PRINCESS review
Yacht · 42 ft (13 m) · Dubai
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- Princess
- Model
- 42 Fly
- Length
- 42 ft (13 m)
- Guests
- 12
- Cabins
- 1
Verdict
The Princess 42 Fly is a well-proportioned flybridge cruiser with strong build quality, twin-shaft diesel performance, and a practical two-cabin layout. It is best suited to couples or small families who want a capable coastal yacht rather than maximum cabin count.
Pros
- +Solid Princess styling and GRP construction
- +Twin-diesel shaft drive with good cruising performance
- +Flybridge layout adds usable outdoor space
- +Two cabins and two heads make it practical for owner use
Cons
- −Cabin count is modest for a 42-foot yacht
- −Older examples can vary widely in engine hours and condition
- −Fuel and water details are inconsistent across listings
- −Not a high-volume charter platform compared with larger flybridge boats
The Princess 42 Fly is a classic British flybridge motor yacht with a clean profile, good proportions, and the practical layout Princess is known for. Public listings consistently place it around 13.5 m overall with a beam of about 4.14 m, and the hull is generally GRP with twin inboard diesels on shaft drive. That combination gives the boat a reputation for sturdy, efficient cruising rather than flashy styling. [1][2][7][13]
On the water, the model is reported with twin engines in the 370 to 435 hp range depending on year and spec, with cruising speeds commonly around the mid-20s knots and top speeds around the low-30s knots. That is a respectable performance envelope for a 42-foot flybridge cruiser, and shaft propulsion should provide predictable tracking and straightforward handling at speed and in close-quarters maneuvering. [2][6][8][13][15]
Comfort is good for the size: the available listings show two cabins, two heads on many examples, and enough tankage for coastal trips, while some brokers also note air conditioning and navigation electronics such as autopilot and GPS. The trade-off is limited guest capacity relative to some charter-oriented yachts, so it works better as an owner-operator cruiser than as a spacious party boat. [1][2][6][12][13]
In value terms, the Princess 42 Fly is appealing if the boat has been maintained well, because it offers reputable build quality, sensible accommodation, and established market support. Its value is more about long-term usability and brand credibility than maximizing beds or volume, so condition, engine hours, and service history matter a lot when judging any specific listing. [1][3][6][13]
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