Princess Y85 Yachts For Sale

If you’re looking for a Princess Y85 for sale, the market offers both new-build slots and pre-owned hulls. Since launch, it has stayed relevant by making full use of its size without tipping into crew-heavy superyacht systems. Most owners run it as a family yacht or a quiet private base, with enough room for long stays but none of the handling load of larger models.  

The Y85 is part of the Princess Y Class, the yard’s line of full-size motor yachts built in the United Kingdom for owners who want the step up from flybridge cruisers without moving into metal superyachts. This buyer’s guide sets out how the Y85 is built, how it runs, what it costs to keep, and how it trades on the market. YachtBuyer gives a clear view of what matters so readers can judge the yacht on fact rather than claim.

The Princess Y85 still earns attention from buyers who want range, space and quiet running without stepping up into 30m custom builds. It works well for private family use, can be managed by a tight crew team, and offers both new build and pre-owned options across two interior generations.

Design that still feels current

• MK2 update brought a switchable cockpit layout with sliding seats and a rising table for more usable aft-deck use
• Galley converts from open to closed thanks to a sliding door and lift-up bar panel
• Interior materials and hull glazing updates were tuned to lighten mood and help resale match current fitout norms

Build and support

• South Yard-built alongside the larger Y Class models, with shared composite process and support chain
• Still in production with active parts, finish and system continuity across both generations

Ownership appeal

• Suited to buyers who want low-handling load and can base operations from the Med, US or Asia-Pacific
• Fit and build make it easier to hold condition over time, reducing mid-life refit load

The Princess Y85 appeals to owners who want clarity in how they run a yacht. Most prefer to keep a light crew and use it for steady family cruising rather than commercial charter. They often berth close to home and work to fixed seasons, rather than rotating locations or staff.

• First-time yacht owners: buy the Y85 for its simple running style, clear servicing network, and the comfort of active shipyard and broker support.
• Seasoned cruisers: move up from smaller models for more volume, not speed, and tend to run the yacht in well-known cruising areas with yard access.
• Repeat brand buyers: often come from other Princess models and already know how the systems, layouts, and warranty rhythm match their plans.
• Downsizing: Some owners move down from a 30m size bracket to gain easier running and wider berth choice. The Y85 gives them the comfort they know while cutting the cost and crew load of a larger vessel.

Where the Y85 Spends Its Time

The Y85 is built for owner-led cruising in known waters. Its draft and footprint make it practical for Med berths and Bahamian anchorages.  

• Mediterranean: popular for summer use with good haul-out access, strong parts supply and crew pools in France, Spain and Italy.
• Caribbean: favoured for winter use by dual-season owners who alternate with Med use and want quick passages between islands.
• US East Coast and Bahamas: shallow draft and compact LOA make it a strong fit for private cruising from Florida and the Keys. A slow cruise with planned fuel stops makes a seasonal move between Florida and New York straightforward. Owners use this route for summer and winter shifts.

The Princess Y85 began production in 2019 and remains in build today. It has passed through two design phases, now referred to as Mk1 and Mk2. Both share the same Olesinski hull and core structure, with exterior lines developed alongside Pininfarina. The updates shaped guest flow, styling and cockpit use, while keeping systems, propulsion and layout intent steady. Buyers comparing builds will find that differences show in glazing, aft fitout, and interior trim choice.

Mk1 (2019–2021)

The original hulls carried split-glass glazing with visible mullions, tubular flybridge rails and a saloon-galley link that stayed open by default. Decks used warmer tones and traditional fixed furniture. The cockpit followed a standard layout with a hand-crafted teak table, and the sunpad aft of the flybridge was fixed. Crew could move between helm and galley zones via side doors. Mk1 interiors ran the Princess look of the late 2010s: simpler forms, matte woodwork, and direct storage fitout. These hulls now appeal for known layout, proven spec and classic resale.

Buying a New Y85

The Princess Y85 remains in active build at the yard in Plymouth. Buyers can start with a blank brief by buying a new Princess Y85 yacht or opt for shorter timelines via the stock yachts pool, choosing from layouts already in progress.

Production & Build Process

Each Y85 is part of a limited production run that follows a semi-custom path. Buyers meet the design team early and remain involved at key stages. Most visit the yard at least twice, once during fit-out and again before sea trials. The timeline from contract to delivery usually spans 18 to 24 months depending on slot availability and custom scope.

