ROCK STAR

THE IMAGE THAT ROCKED OUR BOAT THIS MONTH

Taking on the mantle as the smallest model in Princess’s flybridge range is an unenviable task. The boats the Plymouth shipyard has built-in this sector are some of the best and most loved it has ever made but never has there been a time when customers expect so much from an entry-level model.

With design influence from Olesinski Design and Pininfarina, the F45 has the challenging task of balancing modern yet timeless styling, interior volume, easy handling out on the water and the attention to detail that Princess prides itself on, all with an eye on value for money. It goes without saying that this, for many customers, will be their first experience of a Princess product so it has to set the tone for what is a consistently high-achieving model range. Is it up to the task? Read Jack Haines’ in-depth report on p40 to find out.

1 HARDY HYBRID

Cockwells has launched the first of its new generation Hardys after buying the brand last year. And it’s a diesel-electric hybrid. The boat is a Hardy 42, a timeless well-proven model, around 30 of which have been built over the past 18 years. Previous owner Windboats started the build by laminating the hull and superstructure but the remaining 70% of the work has been completed by Cockwells at its Mylor Creek facility in Cornwall.

The hybrid installation is based around a single 440hp Yanmar diesel engine, rather than the usual twin set-up, with a 20kW electric motor linked to a 22kW generator and a 48V 400AH lithium-ion battery bank providing an additional source of clean, quiet power for the single shaft and propeller. The generator either runs the electric motor directly or charges the batteries, but a 48V alternator also allows charging directly from the main engine.