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The Princess F Class

Sunday 19th July 2020

Taking a look at the Princess F Class with Nigel James, our Sales Director in Mallorca.

If the Princess story has always revolved around the co-existence of advanced technologies and traditional values, the company’s most recent history represents a very convincing affirmation of that. On the one hand we’ve seen the emergence of some overtly radical designs like the foil-equipped R35 and the expedition-style X95. And on the other, we’ve seen Princess lavish more attention than ever on the ‘traditional’ mid-sized flybridge cruisers for which it has become so renowned over the last 50 years.

Following the launch of the F70 in the spring of 2018 came the unveiling of the F45 at the Dusseldorf Boat Show in January 2019 – and after the F55 won the Motorboat & Yachting Award for ‘Best Flybridge up to 60 feet’, Princess added a fifth yacht to its F Class range in the form of the F50 . As things stand then, the Princess F Class encompasses five boats from 45 to 70 feet, including the three smallest flybridge options in the Princess family and a more prolific choice of models than any other flybridge line. We talked to Nigel James, our Sales Director in Mallorca, for a deeper insight into what the celebrated F Class now represents.

What’s the F Class all about? The F Class is what most people might see as Princess’s core business – the classic Princess. It’s all about family cruising, spacious interiors and sensible performance. Each of the five F Class boats uses a full-volume hull, designed to generate spaces where you can spend extended periods of time – and that matters, because it means that if you put an F Class boat into the Med, you don’t need to worry about a separate boat and apartment. It has sufficient volume to operate as your boat and your holiday home, all in one.

Does it aim to maximise the core strengths of the traditional flybridge? Yes and no. It would be misguided to call F Class boats ‘traditional’ because they’re really quite cutting edge. But on the other hand, they still carry the DNA of the original Princess shape and the original Princess offering. Flybridge motoryachts from 45 to 70 feet have always been at the heart of what Princess does, so each F Class boat comes with a certain scale of design. Perhaps the fuller, more voluminous hull of the F Class won’t carry as much speed as those in the V or S ranges but it’s not really about outright pace. It’s about confident, user-friendly cruisability and the F Class delivers that to fantastic effect. It offers great space and durability in a hull that is both sea-kindly and capable of travelling long distances with outstanding comfort and sensible fuel burn. So for family cruising and extended passage making, it’s a truly outstanding machine.

Does the F Class lend itself to your home waters of Mallorca in any way? Absolutely. It provides a large saloon area with lots of expansive glass, which helps bring the outside in; and yet it’s covered, so it can be air-conditioned or heated, enabling you to use it all year round and really make the most of your boat. On top of that, the F Class features colossal flybridges that generally run the entire length of the saloon, so you can have a whole new deck on which to enjoy the outdoor experience. That’s certainly something people tend to want in the Med.

Which is the strongest of the F Class boats? That’s a hard one to answer, because it’s always relative to where you are in life, how much you have to spend and what you want to do – they are all equally strong but for different reasons. For example, if you want big boat interiors in a small platform, the F45 and F50 both deliver an amazing experience. The F45 achieves stunning space with a VIP cabin in the middle of the boat and that’s something you could only have dreamed of a few years ago.

So, what is it that makes the new F Class particularly special? The F Class is the result of generations of development. David King, who started Princess Yachts in the 1960’s, was always very focused on doing things properly and that continues to shine through in the modern F Class. Yes, these are cutting edge flybridge motor yachts that offer wonderful spaces and high-quality living environments but they are also born out of decades of applied expertise and boat building heritage, and that makes them some of the most complete and perfectly resolved flybridge cruisers in the world.

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The timeless Firefly was launched in 2011 to universal acclaim. Her deck layout features two cockpits, including a separate one for the helmsman. She is entirely streamlined for sailing on and below decks – her minimalist interior features pipe cots forward of the mast, a stall shower and separate toilet, locker space for all the crew, a small galley and a navigation table. Firefly can be effortlessly steered by one person.

As the first of the performance-oriented F-class yachts, the 35.20-metre  Firefly  features long overhangs, a sweeping sheer, a flush deck and a moderate deck camber that reflect yachts developed in the early 1930s. At the same time, she combines a 5.2-metre draught with a 30-tonne lead bulb and high aspect ratio carbon spade rudder to great effect, and is as powerful as any 21st century yacht.

