On Board Review

Pearl 62 Review (2020 Edition)

Sharp style and four cabins in an 18m (59ft) yacht? Is there a catch, or are we witnessing the rise of a new class leader?

For three decades, British builder Pearl has been quietly redefining contemporary flybridge design. However, in recent times, it has turned heads with some seriously sharp and spacious yachts. Its latest offering, a four-cabin flybridge model, is not only super cool and beautifully detailed but also impressively fast. What sets this package apart, however, is that all these features have been expertly packed into an 18.6m (61ft) hull.

Traditionally, most flybridge yachts of this size offer three cabins. So, the question arises: will the quadruple offerings of the Pearl 62 be marked by compromise, or is this the emergence of a new class leader?

Pearl 62 Key Facts

Pearl 62 illustration
  • LOA 18.61m
  • Model Year 2020
  • Cabins 4
  • Crew 1
  • Max Speed 31 knots
  • Status In Production
  • Yacht Type Flybridge
  • Use Type Cruising

Design & Build

As we examine the Pearl 62, two questions emerge: How did they achieve such a sleek design while providing ample interior space? And how is it possible to have this much room in an 18m (60ft) yacht? The answer lies in clever design.

Several factors contribute to this. With a beam width of 5.5m (18ft), the Pearl exceeds many of its competitors, resulting in increased volume both above and below decks. Additionally, equipped with pod drives, the Volvo Penta IPS1200 engines are positioned aft, allowing the full-beam owner's stateroom to extend further back, creating space for three guest cabins forward. This layout maximises interior space without compromising on performance.

Flybridge yacht, Pearl 62
© Pearl
Flybridge, Fairline
© Pearl
flybridge, Pearl

Is 60 the New 70?

Not content with delivering one of the most spacious cabin layouts in its class, Pearl then, almost with a knowing wink, makes room for a small garage or crew quarters at the stern.

The stern options present appealing choices, but a four-cabin layout with a private aft stateroom and crew quarters is proper 70ft territory. And, OK, the garage is small, PWC size rather than full tender, but still. It is as if Pearl and its go-to designer, Bill Dixon, deliberately set out to prove just what can be achieved under 20m. That they have been spectacularly successful is beyond doubt.

That brings us to the exterior design. Pearl's yachts have always maintained a distinctive look, conforming to contemporary design while also standing apart from its peers. Recently, this house style, created by Bill Dixon, has been refined to deliver a fleet with a powerful appearance.

The 62 is perhaps the best example so far, featuring a design characterized by glass, raked lines, and attitude. It also demonstrates good thinking, with ample interior space, an excellent flybridge, safe decks, easy access from bow to bathing platform, and abundant stowage — an often overlooked but crucial aspect.

Interior Accommodation

The interior of the 62 complements the sleek exterior styling and reflects the new Pearl character. The standout feature is the four double cabins, particularly the private owner's stateroom. Before delving into that, it's worth mentioning the clean, detailed, and inviting style resulting from the builder's longstanding collaboration with interior designer Kelly Hoppen.

Hoppen crafts multiple style packages for each Pearl model, consistently impressing with her designs. Light oak cabinetry contrasts gently with fabrics, accentuated by lighting and natural materials like wood-block tables. Vast window lines illuminate the entire interior, both on deck level and below.

Flybridge salon, pearl 62
Design, volume and style combine to create a superb salon
Galley aft, pearl 62
Deck salon, dining table, Pearl

Social Scene 

The deck salon features the galley aft, with an adjacent dining table creating the perfect setting for gatherings with friends and family to share meals and enjoy life. The galley's aft design offers additional dining options, seamlessly connecting the interior with the aft deck. Here, the setup works exceptionally well, with the cockpit doors folding away completely and the galley's aft worktop transforming into a sturdy marble serving counter and bar for the deck area.

The social atmosphere extends forward, with the lounge accessible via a shallow step-up for increased cabin headroom below. Deep-facing sofas and expansive glass panels provide breathtaking views. With the glass extending overhead, the lounge offers a truly panoramic experience.

Owner’s stateroom, Pearl 62
The private owner’s stateroom features an abundance of style and space come as standard

Four-Cabin Genius

Before descending to the guest cabins via a conventional forward stairwell, it's worth noting how open Pearl has managed to keep the below decks companionway. Often, these areas are enclosed and shrouded in darkness, but Pearl has somehow succeeded in opening it up, with the helm screens and skylights flooding the area with light. This level of effort and attention to detail makes a significant difference throughout the yacht. You might not notice what they've done, but you will appreciate the effects.

