The music was powerful and happy. The vibe was positive. It felt like a house party. Nearly 15 people milled about the Pearl 82’s flybridge, with room for a couple dozen more. The area seemed large enough to accommodate a pickleball court. Maybe it is? Heck, it had space for two people at the helm, a sun pad aft to starboard for several more, a hot tub for six, U-shaped seating around a table to starboard, and L-shaped seating with a table to port for another 10 or so—with both seating spaces under the retractable hardtop. There’s also a grill, a fridge and loose seating aft.
Our sizable crew was jetting off Cannes, France, to wring out this builder’s 82-foot raised-pilothouse yacht, which fills out a four-model lineup ranging from 62 to 95 feet length overall. I found this yacht to be memorable for several reasons beyond the impressive flybridge layout.
For example, there is the on-deck owner’s stateroom, part of a five-stateroom layout for the Pearl 82. An on-deck primary stateroom is quite the design feat in an 82-foot vessel. Entering from the salon via a door to starboard, there is a corridor with a vanity/desk to prep for an evening ashore or to set up the laptop for work. It’s a relaxed, quiet cutout, set away from the rest of the stateroom. Two steps down, the space seemingly opens to the outside, because it kind of does. Extensive glazing flanks the space, with curved glass forward and above. Sliding doors framed in gleaming stainless steel provide access to the foredeck, which is up three steps from the stateroom. The perceived volume made everyone on board go wide-eyed.
The stateroom, however, doesn’t just appear large. It actually is. A few people could easily walk around the king-size berth with room to spare. To port is not one, but two settees, with stowage to starboard. There’s also a walk-in closet and en suite head. Indirect lighting is abundant, adding an elegant element to the space and accenting the Kelly Hoppen Indulgence interior scheme that blends high-gloss and satin finishes with black, white and gray tones. The result is a luxe yet relaxed sensation.
There are three other interior options called Luxury, Modern and Monochrome, giving owners the ability to personalize the 82’s interior. The Luxury interior is notable for its high-gloss walnut veneer paneling, matte sole finishes, polished nickel and handcrafted marble details, according to the builder. Some of the Modern highlights include ribbed bulkheads and suede bands on the cushions. Last, as one might expect, the Monochrome option focuses on black, white and shades of gray.
Four equally well-appointed guest staterooms are belowdecks. Two mirrored double-berth VIP staterooms with en suite heads are amidships and set athwartships. En suite twin-berth staterooms are forward. Cabins aft accommodate three crew.
The salon hits the senses in equal measure to the master stateroom. Sole-to-ceiling glass surrounds the main deck, and furniture placement defines the social spaces in the open layout. The boutique yacht builder refers to this as a glass-house design.
Immediately upon entering the salon from the cockpit, two leather chairs and a low-back, L-shaped settee to port create a space for cocktails and conversation. The area feels larger, compliments of the ambient light passing through the glass as well as the indirect lighting encompassing the perimeter of the mirrored ceiling above it. There is formal dining for eight guests forward, and the superstructure glass as well as glass in the bulwarks allow for unobstructed ocean vistas.
More space for casual conversation and cocktails is at the three-seat bar on centerline forward of the dining table. The galley, accessed to port, can be closed off from the salon. Miele appliances include a four-burner cooktop, microwave, convection oven and espresso machine.
Outside spaces have the same entertainment focus as the salon, and the main deck has two layout options dubbed Riviera and Veranda. This Pearl 82 had the Riviera layout, which includes a sun pad aft over the tender garage with a settee and table forward. The Veranda option swaps out the sun pad and has two settees facing each other across a teak table. In both layouts, the bulwarks fold out, increasing cockpit real estate.
The foredeck is set up with a U-shaped lounge around a table with adjustable sun pads for four or more people. Between the sun pads is a lounge that also serves as extra seating around the table.
All of the yacht’s exterior areas are, in a word, versatile—also an apt description of the power choices for the Pearl 82. There are three powerplant options, all from MAN: 1,650, 1,800 or 2,000 hp diesels.
This Pearl 82 had the largest option. With these engines, the builder quotes a top-end speed of around 32 knots. During my time on board, the yacht was fully loaded with fuel, water, charter provisions and 15 people, so the best speed we saw was 26.5 knots at 2,200 rpm with a fuel burn of around 204 gallons per hour. At 1,850 rpm, cruise speed was 20 knots, and fuel burn was 138 gph for a range of 233 nautical miles from the 1,611-gallon fuel tank, sans reserve. A 2,000 rpm cruise speed was 23 knots at 166 gph.
A heavy load reduces speed and efficiency, but the builder’s own data shows that with five people and the yacht at half-load at 2,300 rpm, the 82 hit 30.7 knots while the diesels burned 208 gph. There was a 24.5-knot cruise at 2,000 rpm with a 141 gph fuel burn. Humphree Interceptors were engaged during my time aboard and for the builder’s runs.
I sat back for a moment as we cruised along and observed the others on board as they soaked up the yacht’s features and layout. I noted lots of “wows” and pointing at details large and small, with wide grins being common.
There’s a lot that’s impressive about the Pearl Yachts 82, from an exquisite interior look and layout to a striking exterior design. Form meets function at every turn. The builder also offers enough customization to let owners put their stamp on each hull and make it feel like home—or, in this case, like an ultimate home away from home.
Raised Pilothouse
The all-weather raised pilothouse has a single helm seat. This area is just a few steps down from the flybridge and is accessed via a sliding door on centerline. A settee to port serves as companion seating for one or two guests. It’s a welcome arrangement when the weather is less than optimal.
In Style
British designer Kelly Hoppen has enjoyed a four-plus-decade career as an in-demand designer. Hoppen is credited with creating “East Meets West” style, said to be inspired by her travels to Asia. In addition to creating the interiors for all of Pearl’s models, Hoppen has also designed interior schemes for cruise ships, private jets, residences, hotels and more. She’s also known for her outdoor designs and has authored 10 books on design.
Rugged and Ready
The Pearl Yachts 82 is stout with a vacuum-infused fiberglass hull bottom and cored sides. Longitudinal stringers and transverse bulkheads add backbone and rigidity. The yacht’s deck and superstructure are PVC-foam-cored to reduce overall weight. The Pearl 82’s full-load displacement is about 172,842 pounds.
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