Prestige enters new waters
Backed by the experience of Groupe Beneteau, Prestige Yachts is set to launch the M48 – their first power catamaran.
28 March 2022
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Over the years, high-speed voyaging aboard yachts has become less popular, with a definite move toward cruising with families – and without crew. As such, owners are looking for space, safety and ease of handling.
“Today, our buyers want more luxury, more space and comfort,” says Erwin Bamps, General Manager at Prestige.
“High cruising speed is no longer a demand – stability is, on the other hand. This has naturally pointed us to the catamaran. With this platform on the water, Prestige renews its promise to realise the dream of living on your own private island.”
Prestige , a world leader of motor yachts from 40 to 70 feet, is catering to this move with the company’s first power catamaran, the M48.
Although the M48 has been likened to Prestige’s X70 in design, she still offers something new. With generous yet refined living spaces and an outward-facing design, the M48 promises a gentle pace, keeping those on board in harmony with the sea.
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The M48 affords an interior volume equivalent to that of a 60-foot motor yacht, meaning owners can configure the space to suit the needs of their family.
From the cockpit, the owner and guests have direct access to the 22-square-metre saloon. The galley, positioned to the starboard side of the saloon, services the cockpit through a window that opens flush to the roof. A generous U-shaped countertop is complemented by a buffet and storage lockers.
Forward, a dedicated owner’s cabin offers a true suite, measuring 5 metres wide, with an impressive total surface area of 18 square metres. This cabin features a king-size master bed, private access to a connecting bathroom with separate shower port side and a separate toilet with sink starboard.
Two identical guest cabins boast queen-size beds, each of which may be converted into two single beds that face the sea.
Both cabins have direct access to private bathrooms. The large, panoramic window in the hull and opening hull ports offer breathtaking views of the sea.
All bedroom layouts face the water through expansive windows, treating the owner and guests to an abundance of light and endless, ever-changing views.
A peak inside the M48
The M48 is all about space. Despite featuring two hulls, the catamaran remains true to the heritage of Prestige with optimised interior and exterior layouts.
The hull is a completely new design, without any of the constraints inherent in sailboats. This has allowed for a design that is not as wide as a sailing catamaran, but taller.
A rectangular deck surface allows for more space, giving the owner advanced layout options and more room for relaxation.
The bow also presents an increased surface area. The bottom of the hull and the central part have been positioned to ensure the perfect balance between creating a liveable space and enforcing seaworthy standards.
A generous forward sundeck accommodates up to three people. Facing the sundeck and between the hulls, a 5-metre bow lounge features a U-shaped sofa with a removable table.
This clever layout allows for easy access to the anchor windlass and storage lockers – fenders, cleats – while facilitating handling and docking manoeuvres.
On the flybridge, a wide bench seat enables the pilot to sit comfortably at the helm station. To starboard, a teak table seats up to eight on a U-shaped bench near a fully equipped bar.
Aft, a vast modular sun pad provides the perfect place to soak up the sun. For safety on board, stainless-steel handrails enclose the space, while a large windscreen shields all aboard from sea spray.
The electric aft platform lowers to a position flush with the twin transom platforms. In this position, the versatile platform forms an immense, 6-metre terrace, capable of serving as a tender lift, a beach club or cockpit terrace. A vast storage locker enables the stowing of diverse nautical equipment on board.
Owing to its unique design, the volume of the hulls and nacelle is optimised to a greater degree than any other catamaran on the market.
Stay safe and feel free
The design and propulsion of the M48 greatly facilitate handling. While access to the bow is often constricted on traditional motor yachts, aboard the M48, the side decks are twice as wide as those of equal length motor yachts. Deeper and more spacious, they are safer and contribute to the overall flow of movement on board.
The M48 features two engines spaced relatively far apart from one another, which constitutes an incredible advantage.
With the Volvo joystick and twin engines, one in each hull, the M48 boasts intuitive handling while docking.
At port or at anchor, the M48 is easy to pivot and manoeuvre. The beam of the M48 remains less than that of a power catamaran adapted from a sailing catamaran.
With a cruising speed between 8 and 18 knots and propulsion provided by two 320 hps, speeds of up to 20 knots can be reached. At lower speeds, a multihull on a wet surface area that’s 20 percent less than a classic hull results in lower fuel consumption than similar-sized motor yachts.
Thus, fuel consumption is reduced, and cruising range varies from 250 nautical miles at 18 knots to over 600 nautical miles at 8 knots.
In addition to lower costs, carbon emissions are reduced, making for a more environmentally-friendly adventure.
Originally expected to be unveiled at the Düsseldorf Boat Show, the M48 will make her debut at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival.
With Groupe Beneteau’s experience with catamarans, alongside Prestige’s renowned capabilities in the flybridge market, Sundance Marine expects the M48 to be an in-demand model.
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