With the Prestige M8, the French shipyard Prestige is continuing to develop its range of power catamarans, which began with the M48. In the 65-foot segment, the French shipyard is playing hardball, in a context where customers are looking for luxury, comfort and living space, as well as eco-responsible technologies.

With the Prestige M8, the French shipyard Prestige Yachts is launching its flagship, a 65-foot unit, which de facto tops its motoryacht range, offering unique features and habitability for the brand. 

The challenge is a major one, as the brand tackles the world of superyachts head-on, a sector dominated by semi-custom customisation and an exemplary level of finish. The market for motoryacht catamarans is unique in that buyers of units of this type, over 60 feet, generally come from larger monohull motoryachts, and in a catamaran they are looking for the same habitability as the model from which they came, but more practical (useful beam), stability, economy of use AND greater intimacy, thanks to a smaller crew.

With the Prestige M48, Prestige Yachts took its first steps into the world of motor catamarans. The modern styling, layout (with a forward-beam cabin) and living space appealed to the market, and the order books filled up nicely. 

High stakes for the brand

The stakes are much higher with the Prestige M8, which is up against the likes of the Lagoon Seventy 7 and the Sunreef range. At nearly 5.5 million euros (incl. VAT) a unit, the Prestige M8 will have to be perfect, so as not to disappoint a demanding and perfectionist clientele, who will expect the Prestige M8 to be faultless in terms of build quality, finish and functions offered. 

Successful styling

There are no surprises when it comes to style: the French shipyard has adapted the style of the Prestige M48, over 65 feet: it's obviously a great success, and the work of Italian designer Garroni is instantly recognisable! The lines are sporty, restrained and timeless. Like the other Prestige models, it should age well, ensuring good resale value in the long term. The choice of interior layout has a direct influence on the exterior style: don't go looking for a front door on the Prestige M8, which would communicate directly from the saloon with a forward cockpit: the decision to equip the boat with a vast walk-through owner's suite positioned in the bow definitely rules out this possibility. However, the M8 does offer a hollowed-out forward cockpit saloon, positioned at bow level.

Multiple layout options

With a galley in the saloon or in the starboard hull, an interior helm station or one positioned on the fly, the Prestige M8 offers a multitude of possible layouts. Its vast forward owner's suite promises to be exceptional, as does the port VIP cabin, which replaces two smaller ones if the owner wishes to pamper his special guests. The interior staircase leading up to the fly, without passing through the aft cockpit, is a choice taken directly from the world of superyachts. When we see the first examples, we'll be able to check out the ergonomics of the interior helm station. The first images of the interior give a glimpse of a luxurious interior design, very different from that of the M48, and closer to that of the X70. Thank you!

What kind of engines?

In terms of engines, the shipyard has not yet announced its choices, but has announced a maximum speed of 20 knots, with a cruising speed of 15 knots, which is typical for this type of vessel. Cruising range appears to be relatively limited, at 350 nm, as the shipyard is no doubt not targeting blue water cruisers. Shaft line, pods, central eco-foil, hybrid engines?

The mystery remains for the moment, and it will be interesting to discover the technical choices made on this motoryacht, to reduce its environmental impact, a point to which the clientele of this type of luxury craft is now very sensitive.

M8: a surprising name...

What's surprising about the Prestige M8 is its name, which undoubtedly heralds future changes in the French boat builder's range: a single number behind the letter characterising the range (M = catamaran or multihull, F = Flybridge, X = cross-over, S = sport...), in stark contrast to the rest of the French brand's models, with the M48 at the top of the list, and others such as the F420, 520S... The current situation is a little complex, confusing some might say, and perhaps anticipates a rebranding of the rest of the models, a choice that would bring greater coherence to the whole, following the example of Princess.

See you in Cannes!

The Prestige M8 will be officially unveiled at Cannes, but in the meantime, count on ActuNautique to tell you more in the weeks to come...

Technical specifications Prestige M8

Length overall 19.82 m / 65' Hull length 19.67 m / 64'6" Hull beam 8.85 m / 29' Draught 1. 65 m / 5'5" Light displacement 41120 kg / 90654 Lbs Fully loaded displacement 52670 kg / 116117 Lbs Top speed** 20 nd Cruising speed** 15 nd Cruising range 350 NM Fuel tank volume 2 x 1850 l / 2 x 489 US gal Water tank volume 2 x 425 l / 2 x 112 US gal Hot water volume 120 l / 32 US gal Black water volume 240 l / 63 US gal Architect(s) Garroni Design - Marc Lombard Yacht Design Interior Designer Valentina MILITERNO DE ROMEDIS