Prestige 420 Review (2019 Edition)

A new 42ft flybridge yacht caters well to the owner-operated market, providing ample onboard space and on-water performance while remaining manageable for a two-person crew.

Prestige and Garoni Design have a long-standing partnership, crafting cruisers with enduring style and functional layouts. Their yachts often incorporate innovative features like asymmetrical decks and versatile seating arrangements, prioritizing value and accommodation.

The 420 model continues this tradition, boasting a sleek design and offering a variety of hull colours. Its standout feature is a spacious full-beam owner’s stateroom, an impressive inclusion for a yacht of its size and price range.

Size Matters

In this size category, even a small increase in length can significantly enhance interior volume. The Princess F45 received praise for its spacious owner's cabin, but despite being over a meter (12in) shorter, the 420 manages to excel in providing ample cabin space.

The 420 offers two excellent cabins, including an impressive forward double. Opting for a galley-aft layout maximizes the salon's space. Utilising glass contributes to the interior's brightness, with prominent side windows enhancing the overall luminosity. The design feels compact yet well-executed, with no significant compromises in space, whether inside or out.

The owner’s cabin features a private entrance, with the ensuite accessible from a short companionway. Ample cabinetry and natural light characterise the cabin, with two long hull-side windows enhancing the sense of space. The design prioritises maximising headroom without compromising the salon above.

The forward guest cabin offers a comfortable setting, featuring long windows set into the bows and a conveniently low double berth. Currently, the inability to specify twin berths forward limits the 420's suitability for family use.

Liveaboard Option

For those considering extended stays aboard, there's a practical option available: the guest ensuite can be exchanged for a utility area equipped with a washing machine. This layout modification also includes a walk-in wardrobe for the owner’s cabin.

Salon Style

At deck level, a simple step up leads to the salon, providing crucial additional headroom for the cabin below. The salon features facing seating, creating a highly sociable atmosphere. Elevated positioning and deep glass sections contribute to the overall appeal of the space. In the evening, with blinds drawn, an optional fold-out TV can be activated from a forward locker.

The galley aft layout is consistently popular, catering to both the deck and salon effectively. While the galley appears compact, it is complemented by a separate worktop to starboard, offering space for a drawer fridge and freezer.

Options to Consider

Prestige provides an extensive selection of optional fabrics and finishes for the interior through its Preference and Luxury packages. It's worth mentioning that these packages also incorporate a combi-oven and hob for the galley, a feature that arguably should be standard and is consistent with considerations on deck.

The lower helm benefits greatly from the abundant glass, offering visibility close to 360 degrees. While there may be limited space for two individuals on the bench seat, it functions better as a single seat, with the dashboard comfortably accommodating two MFD screens.

It's worth mentioning that the opening side window for the lower helm, which is useful for crew communication or ventilation, is an optional extra.

The flybridge helm is designed as a single seat, with a sunpad adjacent for guests to relax. The console on top can accommodate two MFDs, although the test boat was equipped with one and some speed and depth displays.

Access to the flybridge is facilitated by a well-designed skeletal ladder, which is easy to climb and improves aft visibility for the lower helm. On the upper deck, Prestige emphasises what it terms 'designated areas.' However, it feels more like a unified space where the helm, forward sunpad, and aft dining areas seamlessly connect and are within easy reach of each other.

At the heart of the layout is a small wet bar, which can be customised with a barbecue and fridge. The galley aft layout proves advantageous here, simplifying the transport of food and beverages up the steps or to the tidy aft cockpit with its social L-shaped seat and teak table.

Side deck access is excellent, particularly when approached from the starboard side where Prestige’s asymmetrical design provides a deep, wide deck. The entrance is located inside a full bulwark, with a step forward placed a considerable distance. The foredeck is equipped with long sun pads featuring another set of flip-up backrests.

At the aft, an optional hydraulic bathing platform is accompanied by a highly functional transom locker, offering ample space for storing a sea scooter or a small deflated tender.

In the production yacht market, there are typically two approaches: builders who aim to provide a competitive base price but require additional support through an extensive options list, and those who offer a well-rounded standard specification with a higher base price. The ideal scenario is finding a boat that offers good value with a reasonable base price, requiring only a few substantial options such as air-conditioning, a hydraulic platform, or navigation equipment. 

Base Price

Prestige has undoubtedly put considerable effort into offering a very competitive base price of €360,800 ex-taxes for its yacht. Its primary competitor, the Bavaria Virtess 420, starts at a similar price of €360,700 ex taxes but opts for a three-cabin layout and smaller 380hp Volvo Penta D6 engines. For broader comparison, the larger Princess F45, also featuring a full-beam master, begins at around €658,000 ex-taxes with 435hp IPS-600 engines.

Specification Extras

Regarding specification extras, Prestige's build quality and finish have improved noticeably, with the yacht showcasing meticulous detailing and luxurious touches, exuding a sense of refinement. However, there is some room for improvement to reach an optimal specification level.

The pursuit of a low base price has led to a few questionable omissions, such as optional spring cleats, a sliding (manual) helm window, and galley equipment. Additionally, typical options like air-conditioning and navigational equipment, as well as items like deck cushions and canopies, need to be added. Prestige offers a wide range of optional finishes, including various hull paint colours and cabinetry and fabric choices.

Depending on the final specification chosen, the on-the-water price may exceed €500,000, which represents a significant increase from the initial base price but remains substantially lower than other 12m (40ft) flybridges.