Privilege 510 Information, Review, Specs

The Privilege 510, often referred to as the Signature 510, began its production in 2020, marking a new chapter for the Privilege brand. This model succeeded the Privilege Series 5, which was rebranded as the 510. The Privilege brand itself has a rich history, originating from Jeantot Marine in 1985, founded by celebrated French single-handed sailor Philippe Jeantot. His initial motivation was to create a robust, comfortable, and secure cruising catamaran for his own family, a vision that has remained central to the brand's ethos. While Privilege has seen several corporate transitions, including a period under the HanseYachts Group and now the PPF Group, the commitment to high-quality, luxurious bluewater catamarans has endured.

The design of the Privilege 510 benefits from decades of collaboration between Privilege and Marc Lombard Design, a firm with a strong background in offshore racing. Lombard's philosophy for contemporary Privilege models like the 510 and 580 has been to evolve the core principles of functional and elegant design, ensuring both impressive performance and unique livability. The builder's enduring ethos emphasizes robust construction, comfortable interiors, and exceptional stability, crafting yachts that offer opulent living spaces coupled with the robust performance required for extensive offshore passages.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a large cruising catamaran, the Privilege 510 is engineered for comfortable and capable bluewater passages rather than outright racing performance. With an overall length of 56.07 feet and a waterline length of 49.64 feet, she boasts a generous beam of 26.18 feet, contributing significantly to her inherent stability. Her lightship displacement is 37,037 lbs, indicating a substantial vessel built for solidity and comfort. The hull design, featuring rounded hulls with chines above the waterline, is meticulously crafted to ensure superb stability and comfort even in challenging conditions.

Equipped with a fractional sloop rig and a reported sail area of 1517.71 square feet (combining main and genoa), the Privilege 510 is designed to be easily handled by a cruising couple or family. The twin rudder configuration offers precise steering control, while the twin keel design provides good tracking and reduced draft (5.15 feet) compared to monohulls of similar size, allowing access to shallower anchorages. Owners and reviewers consistently praise its excellent sailing characteristics for liveaboard cruising, with anecdotal evidence suggesting its capability for long-distance voyages, such as sailing over 9,200 nautical miles in 12 months. Her estimated hull speed of 9.44 knots further underscores her potential for efficient passage-making.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Privilege 510 is designed for luxurious and comfortable living, reflecting its status as a high-end bluewater cruiser. The design, spearheaded by interior designer Franck Darnet, focuses on maximizing living space and providing sumptuous comforts. A signature feature of Privilege catamarans, and particularly prominent on the 510, is the expansive owner's suite. This master cabin spans the full beam of the forward nacelle, offering an unparalleled sense of space and often includes a private companionway from the saloon.

The Privilege 510 is typically configured with three or four cabins, with a popular "liveaboard version" featuring a three-cabin layout, all designed with generous proportions. The salon is spacious and bright, providing panoramic views, while the galley is well-appointed for extended cruising. The use of high-quality materials and exquisite finishes throughout is a hallmark of the Privilege brand, contributing to a refined ownership experience. Storage is ample, a critical consideration for long-term cruising, and ventilation is carefully considered to ensure comfort in diverse climates. The interior layout is crafted to support a bespoke cruising experience, ensuring unparalleled comfort and personalized luxury for owners.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Privilege 510 consistently laud its solid construction and comfortable motion in a seaway, attributes deeply rooted in the brand's founding philosophy of prioritizing strength and security for extended voyages. The spacious and luxurious accommodations, particularly the full-beam owner's suite, are frequently highlighted as a major strength, providing an exceptional living experience offshore. The catamaran's impressive stability and overall capability for bluewater cruising are also common points of praise, reassuring owners who embark on long-distance adventures. While specific common problems were not readily available in public reviews, the general consensus reinforces the Privilege 510's reputation as a well-built, highly capable, and exquisitely comfortable platform for global exploration.