The Princess Yachts V40 2017 vs Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 measures 52,7 feet overall (2020), giving it roughly 10,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princess Yachts V40 2017 at 42,6 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 tips the scales at 40 199 lbs — 19 052 lbs less than the Princess Yachts V40 2017 at 21 147 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 650 hp, the Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 has a 320-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princess Yachts V40 2017 carries 139 gallons versus 41 gallons in the Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 is rated for 16 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 V50 Open 2020 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 52,7 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.