It's 10am on a Saturday. You're 18 miles offshore, running at 28 knots, and the only sound in the salon is the coffee maker. Your guests are still asleep in the VIP. The autopilot is locked. You're covering a nautical mile every two minutes. This is what the Princess V55 was designed to do—deliver you to the islands before lunch without drama, without fatigue, and without waking the crew you don't have.
The V55 is not trying to be a superyacht. It's not trying to be a fishing boat. It's a fast, comfortable, three-cabin express cruiser built for owners who want to cover distance in style and then stay aboard for the weekend. If that sounds like your use case, keep reading.
Who It's For
This boat makes sense for a specific buyer. You're an experienced boater who has owned 40-footers and knows what you actually use. You want three real cabins because family or friends join you regularly. You want speed because your cruising grounds are spread out—Bahamas, Keys, or island-hopping the Mediterranean. And you want to run the boat yourself most of the time, maybe with a day captain for longer passages.
The V55 is not for someone buying their first yacht over 50 feet. It's not for someone who needs a full-time crew or wants a flybridge. And it's not for someone who prioritizes fishing over cruising. This is a sports yacht in the British tradition—fast, refined, and built for covering water.
Design & Layout: Function Wrapped in Walnut
The layout is straightforward and smart. The master stateroom is amidships, spanning the full 15-foot beam. That's where you sleep when you're aboard. The VIP is forward with a proper queen berth that splits into twins. The third cabin has upper and lower bunks—perfect for kids or crew. Two heads, both with separate showers. No compromises.
The salon is where Princess separates itself from competitors. The side windows drop into the hull. The door slides away completely. The sunroof opens 90 inches. When you want it open, it's open. When you want it sealed, it's a climate-controlled living room. That flexibility matters when you're cruising year-round.
The galley is to starboard with a four-burner cooktop, Sub-Zero fridge, and microwave. It's a real galley, not a kitchenette. The cockpit has an L-shaped lounge, a Kenyon grill, and a fridge. The transom garage fits an 11-foot tender. Everything is where it should be.
Performance: Speed as a Tool, Not a Gimmick
The V55 runs twin Volvo D13 1,000-horsepower diesels on straight shafts. Top speed is 35 knots. Princess publishes a top speed of 33 to 35 knots, drawing on a 660-gallon tank. That's Miami to Bimini and back with reserve. Or Fort Lauderdale to Marathon in three hours.
The hull is a deep-V designed by Bernard Olesinski. It handles chop without beating you up. The boat planes quickly without trim tabs. The steering is light and responsive. At speed, the salon stays quiet enough that nobody raises their voice. That's the result of sound insulation, engine mounts, and thoughtful engineering.
The optional joystick combines bow and stern thrusters with the engines. Docking is simple, even single-handed. There's a secondary helm station in the cockpit with engine and thruster controls. You can dock from outside without yelling instructions to someone at the main helm.
Ownership: What It Actually Costs
The V55 starts around $2.8 million. Options add up quickly—Seakeeper gyro, upgraded generator, crew cabin, joystick, upgraded interior wood. A well-equipped boat is closer to $3.2 million.
Annual operating costs depend on how you use it. If you run it yourself and keep it in a slip, budget $150,000 to $200,000 per year. That includes slip fees, insurance, maintenance, fuel, and haul-outs. If you hire a captain and mate for the season, add another $100,000 to $150,000.
The V55 is owner-operable. The systems are accessible. The engine room has full headroom. Filters, strainers, and pumps are easy to reach. You can handle routine maintenance yourself or with a local mechanic. You don't need a full-time engineer.
Resale is strong. Princess holds value better than most production builders in this size range. The brand has a loyal following, especially in Europe and the UK. A well-maintained V55 will sell within six months in a normal market.
Where to Start
If you're serious about the V55, sea trial it in conditions. Take it offshore. Run it at cruise speed for an hour. Dock it yourself with the joystick. Spend time in the master stateroom and the salon. Make sure the layout works for how you actually use a boat.
Compare it to the Sunseeker Predator 55, the Azimut 55 Fly, and the Riva 56 Rivale. The Princess is quieter and better finished than the Azimut. It's more practical than the Riva. The Sunseeker is a closer competitor, but the Princess has a more usable interior layout.
This is a serious boat for serious owners. If you want a fast, comfortable, three-cabin express that you can run yourself, the V55 is one of the best options in the 55-foot class.
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