Engine and machinary

• Type of yacht F Class
• Name Firefly
• Naval architect Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V.
• Design & styling Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V.
• Interior styling Client
• Owner's repr. N/A
• MAIN DIMENSIONS
• LOA 35.20 m
• LWL 22.22 m
• Beam 5.57 m
• Draft 5.25 m
• Ballast 28 ton
• Draft (min) N/A
• Displacement 62 ton
• BASIC SPECS
• Hull Material Full aluminium
• Rigging Sloop rigged cutter
• Spars Builder Hall Spars
• Spars Carbon
• Superstructure Mahogany
• Classification MCA
• Engine brand & type Steyr MO236K42
• Engine HP 230
• Shaft & propellor Maxprop
• Gearbox Twin Disc
• Bow/stern Thruster Lewmar
• Generators Steyr 4kW
• Water tank capacity 800 L
• Fuel tank capacity 800 L
• Sails North Sails
• Upwind m2 594
• Downwind m2 1095
• Sponsoring the Superyacht Cup 15 mei, 2015
• Thirty years and flying high 23 december, 2014
• Double victory for Claasen in Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 15 september, 2014

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Princess F Class

Princess classes

Discontinued production models.

• V50 (1998-2005)
• V55 (1997-2001)

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Yacht classification definitions

The merchant shipping sector is ruled by safety regulations developed since the beginning of the 20th century, and is familiar with international conventions such as SOLAS, MARPOL and Load Lines. But the application of common safety requirements to pleasure vessels is something relatively new – a continuous work in progress – and is very much dependant on the service and the flag of the yacht.

Defining the problems

Definitions do not help. How often have we read of large yachts, superyachts, megayachts, gigayachts or other bombastic adjectives? How many times have we mentioned MCA, RINA, and Lloyd’s, without having a clear idea of who’s doing what?

A good starting point for understanding the subject is to clarify the main definitions and the roles of the main players:

Large yacht

A large yacht is a pleasure vessel with a load line length equal to or over 24m. Almost all the flag administrations have adopted safety codes dedicated to large yachts and this is, therefore, the only definition having a universal meaning in the international regulatory framework of yachts.

Commercial yacht

A motor or sailing vessel in commercial use (i.e. charter) for sport and pleasure, carrying no cargo and not more than 12 passengers.

Private yacht

A pleasure vessel solely used for the recreational and leisure purpose of its owner and his guests.

Flag administration

The government of the state whose flag the yacht is entitled to fly . This administration sets the safety regulations, manning requirements and fiscal aspects relevant to the yacht registration.

Different flag administrations can inspect the safety aspects of yachts with their own inspectors (see MCA for example) or delegate this activity partially or totally to other recognised bodies such as the classification societies.

The main flag authorities in the yachting industry are: The UK-MCA, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Italy and Luxembourg.

Classification societies

Organisations that establish and apply technical standards in relation to the design, construction and survey of ships.

Classification rules are developed to assess the structural strength and integrity of the essential parts of the hull, the reliability and function of the propulsion, steering systems, power generation and all the other features installed on board which contribute to guarantee the main essential services.

In addition to this ‘third party check’ function, class societies carry out statutory duties on behalf of the major flag administrations in accordance with specific delegation agreements signed with each government.

The main class societies involved in yachting are: American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd, Lloyd’s Register, and RINA.

Large yachts: Applicable rules and certificates

Private yachts

The mandatory requirements for these boats are very light. For the majority of flag states, a registration survey and a tonnage measurement, carried out by an authorised surveyor, are sufficient.

The only mandatory international conventions are those relevant to the marine environment: MARPOL and the Anti-Fouling System Convention.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is intended to eliminate the intentional pollution and to minimise the accidental pollution of the marine environment caused by harmful substances.

The Anti-Fouling System Convention’s purpose is to eliminate the presence of harmful substances for the marine environment contained in anti-fouling paints applied to ships.

Classification

While classification is not mandatory, building and maintaining a private yacht in class is the only evidence that the boat has been designed, constructed and operated in compliance with appropriate technical standards. It is therefore highly desirable, especially in relation to insurance and re-sale purposes.