The three guest cabins are all outstanding. The forward VIP cabin boasts stateroom-like qualities, with a spacious ensuite and ample glass. The two identical twin-berth guest cabins are even more impressive. While most yachts of this size that offer a fourth cabin usually provide narrow, bunked kids' quarters, this is not the case here. Each cabin is a proper twin, offering plenty of space, ample storage, and a large shared toilet and shower compartment.

Now, let's turn our attention to the owner's stateroom at the aft of the yacht. Once again, it's worth noting that flybridge yachts of this size typically don't offer such a feature within a four-cabin layout. However, the Pearl 62 not only has a private owner's suite but also one that is truly spectacular in both space and style.

Pearl 62, Owners cabin
pearl 62, guest cabin

One Happy Owner 

Access is via a discrete stairwell near the dining area, featuring a gentle spiraled descent. Pearl plans to enhance the entranceway at deck level for better protection, addressing one of the few areas we might question with the yacht. The new design will extend the guardrail further out, enhancing safety and usability.

As you descend the stairwell, lighting, and storage compartments accompany you. Entering the full-beam cabin is a moment of delight. The first impression is the spaciousness, followed by the style and then the level of detailing and luxury. Unlike the expansive salon, the Kelly Hoppen design here offers a more concentrated joy, akin to enjoying your favorite drink without a mixer.

There are many options for fit and finish, but we prefer the chairs and table setup over a sofa, creating a perfect breakfast or reading area by the deep hull-side windows. The ensuite bathroom feels almost full-beam, cleverly merging with a walk-in closet, and features a vast marble shower stall.

Helm Station

Helm stations have evolved significantly in a relatively brief period, with builders recognizing that luxury and design should extend to the part of the boat where an owner typically spends a lot of time. Helm seats have become sporty and supportive, while the console is ergonomic and visually engaging.

The Pearl incorporates all of these features and more across both of the 62's helm stations. The upper helm is particularly impressive, with its twin seats and sleek dash blending with the superyacht ambiance of the flybridge and providing excellent visibility.

Pearl lower helm
The lower helm is wrapped in glass, with skylights and a side door
Pearl 62, upper helm
Pearl 62, upper helm

The lower helm features two thickly upholstered pedestal seats positioned before a smart console, with stitched leather covering twin MFD screens and sporty air vents. A huge windscreen provides excellent visibility, further enhanced by sections of glass above, creating a sense of complete openness, albeit without the salty aftertaste. With the all-important (though not standard) side door open, you can enjoy a taste of the sea, although its primary role is to provide immediate side deck access. 

At the helm, the steering wheel is slightly distant from the seat for a true driver's boat experience. However, this is primarily a cruiser designed for long-legged autopilot-controlled passages. Although we didn't have the chance to fully test the Pearl, a confirmed top speed of 31 knots is more than sufficient.

Interestingly, and reflecting the modern modified vee hull form, the Pearl consistently maintains a cruising range of 200nm from 18 knots to the maximum speed. To significantly extend the yacht's reach, it's necessary to drop down to displacement speeds.

Deck Lifestyle

If it wasn't already evident, stepping up onto the Pearl 62's flybridge confirms that you are in the presence of greatness. This Pearl excels on many fronts, but its upper level stands out as a world-class feature, offering immense style and space that surpasses the norms of an 18m (60ft) yacht and delivers the luxury of a (21m) 70ft motor yacht.

Pearl 62, flybridge
Is there another 18m (60ft) flybridge that matches the Pearl 62's size or style?

Upper Deck Luxury

A long spread of lounge seating lies opposite a proper bar and barbecue area, with the L-shape design creating a surround of culinary opportunities. Above, the hardtop and sunroof enhance the large yacht feel, with inset lighting making this a deck to enjoy day or night. 

The forward section of the fly, including a wraparound seat by the helm, is as functional as anyone would want it to be. Beyond that, there is an expanse of open aft deck to customize according to your cruising style. Our test yacht featured a sunpad and corner seats, but there are myriad options available. With the transom garage offering ample storage, you could even opt for free-standing furniture and keep the deck clear when underway.

