Different shipyards have fashion indices “X” or “Y” in the designation of models, but only the British Princess Yachts builds yachts with one and another mathematical symbol. And this is not just a marketing gimmick, but part of a strategic plan.
Unlike the X95, the only X Class (Super Flybridge Yacht) in the Princess Yachts line, the Y Class (Motor Yachts) line includes the Y72, Y78, Y85 and Y95 models. The Princess Y85 and Y78 are already in mass production, and the next in line is the new flagship Y95, which was announced in Cannes last year and later at boot Düsseldorf 2020.
Features of the architecture
A quick glance at the profile of the Princess Y95, at first, this yacht can be mistaken for the Y85 – so characteristic is the smooth interface of the hardtop with the upper deck proposed by Studio Pininfarina. And this similarity for the Y line is completely justified: Princess designers have always cared about the “genetically determined recognition” of their yachts, especially within the same model range. But the noticeable resemblance to the X95 yacht: the lines, the proportions of the hull with an extended cut in the bulwarks, and the whole non-standard silhouette, suggest certain thoughts. Already the third model shows us a complete rethinking of the language of yacht architecture, and this must be a strategic step for the shipyard.
95 feet
With such a length, without formally falling into the superyacht category, the Princess Y95 surpasses even larger vessels in many respects.
Denis Novikov, Sales Director of Nordmarine – the official representative of Princess Yachts
In a sense, the Princess Y95 model is the “little sister” of the new X95, which is scheduled to be shown in September at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Yes, with the same length and handling characteristics, the Princess X95 has larger deck areas, but the Y95 has a different trump card – a more classic appearance. The avant-garde design of the X95 evokes polar opinions: some are delighted, others prefer the familiar Princess style. Therefore, the new Y95 is just for them.
Nevertheless, the appearance of the Princess Y95 is quite distinctive. With the same dimensions as the X95, the new yacht has a different shape of the superstructure and hull glazing: now a long strip of glass flaunts in the hull – the Princess did not have any larger before. The second helm station on the upper deck is open and not in the skylight. And this whole area covered with a hardtop is shifted to the stern. The foredeck with a sofa and a “solarium” is decorated differently: there is no private area in the very nose. There is a ladder in the starboard aisle – asymmetry is now in vogue. In short, it looks like, but not the same thing.
Now the cockpit. A U-shaped sofa with a table is planned here, a wet bar (option), access to the crew quarters and the engine compartment. The new electro-hydraulic bathing platform (lifting capacity 1000 kg) accommodates a Williams DieselJet 505. The aquabike can be kept in the garage (more on that later) or in the aft flybridge (with a crane). Its layout provides various options, including a dining area, free-standing sofas and sun loungers, a vetbar with a grill, etc. But the steering console remains on the starboard side anyway, and the corner sofa facing forward is on the left.
Opened doors from cockpit to salon visually and functionally unite these living spaces
The “Beach Club” at the stern is almost an indispensable part of every respectable yacht today. At Princess Y95, the “beach” is supplemented by a stern transformer platform, which can be lowered into the water, forming a smooth descent with steps, serve as a platform for jumping or for launching a jet ski into the water, if a garage is arranged in the stern of the yacht
One of the options for the layout of the flybridge. It is not only the open deck that is covered with teak: it is also present on the aft platform, in the cockpit, in the side aisles and on the stairs
Layout inside, interior
The layout of the main deck also resembles the Princess X95. And here, in the bow of the superstructure, there is a classy master cabin – exactly as in one of the general arrangements of the X-line yacht. Behind it, in the stern, there is a galley with access to the port deck. Judging by the specification, it will be equipped to the eyeballs, and there is simply nothing to add there. Further on the project – a salon with full-length panoramic glazing, various options for placing a dining area for 10 people and free arrangement of sofas, armchairs, coffee tables, etc.
Judging by the images, the interior, with the generally familiar distribution of functional areas performed by the shipyard designers, may come as a surprise. Finishing materials should play a role in this ensemble. The furnishings and finishes inside are a hallmark of the Princess: the traditionally high quality, practicality and level of detail make many shipyards the envy. On the Princess Y95, finishes and furniture are assumed to be oak (rover, bleached or silver) or walnut – matt or glossy varnished; in the galley and in the washrooms – marble, granite or quartz; various upholstery fabrics are offered for upholstered furniture.