Layouts & Interior Choices

Two cockpit arrangements shape how guests use the aft deck. One has fixed seating and a central table while the newer 'infinity cockpit' features glazed aft rails, sliding seats, and a height-adjustable table. Inside, the main deck can be run as open-plan or closed galley thanks to a retractable divider. Lower deck accommodation stays consistent with four ensuite cabins, but owners can tweak finishes, lighting tones, and storage elements. The master stateroom shows the biggest leap in the mk2 era, gaining extra light and a softer palette drawn from the Y Class update.

Key Options & Upgrades

Several upgrades shape how the yacht behaves in port and underway, as well as its resale strength.

• Hydraulic fin or gyro stabilisation for roll reduction at anchor and speed.
• Tropical-spec chilled water air-conditioning rated to 40°C ambient heat.
• Hardtop variants for the flybridge with louvred or open designs.
• Infinity cockpit with sliding seat tracks and adjustable-height table.
• Galley privacy panel and door for flexible crew use and owner privacy.

Most extras can be specified during early build stages, with some like air-con and stabilisers best chosen at contract to avoid later retrofit costs. Soft fit or AV systems can follow later.

Delivery & After-Sales

Handover takes place after sea trials, snag checks, and acceptance. Each new Y85 comes with a factory warranty and access to Princess Lifeline, a 24/7 global support service. Dealer networks offer local contact during ownership. The yard also maintains supply of parts for earlier models and supports upgrades where viable.

Building new gives buyers a calm path to shape their yacht from the start, knowing it will fit how they cruise. For those eager to step aboard sooner, lightly used stock from recent builds remains a sound alternative.

Buying a Used Y85

Pre-owned Princess Y85s often trade alongside current builds, giving buyers a faster route afloat with solid long-term support when records are clear. With few major layout changes between early and later hulls, the core experience stays consistent, especially on well-kept yachts that show a clean refit and care history. Browse the active Princess Y85 yachts for sale and check the facts, photos, and build notes for each hull.

What to Look For

• Maintenance history: match engine and generator hours with yard service intervals.
• Refit record: confirm any major works such as paint, teak, or stabiliser upgrades through dated invoices.
• Survey evidence: review hull and system reports, and ask for oil or coolant analysis if available.
• Equipment fit: stabilisers, thrusters, or upgraded navigation suites add comfort and resale weight.

Buyers should weigh use and upkeep together - a well-run hull with full logs and steady hours often proves more reliable than a lower-mileage example left idle between seasons. 

The Y85 was drawn to run fast in short bursts or hold a steady cruise over long distances. Its deep-V hull comes from Olesinski and was shaped for grip, range, and comfort. Buyers use it for coastal runs and longer crossings. 

Engine Options & Specifications

Sea trial notes confirm that the Y85 rides quietly with strong grip and good trim across a range of speeds. In a quartering sea it tracked well with little helm correction, and there was minimal vibration even when pushing above cruising speed. The flybridge remains usable underway, and guests reported calm movement throughout. At the helm, Böning digital switching gives clear oversight, and thruster control aids docking. The engine room, reached from a cockpit hatch, gives over 6ft of headroom with direct reach to all service points. Twin Onan gensets, a Spot Zero water filtration system and Dometic chiller units are laid out cleanly and leave space to work. Later hulls can take a station-keeping mode that links engines and thrusters to hold the yacht in place by GPS. It helps with short waits outside marinas or bridges.

Survey Hot Spots

• Inspect heat shielding and surface wear around exhaust elbows.
• Check shaft seal condition and alignment logs.
• Review coolant and oil sampling if over 500 hours.
• Test stabiliser fin movement and review firmware versions.
• Confirm genset hours and service dates.
• Some owners report light sun fade on the window caulking after a few seasons
• Yachts that anchor often may need windlass motor service or change sooner than light-use boats.

The Y85 is a crew-run yacht with 3-4 crew as the norm. The layout supports them with a separate crew space aft, a side door into the galley, and clear steps between decks. Newer builds include updated digital switching and helm displays that help the crew keep checks simple and stay ahead of routine jobs.

Crew Structure

• Captain: runs passage plans, navigation, berthing, and all safety work from upper and lower helms with clear sightlines.
• Engineer: handles engines, generators, stabilisers, air systems and daily checks in an engine room with good headroom and clean access around major units.
• Deckhand: manages lines, washdown, tender moves, and all deck care.
• Stewardess: looks after cabins, service, laundry, and guest flow from the saloon and galley areas.

