In the early 1990s, Tom Carroll, now President and CEO of Princess Yachts America, frequently traveled to Europe to explore new opportunities as Executive Vice President of Viking Yacht Company. On one of his trips to the Cannes boat show, Tom was intrigued by an impressive line of motor yachts built by a company named Marine Projects (Marine Projects would later become Princess Yachts Limited). Taken with the quality, style, and design concept of the Princess Yachts he saw, it wasn't long before Tom had met with the company principals and was invited to tour their manufacturing facilities in Plymouth, England. During his time spent in Plymouth, Tom discovered many similarities between this European company and Viking. Managed since its inception by founder David King, Marine Projects was a vertically integrated company that manufactured a majority of components in house and had a hands-on approach to design and manufacturing. Yet, it was a ride in the less than friendly waters of the English Channel that proved to be the convincing factor for Tom that these boats had a future in America if the right partnership could be created. In 1995, the exclusive relationship between Viking and Princess Yachts Limited of Plymouth, England was forged and Viking Sport Cruisers was founded with the goal of bringing this exceptional class of luxury cruising yachts to the American market. Yachts sold as part of this unique strategic alliance carried the Viking Sport Cruisers brand, which was done initially to reinforce that the product was backed by the same solid foundation of customer service and attention to detail for which the Viking Yacht Company had come to be known. Beyond the brand, both Viking and Princess recognized early on that significant changes to design, engineering, systems, and even interior decor were needed to develop a yacht that would appeal to the American market. This meant redesigning interiors with more spacious accommodations. Appliances that carried a brand recognized for service and quality in America were shipped to Plymouth for installation on yachts in build. Interior decorators were hired to create an ambiance that American buyers would favor. Refrigeration was increased to accommodate extended cruising and air conditioning and generator system specifications were upgraded to counter the hotter climates of Florida and the Caribbean. Engine rooms were reconfigured to accept more horsepower to satisfy the performance requirements and speeds expected in what was becoming an emerging market for European styled cruising yachts in America. Electrical systems were designed from the ground up for 120/240V 60 Hz service to ensure each yacht could handle the increased loads required for safe operation of all systems and components installed on board. A lot has changed since the first yacht built for Viking Sport Cruisers was produced in 1996. Models that have been introduced since then have not been simply redesigned or modified to meet the needs of the American market, rather, they have been designed from the start to incorporate the wants and desires of our growing customer base. Princess Yachts Limited has continued to make significant investments in new facilities, engineering, design, materials, and production techniques in order to continue to improve quality and consistency in each yacht they produce while allowing new models to be introduced to the market more frequently. This continual reinvestment has helped Princess develop a solid companywide infrastructure, expanding capabilities to build a worldwide reputation firmly founded on quality, craftsmanship, and technological advancement with an unparalleled focus on efficiency to deliver remarkable value in every yacht produced. In 2008, Princess became part of the exquisite LVMH family of luxury brands, which includes over 60 of the world's pinnacle companies best known for uncompromising quality. Some of these brands include Louis Vuitton, De Beers, Fendi, Moet Hennessy, and the Feadship Yacht brand acquired by LVMH later in 2008. In addition, the introduction in 2009 of the M Class range of yachts with initial offerings in the 32 meter (105') and 40 meter (132') range moved Princess into a new market with world-renowned super yacht builders. In 2010, Viking Sport Cruisers and Princess Yachts Limited announced that, beginning with the 2011 model year, yachts built for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean would be branded as Princess, with Viking Sport Cruisers continuing as the sole distributor for these markets and providing the critical sales and service support for customers through its extensive network of dealers while maintaining the same high level of spare parts inventory in its New Gretna, New Jersey facility. This decision was made with a mutual recognition of the benefits of both companies working together to build a global brand, while acknowledging the foundation of success of Viking Sport Cruisers in its approach to unparalleled support behind the product. As part of our continued commitment to the Princess brand and our partnership, in 2013 Viking Sport Cruisers made the strategic decision to be recognized as Princess Yachts America in the market, and today we continue to bring an unparalleled level of customer care and service to every Princess yacht sold, delivered, and serviced in the United States, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean, and Venezuela. As we look forward to the future and continue to grow our Princess family in these markets, we remain focused on our goal of delivering an exceptional level of ownership comfort by providing quality support when needed to enhance the value of the yacht ownership experience to our customers. | | © Copyright Princess Yachts America 2024 | | |