Commercial yachts

All flag administrations require commercial yachts to be certified in accordance with a specific large yacht safety code.

The most popular of these safety codes, and the first that was developed, is the MCA Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2) published in 2004. It replaced the Code of Practice for the Safety of Large Commercial Sailing and Motor Vessels (LY1) published in 1997.

LY2 is applied by the Red Ensign Group Flags (UK, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Bermuda, Gibraltar, British Virgin Islands, etc.) and is recognised as a reference standard for all the yachting industry.

Other flags have developed similar codes. Luxembourg, Italy, Marshall Islands, Malta, Belize and The Netherlands are some examples.

While introducing a stricter set of rules and regulations compared to private yachts, commercial registration offers yacht owners the possibility of making a profit from the chartering activity of their boats, and allows them to take advantage of all the other benefits of a commercial operation (in particular VAT exemption on the purchase, sale, bunkering, provisions, dry-docking, and others).

Mandatory certificates

The number and type of the mandatory certificates depends on the size of the vessel; the following is an indicative list:

• International Tonnage Certificate : A measurement of the internal volumes of the yacht expressed in gross tons (GT). This measurement should not be confused with displacement tonnage, which quantifies the weight of a vessel.
• Large Yacht Code Certificate : Covers life-saving appliances, fire protection and means of escape, navigational and signalling equipment, intact and damaged stability, manning and crew accommodation.
• Class Certificate : This mainly deals with the yacht’s hull, machinery, electrical equipment and outfitting.
• International Load Line Certificate : This certifies the weather-tightness of the yacht.
• Safety Radio Certificate : This is applicable if gross tonnage exceeds 300GT This concerns the radio communication and distress installations.
• MARPOL Annex I Certificate : This is applicable if gross tonnage exceeds 400GT This deals with the disposal of oil and bilge water from machinery spaces.
• MARPOL Annex IV Certificate : This is applicable if gross tonnage exceeds 400 or the yacht is certified to carry over 15 persons. This deals with the disposal of sewage from ships.
• MARPOL Annex V : This is applicable to all ships. It covers the disposal of rubbish.
• MARPOL Annex VI : This is applicable if gross tonnage exceeds 400GT as well as to all main and auxiliary engines with a power exceeding 130kW. It concerns the emissions from main and auxiliary engines (NOx and SOx).
• Safety Construction and Safety Equipment : These are additional prescriptions on machinery, electrical parts, life-saving and navigational equipment for yachts with a gross tonnage above 500GT.
• International Safety Management Certificate : This is only applicable to yachts having a gross tonnage greater than 500GT. A certified management company is requested to carry out this service, preparing operational manuals, procedures for drills, and taking care of the maintenance of the yacht and its installations.
• International Ship and Port Security Certificate : This is only applicable to yachts having a gross tonnage greater than 500GT and deals with the anti-piracy certification. A certified management company is requested to provide the ashore assistance and establish on-board procedures and operational manuals.

The GT Factor

The gross tonnage value (GT) is a key issue, not only as a reference for the registration fees applied by the different flag administrations, but also because it determines whether an international convention, rather than a particular safety standard, applies to a yacht.

The table below summarises how the conventions and relevant certificates come into force depending on the gross tonnage of the yacht. In particular, the following values may have a critical impact:

300GT: In many codes, when you reach this value the yacht must be certified in unrestricted service (stricter requirements regarding stability, load line and life-saving appliances).

400GT: This is the threshold for almost all the environmental conventions such as MARPOL and Anti-fouling System.

500GT: This is the threshold for the application of the SOLAS Convention, meaning stricter requirements on machinery, safety systems, materials of construction, fire protection, life-saving appliances and navigational equipment. Furthermore an external certified management company is requested for the ISM and ISPS certifications.

The tonnage issue could also arise on existing yachts when undertaking major refits or modifications, in that any change to the internal volumes of the boat – such as adding enclosed deckhouses or superstructures, or modifying the hull transom or bow – will modify the tonnage value with the risk of subjecting the yacht to stricter mandatory rules.

