Royal appearance

No, the new "Superfly" X95 is certainly no dainty princess. Externally, the latest model from British yacht manufacturer Princess Yachts looks more like a stately king - powerful, voluminous, with striking facial features and a flowing cape. The British company, whose extensive model range is particularly popular in German-speaking countries, has never worked as long on the development of a new model as in this case with the X95. The intensive creative process for this innovative crossover concept, which as a hybrid crosses the worlds of voluminous displacement vehicles with the efficient driving characteristics of semi-gliders, took three years. And it interprets the interior layout in a completely different way.

The look, or rather the exterior styling, takes some getting used to at first glance - to be honest. But the new X95 is an excellent example of FFF - "form follows function". Maximum volume with minimum hull length was required. Owners should still be able to steer this yacht themselves and with a pleasure craft licence without having to rely on a captain. The length of the laminated hull shell was therefore reduced to 23.95 metres, just below the magic 24-metre mark, above which the regulations become much stricter. With the bow section and bathing platform, the Princess novelty has an overall length of an impressive 28.96 metres. You can tell that the British yacht builders, who are part of the luxury goods group LVMH, are extremely proud of their new model. First and foremost, Managing Director Antony Sheriff: "The new X95 is a bold and exciting concept for us that pushes the boundaries of the familiar. We've been investing in new technology and modern design for years that stands out from the crowd." At the heart of the X95 is a space utilisation concept for the flybridge and main deck interior that extends almost the entire length of the yacht, creating the "superfly" that defines the model by name. According to Princess, the layout offers ten per cent more space on the outer decks and an astonishing forty per cent more interior space compared to a traditional motor yacht.

Andy Lawrence, Director of Design at Princess, knows what this means in practice: "When construction number one had just been launched and was in harbour in Plymouth, I looked for our shipyard captain on all decks. He was nowhere to be found at first. That wouldn't have happened on a yacht from one of our other lines." For the development, the shipyard team relied on an already well-established team: Cowes-based designer Bernard Olesinski and Italian studio Pininfarina. The first project to emerge from this unusual collaboration was the almost eleven-metre-long performance format R35 (issue 2/19), which stands out from the weekender crowd not only thanks to its innovative foil system, but also its organically curved lines. After entering the yacht via the large, teak-clad bathing platform, two striking staircases lead up to a large main deck cockpit. Just how different the "Superfly" X95 is from other yachts only becomes clear when the sliding doors to the saloon open. The experience is indeed impressive: the extension of the main deck to the bow has created an airy and bright area that extends over a length of almost 18 metres. This XXL space, which is flooded with light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides, can be customised in many ways to suit the owner's needs - as is usual with Princess. "The X95 is also a classic semi-custom model," explains Andy Lawrence.

"The hull and superstructure merely serve as a platform to get creative together with the owner. It's all about determining the room layout, the number of cabins, the gym and spa facilities and finally the furnishings themselves." There are virtually no limits to the customer's imagination, and the owner's wishes have to be filtered out from thousands of alternatives and suggestions - a mammoth task that is not always easy, as the Design Director reveals. "Of course, our designers can help narrow down the huge selection on request." It is therefore highly likely that of the twelve X95 units already sold, no two yachts will be the same - apart from the hull shape and the elegant Pininfarina curves of the superstructure, of course.

The owner of build number two, which can be seen in detail here, opted for a more classic layout with a sofa lounge in the aft area. The dining table for eight people is located on the starboard side, while a duo of armchairs with a coffee table and neighbouring sideboard await guests on the opposite side. The view of the passing landscape and the sea is truly spectacular thanks to the XXL glazing. A few steps towards the bow, the chef carries out his work in a galley, which has plenty of storage space and was also customised according to the owner's wishes. Next door, a narrow corridor leads to a master suite framed on three sides by large windows, which is unrivalled on board a 29-metre yacht. On the port side next to the king-size bed, two armchairs with a small table invite you to enjoy a quick morning coffee, while the bathroom behind it beckons you to take a shower. The XL window at the front provides a view of a cosy bow lounge and the horizon, flooding the room with light. An opaque blind extends at the touch of a button and ensures privacy.

A spiral staircase leads from the saloon to the centrepiece of the X95, the skylounge. This space is completely enclosed and glazed all round. At the front, the shipyard has installed a bridge dominated by three Raymarine displays and two comfortable captain's chairs, which can be separated from the upper deck saloon behind by sliding doors if required. "This makes it easy to create privacy for the owner and his guests when the crew are busy navigating," adds Lawrence. Two additional micro helm stations on the upper side deck and on the port side of the main deck cockpit make it easier to manoeuvre in narrow marinas thanks to an optimal overview. The owner of build number two had the skylounge divided up traditionally and informally. Aft is an L-shaped sofa with a matching coffee table, while a TV slides out of the sideboard opposite. At the touch of a button, the sliding glass doors open to reveal the aft fly. "There's a good reason why we called this deck 'Superfly'," explains Andy Lawrence proudly. "From bow to stern, this area measures 22 metres, which is around twice as long as the standard flybridge of a conventional yacht of the same length." Aft of the skylounge, a covered dining table for ten guests, a barbecue and bar unit and two sofas facing each other provide the perfect setting for al fresco get-togethers. Owners and guests can reach the forward lounge area with U-shaped sofa and jacuzzi via the starboard side deck.

On the lower deck, the owner opted for a cabin-rich layout. Four guest suites take up the entire area in front of the engine room, in which two MAN twelve-cylinder engines with a combined output of 2830 kilowatts work towards a top speed of 26 knots. The voluminous 94-tonner is the first yacht in the Princess model portfolio to be equipped with two 40-kilowatt generators as standard. Aft of the generously dimensioned engine compartment are the crew quarters with mess, captain's and bunk bed cabins. The tender and a jet ski are stowed in the garage behind and at right angles to the direction of travel. eiThe Princess "Superfly" X95 interprets the spatial architecture of yachts in an innovative way. "Our new cross-over model has the volume of a 35-metre yacht," says Head of Design Andy Lawrence. "With the cockpit, the flybridge and the hidden bow lounge, the owner and his guests have three huge outdoor zones at their disposal that have very different characters."

Although the external appearance may seem unfamiliar and strange at first glance, from the point of view of FFF - form follows function - the overall package is convincing across the board. Even under water, by the way. Bernard Olesinski has succeeded in developing a hull shape with a maximally elongated waterline and mini bow bulb that generates 16 per cent less drag than conventional designs. And is therefore much more efficient when travelling. A good feeling.