The Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 vs Princess Yachts V55 2018 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 V55 2018 measures 58,5 feet overall (2018), giving it roughly 5,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 at 52,7 feet (2020). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princess Yachts V55 2018 tips the scales at 63 028 lbs — 22 829 lbs less than the Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 at 40 199 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 1 000 hp, the Princess Yachts V55 2018 has a 350-hp advantage over the Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020's 650-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 V55 2018 carries 55 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 V55 2018 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 caps at 16. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princess Yachts V55 2018 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princess Yachts V55 2018 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 58,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princess Yachts V50 Open 2020 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 16 that costs less to run day-to-day.