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Prestige 520 Fly

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Cannook, Aug 20, 2020.

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  1. Cannook, Aug 20, 2020
    #1
    Cannook

    Cannook New Member

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    Is this a suitable boat for a couple to island hop the Caribbean chain? From Grand Bahama to St Lucia.
  2. olderboater, Aug 20, 2020
    #2
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    You're just going to get our opinions and in my opinion. it is not. Fine for the Bahamas but it's range and seaworthiness from there to the Caribbean is lacking. Now, part of being suitable also depends on the operator's experience. If a very experienced captain and willing to wait a lot for windows, then might be ok.

    At cruise, that boat only has a range of 212 nm. It's really a coastal boat.
  3. Cannook, Aug 20, 2020
    #3
    Cannook

    Cannook New Member

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    I appreciate your reply. Looking at taking small hops and anything over 175 miles I would be filling up the ferry bag or bags. Weather would be considered each and every day. Stay safe Stay healthy
  4. NYCAP123, Aug 20, 2020
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    It's not just the 175 nm to consider. It's also do you want to fuel up at every stop and your safety margin (1/3 out, 1/3 back and 1/3 for safety). That makes your safe cruising range 141nm.
  5. Cannook, Aug 20, 2020
    #5
    Cannook

    Cannook New Member

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    My flying has taught me that you can never have enough runway in front of you. altitude below you or fuel in the tanks. Perhaps I will need to revisit my list. Thank you
  6. f3504x4ps, Aug 20, 2020
    #6
    f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    The Prestige line. Are very light weight boats, not built that well. I looked at the 520 and the 560 really hard. The 560 I was on had a lot of the panels off as the dealer was installing extra 120v outlets and a few additional 12v outlets, It just was not put together that well. The Volvo IPS drives will give you issue with water intrusion into the drive and a costly repair (520 series) (560 series has Merc/cummins) Their a price point boat. I see them around and have a great lay out. As I said we looked very hard at them.
  7. olderboater, Aug 20, 2020
    #7
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    And how would you intend to go from the Bahamas to the Virgin Islands? You planning on carrying bladders or drums all the time? If you have to regularly, it's the wrong boat and it's not as seaworthy as I would want there. It's a CAT B lightly loaded and a C fully loaded.
  8. Pascal, Aug 20, 2020
    #8
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Great boat for the Bahamas but not for the Caribbean. Range for one as others have mentioned but also handling in open waters.

    the crossing between the Turks n Caicos and the DR is long and often rough. Then from the DR thru the Mona passage and along PR is rough too. Then after that from BVI to St Maarten it’s typically 6+ footers in the nose. After St Maarten it s a little easier as you can run in the lee of the islands but still have to deal with occasional rough stretches in between.

    far from ideal for such a boat.

    also, you really want a stabilized boat for that trip. Not sure if there is room on the prestige.
  9. Cannook, Aug 20, 2020
    #9
    Cannook

    Cannook New Member

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    Thanks again for your thoughts. I had planned a 'meandering route' over the winter that is within the range but your comments are welcomed. The reason I asked to begin with is the 'questionable' build to the Prestige.
    Pascal= Thanks for the input