The twin helm stations use Garmin displays and Böning digital switching for clear oversight of pumps, tanks, power, and alarms. Thrusters help with slow moves, and the deep-V hull keeps a steady line on longer runs. Crew can reach the engine room directly from the aft door or from the side deck through the galley, which helps during busy days. The galley can be closed off with a panel and door so crew can work in privacy when guests are forward.

Legal and Operational Notes

At 26.2m / 86ft the Y85 is below heavy regulation, but owners should keep to the core rules below.

• Carry correct flag papers, radio licences, and safety kit for the cruising region.
• Anchoring limits apply in protected zones and seagrass areas in the Mediterranean.
• Follow grey and black water rules and use holding tanks where local limits apply.
• Keep crew rest hours and manning levels within accepted norms even when not coded for charter.
• Consult local agents for harbour entry rules, berth bookings, and movement notices in busy ports.

These cost ranges are industry figures taken from published budgets for 20-30m motor yachts with full-time crew. They match what owners typically spend across this size class, and they provide a good benchmark when planning for a Princess Y85.

• Annual running costs for a 30m yacht are often €300,000-€500,000 according to leading yacht-management firms.
• Several management and brokerage sources note that total yearly spend for larger motor yachts generally sits at 10-15% of the yacht’s value, depending on use.
• Crew salaries often account for 30-50% of total operating cost.
• Fuel typically represents 15-25%

New builds spend less in the first two years thanks to warranty coverage and planned service support. As yachts age, wear items like stabilisers, chillers, or coatings need closer tracking. Fuel costs link to engine hours and cruising speed: at slower trim, the Y85 stretches its range, but fast runs between islands raise burn.  

Refit Planning & Yard Rhythm

Insurance and flag choice set the framework for where the yacht can cruise and how simple the paperwork stays over time. New builds move through these steps with fewer checks because all records, surveys, and builder documents come straight from the yard.

• Hull & Machinery: covers the yacht, its structure, and major systems, with survey steps set by the insurer and the flag.
• Protection & Indemnity (P&I): covers third-party claims, crew matters, and pollution.
• Add-ons: cover tenders, toys, navigation changes, and named-storm exposure when the yacht moves between regions.

Flag Choice and Registry

Most owners choose clear and well-recognised private registers such as the Red Ensign Group, Malta, or the Marshall Islands. These flags offer stable survey paths and broad port acceptance. A new Y85 can join any of these registers with private status and does not need commercial coding unless used for charter. Registry defines the safety kit, radio licences, and survey rhythm that the captain keeps up to date.

VAT and Ownership Structure

VAT depends on where the yacht is delivered and where it cruises. An EU-delivered yacht attracts local VAT, while non-EU owners can use Temporary Admission for seasonal Med cruising, limited to eighteen months before exit and re-entry. Some owners set up a simple company or SPV to hold the yacht, which keeps accounts clean and helps with resale. These structures do not change how the yacht runs but help keep documents and tax records in order.

Charter Potential

Most owners use charter as a way to offset cost rather than as a core business. The yacht’s size and layout make light charter workable without a full commercial crew model. Coding brings survey checks, added safety kit, and working rules for crew rest and drills. Most coded yachts operate in the Med or the Caribbean where support, inspection, and agent networks are well established. A Y85 used for charter must meet LY3 rules due to its length over 24 metres. Private use stays under lighter rules.

Clear documents, up-to-date surveys, and steady service records keep insurance smooth and help the yacht move between regions without delay. They also support long-term resale by giving future owners a full view of the yacht’s history.

The Y85 has remained active on the brokerage scene since its launch. You can view current listings in the Y85 Yachts for Sale section, where live asking data and photos update in real time.

How the Y85 Trades

Across the fleet, the yachts that attract real buyers are the ones priced in line with recent movement on the current price gauges. These show how each yacht sits within the wider spread and how upgrades, hours, or refit work pull it up or down. The graphs point to a measured market where condition and history drive interest more than the build year.

The data is drawn from verified YachtBuyer Market Watch records of sold Y85s. It is best read alongside the live Princess Y85 Prices and the relative price position so buyers can see how each listing aligns with real trades.

Historic Market Overview

The long-view resale story on the Y85 is clear in the historic graphs. Early listings show a quick settling phase followed by a long period of tight movement as the market found its level. Mk1 and Mk2 yachts each follow their own curve but share the same broad pattern of a first correction and later stability.

