Prestige Yachts M8 Power Catamaran

Power catamarans are gaining popularity and taking over cruising with the motto “bigger is better”. Several builders have launched massive 80-foot luxury models and now Prestige officially splashed the M Line with the second in the series, the Prestige Yachts M8. The name implies that this model is also 80 feet – but it’s not. Prestige argues that the 65-foot cat has the space of an 80-foot monohull which is how they came to the name. Regardless of the actual LOA, she’s every inch a voluptuous distance cruiser prepared to deliver a hedonistic lifestyle.

I stepped aboard hull #1 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this October. She’s a lot to take in at first starting with the phenomenal swim platform that lowers to the waterline while breaking into civilized steps. This hydraulic platform is over 14 feet wide, nearly 5 feet deep, and can carry over 1,000 pounds of tender and toys. With three levels to choose from, the platform can be submersed for a teak beach, rest at garage level, or raise high up to become a deck extension off the cockpit above so you have three platforms in one.

Everything about the new Prestige Yachts M8 is about luxurious apartment living on the water since she offers almost 3,000 square feet of space. About 10% of this is in the cockpit, another 10% on the foredeck, and yet another 10% in the master stateroom, but more on this later.

The aft cockpit is robed in loose furniture so owners can create and change the space often. It’s an open expanse with only the steps to the flybridge to port and a bar area to starboard. As you walk forward on the port side from here to the foredeck, you’ll notice a day head with an exterior entry door. The actual head is tucked into the salon space but is nearly invisible there due to ample use of interior glass and mirrors. This head entry allows guests to use the facilities without going inside in wet bathing suits and with sandy feet.

On the bow, you’ll find a sunbed that looks worthy of a small helicopter landing pad. Forward of that is a sunken lounge with two rows of facing seating and room for low, modular tables in between. When the sun beats down on the aft cockpit at cocktail hour, this will be the civilized shady retreat to enjoy.

The 540-foot flybridge continues with the modular mood. Again, loose furniture allows owners to create personalized conversation nooks, sun-worshipping spaces with chaisse longues, or dining for 10. Two staircases lead to the fly bridge – one from the aft cockpit as mentioned before, and one from the saloon below.

The helm with twin bucket seats is on the centerline. Personally, I prefer the helm on one side or the other so the driver can sight down the side when docking. Twin 22-inch Garmin MFDs form a glass helm and Volvo Penta throttles and joystick are within easy reach of the seat. The helm, outdoor galley and about two thirds of the flybridge are covered by the hardtop that also has an electric fabric sunroof.