Italy’s Camillo Garroni designed the M8

Prestige staged a spectacular media showcase in Italy for the M8, the new 65ft flagship of its M-Line of multihull motor yachts.

The French builder, represented by Asia Yachting in Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines, also uncovered the first new model from its new generation of F-Line flybridge motor yachts, although details and images will only be shared in late August. Both the M8 and the new F-Line model will have their official world premieres at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 12-17.

The media event was held between Trieste and nearby Monfalcone, site of the Groupe Beneteau Italia shipyard on Italy’s Adriatic coast and the second main production site for Prestige, whose main facility is in Les Herbiers in the west of France.

The 65ft yacht has a beam of 29ft

“With the Monfalcone site and the historic production site in Les Herbiers, Prestige blends the best of French industrial savoir-faire and Italian heritage in the construction of large yachts,” Prestige stated.

The Monfalcone site is suitable for Prestige’s larger yachts, like the M8, which has an overall length of 65ft (19.82m) and a beam of 29ft (8.85m).

The second model to be launched in the M-Line range, the M8 follows the M48 (click for Review) and is also designed by Camillo Garroni of Italy’s Garroni Design, which has designed all Prestige models since the late 1980s, from the F-Line and S-Line to the newer X-Line and M-Line ranges.

The central swim platform can also be raised to cockpit height

Garroni emphasised that the M8 has “no reference to the world of sailing catamarans, as so often is the case [with power catamarans]”.

“The exterior has been designed to reveal a bold, distinctive personality and proportions are typical of a powerful, contemporary motor yacht. Her contemporary lines, highly efficient hull design, and innovative layouts place this new model at the top of the multihull motor yacht category,” Garroni said.

“The M8 represents a concentration of innovation and a true villa on the sea. The layout, living spaces, ease of movement and safety on board have been designed to optimise the experience of the owners and their family.”

The foredeck has a sunken bow lounge

Like on the M48, the interior décor is by Italy’s Valentina de Romedis, while French designer Marc Lombard handled naval architecture, after compatriot Philippe Briand worked on the M48.

Features include a high-low central swim platform with integrated steps, and a wide cockpit with modular furniture and a glass parapet including fold-out central doors for access to the platform. The cockpit can also be set up with a dining table and loose chairs.

The side decks, which also access a day head to port, lead to the large foredeck, which has a wide, integrated sunbathing area forward of the windscreen and a sunken lounge in the bow.

The flybridge has dining to port

The flybridge is reached by port stairs from the cockpit and internal stairs from the starboard side of the saloon. The aft area is clear for modular furniture, the starboard side has a built-in double sunpad, a two-part galley and the twin-seat helm station are on the centreline, and there’s a lengthways dining table for eight to 10 people to port.

The interior on the main deck starts with a full-width saloon, forward is a dining table to port while to starboard is either the galley or a coffee lounge.

The forward full-beam master suite is one of the yacht’s highlights, while the hulls are offered in multiple configurations. The port hull can have two guest cabins or a long VIP cabin, while the starboard side has a bunk cabin forward and either a guest cabin or galley aft.

The saloon on the main deck

“The M8 redefines the standards of well-being on board, offering a living area unequalled in its category, while featuring natural stability and excellent seaworthiness,” Prestige stated.

“The brand has taken a step forward in terms of luxury, refinement and the art of living well. The M8 offers an unprecedented experience: to live in perfect harmony with the sea, on smooth, serene cruises, more respectful of the environment, and with reduced fuel consumption.”

Full-beam master suite forward

Prestige has focused on launching two models for each of the X-Line and M-Line in recent years, yet it has also been looking to update its F-Line and S-Line, which have established the builder as a world leader in 40-60ft motor yachts. To date, Prestige has built over 4,000 yachts since 1989 and the new F-Line model to be showcased at Cannes in September will usher in a new generation.

Erwin Bamps, Vice President of Prestige, said: “The first model of the new F-Line generation represents a significant evolution in the segment where Prestige is the market leader, bringing innovations to meet new clients’ expectations while remaining true to the brand’s DNA. More details of the new yacht will be unveiled later this summer.”

www.prestige-yachts.com

www.asiayachting.net