Princess S80 Review: A Modern Take on the Sportbridge Yacht

The largest model of the S line, the new Princess S80 debuted last year at the Cannes Boat Show as a cruiser with a sportbridge – a small flybridge primarily designed and used for sailing pleasure.

Distinctive exterior style

At 25.44 meters, the S80 reveals the typical style of her renowned British builder, with strong hull lines merging gently into rounded shapes. The black side glazing was designed to look like a feather, while the rounded stern makes the new Princess stand out in any marina. 

The stern begins with a spacious aft hydraulic platform capable of lowering below the sea line, and above it, stairs leading to the main deck. On the right there is the tender garage, on the left the entrance to the skipper's cabin, which on the unit we tested was replaced by a sauna.

On the main deck, sundecks resembling balconies, two large and two smaller sofas and an outdoor dining table invite six people to relax and enjoy the sun. Next to the entrance to the interior, gorgeous stairs leads to the sportbridge, the main feature of this line. 

Expansive sportbridge area

On the S80, the sportbridge is so spacious that it can be considered a real flybridge. At its stern there is a semicircular sofa served by a table, a bar with refrigerators and a grill, as well as the helm station with two seats, a TV that emerges from its hiding place when needed and two side sofas for those who want to join in on the action. 

At the bow there are two more sofas, a smaller one with a view towards the bow and a larger one, U-shaped and served by a dining table facing the stern. Returning to the aft area, we entered the salon through spacious doors. 

Luxury interiors and intelligent layout

On the left side is the kitchen, which opens towards the stern by raising the glass wall and merges with the cockpit into a single indoor-outdoor area. The galley offers an additional bar, placed longitudinally above the U-shaped work surface. Compact but functional, the galley offers everything needed, including smart solutions such as lift-up shelves.

Next up is the salon, with two large sofas, stairs leading to the cabins and a passage to the interior helm. These spaces are connected aesthetically by the contrast of dark wood and light fabrics, with light and airy elements such as horizontal lines on the railing. 

The helm, placed a step above the salon, has five touchscreen displays integrated into the horizontal surface under the windshield, like in modern cars. Visibility is excellent, and all controls are easily within reach.

Next to the skipper's seat there is a door to the side passage, and next to the windshield a semi-circular sofa with a table for dining, ideal for watching the skipper perform his magic. Semi-circular stairs lead to the corridor that connects all cabins.

The master cabin is mid-hull with a desk looking out at the sea, a double bed with a headboard facing the stern and an oval bathtub, custom-made for the unit we tested. The bathroom has two sinks, a toilet, a spacious shower and a walk-in wardrobe.

The two guest cabins offer a choice of single or double beds, each with dedicated bathrooms. The VIP cabin in the bow has a double bed, a bathroom and a desk. All cabins have a good view of the sea thanks to the side glazing, and are comfortable and luxurious, with details such as wooden lines and leather headboards.

Performance, handling, and owner experience

As appealing as it is, the interior is not everything when it comes to Princess S line: those yachts are designed for navigation. We conducted the test on the external helm, with three displays and excellent visibility. The ride was so dynamic, we could swear we were on a smaller yacht. Two 2000-hp MAN V12 engines allow for a maximum speed of 32 knots, while the optimal cruising speed is 25 knots, with a consumption of 490 litres per hour.

Optional stabilizers allow navigation even in bad weather conditions, as confirmed by the crew who sailed the yacht at 40 knots of wind and waves. Thanks to the joystick controls and the aft manoeuvring station, the S80 is easy to handle in marinas, which is important as it was primarily designed for owners who like to sail alone or with a minimal crew. 

The new Princess S80 is a strikingly designed, luxurious yacht with a large sport bridge, ideal for those looking for performance and comfort, with the possibility of customization without compromise.