Prince 45: the latest revolutionary creation from Nuova Jolly Marine on test

The test of the new Prince 45 by Nuova Jolly Marine.

If, as Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time”, then today is definitely the right day. A single glance at the new Prince 45 from Nuova Jolly Marine is enough to understand that it represents a quantum leap forward.

A quantum leap in terms of design, performance, and innovative features.

A leap that propels the renowned Milanese shipyard into a new dimension, leaving many often-overrated and overhyped competitors in this market segment far behind.

These are bold claims, but ones that deserve a detailed explanation. That’s precisely what we’re about to do—step by step and in order of importance.

Prince 45 Sea Trial

Whenever I step aboard a Nuova Jolly, my expectations automatically climb a notch. The hulls from this shipyard are simply legendary—it’s no coincidence that Sergio Davì chose them for his most challenging expeditions. The hull of this Prince 45 is brand new, and I’m genuinely eager to test it to see if it truly deserves the logo proudly displayed on its aft quarter. Without further delay, I slip on my shoes and step aboard.

The helm station is simply perfect. From here, visibility is excellent, both forward and all around. The throttles and instruments are exactly where they should be.

Today’s conditions are far from ideal—it’s freezing, and the lake is swept by winds exceeding 30 knots. This creates a steep, choppy wave that could trouble many boats. Yet here we are, cruising slowly, sheltered behind the large windshield, with the Prince 45 gliding along effortlessly at low speed, unfazed by the rough water and demonstrating remarkable stability, even at a crawl.

I take the helm, clip in the safety lanyard, and ask everyone aboard to sit down and hold on tight. Safety first—always remember this, especially if you’re planning to push the boat hard like I’m about to.

I push the throttles forward, and almost instantly, the Prince 45 lifts out of the water and gets up on plane without significantly altering its trim. This is an excellent sign—I absolutely hate boats that pitch their bows skyward during acceleration.

In an instant, almost without realizing it, we’re cruising at 30–35 knots. The boat remains perfectly level on the water, with minimal trim adjustment. The Prince 45’s hull slices through the steep lake waves with embarrassing ease—no jolts reach us on board, and the comfort of navigation is truly exceptional.

At this speed, even with today’s challenging conditions, the sense of security is remarkably high. The perceived speed feels much lower than the actual pace, and I have to keep an eye on the instruments to avoid exaggerating. Without slowing down, I make a sharp turn to starboard. The Prince 45 leans into the curve and follows a tight circular trajectory, instantly increasing the centrifugal force—and, as a result, the adrenaline levels of everyone on board. Smiles immediately light up their faces.

I counter-turn to port, again without easing off the throttle, while the boat scoffs at my attempts to push it to its limits. It executes these high-speed maneuvers flawlessly, as if held on track by an imaginary ground effect that keeps it glued to its trajectory.

While I write down these impressions, I cross back over the wake we’ve created. Throttling up to full power, I head straight into the waves at a 90-degree angle—the harshest possible test. The Prince 45 plunges into the chop and nonchalantly splits it in two, sending columns of spray soaring away from the hull, falling back into the water long after we’ve already passed.

With the throttles wide open, the Prince 45 rockets forward in a straight line. The instruments display increasingly exciting numbers as I fine-tune the trim, raising it until I hear that unmistakable (and thrilling) sound that tells me we’ve hit the sweet spot. We’re cruising at around 53 knots—not bad at all for a maxi-RIB of this size, especially considering it’s equipped with an intermediate engine setup.

Propelling us today is a triple setup of Mercury V10 Verado engines, each delivering 400 horsepower. The maximum power configuration for this model, however, allows for a quad setup. This would not only bring the total output to a staggering 1,600 horsepower but also push the boat’s top speed well beyond 60 knots.

Without reducing speed, I initiate a wide turn—a maneuver that, at over 50 knots, only a handful of boats can perform. Yet, once again, the Prince 45 executes it effortlessly, without the slightest hesitation.

Reluctantly, I ease off the throttle—I really don’t want to, but it’s time to hand over the controls. As I turn around, I see the smiles still plastered on the faces of everyone aboard. This new Prince 45 is absolutely phenomenal and fully deserving of its place in the Nuova Jolly family.

What a boat, guys. What a boat…

The Nuova Jolly Marine Prince 45 in detail

The second reason I claimed that the Prince 45 allows Nuova Jolly to outclass many well-known competitors lies in two words that best describe this boat: design and quality.

The Prince 45 is drop-dead gorgeous, refined, and built to an exceptionally high standard. One look at the gelcoat, the finishes, and the components used is all it takes to understand this.

Exteriors

The exterior design is outstanding. Luca Macchi has crafted the profile of a sublime vessel that seamlessly hides the impressive interior volumes—another gem we’ll discuss shortly.

The deck layout, from the stern to the cockpit, captures all the advantages of modern walk-arounds. Meanwhile, the bow rises and develops into a refined deck that, while giving the boat a sleek profile, also significantly increases the height of the cabin below.

The aft beach club is enormous and becomes even larger when the electric opening of the two side balconies is activated. This area is designed both for enjoying a day at sea under sunshades and for dining or hosting elegant aperitifs, which are served from the bar unit strategically placed to meet the needs of this convivial space.

The aft sunbathing area features a double-function backrest, making it useful both as a headrest and as the backrest for the dinette seating. The central table, thanks to the side balconies that allow for two additional chairs, can comfortably accommodate up to eight people. The forward sofa in the dinette is also reversible, enabling two rows of people to sit facing forward while underway.

Moving forward, after passing the bar/kitchen unit which supports a beautiful hardtop, we reach the helm station with its three massive helm chairs. The console can accommodate two large displays and all the necessary electronic instrumentation.

Climbing two steps, we arrive at the bow, where we find a second sunbathing area and a large sofa that allows two people to sink into an oversized chaise longue, offering a truly immense level of comfort.

Prince 45: Interior

It’s hard not to be left speechless when descending to the lower deck of the Prince 45. As you step down, you’re welcomed into an environment that’s not only spacious but also incredibly luxurious, filled with high-end details. The owner’s bed is king-size, with two elegant chaise longues on either side, offering practical storage compartments. At the foot of the bed, a reversible cushion transforms into the backrest of a U-shaped sofa that completes the large central dinette, which also features a second sink and a small internal kitchen.