Prestige 680 won us over with lovely design and technical solutions, roomy interiors filled with natural light, modern interior layout and a huge master cabin in the bow
The latest Prestige debuted last summer in Dubrovnik, Croatia and was officially introduced to potential buyers a couple of months later, during the Festival de Cannes.
Prestige flybridge yacht
We tested the Prestige 680 in French waters, taking it for a spin around the picturesque Île Sainte-Marguerite. The newest among the lovely Prestige models deserves all the attention it receives, even only for the fact it is the largest yacht built in the Jeaneau’s historical Vendee production halls.
Since the largest model of the Prestige line, model 750, is built in Italy, in Monfalcone, the Franch builder is very proud of the Prestige 680, considered the unofficial flagship. The 680 is obviously inspired by the largest Prestige yacht, but is scaled down to a more acceptable size (and less priced).
Prestige 680 motor yacht
Large interior volumes, elegant design and functional solutions take the Prestige 680 very close to the longer 750. The cockpit is protected by the fly bridge, which stretches all the way to the transom, giving the cockpit – already visually connected to the interior saloon – feel of an outdoor lounge.
The aft platform cannot be reached from the starboard side of the cockpit, as the usually open passage on this yacht is covered by a seating hiding a skipper cabin inside.
Exterior
Strategically placed between the cockpit and the saloon, the galley is L-shaped (rather than U-shaped as is the case with most galleys on yachts this type). The dining area is close to both the galley and the cockpit, spacious and separated from the galley by a bar. All the spaces on the main deck are on the same level.
Comfortable and modern, the saloon is simple and serene, with lots of details in stainless steel, surrounded by really large windows and bathed in natural light. Although Prestige follows the open space concept on all their larger models, it is possibly best interpreted on the 680.
This cozy Prestige yacht with homey atmosphere has almost no fixed furniture, and the owners can arrange and rearrange pieces as they please.
Starboard in the saloon, behind the command post, we have discovered probably the best designer solution on this yacht; the spectacularly functional sliding glass door that connect the interior and the exterior, but also open to the saloon ‘balcony’ and allows communication of the helm station and the exterior (starboard).
Prestige 680 layout
Almost invisible when not in use, this door is that little something extra that studio Garroni always manages to add to their designs. Below deck the newest Prestige can have three or four cabins. The largest among them is the master cabin, located in the bow and almost identical to that of the 750, separated from the others by a private hallway.
This cabin is in many ways ideal for owners keen on privacy, as it is almost isolated, and offers all the delightful details usually found on larger yachts, such as walk-in closets and plenty of natural light that comes in through a skylight. As interesting and refined as it is, the master cabin is still not the most appealing cabin aboard the Prestige 680, as the VIP rivals it more than successfully.
Located aft and as wide as the hull, the VIP gets a ‘sister’ in the three-cabin layout – which also turns the third cabin into a large, VIP-like space. This unusual quality of the lower deck layout gives the Prestige 680 almost the same interior volumes as those of the 750.
Unlike the innovative lower deck, the flybridge is rather classical in almost every way, but far from boring. Divided into three large spaces – the bow with sun beds, the helm area and the large saloon aft.
The saloon can be easily shaded by a hydraulic bimini top or a hard top (optional), and is large enough to host a small – but perfectly equipped – galley as well. It is easily reached by a staircase leading from the main deck cockpit.
Prestige 680 performance
The skipper cabin is located aft on the lower deck, right next to the engine room, and has two beds and a private head. The engine room of the French yacht is roomy enough for all inspections and repairs, with plenty of space left around the Volvo IPS 1200 engines. Prestige 680 reaches top speed of 30 knots easily, and Jernej Jakopin and his team designed the hull efficiently, so vibrations are almost entirely absent at all speeds.
Simull
M/Y Simull with her dynamic and chic silhouette, generous living space, three elegant en-suite cabins, including a full beam master’s cabin, and with the Sport Flybridge makes her an absolute yacht for your holiday!
Prestige is planning to build ten units of the Prestige 680 during the first year on the market, but after seeing and testing the yacht, we are sure they will have to increase that number significantly. Big thumbs up to the entire Prestige team for this attractive and functional yacht.
Photos & video Prestige, Bernard Dino Bonomo, Martin Raget
