From Boattest.com

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 models 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 a truly private master stateroom, with its private entrance.

Distinguishing Features

• Private Master Is Private. Most yachts in this class have the master stateroom in the bow and they are usually accessed from a forward companionway, along with the guest stateroom. Not so with 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 forward.

• 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.

• IPS Propulsion. With IPS propulsion the engines are moved much farther back in the hull allowing for more sensible use of the living space inside. It also allows the 450 to be commanded by an owner/operator without having to worry about experience level when approaching the close confines of a tight slip or a med-moor.

Styling

Styling of the Prestige 450s are reminiscent of the larger boats in the series. The lines speak of a yacht with feminine qualities, while still hiding some of the masculine characteristics needed for bluewater passages. Her elegance is most notable in her interior, and multiple gathering areas make her as comfortable entertaining a crowd as she is for a couple cruising to a remote island for a week long getaway.

Performance 

The Prestige 450s have a LOA of 45’10” (13.97m), a beam of 14’2” (4.32 m) and a draft of 3’9” (1.14 m).

For the 450 Fly, the twin IPS600 435-hp 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. 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.

For the 450 S, the same engines topped out at 3500 rpm bringing us to 34.1 kts. At that speed we were burning a combined 44 gph (166.6 LPH) giving us a range of 254 nautical miles. We reached planing speed in 8.6 seconds, and continued accelerating through 30 mph in 15.1 seconds.

For the 450 Fly, best cruise came in at 3000 rpm and 24 kts. That speed reduced the fuel burn to 30.65 gph (116 L) and the 450 Fly could keep that up for 9 hours 18 minutes and 223 miles.

And for the 450 S, best cruise came in at 3000 rpm and 31.2 kts. That speed reduced the fuel burn to 29.5 gph (111.6 lph) and the 450 S could keep that up for 9 hours 42 minutes and 262 miles. So clearly there will be an expected improvement in performance with the lighter, and less wind-resistant model.

Handling

As for handling, the 450s are both graceful performers. We had winds blowing 15-20 across the Mediterranean which produced some rolling seas and the ride remained surprisingly comfortable. We would cut through the seas with little fuss and took the rollers at cruise speed with little fanfare. Regardless of the direction in which we rode these swells, both boats remained comfortable throughout.

Turning Pods.

Because they’re pod driven boats, and the travel of the radius is limited at cruise speed, they’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. And she leans 11-degrees into the turn.

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 series an attractive prospect for an owner/operator.

Features Walkthrough

Main Deck

The main deck features three of the four main gathering areas on the 450. The first, being the aft deck, is accessed from either an optional passerelle to port or stairs to starboard.

A large settee with an optional solid wood table easily accommodates four, but a more comfortable scenario would have people sitting behind the table with more in deck chairs. The table lowers and accommodates a filler cushion to form a sun pad and on days when the sun gets to be too much, an optional awning extends from the overhead. Side decks are accessed via steps to both forward sides of the aft deck and stairs to the flying bridge are to port. Engine room access is via a hatch just forward of the pedestal table.

Main Deck-Galley/Salon

Double-wide glass doors provide an opening 4’8” (1.42 m) wide and serve to separate the inside from the outside as much as blend them together. The Prestige 450 has a galley-aft layout which keeps the chef in close proximity to two of the gathering areas, the salon and aft deck. It could also be said that the galley incorporates both sides of the boat, in that the main galley is to starboard while the microwave and refrigerator/freezer are to port.

The salon is up a 9” (22.9 cm) step and offers a settee to port with a table that is electrically lowered and a filler cushion creates an additional berth. Directly opposite is a small loveseat, and with opposing seating a cozy conversational atmosphere is created. Windows are low enough to allow sightlines to the horizon from the seated position which has a surprisingly well-founded comforting effect for more land-based guests.

Overhead is the main difference between the two versions of the 450. Both offer 6’6” (1.98 m) of overhead clearance, but the Fly has a solid overhead with LED lighting, while the 450 S allows for a large 8’1” x 8’6” (2.46 m x 2.59 m) sunroof that opens up the salon to an amazing amount of fresh air and sunlight.