Pearl 62, flybridge
The open aft deck can be fitted-out to suit your style, leaving the huge dining and bar area forward

Safety & Style

Back at deck level, the forward lounge is impressive, broad, and inviting, featuring a fold-out table with a sunpad stretching forward.

The decks are highly functional as well. The side decks are also wide, with tall stanchions providing a strong sense of safety. Ample cleats and fairleads facilitate docking and securing, while there is plenty of stowage from bow to stern, including deep bins off the foredeck for lines and fenders.

Pearl 62, flybridge
The aft cockpit is more like a main deck, connecting to the galley by way of a marble-topped bar
Pearl 62, foredeck
Pearl 62, decks

Moving back down the wide decks, we arrive at the aft cockpit, which boasts another inviting lounge area. This space feels like somewhere to stop and enjoy, rather than simply pass through. With the galley aft design connecting the aft deck and salon, you have a vast, luxurious stretch of yacht to enjoy.

Value for Money

The Pearl offers superyacht levels of space and luxury, incorporating the kind of detail and options typically reserved for the semi-custom market. However, the sub-2 million Euro price tag of the yacht we tested firmly places it in the production boat territory.

Pearl 62 finish
Pearl 62, flybridge

The price of the Pearl 62 includes a high specification, featuring stabilisers, an upgraded generator, and IPS Dynamic Positioning System, along with the transom garage and side deck door. Underlying all of this is a high level of build and finish that should ensure the yacht delivers for its owner for years to come.

Our Verdict

If there’s a builder out there putting more thought, effort, and joy into flybridge design we’ve not met them. Out-styling Azimut, beating Princess in space, and taking the fight to Sunseeker on speed, the Pearl 62 is, without doubt, a new class leader — a 60ft yacht so good it's sure to make a lot of 70ft builders very nervous. 

Reasons to Buy

  • Class-leading four cabin layout
  • Excellent private Owner’s suite
  • 70ft calibre flybridge
  • Solid 30-knot pod drive peroformance
  • Hard to beat on quality or value

Things to Consider

  • We'll get back to you

Looking to own a Pearl 62? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Pearl 62 Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Pearl 62, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used boats for sale and find your perfect boat today!

Rivals to Consider

The Pearl’s four-cabin layout is nothing short of excellent and sets it apart in what would normally be a very tightly contested 60ft flybridge sector. 

Put simply, if you want a proper full-beam Owner’s suite and three good guests cabins the Pearl 62 is currently the boat for you. 

Of its main rivals, the longer, larger and more expensive Absolute 64 has a full-beam Owner’s suite but a bunked fourth cabin while the Monte Carlo MCY 66 has to rejig its Owner’s cabin and ensuite to make way for a still bunked fourth cabin. The Majesty 62’s Owner’s cabin must share its beam with the ensuite and can still only manage a bunked fourth.

If three cabins are what you need, the Princess F62, Absolute 62 Fly and Azimut 60 all have interiors to impress and great flybridges, but prices are no lower than the four-cabin Pearl.

Considering a new boat? Explore Pearl's entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.

Specifications

  • Length Overall 18.61m
  • Beam 5.3m
  • Draft 1.59m
  • Hull GRP
  • Cabins 4
  • Berths 8
  • Crew 1
  • Cruising Speed
  • Max Speed
  • Fuel Capacity 2,750 Litres
  • Fresh Water Capacity 800 Litres
  • Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta D11-IPS950
  • Engine economic speed 10 knots
  • Engine max range (speed type) 320 (nm)
New Model Specs & Options

Pearl 62 Layout

  • Flybridge Pearl 62

    A class-leading flybridge is big, safe and stylish, packed with deck lifestyle options, including a central dining and bar area. The aft area can be left clear for free-standing furniture or there is a range of fixed options.

  • Standard main deck layout

    Main Deck Pearl 62

    A superb galley aft design seamlessly merges interior to deck and can include a separate dining table. The large lounge has facing sofas set beneath deep windows. There are two stairwells, one aft for the Owner's cabin and a forward guest entrance. 

  • Optional jet ski storage in lieu of crew cabin

    Lower Deck Pearl 62

    The 62 defining feature might just be its four-cabin layout. A class-leading Owner's stateroom enjoys private access, with the three guest cabins, two ensuite, all of a good size.

View All Layout Options