The large European shipyard Jeanneau produces both sailboats and motorboats. The model range comprises 27 motorboats from 5.00 to 14.00 metres in length. In addition, there are more luxurious motor yachts from 12.00 to 23.00 metres in length, which are marketed as an independent brand under the name "Prestige". One of these is our test candidate, the 450 Fly.
Despite its size, Prestige offers the boat with only two cabins below deck - a result of experience: the previous model was requested 220 times with two cabins and only 10 times with three cabins. The two-cabin concept naturally benefits the amount of space below deck, which can almost be described as "generous". Storage space is not exactly in short supply either. There is a cabin in the foredeck with access to the day bathroom with shower and WC as well as the owner's cabin aft under the saloon, which of course has its own bathroom with WC.
The special feature of the 450 Fly is the entrance to the owner's cabin, which is located aft at the saloon entrance on the port side - with other boat builders, access to the owner's cabin is usually via the foredeck. While the guests sleep on a double berth that folds out into a V-berth at the front, the owner sleeps on a double bed in queen-size format. If additional berths are required, the table in the U-shaped dinette in the saloon can be lowered at the touch of a button and converted into a double berth with the help of an insert cushion.
Galley or bar, the galley on the starboard side at the saloon entrance fulfils both functions, where it forms the culinary centre between inside and outside with the sliding glass door open. An almost inconspicuous but safe staircase leads up to the flybridge with a driving position, L-shaped bench seat, table and sunbathing area at the front.
If you don't like it up there, go to the sun lounger on the foredeck. Here it is better to take the starboard side deck, as it is 4 cm wider than on the port side. The foredeck has been made wider at the bow, which benefits space and safety.
The Prestige 450 Fly combines everything that can be found on larger boats: IPS drives, hydraulically lowerable bathing platform, air conditioning, generator and more. Standing on the main deck in the saloon, you have the feeling of being on a larger boat.
A cockpit floor hatch provides access to the engine and fuel tank compartment, where the extensive and neatly installed electrics and technology do not puzzle the expert. There is ample space for servicing or daily checks, as well as a fire extinguishing system and fuel pre-filter with water separators, albeit without water alarm sensors.
The flow of diesel from the engines and generator is stopped by mechanical fuel taps, the controls for which are concealed in a cabinet at the bottom of the companionway to the owner's cabin. At the same time, the shipyard has also placed the 230 V fuses and main fuses for the 12 V circuits here, which are switched by relays at the top of the companionway.
Because the flybridge extends far aft, everything "heavy" in the engine compartment was placed as far forward as possible. For this reason, the shipyard inserted a short drive shaft between the engines and IPS drives to bring the centre of gravity of the engines forward. For the same reason, the generator and diesel tanks are also located in front of the engines. For trim reasons, the water tank was also concealed under the bed in the owner's cabin.
All this is noticeable when sailing, when the boat reacts with low trim when transitioning from displacement to planing speed and the skipper only has to bend slightly at the saloon helm to have a clear view of the horizon aft. Exemplary!
The boat is manoeuvred at slow speed either with the joystick or with the two drives and the bow thruster alone. We manoeuvre such passages at a maximum of 6 kn (1000 rpm) so that the waves generated by the boat do not interfere. From 2200 rpm (12 kn), the test boat begins to glide with low trim, which favours foresight. At full throttle, the engines can turn between 3400 and 3500 rpm; we measured a maximum of 3440 rpm, which in view of the low load suggests that the propeller set is a little too steep. On the other hand, at 32.6 knots, we almost reach the maximum speed that the shipyard also speaks of (33 knots).
After analysing our data, we calculated a theoretical range of 756 nm plus 15% reserve at slow speed. At planing speed, the test boat is economical when the engines are running at 3000 rpm and the GPS indicates 26 knots. One tank of fuel is then sufficient for a non-stop distance of around 217 nm, and at full throttle for around 203 nm, until the reserve is used up. This means that the Prestige 450 Fly fulfils our minimum requirement of 270 nautical miles plus reserve only at slow speed.
We measured the sound pressure in the closed saloon at 75 dB/A at full speed and 84 dB/A in the cockpit. That's good.
All extreme manoeuvres at full throttle are also good: a maximum of 0.7 g centrifugal forces at the Fly driving position and no more than 0.4 g at the saloon driving position. This is due to the IPS drives, as the turning radii are determined by the rpm and speed.
At full speed, the curve diameter is around 300 metres; if you want to make tighter turns, you have to slow down. It takes just under a second from actuating the rudder to the reaction of the drives, which means about one boat length at full speed. Rough water: The boat had no trouble with moderate swell on the Mediterranean on the test day.
Neither driving position gives cause for criticism in terms of foresight, operation and visibility of the instruments. The seating consists of non-adjustable benches and has to make do without lateral support towards the centre of the boat.
Conclusion: The 450 Fly is a generously dimensioned boat that allows a 4-person crew to enjoy a pleasant holiday cruise; the sensible arrangement of the cabins ensures that privacy is maintained. There is also plenty of space for short trips with more than four people. In terms of workmanship, our test boat shows no faults - apart from a few untreated cut edges.
Data sheet: Jeanneau Prestige 450 Fly
Shipyard: Jeanneau
Type designation: Jeanneau Prestige 450 Fly
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Length: 13,96 m
Width: 4,30 m
Displacement: 11,00 t
Price: 508.487,00 €