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  Hall of fame: Top 10 greatest Princess Yachts of all timePrincess Yachts is the oldest of Britain’s big three motor boat builders with a history that stretches back 55 years. To select the 10 most iconic Princess models from its past line-up we turned to a couple of the yard’s longest-serving sales managers. Between them Bill Barrow, international sales manager for Northern Europe, and Adam Essex, general manager for Asia Pacific, have almost 50 years of experience at Princess Yachts. Being customer-facing means they don’t just know every inch of every boat but also the feedback their owners give them. If anybody has the authority to pick the best of the best, it’s these two. The only rule was not to select any of the current range. Launched: 1965 This is where the Princess story started and as such every subsequent model can trace its roots back to this. Founder David King bought in a moulded hull to fit out as a charter boat and launch his new business. The boat proved so popular with charter guests that he found there was a market for selling them and soon started to build them on demand for private owners. Recommended videos for youFor its day it was a big boat ( Sunseeker and Fairline both started with sub-20-footers) and it helped set the tone for everything that followed. Article continues below…  Hall of fame: The top 10 greatest Sunseeker yachts of all time VIDEO: Project 31Princess Yachts celebrated its half century with a stunning restoration of an original Project 31. Nick Burnham shows you around Princess 32Launched: 1970 The first boat to carry the Princess name (previous ones were sold under the Project or Pilgrim names) and a game-changer for the yard. With a planing hull designed by John Bennet and the option of single or twin petrol or diesel engines it was well suited for both river and sea use. A long cockpit with a well protected helm and a large airy interior with masses of eye-level windows made it feel far more spacious than rivals of its era. You only have to see how many are still in use today to appreciate the timeless appeal of this model.  Princess 30Launched: 1980 The 30DS marked another step change in the development of the brand thanks to the visionary foresight of the then relatively unknown naval architect Bernard Olesinski. His sharp lines and variable vee-hull design not only catapulted the yard to the font of the style queue but saw a similar leap in both performance and seakeeping. The option of twin Volvo 200hp diesels on slippery new sterndrives gave the DS a top speed of over 30 knots and the rough weather sea-keeping which its predecessors could only dream of. The original Deck Saloon boat was followed by both a flybridge (pictured here) and an open-backed Sports model.  Princess 45Launched: 1982 At its launch in 1982 this was said to be the largest production yacht in the UK with an LOA of just over 47ft – how things have changed! For such a big boat it sold in large numbers, clocking up over 400 sales during its nine-year build cycle. Its unusual reverse-angled transom changed direction at the waterline to create a v-shape that extended its underwater aft section for improved performance and efficiency. It worked a treat delivering legendary sea-keeping, a long unrefuelled range and effortless all-day cruising at 25 knots. A stylish saloon with the galley on the lower deck, two good cabins and either a lower dinette or a third cabin made it as comfortable to live on as it was to helm, so many ended up being used as floating holiday homes in the Med – a true taste of things to come.  Princess 286 RivieraLaunched: 1983 The first of Princess’s iconic open sportscruisers and the forerunner of the V-boats. By the standards of the day it was quite a beamy boat with a large cockpit and two decent cabins down below giving it the edge on accommodation and value for money over Sunseeker’s more driver-oriented designs. Nevertheless, with a pair of 270hp Volvo AQ271s pumping out 270hp per side it had no trouble scooting past 30 knots and could hold its own in a choppy sea. True Princess aficionados still rate the smaller, nimbler 266 Riviera as the better driver’s boat but it was the 286 that clocked up the majority of sales.  Princess V39Launched: 1994 This would surely merit a spot on the all-time Top 10 list of sportscruisers of any brand, not just Princesses. As well as being the first true V-boat, the hull survived through countless iterations and stretches (V39, V40, V42) notching up what must be the highest number of sales of any Princess hull ever. Everything about the V39 hit the mark from its sleek exterior lines to its peerless ergonomics, sociable cockpit and surprisingly voluminous cabins. It also represented exceptional value for money, encouraging owners of smaller mainstream American sportsboats to make the leap up into a ‘proper’ British sportscruiser. Its enduring influence can still be seen in the yard’s current entry-level model, the Princess V40 .  Princess V65Launched: 2000 Built at a time when seakeeping still held sway over accommodation, the V65 can lay claim to having one of the finest hulls of any Princess ever made. A low centre of gravity combined with a deeper vee than most and a pair of thumping great MAN diesels pumping out up to 1,300hp per side meant it performed every bit as well as its looks suggested. Speak to any delivery skipper of the era and they all have a story to tell of powering through big seas at 40 knots in one of these. A sleek hard top with an electric sliding sunroof was also ahead of its time as was a twin garage with room for an Avon jet-RIB and one of those newfangled jet-ski things!  