Princess F45 for Sale

Princess F45 Specifications

The specification that defines the F45’s character is the Volvo Penta IPS propulsion system paired to an Olesinski deep-V hull. Launch-standard IPS 600 pods (2 × 435 HP) deliver a 28-knot cruise and a 31-knot top end; current-production boats moved to the IPS 650 upgrade (2 × 480 HP), lifting cruise to 30 knots and top speed to roughly 35. The IPS installation brings 360-degree thrust vectoring, factory dynamic-positioning and joystick docking — capabilities now common to any IPS-equipped production boat — while the hull itself is what differentiates the F45 from Italian rivals on the same pods.

Olesinski’s hull is a modern deep-V with spray rails and twin chines, carrying roughly 20 degrees of transom deadrise to punch through Channel chop without the pounding that afflicts shallower-V Mediterranean layouts. At 17,500 kg displacement the F45 has sufficient mass to settle into a working seaway while remaining light enough for genuine efficiency at cruise — the infused laminate shaves weight compared with Princess’s pre-2005 hand-laid hulls. The 1.07-metre draft allows access to shallow anchorages while the running surface ensures directional stability in following seas.

Construction follows Princess’s vacuum-assisted resin infusion methodology: every F45 hull is laid up in a closed-mould process that injects resin under vacuum through a carefully sequenced flow pattern, producing a more consistent fibre-to-resin ratio than open-mould hand lay-up and eliminating the styrene emissions associated with legacy wet-lay-up yards. Princess adopted the process in 2005 and now uses it for every hull from the R35 dayboat up to the 40 m X95; the company’s 40M project produced the world’s largest single-piece resin-infused hull at launch in 2014. Superstructure mouldings use a balsa-core sandwich to keep weight out of the flybridge and preserve the stability the deep-V gives at the waterline.

Performance & Handling

Speed and efficiency: With launch-spec IPS 600 propulsion, the F45 achieves 28 knots at around 2,300 RPM while burning approximately 150 litres per hour — respectable efficiency for a 45-foot planing yacht. The hull reaches plane at 12-14 knots, transitioning smoothly through the displacement-to-planing hump that can be awkward on some designs. Top speed is 31 knots for IPS 600 boats and around 35 knots for the IPS 650-equipped current-production hulls, though real-world cruising typically occurs in the 24-28 knot range where the yacht balances speed, comfort, and fuel consumption.

Sea keeping: The Princess deep-V hull design excels in the moderate to rough conditions common around the British Isles. The 20-degree deadrise at the transom, combined with carefully shaped spray rails, provides a dry ride in head seas while maintaining directional stability when running with following weather. The F45 handles beam seas better than many flybridge designs thanks to Princess’s attention to hull form development and the low centre of gravity achieved through careful weight distribution.

The Olesinski hull, not just the IPS pods: Joystick docking and dynamic positioning are stock Volvo IPS capabilities available on every IPS-equipped production boat, so they tell you little about any individual builder. What distinguishes the F45 is the running surface bolted to those pods. Bernard Olesinski’s deep-V, stepped-down-from-the-F43 hull carries more deadrise in the forward sections than the Italian-styled rivals it faces, giving a softer entry into a head sea and noticeably less pounding at the 24–28 knot cruise band that defines real-world use. The hull’s spray rails, twin chines and the pod mounting geometry were all tuned against the F43’s measured running trim, which is why the F45 reaches plane at 12–14 knots without the prolonged bow-high hump that afflicts some IPS retrofits. The infused laminate, meanwhile, delivers a drier and measurably lighter hull skin than Princess’s pre-2005 hand-laid process, which shows up as fuel economy at displacement speeds rather than on the spec sheet.

Range and fuel planning: The 1,420-litre fuel capacity provides approximately 300 nautical miles at 25 knots — sufficient for most coastal cruising scenarios but requiring careful planning for longer passages. Fuel burn varies significantly with sea conditions: calm-water consumption at 25 knots might be 120 litres per hour, while the same speed in moderate head seas could require 180+ litres per hour. The Volvo Penta engine management system provides real-time fuel flow data for precise passage planning.

