Princess 56, MARGO

Broker’s Comments

For a comfortable family-oriented flybridge performance cruiser, the British-built Princess 56 is a difficult option to beat.

Launched by Princess in 2012, the model was a mainstay of Plymouth’s production lines until 2017, and even then, the layout was kept largely the same on the new F55, since it works so brilliantly.

MARGO is a beautifully presented 56, from 2016, having enjoyed two diligent ownerships from the egg and was specified precisely at new by a seasoned boater; so she wants for nothing.

Dual variable thrusters, hydraulic aft platform, passerelle, tropical air-conditioning, aft cabin fit-out, upgraded generator, icemaker and the Premium AV upgrades comprehensively equip this very well-found motor-yacht.

Using a resin-infused well-veed hull, she sits on a pair of composed D13-800s, located in a well-arranged machinery room, with low 30s on tap and an easy mid 20s cruise. The 56 steers tightly and her gait at sea is long-legged, ensuring that her crew can enjoy the passage making that her 27 ton hull laps up. Of course, the trick is to then house a home away from home, and the 56 is surely best in class in that field.

The main saloon is inviting and informal – with two facing sofas providing relaxed seating for eight in an area lit by immense panoramic side windows, and the triple aft doors slide out of the way for a great connection between interior and exterior.

The dinette is raised forward, opposite the galley – so there is excellent storage space for the galley and another seating area (with a pair of tailored leather stools neatly stored in the VIP forward cabin if required).

The lower helm backs onto the end of the galley, with opening windows port and starboard, two large raked screens affording great visibility forward and plenty of light into the lower accommodation area.

The 56 superseded the 54 – one of the true pioneers of the owner’s mid cabin – and the 56 does not disappoint in this department either. The companionway stair winds aft (concealing a washer/drier) and the midships master is set low into the hull – so the cabin flooring is level and unhindered by steps, for a truly luxurious feel of available space. The wide double berth is flanked by a comfy sofa to port, a low dressing table/sideboard to starboard, with plenty of storage volume to starboard and a large flatscreen is set into the forward bulkhead. There are plenty of lighting options and the mirror-fronted double doors of the wardrobes reflect the light from those picture hull windows that pierce both hull sides.

As well as independent air-co., there is natural ventilation through inset port-lights and the en-suite heads is tucked unobtrusively away forward. The layout plan is tried and tested, and arguably has never been improved upon.

The forward VIP is nestled snugly into the bows, with a large overhead deck-hatch and elliptical opening sidelights illuminating this calming space swathed in stunning walnut joinery. The en-suite facilities can be used as a day head from the main lobby and are simply beautifully done and clinically clean.

Across the way, the third cabin can sometimes disappoint, but this one is super useful. The twin berths smoothly slide together on a powered switch to form a double, and there is both useful access to the helm panel and plenty more storage in a wardrobe and eye-level lockers. So that’s the forward accommodation, but MARGO has another cabin tucked aft of the cockpit, and with its own facilities, access hatch, berth and trunked air-co – this makes for a great further berth, or a very useful storage space.

So to the deck… Encased with beefy stainless steel railings and stout grab rails for moving about, the decks are kept sensibly clear of teak going forward. The foredeck is broad and level, with upgraded anchor chain and a central Lewmar windlass dropping into a cavernous chain locker. The foredeck is recessed for removable cushions, and the aft cockpit is fitted with powered stern winches for ease of berthing – with warp tails kept neatly in side lockers. Unusually at this size, there are gates to either side of the bathing platform, and the letterbox passarelle is located to port. Forward of this, stairs lead up to the teaked fly deck, and again the layout here has not been improved upon.

Easily-fitted individual covers protect the furniture and seating, and the area is effortlessly social, laid out around a large dining table aft, and a wet-bar set aft of the two helm seats.

So there we go. Possibly the best family flybridge cruiser at this size? Please do call for an opportunity to view MARGO with us soonest. Boats of this calibre are few and far between at the moment!

Owner’s Comments

As my first proper boat, she was easy to handle, always fun to be on, brilliant for entertaining and luxurious to stay over on. Fully serviced, very well looked after and in great condition.

Press Comments

This fabulous family flybridge is a real class act.

Some yachts give you a perfect first impression as soon as you step inside and the Princess 56 is one of them, just one look at that saloon and you know exactly what this yacht is all about – stylish and practical family cruising for people who value the finer things in life.” – Motor Boat & Yachting, December 2020.