From Boattest.com… for the full review go to…
The all-new Prestige 680 motoryacht is loaded with features found on much larger boats, and in fact, she can accommodate as many people as most 100-footers. Many of the features are cleverly used to enhance functionality. She is owner/operator friendly, yet has the interior space of a much larger boat that might require a paid captain. She comes with a three stateroom or four stateroom layout, something that is unusual in class. Perhaps most significant for a boat in her size range is her forward master stateroom just a couple of steps down from the main deck.
Overview
The Prestige 680 is a luxury yacht designed to be practical in various functions including entertaining and distance cruising and have an exterior style which will be ageless. Her exterior design is purposely not fussy or over-the-top contemporary, rather it is a more traditional marine approach to a motoryacht, rather than showing the influences of flavor-of-the-month design fads. In keeping with the Prestige heritage, she is relatively light for her size, due to advanced manufacturing techniques that deliver the same strength to a lighter hull.
Like all Prestige yachts, she is built to CE requirements, which are generally more demanding than American NMMA/ABYC standards, and, of course, the vessels meets those rules as well.
Her build is a result of proprietary computer aided design software and digitally-controlled assembly ensures all components are finished and assembled correctly the first time, according to the builder. Inside, her spaces are functional, somewhat innovative, and provide independent living areas and entertaining venues that are well-laid out inside and on deck, are fuel-efficient and priced right.
An airy and bright interior is magnified through 360-degree panoramic views from large – unobstructed — windows on all decks.
Distinguishing Features
Separate Master Suite. A private master suite is conveniently located down two steps adjacent to the lower helm. This arrangement is quite unusual for a motoryacht of this size, and it mimics the traditional layout plan of much larger motoryachts advanced decades ago by other builders such as Feadship in custom yachts 125’ (38 m) to over 150’ (46 m).
The concept is to have the master stateroom convenient to the main deck, salon and lower helm. In this way, an owner/operator who is off watch is only a few steps from the helm if called to the bridge for a navigational decision. It eliminates the necessity of a “pilot berth” that one often sees in old large motoryachts with an enclosed pilothouse.
The master stateroom design also separates this suite from the guest quarters whose private entrance is farther aft. This design creates a large measure of privacy for both the owners and their guests, and makes cruising all the more comfortable for everyone on board. For example, it allows guests coming back to the boat late at night more freedom to move around without waking the owners.
This forward master stateroom concept was pioneered aboard the Prestige 750 with great success.
Shallow Draft. The draft on the 680 is 5’2” (1.57 m). For those familiar with comparable boats of her size, this is impressive. Any buyer considering a boat of this size should be interested in this number as it determines whether the yacht can enter certain ports and exclusive cursing destinations. Some of the most delightful cruising grounds in the world – the Abacos, the Chesapeake Bay, and parts of the Baltic — are areas where deep-draft motoryachts fear to tread. By holding the draft to 5’2” (1.57 m), all of these areas are accessible for the careful navigator.
At Home. Further, many owners would like to keep their yacht tied up in front of their house, where water depth can be a restricting factor, particularly during a moon tide. At 5’2” (1.57 m), the Prestige 680 is about as good as it gets in this size vessel.
Light Displacement. The stated displacement of the Prestige 680 is just under 66,000 lbs. (19,937 kg). Of five other competitive motoryachts in class that we checked, she was the lightest – from 5,000 lbs. to 16,000 lbs. (2,268 kg to 7,257 kg) lighter than the others.
The performance advantages of lighter displacements are obvious – smaller engines, better fuel efficiency, greater range. Not so easy to quantify are aspects of riding and motion offshore, where heavier boats are generally considered to be more comfortable. Nevertheless, the folks at Prestige tell us that the hull design has been extensively tested at the local university and is specifically designed so that stability and handling at sea is not dependent on weight.
Features Inspection
Flying Bridge
The flying bridge is broken up into three primary spaces: helm and observation seating, forward sun pad, and an L-shaped seating area aft with built-in table. The 680 comes standard with an overhead arch and hardtop containing a foldaway sunshade. A set of protected teak “flying” stairs with stainless steel finishes lead guests from the lower deck up to the bridge deck.
1. Upper Helm Station. The upper helm station contains wide bench seating for both operator and companions. The helm station bench contains room for two, with a full set of gauges and navigation tools located slightly below the operator’s line of vision. To port, another dual bench seat provides space for observation from above, and can also fold down, extending the already spacious sun pad.
2. Sun Pad. A dedicated lounging/social area is located forward of the upper helm station directly below the upper windscreen. This was a clever design by the builder as it provides protection from apparent wind while underway for the exposed skin of the sun bather. The sun pad can also extend farther out with the fold-down bench on the starboard side, should the owner’s guests all decide to sun bathe at once.
3. Aft Entertainment and Seating. A separate area for guests to relax, socialize and congregate on the flying bridge provides an excellent entertaining space for a sunny day. An outdoor galley has a sink, ample counter space, a grill, refrigerator and a separate icemaker. A large table aft can easily sit six comfortably, and with a retractable soft-touch sunshade, this very well may be the most popular spot on board.