Princess 23MLaunched: 2002 Not the first of the Metre-class boats but certainly one of the most memorable, not least because of its spectacular cherry and burr maple interior that was all the rage at the time. A vast full-length flybridge helped secure its status as a quasi- superyacht , although not even the real deal could live with the 23M’s eye-popping performance. Bill Barrow recalls leaving the Southampton Boat Show in convoy with a host of other smaller sportier craft only to leave them all trailing in its wake as the 23M disappeared over the horizon at an undiminished 38 knots. A large full-beam master suite and the introduction of those iconic vertical portholes sealed its enduring reputation.  Princess 42Launched: 2003 Perhaps the most telling indication of this flybridge’s enduring appeal is that early models still sell for much the same as the original owners paid for them 15 years ago. That speaks volumes about the Princess 42 ’s timeless looks and clever layout but also its value for money when new. This was the first model to be built on a rolling production line, enabling the factory to pop out one a week and sell over 400 of these iconic family flybridges. With two cabins, two bathrooms and a sunken galley that enabled the chef to feel part of the action, it seemed to distill all of Princess’s flybridge learning into the ideal 42ft package.  Princess 40MLaunched: 2013 Still the biggest boat Princess has ever made and its first full tri-deck model, it helped transform the brand from being a builder of high-quality production boats into a yard with genuine superyacht credentials. The investment in tooling alone topped £1million and necessitated the purchase of the South Yard site just to build it. The gamble paid off allowing Princess to claim at the time that the 40M’s hull was the largest resin-infused moulding in the world. As a result it boasted exceptional volume for its length and an interior that could have come from a superyacht twice its price, setting the scene for the next stage of Princess’s development. First published in the October 2020 issue of Motor Boat & Yachting. Don’t agree with our list? Get involved in the conversation by letting us know which models would be in your Top 10 and why. Email [email protected] or comment on the MBY Facebook page . Grand Banks 62 first look: new yacht set to launch in 2025New boats at cannes boat show 2024: pershing gtx80, new boats at cannes boat show 2024: wilder 60, latest videos, watch: parker sorrento sea trial: 50-knot cruiser with a killer aft cabin, watch: virtue v10 sea trial: €272k weekender, how to mark your anchor chain: 6 top tips from our expert, watch: galeon 560 fly sea trial – the best galeon flybridge you can buy. You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security. Brand story- Princess Yachts
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 After releasing the very first Princess motor yacht in 1965 – 31-ft Project 31 – Princess Yachts have become a leader of the motor yacht industry. Legendary flybridge models, innovative long-range X Class, sporty V and S Class as well as the newest R Class with outstanding high-performance characteristics – every single Princess yacht represents the ultimate handcrafted luxury on water that provides its owners with best experiences. What makes Princess Yachts stand out from other motor yacht brands? The core of the brand concept is vivid – every Princess yacht owner experiences the exceptionally built yachts with phenomenal level of handcrafted detailing. Perfect maneuverability and handling, beautifully furnished luxurious interiors, durability and comfort – this is what is concealed in every Princess yacht. Located in Plymouth, Great Britain, Princess Yachts’ shipyard has one of the most advanced building infrastructures in the world that enables the construction of high-quality motor yachts implementing on board technologies of the future. Every Princess yacht conceives a perfect balance of style and material that unifies innovations and heritage, creativity and cutting-edge technologies. Being a part of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA (LVMH), Princess Yachts is a synonym of luxury yachting that has become one of the most influential brands in the world. Brief history of Princess Yachts Limited Princess Yachts established as Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd to deal with technical maintenance and chartering of Project 31 yacht. Afterwards, the yacht was sold. The company then realized that it was a good chance to grow substantially by selling yachts. Between 1966 and 1969 more than 150 yachts have been successfully built and sold. After Project 31 success, Princess started to make GRP-formation and released its first Princess 32 that was then showcased during boat show in London. In a decade, more than 1200 yachts have been sold, what made this yacht a true best-seller of all time. Local and foreign agents were hired and the distributor network was.  John Bennett appointed to design two new models to compliment Princess 32. Princess 37 had had launched during boat show in London, as well as Princess 25 was introduced later that year.  Based on Princess 37 the very first flybridge yachts launched in different variations. In addition, the Lee Mill infrastructure was opened as a mould store, developed by Bernard Olesinski. Princess 30DS was the first next-generation yacht designed by Bernard Olesinski. More than 500 yachts sold. This trend started a brand new approach. Its core idea lays in profound salon detailing of every model. This is one of the core brand concepts Princess Yachts still follows. Premiere of the Princess 45, the all-time design of a motor yacht and the biggest, which was mass produced at that time. More 900 yachts have been sold in 9 years. Princess 45 was replaced by the newest Princess 455. The very first sport yacht built – Princess 286 R. It was developed for the needs of the Mediterreanean market. Brand new manufacturing facility «Langage 1» is built with volume 4200 sq. m in Plymouth. Princess 62 is launched. It was the largest mass-produced motor yacht built in Britain.  