UPDATE: Since this article was originally published, LY2 has been superseded by Large Commercial Yacht Code Revision 3 (LY3) .

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Demystifying yacht classification A, B, C, D

N.B. For your information, a more recent article was published on 24 Oct 2022 on the same subject, click here for direct access.

Demystifying yacht classification :  Class A, B, C and D

Since 1998, CE certification is required for all recreational boats entering or being sold in Europe obliging boat manufacturers to respect certain building and security standards.  Therefore, yachts ( boats ) are classified into four categories depending on their aptitude to confront navigational conditions taking into account both force of the wind and height of the waves.  The categories are not to limit the area and distance of navigation (that is defined by security equipement onboard) but  to  sensitize the owner and/or captain of the boats capacities to navigate in complete security.

Let us start with the Beaufort Scale.   A scale for classifying the force of the wind ranging from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane).   It was devised by an admiral in the British Navy, Francis Beaufort, to uniform the description of the effect of different winds at sea.

There is a direct link between the Beaufort scale and boat classification.   For discussion purposes, we will use only the 6, 7 and 8 forces.

A Class A yacht ( boat ) is a vessel that is built to navigate the open ocean and surpass a force 8 on the Beaufort scale and surpass waves higher that 4 meters.   These yachts are constructed to be self sufficient in hostile seas.

A Class B yacht ( boat ) is a vessel built to navigate on the offshore waters (200 miles and less) and can substain UP TO force 8 and waves UP TO 4 meters.

A Class C boat is a vessel built to navigate inshore such as lakes, rivers, bays and close to the shore and can sustain UP TO force 6 and waves UP TO 2 meters.

A Class D boat is built for protected or sheltered waters such as canals, rivers, small lakes and sustain a force 4 and waves UP TO .3 meters (less that 1 ft).

With this said, you can understand that the Class A yacht ( boat ) respects a rigorous building code more so than a Class B and so forth.    But regardless of the class, it is strongly discouraged to navigate in a force 7 for the reasons of safety and comfort as « pleasure » should always be on the agenda.  Always consult the weather forecast prior to leaving any port and check hourly the weather situation.

Classification is very important and should be on your question list before purchasing any boat or yacht.

Classification rules are developed to assess the structural strength and integrity of the essential parts of the hull, the reliability and function of the propulsion, steering systems, power generation and all the other features installed on board which contribute to guarantee the main essential services of yacht.

Also for a class A, the portholes will be more resistant against a sustained wave, the drains to evacuate the water more abundant and of good size, the joints of the hull more hermetic, in short everything is in place to prevent water from s’ infiltrate on board.

By way of information, let us quote for example all the Ferretti yachts (60 to 96 feet), Pershing (60 to 115), the Riva (44 to 122) are all of class A just like the Magellano range at Azimut including also the 66 Flybridge.

Ferretti yachts (500, 550, 670 fly and over), Pershing (7X and over), Azimut Yachts (62, 64, 66, 68 Fly and over, the Sport Series 7X and over, all Magellano) are Class A.  There are also other classifications such as RINA and American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd, Lloyd Register, that are more precise regulations and we will cover this later in another article.

Below is the graph of the Beaufort Scale along with photos.

Do not hesitate to contact us for any additional information, team Ita Yachts Canada is at your disposal.

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The J Class has its roots in the oldest international yacht race in the world, the America’s Cup.

Our Heritage

Considered some of the most beautiful yachts ever built, the story of the J Class is defined by fierce transatlantic competition for the America’s Cup, followed by an era of steep decline, and the modern-day revival.

The J Class includes a mixture of refitted surviving yachts along with a number of new yachts faithfully built to original hull lines from 1930’s designs, with more yachts currently in build.

The J Class Association was founded in 2000 to protect the interests of the Class, present and future, and organises an annual calendar of racing for these magnificent yachts.

2024 Calendar

The Superyacht Cup Palma

Palma, Spain

8 - 14 September

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

Puerto Cervo, Sardinia

5-11 October

J Class Barcelona Regatta

Barcelona, Spain

We love them because they are sublimely beautiful, utterly impractical and fiendishly demanding.

Elizabeth Meyer

Modern-day saviour of the J Class

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