At the Bow
At the bow, Prestige continues to provide separate lounging and socializing spaces and entertainment possibilities, particularly for those interested in sun tanning and fresh air. A forward facing bench seat can accommodate multiple people and a sun pad with retractable cabana-like sunshade can easily deploy during hotter afternoon hours. We also like the wide side decks (a design trait in virtually all Prestige models) as they allow free movement throughout, without having to side step, or nervously grip a safety rail. It’s also worth noting how both seating options are raised above the main deck for added visibility while underway.
Main Deck
The outdoor sitting space flows seamlessly into the super structure via twin sliding glass doors. Because of the flying bridge overhang, the aft deck actually adds to the overall square footage of “interior” living space on days where weather permits.
We also like how Prestige added stairs to the bridge outside the superstructure, therein maximizing living space while still offering protection and security for traveling up and down stairs.
Galley. Due to customer feedback, and current trends in design, Prestige went ahead and moved the galley aft. Instead of the typical U-shaped galley, which creates a dead-end and cramped sense of space, the builder created an island that allows better flow in and out of the galley. The galley counter’s L-shaped island creates a sense of division between the dining area and the salon, without sacrificing an open feel. When entertaining, the aft location becomes even more ideal as it provides easy access to all four entertainment venues: the dining area, the salon, the seating area on the aft deck, and the stairs up to the flying bridge.
Dining. The Prestige 680 has a separate dining space and table, which is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual L-shaped settees next to the helm of raised bridge deck designs. Located directly across from the galley, it adds functionality and another venue for entertaining. A glass table with a built-in bench seat to starboard maximizes seating without sacrificing space or the “open” concept.
Salon. The salon is a small step up from the galley, and features an L-shaped sofa with two additional accent chairs and a hideaway flatscreen TV. A glass coffee table continues the theme of open concept and still leaves plenty of room for a gathering/entertaining space. The hardwoods flow from the galley to the salon seamlessly while area rugs add a sense of warmth and color. All lighting is built into the overhead, and HVAC is run behind the molding (invisible to the eye). Bose surround speakers continue the theme of luxurious amenities without sacrificing the breathtaking views from the floor to ceiling windows.
Lower Helm. While the 680 is a flush-deck motoryacht, the lower helm is on a special raised platform forward of the salon. This arrangement has many benefits such as better visibility for the captain, large seat backs that don’t draw eyes to the helm station but rather the overall salon, and handy access to the water tight doors directly to starboard. We also like how the screen placement is rather low, again maximizing visibility while underway.
Aft Platform. After stepping through a stainless steel gate and down three steps, we arrive at a hydraulic swim platform that lowers into the water to create the popular teak beach experience. The platform also provides a place for launching PWC and/or a small tender.
Master Stateroom. Next to the helm is a private companionway to the master stateroom. Upon entry, we find a lounger to port, and a desk to starboard that also serves as a vanity. A flatscreen TV and built-in surround speakers adds to the already luxurious space. Directly above, we find three large windows that make what would be a very closed in space open and bright. Moving forward is a walk-in closet to port and a separate head with large shower stall, and a doublewide single sink to starboard.
Guest and VIP Staterooms. A second companionway in the salon leads to the aft staterooms, and on the Prestige 680, the buyer has the option of two or three separate quarters. The VIP stateroom is standard, while the opposite side has the option of an additional full-beam VIP stateroom, or two smaller rooms with twin berths for added functionality. The second option would be a popular one for those interested in chartering as it provides the maximum number of berths aboard.
VIP Stateroom. The VIP Stateroom would be the master on many boats in this particular class. Because many buyers who choose motoryachts of this size will travel with friends, Prestige essentially designed three master suites so two guest couples would feel pampered.
To port is a storage credenza and to starboard we find a walk-in closet. While the VIP stateroom does not have overhead skylights, the stateroom features ample lighting provided by large side windows with portholes for additional ventilation. Also to starboard is a spacious head with a large shower stall and a doublewide single sink.
Guest Staterooms. In addition to the VIP stateroom, there are nearly two identical cabins with twin berths. The port side cabin has a private entrance to the day head. These two staterooms share a single head that is located on the portside. Both cabins feature hull side windows for an added sense of natural light and space. Again, both the guest and VIP stateroom have a separate entrance from the master stateroom, allowing for less interruption for those who may be out later than others.
Crew Cabin. Located off the aft swim platform, we find a watertight transom door that leads to the crew cabin and engine room. The crew quarters are smaller in size but adequate for sleeping and privacy. The cabin features twin berths with light through transom windows, a private head, and a washer/dryer combination. Engine access is also available through the crew cabin.
At 68’ (21 m), this boat is intended to be an owner/operator boat for most people. If she is, then this cabin becomes yet another guest cabin, and we imagine that it will be popular with kids. Obviously, it may also be used for storage in some applications and is an ideal place for scuba tanks, an air compressor, etc.
Observations
We like 68’ (21 m). We think it is a good length for most owner/operators, being easy to master after a few hours of experience to get the hang of how to nudge her into a tight slip. As far as accommodations go, she can handle as many guests in luxury and comfort as can a 100-footer – and at a cost that is considerably less, both to buy and operate.
With the two different accommodation layouts available, owners can select the model that will be most appropriate for their kind of cruising – with family and maybe grandchildren, or with other adult couples. Perhaps most importantly, she can entertain in grand style and her aft deck is perfect for dinner parties nearly any time of the year.
Most people don’t need anything larger.