Sea penthouse

Every yachtsman should try a catamaran at least once in their life. Not just step aboard out of curiosity at a boat show, but actually live on one. We deliberately say "live" rather than "sail," because a catamaran is above all a living space. Many yachts are called villas on the water in brochures, but a home is something that stands on a solid foundation—and at sea, that foundation is more truly a twin‑hull structure than a single one. After this experience, you will either remain faithful to your monohull or irrevocably join the ranks of catamaran enthusiasts.

Let us introduce you to the Prestige M8 Evo—the newest, largest, and most refined model in the fleet of Prestige, one of the most respected names in the multihull market. The Evo is an upgraded version of the flagship of the Prestige M‑Line, replacing the previous M8. It features a revised layout, enhanced equipment, and more powerful engines.

According to Andrea Cragnotti, Director of Large Yacht Sales at Prestige Yachts, the evolution of the flagship was driven primarily by feedback from owners who have cruised waters from the Bahamas to Asia.

Unlike many other large motor catamarans that resemble stacked shelves, the M8 Evo is composed entirely of smooth, rounded lines—over which both the eye and sunlight glide with equal ease. Just imagine how it will shimmer in the orange‑pink rays of sunrise or sunset! The darker superstructure and hardtop, combined with broad tinted windows in the hulls, visually lighten the yacht and reduce its apparent height—as we know, black is slimming. The profile of the upper side windows in the hull recalls a scalpel. Together with the sloping flybridge line and the signature shaped panels in the form of rounded parallelograms, this brings dynamics and energy to the catamaran's appearance.

The M8 is 1.5 metres shorter than the flagship monohull Prestige F690, but 4 metres wider. As a result, you get the living space of an 85‑ to 90‑foot yacht in a 65‑foot hull.

The beam impresses immediately as you step into the cockpit. Here you will find free‑standing furniture, sun loungers, and a glass balustrade that opens in the centre.

Particular attention deserves the transom platform, developed in partnership with Opacmare. Its load capacity is 500 kg. It can be lowered into the water, raised to deck level to increase the cockpit's usable area, and used for launching a tender. And this is standard equipment, not an option.

Beneath the cockpit deck lies a spacious compartment for water toys, accessible via a large hatch in the transom. The cockpit can be fully enclosed with a canopy if needed.

One unconventional yet highly convenient feature is a day head with external access from the side deck. Why? Because wet feet and greasy sunscreen are not the best companions when entering the meticulously cleaned saloon.

Forward, there is a large two‑level open relaxation area, comprising a broad sunbathing pad and a seating zone. This space can be shaded with an awning.

The most significant changes in the M8 Evo concern the key living areas. On the main deck, the internal staircase from the saloon to the flybridge has been removed, and this structural change has freed up considerable space in the aft starboard section of the saloon, now occupied by a fixed dining area for eight guests. Removing the staircase also allowed a reworking of the flybridge layout: the area that formerly housed the stairwell and a sun lounger now accommodates a fixed, full‑function bar to starboard, transforming the flybridge into an entertainment hub. The flybridge itself has also been made wider.

There is no lower helm station as standard. However, for an additional charge, a console with a joystick and displays can be installed in the saloon. When not in use, it can be covered—a very practical feature if there are children on board who might be tempted to play with the yacht's controls. In addition, a compact control station is provided in the cockpit for convenient stern‑to or side‑to docking—it can be installed on either the starboard or port side. We are quite confident that the shipyard would supply two control stations if the customer so wishes.

The spacious galley is located forward on the main deck and is equipped with everything needed: an induction hob and oven from Miele, a dishwasher, and even a pull‑out shelf with a servo‑driven coffee machine. The large refrigerator is a dream for food lovers or large families—there is enough room for provisions for a full week of autonomous cruising. The generous work surfaces are an added bonus—the chef will have plenty of space to work.

The configuration of the master suite, which spans the full beam of the yacht, has been completely revised. The central lounge area has been removed; the bed has been shifted to the starboard side, and a sofa now sits amidships. The walk‑in wardrobe has been enlarged and turned into a full‑fledged dressing room, which also serves as a functional partition, clearly separating the sleeping area from the bathroom. The bathroom itself has been enlarged, as has its shower.

Four guest cabins, each with its own en‑suite bathroom, are arranged in pairs in the port and starboard hulls. The beds can be configured as doubles or twins. Two crew cabins are located forward, ahead of the master suite; each has its own head.

Stylistically, the interior of the updated yacht, according to interior designer Valentina Motta, has become softer and warmer, combining a contemporary take on glamour and Art Deco with refined minimalism. The Evo places emphasis on eco‑friendly materials: FSC‑certified wood, weather‑resistant synthetic teak, vegetable‑tanned leathers, and organic textiles are used.

In terms of performance, the M8 Evo now features two MAN i6 engines rated at 730 hp each, replacing the previous 600‑hp units, and an enlarged fuel tank of 3,700 litres, significantly extending cruising range. Each of the two engines is housed in a separate compartment with ample space all around—headroom is sufficient to stand upright.

Like its predecessor, the new catamaran can be equipped with an optional Silent Mode package, which includes a large power bank and solar panels, providing up to 10 hours of silent operation of onboard comfort systems at anchor without running the generator. Less noise means better sleep.

Of course, catamarans have not only advantages but also certain characteristics that some may find inconvenient. Even the motion issue is not entirely straightforward—although from afar it seems that a catamaran is absolutely unshakeable against rolling, this is not entirely true. The same applies to slamming: while the narrow hulls cut through waves efficiently, in rough seas noticeable impacts on the bridge deck are not uncommon. One must also not forget the challenges of manoeuvring in tight spaces and finding a berth in a marina (plus the premium for the beam). Yet all of this is more than compensated for by the livability and the sheer size of key areas such as the master suite, the main saloon, the flybridge, and—no less important on long passages—the galley. The new Prestige flagship catamaran sets a very high bar not only in livability and comfort but also in design, demonstrating that a spacious and functional yacht can also be highly aesthetic. And that means it will delight its owner even when simply lying at the dock.