Duchess Style 2

The second style of Duchess was launched in 1999 under the Duchess 2000 banner.

Once again these were quite radical, Black Prince, with the help of a SMART Fund Innovation Award developed a way the boats could be built almost in kit form, with the metal sections pre fabricated to an identical design with additional sections fitted etc to make up the various size differences offered. This meant that each boats dimensions were much more precise, and in theory near on identical to one another. The fitout was constructed in a similar way to speed up fitout time, lower costs and avoid the differences each hull had needing such a tailored fitout each time.

The roof section was manufactured separately to the cabin sides on the first models built in 1999 & 2000, much as in the blue and yellow years, though the roof join was less pleasing and indiscreet. The company soon reverted to the hulls being purchased as before from respected names including Reeves, Pinder and Pro-Build.

Other changes from the previous Duchess design are windows which no longer had the top hopper section. The full glass section now offered better, clearer views and decent ventilation through the whole window dropping back. Window frames were initially black and changed to gold around 2002. The front doors also make the fleet immediately recognisable. Their wood effect uPVC gives a larger glass area for more light and better views combined with improved security and durability.

“Becky”, a Duchess 2000 built in 1999, note the noticeable roof join from this year of build before reverting to other suppliers & a neater finish again

Duchess 4.2 & 4.3 (Style 2). 58ft 4 berth: Built from 1999 and an amazingly popular Black Prince class. Launched as a modernised version of the already succesfull earlier 60ft version with aft cabin being able to be offered as a double (4.2) or two singles (4.3) by one of the beds moving position. Interior fitout styles have been updated over the years with leather relaxer chairs in more recent years.

Duchess 2.1 (Style 2). 52ft 2/4 berth: These were first built in 2002 to replace the first style of Duchess 2 berths. The layout is on very similar lines with a slightly shorter aft cabin and the updated interior fitout style of all style two Duchess’.

Lautrec 4.2 & 4.3. 62ft 4 berth: Also built from 1999 on similar lines to the Duchess 4 berth above but with a second toilet and four cane or wicker chairs forward with table in place of the dining table & chairs plus two armchairs that the Duchess offers. Initially all named after birds but recently reverting to girls names as with many other current Black Prince craft.

Duchess 6.3 & 6.4 Style 2. (Year 1999 & 2000 build only) 66ft 6/8 berth:
A number of Duchess 6 berths were built over these two years which had a rear layout similar to the Duchess 6 first style (see previous page) but with a galley layout as the Lautrec above and a forward facing ‘L’ shape dinette/double with the central forward door that all 1999 build onwards feature. These all had the seperately made panels described at the top of the page and the noticeable roof join. All were retired by the end of 2003 to make way for a 69ft Duchess 6 berth.

Duchess 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6. 2004 build onwards. 69ft 6/8 berth:
This latest and most flexible Duchess 6 berth. First built for 2004, as a natural progression of the Duchess 6 (66ft) & Elgar classes. Features include a large saloon with ‘U’ shape settee to offer more seating and a huge double berth if used. The sleeping cabins aft can be set up as 3 double (6.3), 2 double and 2 singles (6.4), 1 double and 4 singles (6.5) or all six singles (6.6).

Duchess 8.5 / 8.6. 70ft 8/10 berth:
This biggest Duchess, first built in 2005. A 70ft craft with cruiser stern, with the layout first used in the Countess 8. The forward saloon features two settee/single berths and one of the rear cabins can be configured as either a double or two singles. There are two bathrooms, one with shower.