This 22-meter cruiser has 4 cabins and an elegant line: Princess Y72

The boat is now increasingly the place to take refuge and forget about everything, at least for vacation time. Onboard needs are changing more and more, and a pleasure motor yacht can no longer be just “marine,” especially in the premium segment.

Today we board the baby of this series, the Y72, which brings elements of luxury and the highest quality finishes aboard Princess’ hulls. The shipyard’s design team partnered with Pininfarina for design and Olesinski for naval architecture.

Princess Y72

“In Italy,” Barbara Cesana and Carlo Piatti of Princess Italy tell us, “where users are mainly families, the owners who want this type of boat are those who take vacations of at least four or five weeks. So the yacht must have space for owners and family, but also for guests, their luggage and food. In addition to the aft cockpit, the bow area on board the Princess Y72 has also been greatly enhanced, which, together with the flybridge, is an outdoor space where one can spend time in total comfort. The development of this bow area has been very much appreciated by the owners.”

Going up from the aft area we find a large platform that rises and falls. A Williams Sportjet 395 tender or Seadoo Spark jet ski can be placed here, turning this area into the home base for water games. Proceeding forward we find the cockpit that communicates directly with the main deck salon, designed as a very large convivial area.

The sliding door that opens to starboard and the hinged window above the kitchen bar top totally connect the two areas. Entering meets the dining area and kitchen, including a bar island with optional stools for informal occasions. Moving forward is the U-shaped seating area with a Princess Design Studio coffee table, made with a smoked gray glass top and a hardwood base. An additional sofa is positioned on the port side. Böning’s dual dashboard allows control of everything related to navigation and engines and is complemented by an L-shaped sofa in the bow.

Let’s move on to the flybridge. Deliberately unimpressive in the boat’s profile, it is actually a large area available to the owner and guests. With its layout offers two seating areas and an aft sundeck. There is a U-shaped dining area, furnished with a handcrafted teak table, located in front of a wetbar and equipped with an electric barbecue, sink and drawer refrigerator, ideal for outdoor dining. Confirming the yard’s desire to occupy the high-end of the market, “premium” exterior solutions range from laminated hard-top to teak-covered handrails.

“Both on deck and below deck,” Carlo Piatti further explains, “the entire Y range, which then culminates in the Xs, has been designed to be easy to live with. For example, there is only one small step dividing the deck, and in the cabin, too, we tried to have as little difference in height as possible. For those who spend long periods on board, the interior needs to be as livable as the exterior. That’s why there are large windows and plays of light that make it pleasant to stay on board even during the day.”

Princess Y72 – Interior

Below deck, the six guests are divided among four cabins with the owner’s stateroom amidships, full beam, furnished with a sofa and a desk. From the main deck there is a private staircase that leads directly to this cabin, which thus enjoys maximum privacy. The Y72 stems from the Y85, and different materials are available for interior finishes depending on the area, from teak to quartz or granite. A fifth and additional twin cabin is positioned aft for the crew.

Princess Y72 – Motorization

The Princess Y72 is equipped with two MAN V12 engines, in 1400 or 1650 hp variants, the latter capable of propelling the Y72 up to 36 knots. A gyroscopic or fin stabilizer can be installed. Princess’s deep-V hull design, developed with Olesinski’s naval architects, achieves very attractive performance.

“Often those who keep a boat in Liguria,” says Carlo Piatti, “ask us this question: can I go to Sardinia on a unique crossing? The Princess Y72 is a new generation boat because she is a cruiser, of course, but one that cruises at 26-27 knots of cruising speed with maximums touching as high as 36 knots with the most powerful motorization. At 25 knots you have about 300 miles of range, and this allows for long cruising without fuel problems.”

The data refer to optimal conditions in terms of weather and boat maintenance, but still allow one to get an idea of how good this design is also from the point of view of navigation, which is essential for a motor boat of this type.