BoatTest.com reviews the Prestige 450

See the Prestige 450 at Sydney International Boat Show 2013

Following the success of the 500 and 550 models, Prestige sets its sights on a smaller version, but no less practical in its layout and utility. This new 450, much like her predecessors, will be offered in both a sport and flying bridge version, and offers many of the same amenities as her larger siblings exemplifying Prestige’s design flair for use of space. As with all Prestige Yachts, this 450 also demonstrates the company’s attitude towards keeping the glitz to a minimum and thereby maximizing the value for the money.

Mission Statement

The mission of the 450 series is to provide the same quality, fit-and-finish of the larger 500 and 550 yachts, in a smaller and more affordable version while still providing the truly private master stateroom.

Distinguishing Features

• Master Stateroom Is Private. While some yachts in this class have a full beam master stateroom, they are usually accessed from a forward companionway, along with the other staterooms. Not so on the 450. Her master stateroom is accessed from a private companionway between the salon and galley. This is the only way to allow the master to be fully private, and separate from the VIP stateroom.

• Scissor VIP berth. The berth in the forward VIP stateroom is able to separate and come together, much like a pair of scissors, to create either separate twin beds or a single queen-sized berth.

• Galley Aft. Having the galley aft allows it to be within easy reach of the two main gathering areas plus the flying bridge.

Prestige-450-I14

Styling

Styling of the Prestige 450 is reminiscent of the larger boats in the series. The boat’s lines are graceful, while still having some of the masculine characteristics needed for bluewater passages. Her elegance is most notable in her interior and multiple gathering areas that make her as comfortable entertaining a crowd as she is cruising off to a remote island for a week-long getaway.

Performance 

The Prestige 450 Fly has a LOA of 45’10” (13.97m), a beam of 14’2” (4.32 m) and a draft of 3’9” (1.14 m). With an empty weight of 24,251 lbs (11,000 kg), 264 gallons (1000 L) of fuel, and 3 people onboard, we had a test weight of 26,440 lbs (11,993 kg).

The twin Volvo Penta IPS600 engines reached a top speed at 3600 rpm bringing us to 31.9 kts. At that speed we were burning a combined 44.35 gph (168 LPH) giving us a range of 205 nautical miles. Best cruise came in at 3000 rpm and 24 kts. That speed reduced the fuel burn to 30.65 gph (116L) and the 450 fly could keep that up for 9 hours 18 minutes and 223 miles.

We reached planing speed in 7.2 seconds, accelerated to 20 mph in 8.6 seconds and continued accelerating through 30 mph in 17.9 seconds.

Handling

As for handling, the 450 Fly is a very graceful performer. We had winds blowing 15-20 mph across the Med which produced some rolling seas and it was a surprisingly comfortable ride. We would cut through the seas with little fuss and took the rollers at cruise speed with little fanfare. Regardless of the direction we rode these swells in, the 450 remained comfortable throughout. Because she’s a pod driven boat, and the travel of the radius is limited at cruise speed, she’ll be slow to come around, and we completed a full 360-degrees in 70 seconds and took almost 5 boat lengths to do it. This is pretty much on par with what we’ve come to expect in any boat with pods. Slow down and the travel of the drives increases and she’ll come around faster. She also leans 11-degrees into the turn.

And of course we all know by now that with joystick functionality, any operator with any skill level can dock her like a pro. This makes the 450 Fly an attractive prospect for the owner/operator.

For the full and video review go to…