Main Deck — Helm

The lower helm is to starboard and Prestige has become well known for its soft touch dash panels that eliminate glare and harsh reflections in the glass. A 12” (30.5 cm) display takes center stage just above the three spoke steering wheel mounted to a tilt base. Analog gauges are just to the left and ancillary electronics occupy a space in the lower panel just above the lighted rocker switches. Prestige also includes a stainless grab handle with a leather grip and two drink holders. The bow thruster control is just to the left of the wheel, and as this is an IPS powered boat the joystick is to the right, and ahead of the engine controls.

The helm seat isn’t quite double wide, but certainly over-wide. Sightlines from the helm are outstanding with nearly 360-degrees of unrestricted visibility, the only restriction coming from the freezer/microwave area of the galley.

With the 450 Fly, the flying bridge, as stated earlier, is accessed from a set of stairs to the port side of the aft cockpit. Having the stairs in this location frees up valuable interior space. Prestige went with a helm located forward and to port and it is as much a functional helm as the lower station. And, as with the lower station, the helm seat is not quite a double-wide but is over-wide.

Prestige does have a propensity for locating the flying bridge gathering areas away from its helms and this is a trend that I would like to see re-thought. Currently the helm is surrounded on two sides by a sun pad, which creates headroom in the main cabin below and keeps the boat’s top hamper low.

The main social center of the flying bridge is located well aft at an L-shaped settee. To starboard, between this settee and the sun pad is a galley with electric grill and sink under a covered top. Storage and refrigeration is in a cabinet below. A bimini top will ensure that guests will enjoy their day in the flybridge rather than endure it.

Bow

The bow is accessed from either of the two side decks, and high marks to Prestige for including side decks to both sides instead of going with an asymmetrical layout in the hopes of gaining just a little more space in the salon. A roomy sun pad occupies the foredeck with stainless steel rails to either side.

Fully forward, a step down to the working end of the bow presents a deck mounted windlass leading to an anchor roller extending past the bow. Stainless steel cleats and chocks are immediately adjacent to the roller. An access hatch to the starboard side of the windlass will allow easy management of any tangles in the rode.

Accommodations Deck– Master Stateroom

One of the most attractive features of the Prestige 450 is that the master stateroom is a private entrance where all others would have it sharing the forward companionway. Here, the stateroom is accessed from a companionway to the port side of the galley. The full beam stateroom accommodates a queen-sized berth mounted athwartships with the head against the port side. Hull side windows to port and starboard allow natural light and what is sure to be astonishing waterfront views. Storage is seemingly everywhere, including a large credenza to port that also includes an owners safe, and the stateroom naturally has its own climate control zone.

The master head is located forward and to port and has a separate walk-in shower. Another hull side window allows for natural light as well as an opening port light for ventilation. The sink is mounted on top of a solid surface counter allowing for more storage underneath. Mirrored cabinets above provide additional storage.

Accommodations Deck — VIP Stateroom

The VIP stateroom is accessed from a separate companionway at the forward end of the salon. It features twin scissor berths with the foot end of the beds swinging together to form a single queen-sized berth. This is a fair trade-off as not all guests that will occupy this room want to share the same berth but will likely have no hesitations about sharing the same stateroom. A pair of siblings comes to mind.

Again, hull side windows offer the opportunity for spectacular views and opening port lights add ventilation. Emergency egress and additional light/ventilation is provided by an overhead hatch. To the aft end of the stateroom is access to the head. The toilet occupies the same space as the shower and a separate entrance to the companionway allows this to also serve as a day head.

Engine Room

The engine room is accessed from a hatch in the center of the aft cockpit. There’s not quite enough headroom to stand in the engine room but it is a roomy compartment nonetheless. The entry places the crewman directly in between the twin IPS 600 engines making the daily checks handy. Everything else is located to the sides and rear of the compartment, eliminating any need to climb around the small ladder leading into the compartment. The electrical bus panels are to the starboard side, to the stern are the fuel tanks and generator, and to port are the battery chargers and house batteries.

Observations

It’s not hard to appreciate the quality of a Prestige, and on these new 450s the creative attention to detail in the layout is outstanding. Few boats in this class will offer the private stateroom on a level as this yacht, and with Prestige’s reputation for keeping their boats affordable, this 450 series is sure to be a popular yacht.

Prestige 450 S (2013-) Test Result Highlights