite the headroom limitations from the tender garage, you can navigate around them without too much hassle. Access and visibility to the ancillary components are also quite good. So, while there are some restrictions as you move aft, the setup remains quite practical.

Through the Star Trek-style doors from the cockpit, the saloon on the tour boat has the Kelly Hoppen "Indulgence" interior. It's stylish, bold, and undeniably different so it might not cater to everyone's taste, but it's refreshing to see something genuinely new and striking.

The design is modern and clean, with loads of natural light flooding in, as there is expansive glass and a mirrored ceiling that boosts this effect. Seating space is the primary focus, with plush sofas and incredibly comfortable armchairs aft. The TV is part of the room, rather than hidden away, and is prominently large but well integrated into the interior.

Central to the saloon is a beautiful dining table, flanked by Minotti furniture giving Italian elegance. The glasswork here, particularly the way it integrates into the bulwarks, gives a connection with the water -something many shipyards aim for but few achieve so effectively.

And then there's the bar, a striking feature that's impossible to miss. Perfectly positioned, it keeps everything you need for a drink within arm's reach of the dining space.

Galley

Designed as a functional crew space, the galley can be partitioned off from the saloon with a door, keeping cooking activities isolated.

The layout includes a big cooktop on one side, with integrated cooling spaces hidden behind the panels. There's a well-placed sink for easy meal prep and clean-up and lots of storage.

A side door allows crew access to the decks without passing through the saloon, which is a very practical feature and keeps the crew and guests separated. This galley is not about being sociable; it’s about crew efficiency and function.

Owner Cabin

This cabin is absolutely incredible. The light and headroom are both excellent and sofas provide comfortable spots to relax, put on shoes, or do a bit of work on a laptop. Beautiful lighting under the bed and cabinets and it really draws you around the cabin. The bathroom runs behind the bed, up a couple of steps. It's a really nice space, boasting a big separate shower cubicle, a wide sink and decent storage.

What's particularly impressive is the direct access to what feels like a private terrace. The owner can step straight out of bed in the morning, walk up the steps, and enjoy a coffee in complete privacy.

On the way back through the yacht, there's a couple of steps up to a bureau/extra storage area. There's a little bit of head restriction over the bureau, but you'll likely be seated when using it, so no big issue there. The view out of the window from the desk is spectacular.

Double VIP Suites

Amidships, the Pearl 82 features two VIP suites arranged in a clever diagonal format. The beds run across each cabin, giving space to move around both sides easily. Headroom is decent, complemented by built-in floating bedside tables, equipped with repeater light switches and a sound system. There's some handy storage space too.  A sizeable hull window provides a healthy dose of natural light, which is quite important as the decor is relatively dark.

Each VIP suite boasts a spacious bathroom, extending quite a way back. The bathrooms feature separate shower cubicles. These VIP cabins are undeniably luxurious, and if you're looking to add an extra touch of opulence, there is the option to knock through the wall to create a full-beam VIP suite. 

Two Twin Cabins

The two identical twin cabins mirror the VIP cabins' clever diagonal layout. These cabins have plenty of space between the beds, and they are good-sized singles. At the push of a button, the beds glide together to form a double, on a runner system. Each cabin also features a Pullman berth, making it possible to sleep three people comfortably. 

Crew Accommodation

Access to the crew space is via a door on the port side deck. This boat is run with three crew members but the crew space can accommodate four. In the main mess area, there's a microwave, a fridge, overhead storage, and seating space. The captain has their separate quarters with a single berth, and all crew members share a bathroom. While not enormous, the space is quite usual for a yacht of this size. Additionally, there’s a door to the engine room, so the crew has a good access point for daily checks.

You’ve got a navigator seat next to the upper helm, making it perfect for a navigator to join you, and a double bench invites any other guests along for the ride. There's a nice, high windscreen; despite breezy conditions, you're perfectly protected. Everything is within easy reach – the thrusters are spot on for slow-speed manoeuvres, and the throttles are neatly positioned up on a plinth. The adjustable wheel allows you to find the ideal driving position. Two large Garmin screens deliver all your navigation and engine information in a beautifully clear manner. It's a well-thought-out space that just enhances the overall experience.