Downstairs there are four more beautifully appointed cabins: two with large double beds (amidships and bow) and two on the sides with a mechanism for connecting single beds (electric). All cabins have their own bathrooms with showers, openable portholes and air conditioning. A reversible air conditioning system (cooling / heating) with a total capacity of 300,000 BTU is provided, suitable even for the tropics (+40 ° C).
One of the potentially attractive features of the project is the variability of the stern. In addition to the crew quarters (dining room, captain’s cabin and another cabin with bunks in two tiers), there may be either a garage for a jet ski, or a “beach club”, which is very common on superyachts today, for relaxing after swimming and sunbathing on the stern platform. A door with an electrohydraulic drive will allow you to get there.
Such a control post with five MFDs will allow one person to control all systems without any problems.
Housing
It is unlikely that anyone will be able to highlight the MOST IMPORTANT thing in a modern motor yacht: absolutely all components are important in it, although in some cases functionality dominates, and in others – aesthetics. Likewise, hardly anyone would dispute the assertion that the hull determines the whole appearance of a yacht and its performance. Therefore, I will tell you more about the Princess Y95 case.
Often marketers (and not only them) use the term “effective corpus” without explaining its meaning. But this is an integral, in fact, characteristic of “utility”, depending on the displacement of the vessel, its contours, the position of the center of mass, the applied power, the mode of movement, etc., expressed, inter alia, in the speed and fuel consumption. In many ways, this efficiency is determined by contours, in particular, nasal, and structures such as the nasal bulb.
Torpedo-shaped attachments are often used on commercial displacement vessels and large yachts and are sometimes referred to as “bow wave suppressors”. Their role is not so much in lengthening the waterline (as many believe), but in creating their own wave in front of the stem, the depression behind the crest of which coincides with the crest of the wave from the stem. As a result of the imposition / superposition of wave systems, the total resistance of the vessel is reduced. This is true for calm water: the resistance increases with the wave.
At the same time, on ships of the transient regime (higher speeds), there is a wave piercing bulb: flat on top, reminiscent of a ship’s hull, and with its own stem. It is also used in the calculation to reduce hydrodynamic resistance, increase the shockless passability of waves and somewhat moderate pitching. This is the bulb we see on the Princess X95 and Y95 models, which have the same hull below the waterline.
His contours were worked out on a computer model and in the Southampton experimental basin with the participation of Bernard Olesinski: for several decades he has been creating the hulls of Princess yachts. According to the calculated data, with two MAN V12-2000 diesel engines (power density 40 hp / t) the maximum speed of the yacht should reach 25-26 knots (2300 rpm), while at cruising (the shipyard does not report the value), the power reserve promise 1000 miles.
Dossier Princess Y95
Length:
29.10 m
Width:
6.77 m
Draft:
1.97 m
Displacement (50% load):
102 t
Fuel supply:
13.4 t
Water supply:
1800 l
Engines:
4000 h.p. (2 × MAN V12)
Generators:
2 × 40 kW
Cabins:
5 + 2 (crew)
Comparison with several yacht models of the same type and length, such as Italian yachts, shows that even with a larger displacement, the Princess Y95 requires about 15% less power to reach 25 knots. And this, in addition to everything, is fuel and, of course, money. True, so far, in the absence of these tests, it is necessary to operate with calculated values. The upcoming tests and especially the experience of operating the yacht in real conditions should show what such a bulb actually gives.
Conclusion
If the public will be able to see the Princess X95 pretty soon – the official premiere of the yacht is scheduled for September in Cannes, the launch of the Princess Y95 is scheduled only for 2021, and it is quite possible that changes in the project may occur before the end of construction. Be that as it may, with these original X and Y designs, the British shipyard is demonstrating its vision of classic motor yachts for the near future. Remembering that the classic (from Latin classicus – exemplary) is something indicative, characteristic of a certain period, we must assume that the period of creation of a new yacht classic has begun, and we have to see a lot of original and unusual things. And who knows, maybe Princess Yachts will have a Z line in addition to the X and Y yachts, which would be symbolic. This, as it were, emphasizes the coverage of three dimensions – not only spatial, but also conceptual: aesthetics, comfort and functionality.
Text
Mikhail Romanov
Chief Editor
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