Stability and comfort: The F45’s 17.5-tonne displacement provides inherent stability that benefits both safety and comfort. The yacht settles into a predictable rhythm in beam seas rather than snapping through wave crests, reducing motion sickness and allowing normal onboard activities to continue in moderate conditions. The flybridge remains usable up to Force 4-5 conditions, though the enclosed helm on the main deck becomes preferable in stronger winds or rain.

Interior Layout & Accommodation

The F45’s interior exemplifies the open-plan philosophy that has become synonymous with modern flybridge design. The main deck combines saloon, dining area, and galley in a single flowing space that maximises both social interaction and the sense of volume. Princess has eliminated the traditional separation between these areas, instead using furniture placement and sight lines to define individual zones within the larger space. The result feels significantly larger than the 45-foot LOA would suggest — a crucial achievement in this competitive size class.

The galley represents a fundamental shift in yacht design philosophy. Rather than hiding the cooking area below decks or isolating it behind a bulkhead, the F45 places the galley at the heart of the main deck where the chef remains part of the social environment. The L-shaped layout provides excellent counter space, full-size appliances including a combination microwave-convection oven, and storage sufficient for extended cruising. The island configuration allows multiple people to participate in meal preparation without crowding — essential for the kind of family cruising that defines the F45’s intended use.

The accommodation plan provides three staterooms and two heads, configured to sleep 6-7 people depending on berth arrangements. The full-beam master stateroom occupies the yacht’s maximum width amidships, with a centre-line queen berth, hanging lockers on both sides, and an en-suite head with separate shower compartment. The VIP stateroom forward features a double berth, while the port guest cabin can be configured with twin berths or converted to additional storage depending on owner preference. An optional single crew cabin aft provides accommodation for professional crew when desired.

The flybridge focuses on outdoor entertaining and helm functionality. The upper helm station provides excellent visibility in all directions, with engine instruments, navigation electronics, and the Volvo Penta joystick control integrated into an ergonomic console. Seating for 8-10 people includes a large U-shaped dinette aft, companion seating at the helm, and sun pads that can accommodate additional guests. A canvas bimini and optional hard-top provide weather protection while maintaining the open-air experience that makes flybridge yachts attractive.

Throughout the interior, Princess applies the fit and finish standards that have established the brand’s reputation. Solid wood joinery rather than veneer laminates, leather upholstery with hand-stitched details, and stainless steel hardware that will endure marine environments without corrosion. The electrical systems use premium components — Lewmar winches, Maxwell windlass, Eberspächer heating — that reflect Princess’s position as a premium manufacturer rather than a volume production builder cutting costs through specification compromise.

F45 Ownership: What to Expect

Princess F45 ownership costs reflect the yacht’s position as a premium British-built flybridge yacht with sophisticated propulsion and systems. Understanding these costs is essential for realistic budgeting:

• New pricing: A 2024 Princess F45 with standard specification lists at approximately £850,000-£950,000 ex-VAT, depending on engine choice and options. Popular upgrades include the IPS 650 engine package (+£35,000), hard-top with electric opening sunroof (+£25,000), and upgraded electronics packages (+£15,000-£30,000). Total pricing for a well-specified example typically approaches £1.1-£1.2 million including VAT.
• Depreciation patterns: Princess yachts typically depreciate 15-20% in the first year, then 8-12% annually for years 2-5, before settling into a slower depreciation curve. The F45’s relatively recent introduction (2021) means limited used market data, but early examples are trading at 10-15% below new-build pricing with low hours and good specification.
• Annual operating costs: Budget £25,000-£40,000 annually for a yacht used 4-6 weeks per year. This includes marina berth fees (£8,000-£15,000 in premium marinas), insurance (£3,000-£5,000), annual service (£4,000-£6,000), winter storage and recommissioning (£3,000-£5,000), and fuel for typical seasonal use (£5,000-£8,000). Professional management adds £8,000-£12,000 annually but ensures proper maintenance and availability.
• Maintenance specifics: Volvo Penta IPS systems require annual service by authorised technicians (£2,000-£3,000), with major service every 600 hours (£8,000-£12,000). The pods should be antifouled annually, and sacrificial anodes replaced. Expect to budget £2,000-£4,000 annually for routine maintenance, with larger items (electronics upgrades, upholstery replacement, engine overhauls) occurring on 5-10 year cycles.