The Raised Pilot House

The raised pilot house feature on the Pearl 82 is hard to believe, as from the outside the exterior looks so sleek. This slick-backed look means a swept-back windscreen, resulting in a bit of a letterbox view from the helm. Adjusting the chair helps find a comfortable/better position, and when the boat levels out, the sightlines are perfectly fine. With its huge MFDs, you have great oversight around the boat, including navigation, engine information and camera views.

The helm station mixes hard switches with engine screens, which does result in a bit of clutter on the dash. Despite this, everything is reachable and visible, making operation straightforward. The major controls are comfortable and well-positioned, easing the navigation process.

There's additional seating in here for the crew or guests to keep the skipper company during passages. There’s even chart space and further storage, and blinds can be adjusted to let in more natural light. 

At the waterline, there's a hydraulic bathing platform providing enough space for a Williams 395 tender and a Sea Doo Spark side-by-side - it really is a big plus having such a wide tender garage. Add to that a large sun pad, and you’ve got a well-designed area for fun and utility.

Ascend the steps, passing the deck shower and mooring gear, and you’ll find another one of the standout features: the (optional) balconies. Unlike rivals like the Riva 82 Diva, which position their balconies lower, the Pearl 82 sets them in line with the cockpit and bathing platform - this design means you enjoy some genuinely usable extra living space.

The cockpit area itself comes with the different aforementioned layout options. The Riviera layout, as seen on our test boat has a big sun pad and split tables that can be joined for dining. The other layout, the Veranda, offers benches along the side, a central table, and a glass transom - a more familiar, classic layout but with a different vibe. If dining al fresco is your thing, the terrace layout might be a better bet. Regardless of the layout you choose, the tender garage remains the same.

The cockpit also boasts a large servery complete with a bin and a top-loading cooler. For docking, there’s a third station on the port side for stern-to mooring and boarding gates on both sides provide easy access from higher dock levels.

Foredeck

The foredeck on the 82 is raised to allow for the owner's cabin beneath the main deck. This area is both broad and flat, creating a spacious and versatile environment. The design splits the space into a dining area with a smart table that twists and opens, and a dedicated sunbathing zone. The inclusion of pop-up backrests adds to the comfort, making it a perfect spot for relaxation.

Some practical touches – there's a cooler tucked underneath for easy access to cold drinks, and additional details like cup holders and pop-up lights enhance the usability. The slots for a canopy provide an option for shade when needed. You can walk on either side, leading you to the forward well, a well-protected working area for the crew during anchoring/mooring. But uniquely this area also features double glass doors directly into the main deck master.

Flybridge

The flybridge of the Pearl 82 definitely has that scaled-down superyacht feel - it's just really impressive. The standout feature is the (optional) hot tub, a luxurious touch rarely seen on yachts of this size. Without the hot tub, you get extended sunbathing space, accompanied by a standard sunshade overhead.

Forward, the smartly designed bar area offers cooling space, cooking facilities, and a bit of storage -perfect for entertaining. Opposite the bar, you find a well-protected dinette, all neatly covered by a hardtop which comes as standard. The sunroof, also standard, has a tilt vane that can open fully for added ventilation and light. 

One of the most useful parts of the flybridge on the 82 is its multiple access points, which make moving around the boat incredibly easy. You have your usual staircase leading from the cockpit, access through a sliding door from the raised pilot house, and the favourite - a door that leads directly onto the raised port side deck. 

Kicking off at £4,800,000 ex-VAT with the largest MTU 2,000hp engines - maybe talking in millions might not sound like good value, but it's a compelling price-point for a yacht this size. For those eyeing a mid-spec model complete with essentials like a passerelle and air conditioning, expect to spend around £6,000,000, excluding VAT.