• Historic Prices – All Yachts: a three-year trend that shows an early softening followed by a steady band where most sales sit.
• Historic Prices – Mk1 and Mk2: Mk1 yachts follow a smooth, even line once settled, while Mk2 yachts start higher and take time to form a clear cluster as more examples enter the fleet.

Brand strength and consistent build quality help the Y85 hold its place in resale. Buyers can use the YachtBuyer database to track each listing’s position in the wider market and see how values shift over time.

The Y85 sits in the busy 80–90 ft planing class where buyers look at space, crew flow, hull feel, and support networks before price. It is compared with British, Italian, and niche builders that take different routes in structure, accommodation, and long-term upkeep. You can read deeper notes in Y85 Rivals and Head-to-Heads.

Princess Y85 vs Pearl 82

The Pearl 82 costs less and sits on a shorter hull with a lighter structure. It uses a full-beam main-deck cabin to gain impact at the dock, and it leans on sharp décor by Kelly Hoppen. The Y85 holds a deeper bilge, a heavier resin-infused hull, and larger crew space aft. Pearl suits buyers who want strong pace and bold design from a small-volume yard. The Y85 suits those who want a wider service net, more storage, and a calmer, more practical main deck.

Princess Y85 vs Sunseeker 88 Yacht

The Sunseeker 88 Yacht from the UK matches the Y85 on length and role. It runs on a deep-V hull and steps up to power that yields similar peak speed. The latest 88 adds a main-deck cabin that shifts volume from the salon, while the Y85 keeps a full-beam lower-deck cabin buffered from machinery by wardrobe and head space. Sunseeker leans toward open social areas and a sport-led image. Princess builds a heavier, quieter hull with more closed crew routes and a more even trim across the speed band. This gives the Y85 a steadier feel and simpler crew flow on long trips.

Princess Y85 vs Ferretti 860

The Italian Ferretti 860 is above the Y85 on interior scale and glazing. It uses wide saloon windows, heavy joinery, and a high-volume hull. It also carries a flybridge and beach-club plan that leans toward long indoor days rather than short hops. Buyers gain more room and Italian styling but carry higher upkeep on fabrics, deck gear, and soft goods. The Y85 trades that scale for a stronger balance of weight, trim, and running range, plus a simpler GRP structure with easier survey access and a wider dealer network.

A buyer’s broker checks facts from the first look through to handover and keeps the deal on a steady course. They read the detail, test claims against records, and make sure that yard promises and listing notes line up with what stands on the quay. They guide buyers who want a new build and those who look for a clean used hull, and they keep the pace of the search calm and ordered.

For a new build, the broker helps buyers find an open slot, confirm the yard schedule, and shape the build sheet. They read option lists, compare them with past hulls, and give clear notes on how each choice may shape weight, upkeep, and later resale. They check contract terms and follow build reports so that shifts in layout or supply do not catch the buyer by surprise. They also track how any change may affect the builder warranty.

For a used yacht, the broker checks the hull number, the ownership record, and the yard and engine logs. They read refit notes and match them with invoices and date stamps. They plan the survey and sea trial and give straight advice on the shape of the machinery and the hours on the engines. They guide buyers toward fair numbers that reflect age, work done, and gear fitted, all grounded in the patterns shown in the research dossier.

A broker also shapes the offer, checks the legal chain, and steers the deal to a clean close. They help the buyer set up crew, find a berth, and sort flag, registry, and insurance steps once the sale is done. Tools such as YachtBuyerPRO and verified sale records let them compare build years, engine hours, and refit scope across the fleet so the buyer acts on hard evidence instead of guesswork. A buyer’s broker who holds that data gives clear value from first call to final handover.

Each Princess Y85 has a clear record of how it has been used, kept, and updated. When buyers see that story early, it becomes easier to judge work done, plan the next steps, and choose between new orders and used listings with a steady view of real condition.

YachtBuyer gathers firm data and sets it out in a way that helps buyers check what matters: build facts, live market patterns, research-led listings, and direct comparison tools. These give readers a sound base for weighing layouts, yard updates, and long-term care patterns drawn from the research dossier.

Readers can read our YachtBuyer Princess Y85 Review and all Video Yacht Tours & Walkthroughs to see how space flows and how the yacht works in practice before arranging a visit. Clear research leads to sure choices, whether the yacht is new at the yard or already cruising.