The F45 benefits from Princess’s extensive dealer network and established parts supply chain. Service is available throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and increasingly in Asia-Pacific markets where Princess has been expanding. The combination of Volvo Penta propulsion and Princess’s mature production processes results in reliable ownership with predictable costs — a significant advantage over more exotic or low-volume alternatives.

How to Buy a Princess F45

New vs used market: The F45 launched at Boot Düsseldorf in January 2019, so the used market now spans roughly six model years — enough to provide meaningful choice but still skewed towards lightly used examples with low hours and full factory warranty remaining. New-build lead times vary from 8-14 months depending on specification and Princess’s production schedule. Used examples typically trade at 10-20% below new-build pricing depending on model year, engine package (IPS 600 vs IPS 650) and options. Buyers requiring specific options or layout modifications should expect to order new; buyers prioritising value will find the 2020-2022 used market the sweet spot.

The Princess F Class range: The F45 sits within Princess’s broader F Class flybridge range spanning 40 to 70 feet (F40, F45, F50, F55, F62, F70). The F40 offers similar layout and systems in a more compact package, while the F50 provides meaningfully more accommodation and performance. Buyers should sea trial multiple models to understand the practical differences in space, performance, and handling before committing to the F45’s specific size and capability profile.

Key Considerations for Buyers

• Engine choice: The IPS 600 vs IPS 650 decision affects both performance and operating costs. The IPS 650 upgrade provides meaningful speed gains (30 vs 28 knot cruise) but increases fuel consumption by 10-15%. Buyers planning extensive cruising should consider the IPS 650; those prioritising efficiency over speed will find the IPS 600 adequate for most scenarios.
• Options strategy: Popular factory options include the hard-top (essential for year-round use), upgraded electronics package, and additional air conditioning. Avoid over-specifying options that add cost without meaningful benefit — focus on items affecting safety, comfort, and resale value. The Princess options list is extensive; work with an experienced broker to prioritise effectively.
• Survey requirements: Pre-purchase surveys should include IPS system diagnostics, engine compression tests, and electrical system evaluation. Pay particular attention to the IPS pod seals, engine alignment, and cooling system condition. The Volvo Penta diagnostic system provides detailed engine data; ensure the surveyor can access and interpret this information properly.
• Warranty and support: New Princess yachts include comprehensive warranties: 2 years on the yacht, 2 years on Volvo Penta engines, and various component warranties. Princess’s dealer network provides factory-authorised service throughout major yachting regions. Establish the warranty status and service history of any used yacht before purchase.

The F45 represents a mature design from an established manufacturer — buyers are purchasing proven technology rather than experimental concepts. The combination of Princess’s evolutionary design approach and Volvo Penta’s widely-supported IPS system results in predictable ownership with established service networks and parts availability. For buyers seeking a premium British flybridge yacht in this size range, the F45 offers compelling advantages over both smaller and larger alternatives.

Princess F45 vs Competitors

The mid-40s flybridge class contains no direct size-for-size equivalents to the F45, because most rivals are either a metre shorter (Azimut’s entry flybridge moved up a size when the Fly 53 arrived in 2021) or meaningfully larger (Fairline and Sealine skipped this length to pitch into the mid-50s). Comparing the F45 against the boats buyers actually cross-shop therefore means comparing across displacements and horsepower, not just lengths — which is where the F45’s specific positioning becomes visible.

