Six years ago, Prestige loaned the Power & Motoryacht team their 46-foot flybridge model for an entire summer so we could truly test the boat and learn what the brand was all about. Time is a funny thing—six years can feel like a blink, yet in other ways, it seems like a lifetime ago. That was before I had kids, when I wouldn’t think twice about loading up a boat with gear and colleagues and blasting off to Block Island or the Vineyard for a week.
In hindsight, that summer aboard the Prestige 46 was the punctuation mark on a particular slice of life. The following year brought both a pandemic and my eldest son, Connor—and all the responsibilities that come with parenthood. A lot has changed since that summer.
Climbing aboard the new Prestige F4.3—which replaces the 420 and bears a striking resemblance to the 460—I realized that the perennially popular model line from Prestige has changed quite a bit, too.
The biggest difference is immediately noticeable when you step into the cockpit. Gone is the traditional sliding door, replaced by a large flip-up window and a slim bartop that seamlessly blends the cockpit and galley into a single, social space. The doors to the salon are now positioned to port and starboard—a functional layout that has the added benefit of incredible airflow when both doors and the aft window are open.
On the old 46, it was common for everyone to gather around the aft galley or grill to chat while meals were prepared. Prestige must have understood this, because the updated layout—with the galley now facing aft—allows the chef or sandwich maker to work while enjoying the company of their friends and the view of the water. It’s a smart improvement that reflects how the owners of the previous 200-plus 420s actually used their boats.
The next change I noticed right away was the boat’s exterior lines. Still easily recognizable as a Prestige, the 4.3 now sports a sleeker, sportier profile and hullside windows that give it a more American look.
According to the team at Prestige, as their entry-level flybridge model, the 4.3—again like the 420 before it—is attracting a lot of younger boaters who are transitioning from dayboating to longer cruising. This is where the 4.3 (and its predecessor) really shines. The master stateroom amidships and the forward VIP cabin are bright, spacious, and comfortable. If you need to accommodate extra guests in a pinch, the salon table lowers to create a bed that can easily sleep two. I spent countless nights on that spot aboard the 46 and can personally attest to its amenability.
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Taking the helm on Italy’s Gulf of Trieste, a familiar sense of déjà vu greeted me. But unlike yours truly, the 4.3 has gotten faster and more agile with age. She carved turns like a banking eagle and glided smoothly to a top speed of over 30 knots—even with nearly 10 people aboard—without needing to stretch first. This boat is simply a blast to drive, especially from the upper helm with the optional hardtop. If the weather isn’t cooperating or you’re docking, the lower helm is exceptionally comfortable and offers excellent sightlines.
What my experience with Prestige has taught me is that these boats are proper yachts: well-built, stylish, and thoughtfully outfitted with quality fabrics and hardware. But they’re also fun boats, designed for how Americans actually use them—grilling hot dogs, lounging in wet bathing suits, soaking up the sun, and having cold drinks close at hand. With the 4.3, those traits have only improved. The materials and lighting now feel even more yacht-like, without giving off the impression that you’re aboard a floating museum.
Nostalgic as I can be, the Prestige 4.3 reminds me that some things really do get better with age.
Prestige F4.3 Specifications:
LOA: 42’8”
Beam: 13’6”
Draft: 3’10”
Fuel: 309 gal.
Water: 87 gal.
Power: 2/440-hp Volvo Penta D6 w/V-Drive
This article originally appeared in the October 2025 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
