Design and Construction
Privilège Marine’s modern construction lineage is based on vacuum-infused GRP sandwich structures with closed-cell PVC foam cores and a vinylester anti-osmosis barrier. The 510 also carries the marque’s signature forward central rostrum pod, which reinforces the longitudinal structure while housing the owner’s suite.
The yard retained its characteristic coachroof arches, which cleverly conceal the forward windows. Compared with the Série 5, the glazed area grew by 30 percent, and continuous strips of glazing now run along the hull. A sleek windscreen wraps around the helm, while more elegant transom handrails finish the deck edges.
The 510 is offered with semi-custom design possibilities, positioning it as a luxury long-range platform rather than a production commodity.
Rig and Handling
The builder describes the 510 as having a balanced rig and an intuitive deck layout that make it easy to handle without a crew. The tested configuration supports that claim, with a large square-top mainsail on a raked-back mast and a useful bowsprit for large reaching and running sails.
The protected helm station offers excellent visibility while remaining connected to the cockpit and life aboard. Circulation around the boat is simple and secure, providing confidence in all conditions.
Multihulls World tested the boat off Les Sables d’Olonne in southwest winds of 20 to 25 knots and a moderate sea. The trial confirmed the 510’s brief as a sea-kindly offshore catamaran. Owners looking for more pace can also specify a range of performance upgrades, from deck gear to sails.
Accommodations
Franck Darnet Design’s new interior gives the saloon a brighter, more open feel. Much larger windows, slimmer mullions, and far less dead area around the mast support all contribute.
The navigation station occupies the aft port side of the saloon. Its layout has been simplified, with fewer key instruments arranged around a large flatscreen, while digital switching replaces the old, extensive switch panel.
The boat can accommodate up to four double cabins. In the three-cabin master-suite version, the owner’s cabin spans the full beam forward of the saloon and gains new, larger hatches and skylights. The builder describes this full-beam owner’s suite in the nacelle as the largest in its category. It also claims generous storage throughout, intended to support genuine autonomy without compromising comfort on extended voyages.
Natural light and carefully selected materials create a warm, refined atmosphere designed to endure.
Known Issues
The main ownership caveat is the digital switching system at the navigation station. Although it simplifies the visual layout by replacing a conventional switch panel, it moves troubleshooting away from traditional marine electrics and creates a reliance on proprietary schematics.
Buyers and owners should understand that routine electrical faults may require specialist software rather than a multimeter and wiring diagram.
The Verdict
The Privilège 510 Signature is a considered evolution of a proven Lombard hull, paired with a brighter, more open Darnet interior. It’s aimed squarely at couples or families planning to circumnavigate without outside crew.
The 510 trades the raw novelty of a clean-sheet design for the reassurance of a tested platform and the polish of a semi-custom luxury catamaran.
Pros
- Established Série 5 hull, informed by 23 predecessor examples
- 30 percent more glazing than the Série 5, with continuous hull windows and a sleeker helm windscreen
- Full-beam forward owner’s suite, described as the largest in its class, with enlarged hatches and skylights
- Balanced rig suited to short-handed sailing, with a square-top mainsail and bowsprit for downwind sails
Cons
- Digital switching complicates traditional electrical diagnosis and requires proprietary tools
- Semi-custom positioning brings the complexity and cost exposure of bespoke systems