F45 vs Azimut Fly 53

Azimut discontinued its small flybridge models (the 42 Fly and 45 Fly) before the F45 launched, leaving the Fly 53 (16.30 m LOA, 4.82 m beam, ~24,800 kg displacement, 2 × 725 HP Volvo IPS950 standard) as the nearest current Italian cross-shop. The Fly 53 is not really a rival — it is a different boat for a different budget: roughly 7,300 kg heavier, approximately 500 HP more total engine power, and a new-build price north of €1.3 million ex-VAT against the F45’s ~£850,000 ex-VAT. The F45’s honest answer in this comparison is that it gives the owner-operator the Princess-grade hull and joinery without the Fly 53’s 80-plus tonnes of fuel-thirst and berth-fee commitment. Azimut does not currently publish a direct 45-foot flybridge competitor.

F45 vs Fairline Squadron 50

The Squadron 50 is built by Fairline in Oundle, Northamptonshire — not Plymouth — so the “fellow West Country yard” framing sometimes applied to this comparison is wrong. The two companies are British rivals but represent quite different engineering traditions: Fairline’s Alberto Mancini-restyled 50 runs 15.64 m LOA, 4.32 m beam and approximately 19,100 kg dry, with twin Volvo IPS650 D6s (2 × 480 HP) as the factory standard and an IPS700 D8 (2 × 550 HP) option; base UK pricing sits at roughly £853,000 ex-VAT. Against that, the F45 is 1.9 m shorter on deck, about 1,600 kg lighter and — on launch-spec IPS600 — down about 90 HP per side. The Squadron buys a genuine fourth cabin and more range at the cost of a noticeably larger footprint; the F45 is the yacht that still fits a 45-foot marina berth and that an owner-operator can dock alone in a Force 4. Direct price parity at broker level means buyers are almost always choosing between a well-optioned F45 and a base-spec Squadron 50.

F45 vs Sealine F530

Built in Greifswald by Hanse Yachts (which acquired Sealine in 2013) and now out of production, the F530 is heavier and more powerful than the F45: 16.13 m LOA, 4.56 m beam, 20,370 kg, 24° transom deadrise, twin Volvo IPS700 D8s (2 × 550 HP) standard. That is roughly 2,870 kg more displacement and 230 HP more total power than a launch-spec F45, but with broadly similar 30-knot top speed once loaded. The F530’s claim to fame is the signature hydraulic balcony that drops from the starboard-side hull to create an on-the-water terrace — genuinely distinctive and something no Princess offers. Against the Sealine, the F45 trades that gadget for a simpler, lighter, more easily handled boat and for the continuity of Princess’s after-sales network (Sealine F530 parts now route through Hanse Group rather than the original British factory). Used F530 prices of roughly €550,000–€650,000 VAT paid often put it in head-to-head brokerage competition with recent-vintage F45s.

F45 vs Princess F50

The F50 sits one rung up Princess’s own flybridge ladder and is the comparison most F45 buyers actually agonise over. The numbers: 15.65 m LOA vs 13.72 m, 4.30 m vs 4.20 m beam, 22,900 kg vs 17,500 kg displacement, twin Volvo IPS800 D8s at 2 × 600 HP standard vs IPS600 D6s at 2 × 435 HP. That is a 5,400 kg (31 percent) jump in displacement and a 330 HP jump in total power for about a 1.9 m length increase — the F50 is not just a longer F45, it is a significantly larger boat with a fourth guest cabin and a meaningfully bigger flybridge. Base pricing (per published dealer data): F45 ~£850,000 ex-VAT, F50 ~£987,000 ex-VAT — a ~£137,000 headline differential that typically balloons to £250,000+ once the F50’s larger tender, hard-top and additional cabin package are optioned. Princess replaced the F50 with the longer-waterline, shaft-drive F54 in 2025, which may make late-model F50s comparatively attractive on the used market over the next 24 months.

For a comprehensive comparison tool allowing side-by-side specification and pricing analysis, visit the Hulls.io Market Intelligence platform.