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alt="Prestige 420: French Builder’s Fastest-Selling Model Now in Asia"/>
The Asian debut of the Prestige 420 was held at the start of this year, just a few months after the model’s well-received global premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September. Asia Yachting – which is headquartered in Hong Kong and also represents Prestige in Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – commissioned a stock boat to exhibit at the Thailand Yacht Show in January, before Covid-19 swept across the region.
Olivier Besson, CEO of Asia Yachting, believes the feature-packed 43-footer is well suited to region and an ideal choice for a first-time luxury yacht buyer.
“Typical of Prestige, the new 420 offers lots of space, light and functionality for a reasonable price, which makes it a great entry-level boat for those who want to discover yachting,” Besson says. “And its running costs like fuel consumption and maintenance are really low.”
Shown at ease in the waters near Krabi, the first Prestige 420 in Asia is ideal for exploring island and bays
Operations are made very user-friendly with the inclusion of a joystick control console at both helms, usually a feature only for pod propulsion – a system that costs considerably more than the twin engines with shaft-drive installed in this hull.
“Prestige is the world’s largest producer in the 40-70ft motor yacht segment,” Besson continues. “They have worked very hard on a building approach that allows them to be extremely good value for money.
“The quality of the boat is really high and is reflected by a standard warranty of three years for the whole yacht. It’s the only brand to offer this in this segment.”
Mathilde Delfour, Sales Director of Prestige Asia-Pacific, notes the 420’s high performance and stature, and says the model reflects the core values of the builder, which currently has 150 boats in Asian waters.
“The 420 has inherited all the greatest attributes of her larger sisters and offers an incredible quality of life aboard a boat of this size. The Prestige brand is very popular in Asia, especially in China and Vietnam, where it holds a market leader position, thanks to its capacity to address corporate, entertainment and charter clientele – a large component of the markets,” Delfour says.
“The Prestige 420 had an exceptional start and substantial order book. Two months after launching in Cannes, its entire annual production was sold. This made it Prestige’s fastest-selling model ever.”
Surprisingly large for a yacht of this length, the flybridge offers a second helm, adjustable forward-facing sunpads, a mini galley and corner dining
One thing’s for sure: the yacht has a very smart, seamless flow of space. The main-deck layout allows easy access from the comfortable teak-floored cockpit, where L-shaped bench seating around a height- adjustable table faces an attractive countertop surrounding an open galley.
In hot or inclement weather, the glass saloon doors are shut for cosy casual dining or drinks at the counter. In the package of options, Besson opted for a galley with a two-ring ceramic cooktop, a combination microwave/grill oven and shiny, durable black-laminate countertops.
The saloon features Prestige’s signature 360-degree panorama, offering great views and ensuring the interior is filled with light during the day. The main area forward of the galley has U-shaped seating around a portside electric riser table, which can convert into a double berth and is opposite a fixed sofa that can seat three adults.
The cockpit provides access to the saloon and has stairs to the swim platform and flybridge
Just forward of this, to starboard, is the lower helm station, which has 12-inch navigation screens and controls for all functions and systems. A window at the helm allows for cross ventilation and an audible word with those nearby on deck or elsewhere outside.
Forward on deck, the bow sun pads are reached by comfortably wide side decks and there is ample room in front of them around the windlass and anchor.
The galley and saloon offer panoramic views and the interior on the main deck is a remarkable offering on a yacht with an overall length under 43ft
The flybridge features a compact dining space and mini galley area, with grill, sink and refrigerator. Forward of this are sunbeds that have pop-up back rests, ideal for the idle ‘co-pilots’ next to the helm station. The helm has a sturdy Captain’s seat, clear sight lines and a well laid-out control panel.
The Phuket-based model’s retractable bimini is a feature Besson believes adds some pleasure to the on-board experience.
“It allows you to be fully protected from strong sunshine,” he says. “But when there’s no sun or it’s night time, it opens up for a great sense of being in nature or to see the stars.”
Downstairs, aft of the cockpit, a large sophisticated hydraulic swim platform option on this boat is a luxury component not often seen in a yacht of this size.
Besides being useful for launching or retrieving a small tender or water toys that can be kept in roomy transom lockers within reach, it provides a comfortable spot in which to chill out while partially submerged in the ocean. Furthermore, a grill and sink are built into the transom for a waterside barbecue.
The adjustable saloon table can be expanded for dining or folded in half to make a coffee table
Delfour is enamoured with the Italian interior furnishings by Garroni. On the lower deck, she notes how the spacious VIP cabin at the bow, accessed through double doors, has plenty of headroom and shares a spacious bathroom with the master suite.
Both cabins are finished in grey oak and have generous storage space including a hanging locker, as well as a pop-up vanity unit. Prestige describes the VIP stateroom on the 420 as ‘best-in-class’.
Other storage lockers on this lower deck include one that houses a washer-dryer machine, an option selected by Asia Yachting.
Shown in grey oak, the full-beam master cabin has ample storage, recessed lighting and natural ventilation via portholes in big windows
Propulsion from the twin Cummins QSB6.7, six-cylinder, 380hp engines connect to thruster and joystick controls at both helms. Engines are accessed for maintenance via a pull-up door set within the cockpit flooring. Similarly, the generator and electric controls are reached via the galley floor.
A bow-thruster is fitted as standard, while Asia Yachting’s list of extras on the Phuket model include automatic trim tabs that adapt in real time to maintain stability of the craft.
As well as the control panel displays at the main-deck helm, a panel read-out for systems on the yacht is housed in a narrow cabinet at the cockpit end of the galley.
Besson says Prestige models enjoy a “huge demand in the second- hand market and absolutely hold their value well”, another reason the 420 is suitable as a starter yacht that an owner can sell or trade-in after a few years if they want to upgrade.
Prestige describes the VIP cabin, with extendable mattress, impressive headroom and lots of storage, as ‘best in class’
As well as being Prestige’s dealer in Hong Kong and Macau, Asia Yachting’s representation of the brand extended to much of Southeast Asia this year and Besson is enjoying the wider remit.
“We realise clients are quite regional in the way they use their boats,” Besson says. “For example, they may live in Singapore but go boating in Phuket, and maybe even keep their yacht there. Or they may live in Hong Kong and want to use their boat six months and six months in Thailand. Or they may live in Indonesia and want to cross the region.”
Asia Yachting offers to tailor its management services to the would-be client of this Prestige 420, as it does for its clients across the region.
“We offer a package of services that allows the client to enjoy a boat trouble free,” Besson says. “This is very relevant for this model, as people probably won’t want full-time crew to look after a boat of this size, but rather help managing and mooring it.”
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