The Princess Yachts V40 2017 vs Princess Yachts V42 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princess Yachts V40 2017 at 42,6 ft versus Princess Yachts V42 2009 at 42,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princess Yachts V40 2017 tips the scales at 21 147 lbs — 733 lbs more than the Princess Yachts V42 2009 at 20 414 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 370 hp, the Princess Yachts V42 2009 has a 40-hp advantage over the Princess Yachts V40 2017's 330-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princess Yachts V42 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Princess Yachts V40 2017 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princess Yachts V42 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princess Yachts V42 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 42,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princess Yachts V40 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.