The luxury yachting world is witnessing a significant shift toward the efficiency and volume offered by multi-hull designs, and Prestige is leading this charge with its evolved flagship. In this comprehensive review, based on the expert insights and first-hand testing provided by the renowned Motor Boat & Yachting YouTube channel, we dive deep into the Prestige M8 Evo. This evolved version of the original M8 represents a meticulous overhaul designed to maximize space, refine aesthetics, and enhance the social experience on the water.
The first thing that strikes you about the Prestige M8 Evo is its commanding presence. With a beam of 29 feet—accounting for a staggering 45% of its 65-foot overall length—it possesses the footprint of a much larger vessel. The styling has been subtly reinterpreted for the Evo version, featuring a stooping shear line and long, tinted hull windows that lend the boat a sleek, almost sexy profile that is often difficult to achieve in beamy power catamarans.
Smart Stern Design and a More Open Flybridge
At the stern, the yacht features a versatile platform arrangement. Two fixed outboard platforms flank a central high-low platform capable of handling a 500-kilogram tender, such as a Williams 360 or 395. When the tender is launched, this central section can be raised to cockpit level, extending the living area and creating a beach club feel with a glass balustrade that opens up the space for diving or lounging. Beneath this deck lies an expansive storage locker for toys, paddleboards, and fenders, accessible via a deck hatch or by lowering the aft platform.
One of the most significant changes in the M8 Evo is the removal of the internal staircase leading to the flybridge. By making the flybridge accessible only from the aft cockpit, Prestige has reclaimed valuable real estate in both the main saloon and on the upper deck itself. This full beam flybridge is now an enormous, configurable space featuring freestanding furniture that allows owners to tailor the layout to their specific needs.
The flybridge serves as the primary social hub, boasting a massive L-shaped galley—or more accurately, a full outdoor kitchen—equipped with a grill, refrigeration, ice makers, and a social bar area with stools. Centrally located on this deck is the upper helm, which features massive 22-inch multi-function displays (MFDs) and offers a commanding view of the surroundings.
Owner’s Suite Volume and Flexible Guest Accommodation
The true wow factor of the M8 Evo is found in the owner’s cabin. Located forward and spanning the full 29-foot beam of the yacht, it offers a level of volume typically reserved for 80- to 90-foot monohulls. The cabin features exceptional headroom of approximately 6'10, large windows that flood the space with light, and premium detailing such as stitched leather.
The suite is intelligently partitioned with glass doors that maintain a sense of openness while providing privacy for the spa-style shower room, which includes rain showers and a seat. For guests, the hulls offer flexible configurations, including up to four ensuite cabins with transverse beds that face large hull windows, ensuring every guest enjoys a view of the sea.
Performance, Range, and Pricing
The M8 Evo is powered exclusively by a pair of MAN I6 730 engines. These 12.4-liter blocks are purposely unstressed, offering a refined and quiet cruising experience. At a 10-knot cruise, noise levels in the saloon remain at a conversational 57 decibels, increasing to only around 66 decibels at a top speed of 21 knots.
Efficiency is a hallmark of this power cat. It carries 3,700 liters of fuel, providing a range of 1,500 miles at 6 knots. Even at higher speeds, such as 10 knots, the range remains a respectable 600 miles, making it a true long-legged cruiser. The inherent stability of the catamaran design means the boat stays remarkably flat during turns and while at anchor, a feature that tea and coffee drinkers will particularly appreciate as cups stay put on surfaces even while underway.
While the Prestige M8 Evo is technically a 65-foot boat, its intelligent use of volume and massive beam allows it to compete with 85-foot yachts in terms of livability. This is reflected in its pricing, which sits between the two size categories. Starting at approximately €4.8 million plus tax, a well-specified model like the one tested reaches closer to €7 million.
For the modern boater who prioritizes sociability, volume, and stability over raw speed or the traditional sexy lines of a monohull, the M8 Evo is a compelling flagship that proves why power catamarans are becoming the new standard for luxury at sea.
Photo: Screenshot/Motor Boat & Yachting
