On Board

Princess S66 Review (2020 Edition)

As a pioneer of sportsbridge design, Princess hopes to continue its winning ways with the S66.

In 2010, Princess showcased the V85-S, a significant sports yacht featuring a unique "flying bridge" above the salon. By 2014, the S72, the first S model, made its debut in Miami, signaling the official introduction of the sportsbridge concept.

Since then, sportsbridge models have become increasingly popular among different builders, starting at a more accessible 50ft size. With two decades of expertise, how has Princess evolved in sportsbridge design? The S66 offers a perfect opportunity to explore this.

Princess S66 Key Facts

Princess S66 illustration
  • LOA 20.32m
  • Model Year 2020
  • Cabins 4
  • Crew 1
  • Max Speed 38 knots
  • Status Discontinued
  • Yacht Type Sportsbridge
  • Use Type Cruising

Design & Build

Describing the sportsbridge concept can be challenging, but its appeal is immediately evident. Rather than simply a blend of a flybridge and sports yacht, it enhances the sports yacht experience with added advantages.

The design cleverly integrates an upper driving area with the hardtop design, offering ample space to enjoy the journey and a sunroof for the salon below. In all these aspects, the S66 surpasses expectations.

Princess S66 design
Sleek, sporty and good for 38 knots, the S66 conceals its upper deck beautifully well © Princess Yachts
Princess S66 design
Princess Y72 design

The exterior design is truly remarkable, with the sportsbridge integrated into the yacht's sleek silhouette while offering an impressive upper deck.

Inside, the sleek lines are complemented by a spacious and bright four-cabin layout. Combining style and space, the S66 boasts a top speed of 38 knots and a suggested cruising speed of 36 knots. Opting for this speed means reaching destinations like Ibiza to Majorca or Palm Beach to the Bahamas in just a couple of hours. Just make sure to secure the glassware before setting off.

Interior Accommodation

Princess Yachts' undeniable success can be attributed, in part, to their remarkable talent for crafting spacious and excellently designed interiors. Each space is well-proportioned, ensuring each corner of the yacht offers a welcoming and inviting atmosphere, making it easy to find your preferred spot onboard.

Princess S66 salon
The galley aft design includes a dining area and a forward lounge beneath the sunroof © Princess Yachts

With its generous space and lofty ceilings, stepping aboard the S66 might give you the impression of being on a larger F Class model. The abundance of headroom and expansive glass sections contribute to this sense of spaciousness. Stylistically, the S66 remains consistent with its counterparts, featuring subtle additions like dark panels and a prominent sunroof characteristic of the S Class design.

Princess S66 cabins
The owner's stateroom looking aft © Princess Yachts
Princess S66 cabins
Princess S66 cabins

In the galley aft salon, you'll find a dedicated dining area complemented by a forward lounge area, offering excellent views through the large hardtop windows and sunroof. Below decks, the four-cabin layout comprises three ensuites, highlighted by a spacious full-beam owner’s cabin featuring deep hull-side glass panels. Additionally, a sizable forward VIP cabin is situated forward, with twin and bunked cabins located amidships.

Helm Station

At the upper sportsbridge helm, you'll find two comfortable helm seats and an L-shaped guest area, providing ample seating for four or five people to enjoy the ride.

Princess S66 helm
Princess S66 helm

Meanwhile, the lower helm boasts sporty and supportive seats, evoking a sense of performance that sets it apart from other areas of the boat. The sleek console features a stitched visor with twin MFDs across the dash, while a convenient side door leads to the starboard deck.

Deck Lifestyle

The sportsbridge may be smaller than a flybridge, but it's impressively designed. Accessible via wide teak treads, tall coamings envelop the deck, providing a sense of being within the yacht rather than on top of it. The twin helm seats and L-shaped bench are complemented by a wet bar and aft dining area, making it an excellent spot for relaxation, even while underway.

Princess S66 deck
The aft deck bar with the cockpit and galley in full-open mode © Princess Yachts
Princess S66 deck
Princess S66 deck

The aft cockpit exudes the essence of a sports yacht, featuring U-shaped seating that leads to a spacious sunpad situated over the tender garage, capable of accommodating a 3.3m (10.9ft) tender. Here, the galley aft salon integrates with the cockpit, boasting an adjoining bar that bridges the gap between the deck and interior spaces. When the cockpit doors and sunroof are open, the indoor/outdoor ambiance is truly excellent.

Our Verdict

The S66 offers a delightful blend of aesthetics and functionality, presenting itself with the appearance of a sleek single deck while boasting spacious accommodations across four cabins and an impressive upper deck. Princess's signature understated luxury may appear more subtle than striking, but make no mistake — its 38-knot performance catapults the S66 to the forefront of the sportsbridge category with unrivaled agility and power.

Reasons to Buy

  • 38-knot performance allied to smooth design
  • Spacious safe sportsbridge
  • Four cabins

Things to Consider

  • Understated style belies performance attitude

Rivals to Consider

Sunseeker is another pioneer of sportsbridge design, its first Sports Yacht model came out just before the Princess S72. 

The Sunseeker 65 Sports Yacht is an exciting addition to the genre and a clear rival to the Princess. A taller, bolder glass hardtop design leads to a sportsbridge that will thrill sports car fans and gamers in equal measure. The automotive helm has low-slung sports seats and a very unusual central console that mounts the throttle and race-style dials. Power comes from pod drives, with a top speed of 35knots. Inside, the style is similarly exciting with a performance edge, but only three cabins.         

With the same cool, performance attitude as the Sunseeker and the four cabins of the Princess, the 36-knot Azimut S7 is another yacht that demands your attention. The sportsbridge splits its space between a smart helm and sunpads loungers, with a massive aft cockpit that creates a superb and very usable outside lounge. Inside, the salon is encased in glass with the galley pushed forward. The four-cabin layout includes a spectacular Owner’s stateroom with an offset berth and gallery windows cut into the hull.

Specifications

Princess S66 illustration
  • Length Overall 20.32m
  • Beam 5.08m
  • Draft 1.47m
  • Hull GRP
  • Cabins 4
  • Berths 8
  • Crew 1
  • Cruising Speed
    Max Speed
  • Fuel Capacity 4,100 Litres
  • Fresh Water Capacity 800 Litres
  • Engine Model 2x MAN V12-1400
Full Model Specification

Tenders

The Princess S66 supports tenders with a max length of 3.3m

Princess S66 Layout

  • Sportbridge Princess S66

    The mini-flybridge feel is delivered by a deep safe deck, wetbar and aft dining area, the helm is joined by an L-shape bench that will convert easily into a sunpad.

  • Main Deck Princess S66

    A highly effective layout includes a galley aft salon with its own dining area, the design flowing out to the aft deck.  

  • Lower Deck Princess S66

    Four cabins is a great headline, closely followed by a big full-beam Owner's stateroom. The aft crew cabin is an option but still keeps the full tender garage in place. 

View All Layout Options