BOAT REPORT There’s plenty of space to move around at the upper helm SEE THE VIDEO


On top of the abundant space and natural light, the saloon décor is as tasteful as they come and a joy to behold


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The sunpad conceals a useful storage void


The seating areas at the helm are


a great focal point for watching waves go by


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There are no steps or bulkheads to break up the open-plan saloon and dining area


The stunning fl ybridge is a key improvement over the 72. The hardtop has a canvas roof within it


The galley can be fully enclosed if you intend to have crew


The dining table is mounted on a track so it can slide away from the window to make more space


eviewing a 75ft yacht is like reviewing a fi ve-star hotel – it’s unlikely to be anything other than very good. It may not be exactly to your taste, but the level of quality and feeling of luxury


will be undeniable. So when you get to this size of boat, it’s the little things that make the difference; the things that make you stop and stare and coerce you into picking a particular brand over another. Princess is starting with an enviable


blueprint in the excellent 72, which has been a wild success for the Plymouth yard. The 75 is far more than a tweaked version of its predecessor though, with a brand new and slightly modifi ed version of the Olesinski deep-vee hull, separate access to a breathtaking master cabin and a far larger fl ybridge. However, the real clincher on the 75 is its main deck and in particular, the simply stunning saloon. Rarely have I been inside a saloon that so temptingly invites you to come on in, take the weight off and relax. The fi rst thing you notice is the totally fl at deck, which runs from the transom all the way to the companionway steps forward. Then you realise that this wonderful space is being amplifi ed by the sheer amount of light cascading in from all sides. Take a look at the profi les of the 72 and 75 and you can see exactly why the effect is so impressive. The windows on the 75 are truly gigantic and even with Princess’s styling lines running through them, natural light fi res in from all angles. The near fl oor-to-ceiling window adjacent to the dinette is a tasty superyacht fl ourish that can be further enhanced by the option to have a cutout in the port bulwark.


BELOW DECKS The stylish dining table is mounted on a track so it and the eight chairs can slide away from the window and into the middle of the companionway to give more space to those sitting next to the glass. The midships galley arrangement is carried over from the 72 and


differs from the 68, which has the separate master cabin access but an aft galley layout. The midships galley is great for serving the table and it’s handy to be able to hide dishes behind the sliding glass partition that is familiar to a few of Princess’s fl ybridge models. If you prefer, it is possible to completely enclose the galley, which is likely to be an option chosen only by those who plan to have crew on a regular basis. They’ll be happy crew, too, because the crew


cabin is genuinely lovely. I’ve written many times before that some crew cabins are plush enough to offer to guests but never has that been truer than on the 75. It’s fi nished in the same tasteful walnut as the rest of the interior with two spacious berths and a lovely ensuite with a separate shower cubicle. There’s full standing headroom, natural light thanks to glazing in the transom and an opening port, plus a temporary berth in the lobby so you could sleep two extra guests and still have space for one crew member at a push. Going back to the saloon, and on top of


the abundant space and natural light there are some fi ne details that are a joy to behold. The décor is as tasteful as they come, all done in house by Princess Design Studio. The pallet is neutral and calming but the use of materials adds sparkle, as do the gorgeous furniture pieces, the fabulous pebble-like coffee table and the handsome yet comfortable chairs at the dining table. And you know how usually, to access the storage beneath a sofa you need to lift cushions and a loose lid and all in all, it’s a right pain to get to? Not on the 75, which has drawers that pull out from the sofa base to reveal timber-lined storage bins, all mounted on soft-close runners. With all the space the saloon has to offer,


it struck me that there’s more than enough room for an internal staircase that leads up to the fl ybridge. Granted, this dying design feature would totally change the workings of the interior, but there are people who want to be able to access and communicate with the top deck from within the saloon. Forward of the galley you’re confronted by two staircases, one forward to the three rather


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