Prestige F4 Review: Luxury Cruising Under 50ft
The new Prestige F4 is a step in the right direction for a trusted builder.
March 25, 2024
Hull #2 of the Prestige F-line posed like a starlet at the dock at the Miami boat show, right next to the F520 which she is destined to replace. The sheer line gave the new model a different profile and the flybridge above seemed slightly sleeker, but it soon became clear that the real differentiator on this reimagined design is the livability where Prestige put much of their emphasis.
A "Mini Superyacht" Packed With Amenities
According to Prestige, the positioning of this model is for “people going smaller but unwilling to compromise on comfort or lifestyle.” This means that amenities abound and luxe details are at every turn so that this sub-50-foot model feels like a mini-superyacht.
Stern & Cockpit
Above: Prestige F4 Stern. Photo by Prestige.
I started in the cockpit which has been turned 90 degrees – sort of. Instead of a transom seat facing forward, there are now twin facing benches on the centerline with a hi/lo table in between. Eating breakfast here is like sitting at a seaside restaurant with the scenery just a quarter turn of the head away. These benches and table form either a dinette for four or with a cushion insert, a sunbed offering views of the wake and beyond.
Above: Prestige F4 Galley. Photo by Prestige.
To port are steps to the flybridge with an ice maker tucked below and to starboard is the glass swing-in door that leads first to the galley and then forward to the salon. Like the cockpit, the galley is all about ocean views. The main workstation is aft, just ahead of the flip-up window and bar area that leads out. If you’re busy at the induction cooktop or the sink, there’s a whole world you can watch as you prepare dinner. A narrow counter runs athwartships in this U-shaped galley and although it provides space for a sous chef to work, it does butt up against the fabric of the salon backrests and I wonder how long these will stay clean.
Above: Prestige F4 Main Salon. Photo by Prestige.
Main Helm Station
The interior helm to starboard is well organized with twin 12-inch Garmin MFDs, a joystick on the shelf outboard, and a bow thruster toggle within easy reach. The double helm seat sits atop a cabinet that has a lovely door with curved waves carved into the wood which invite touch and a lingering eye. Above in the headliner, Prestige has taken their straight LED rope lighting and given it a squiggly shape that is playful but still functional.
Above: Prestige F4 main helm station. Photo by Prestige.
There’s no helm door but something almost as good. The starboard window behind the helm seat and across from salon is full height and when open, it serves as a duck-through door to the side deck. Kids will love it as will the skipper needing to step out to handle dock lines.
Cabin Interior & Accommodations
The F4 layout includes three cabins and two heads but a crew cabin is possible. The master is in the bow with a king-sized bed, overhead hatches for natural light and air, plenty of volume and a large ensuite head with a sizeable shower stall and twin vessel sinks. I’m not a fan of vessel sinks on boats or in homes because they pose a cleaning challenge, but they sure add a designer touch.
Above: Prestige F4 Master Stateroom. Photo by Prestige.
Two steps down are two guest cabins, one with double beds and one with a queen-sized bed which can split into two. These staterooms share a single head.
Above: Prestige F4 VIP stateroom. Photo by Prestige.
Storage options throughout the sleeping accommodations are to be commended and the new fabrics incorporate subtle colors and lots of texture that enriches the whole experience.
Above: The Twin Stateroom on the Prestige F4. Photo by Prestige.
On the bow, there’s a substantial sunbed with flip-up backrests and good access to the anchor locker. The mullion between the two windshield sections is narrow and doesn’t impede forward visibility in any way.
Above: Prestige F4 Bow Area. Photo by Prestige.
The flybridge above offers another helm, this time set off to port. A Garmin MFD and the joystick are within reach of the single bucket seat. To starboard is a large sunbed that also serves as companion seating and aft is a compact galley module that somehow manages to squeeze in a grill, sink and fridge. An L-shaped dinette is farthest back and the whole area can be covered by a hardtop or a folding Bimini. This flybridge will be the place to relax both under way and at anchor during cocktail hour.
Above: The Upper Helm Station On Flybridge on the Prestige F4. Photo by Prestige.
The New Generation F-line
The F4 comes with one choice of propulsion and that’s twin 480-hpVolvo Penta IP 650 diesels. With the hardtop, expect a top speed of 25-26 knots and a fast cruise around 22 knots. The joystick with the bow thruster makes easy work of getting into tight spots and the Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer means you can boat with the whole family, even those prone to mal de mer. This deep-V Michael Peters hull is designed to slice through oncoming waves and dig in when turning but it flares up and out to create the volume needed for that wonderful forward stateroom.
Above: The Upper Deck Flybridge on the 2024 Prestige F4. Photo by Prestige.
After my thorough inspection of the F4, I took a look at the F520 for comparison. Given that both models retail for $2 million, I’m staying tuned to see which approach the market deems worthier. There’s no doubt that Prestige re-thought every inch of the F4 from the finishes to the layout and livability. These details set a high bar and signal what is likely to proliferate throughout the entire F-line as more models are revamped. Stay tuned to see how the new generation evolves.
Above: The 2024 Prestige F4 underway. Photo by Prestige.
Specifications:
LOA 49’ 10” (15.18 m)
Beam 14’ 9” (4.49 m)
Draft 3’10” (1.17 m)
Weight (dry) 33,290 lbs (15,100 kg)
Fuel 343 gallons (1300 l)
Water 155 gallons (586 l)
Power 2x 480-hp IPS 650
View Prestige Yachts For Sale on boats.com
