Stuff doesn’t test boats, but as the Princess R35 is billed as the ideal billionaire millennial’s plaything…

From £535,000 / stuff.tv/R35

■ The average yacht owner is 15 years younger than in 2000, and 20% of the top 100 billionaires are under 50. So because ‘self-made millennials’ want adventures with instant gratification, the Princess R35 could be riding the crest of a wave with its Active Foiling System.

■ This automatically deploys two feet under the hull when you reach 15 knots. Making 100 calculations per second, they act as a stability control – stopping the R35 from rising out of the water, making it easier to drive and more comfy in the back.

■ Stability is important if you want to attract inexperienced younger customers… and crucial if you’re going to allow an amateur from Stuff to take it for a spin around the Cote d’Azur. The R35 is so easy to manoeuvre it feels like it’s riding around on rails, and takes me back to playing Wave Race 64 on the N64.

■ The looks are more supercar than river barge thanks to a potent mix of Pininfarina design, tech adapted from Ben Ainslie’s catamaran, and an ex-McLaren MD in charge. It’s made almost entirely from carbon fibre.

■ And it’s rapid. Select Comfort or Sport mode from the giant touchscreen, floor the throttle and peacock around the coast like you’re Daniel Craig, occasionally administering the lightest of touches to the wheel and trying not to think about the fuel bill.

Tech specs

Engines Twin 6.2L 430hp Volvo V8s Top speed 50 knots Length 35ft Infotainment Twin 17in Garmin touchscreens, Naim/Focal audio system

■ Garmin to my parlour

The uncluttered dash is fitted with twin 17in Garmin touchscreens displaying engine management data, Active Foiling System status and more. Everything on board, from the air-con to the mood lighting, can be controlled here.

■ Naim that tune

Tucked below deck is a Naim Uniti hi-fi paired with waterproof Focal speakers. You can even get an ultra-wide display connected to an HD camera with infra-red in the bow, so passengers can see the boat being attacked by sharks.

STUFF SAYS Buy a Lotto ticket now – your winnings couldn’t be better spent ★★★★★

Messing about in boats is a young man’s game these days

James Day