First V class sport yachts are built: Princess V39 and Princess V52, which were later established as a base for future yachts. The very first «Metre» yacht is built – Princess 20 Metre. New headquarters opened on Newport street. The shipyard acquires Coypool facility (30000 sq.m), also Langage facility is extended to Langage 2 to produce V class yachts. Princess 52 construction started, which were the first yachts to have electronic diesel engines installed. Princess v65 mass production started, the largest yacht of the range. Marine Projects renamed to Princess Yachts International plc. The company celebrates 40 th anniversary, being the world leader in yacht mass-production. The construction of Princess 95 Motor yacht flagship started. Princess V class extended to Princess V85, the biggest yacht in the range. Princess 85 Motor Yacht, Princess 50 and Princess V62 also added to the model list. Princess Yachts is to be the first European yacht manufacturer to acquire ISO14001 certificate as a recognition of achievements in lowering negative impact on nature. 5 new yachts are added to the model range with Princess 72 Motor Yacht and Princess V85-S. Princess climbs 37 points up in Sunday Times HSBC Top track 250 rating. Princess Yachts presents the very first M class yacht during London Boat Show – Princess 32M, and 3 other boats later that year. Princess acquires ownership of South Yard industrial complex from the Ministry of Defense and funding from the regional development government to increase the growth of the production. Princess Yachts achieves British standard OHSAS 18001 certificate in security management and health of the employees. Princess Yachts becomes the first major British motor yacht manufacturer to achieve RINA Green Plus (Y) level for every yacht in V class and flybridge range with length under 24 meters. This year is very important for the shipyard. V39 – the smallest yacht built for the last decade as well as the biggest superyacht every built in history of the shipyard – Princess 40M. The 132-feet superyacht listed as the biggest yacht built in Great Britain with resin-unfused composite hull. Princess V52 prized as «Best sportcruiser 45 ft+». David King founder and CEO of Princess Yachts Ltd awarded with special jury prize «Motor Boat of the Year Awards 2012». Princess V39 awarded in USA as «Best foreign motor yacht 30-40 feet» during AIM Media Marine Group Editor’s Choice Award 2012. In 2012 V57, 56 and Princess V62-S were built reaching the total number of new added yachts in the year to 5. The release of Princess 52, 82 Motor Yacht and 88 Motor Yacht. The shipyard starts building the first yacht with IPS drive system – Princess V48. The first Princess 40M superyacht is awarded with prestigious World Superyacht Award in nominations «Trideck gliding or semi-displacement motor yacht» and «Best mass produced motor yacht from 24 to 40 m» during 9-th Asia Boating Awards. The other M class yacht – Princess 32M – is awarded with «Best mass produced motor yacht in the range of 30m» during Hurun Report’s Best of the Best Awards. It was also a successful year for V class. V39 was awarded second year in a row as «Best sportcruiser under 45 feet» during Motor Boat Awards. In Japan V52 awarded as «Best foreign large yacht» and «Yacht of the 2012». The company awarded with «Large Company of the Year» during Herald Business Awards 2013 and «Best brand collection» during Helm Singapore Yacht Show. Princess presents Princess S72, the brand-new S class yacht with sportbridge. The development of the new M class superyacht is in full swing, which will be announced in 2015. Two flybridge yachts awarded: Princess 43 wins in the category «Flybridge yacht under 55 feet» during Motor boat Awards and Princess 56 wins «Best foreign large yacht» during Boat of the year in Japan. Princess Yachts celebrates its 50 th anniversary since the establishment in 1965. For this occasion, Princess Yachts releases renovated Project 31 – the very first Princess yacht. The yacht was showcased during Cannes Yachting Festival along with the sales start of Princess 35M. S class range updated with Princess S65. Later this year the shipyard launched open versions of Princess V58 and V48. Princess S72 and V48 are awarded during Motor Boat Awards. Princess 40M wins the category «Best semi-custom yacht in the World in the range 25 m+» during Asia Pacific Boating Awards. The English shipyard launches new Princess 75 Motor Yacht and new M class superyacht – Princess 30M. Princess 49 with IPS engine added to the flybridge range. In January two Princess yachts – 75 Motor Yacht and V58 – are awarded as «Best Yacht of the Year» during Motor Boat Awards. The shipyard refreshed its sports yacht range with Princess V40, which premiered at boot Düsseldorf in Germany. The brand-new Princess S60 showcased during London Boat Show. Princess 30M superyacht wins «Best semi-custom superyacht in the range from 30 to 33.9 m» during World Superyacht Awards. During Cannes and Southampton yacht festivals Princess 55 and 62 were premiered. In Cannes Princess Yachts presented its first unique client-oriented service – Princess Lifeline SOS-service. 2017 is a record-breaking year for Princess Yachts: the volume of the order book exceeds 1 billion dollars. Today the company is one of the bespoke luxury yachts manufacturer, that builds 20 different models in the range of superyachts, motor flybridge yachts. V class sport yachts and S class sportbridges, R class performance yachts in the range 39 to 132 feet and has a network with more than 50 distributors around the world.  The global authority in superyachting - NEWSLETTERS
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British luxury yacht builder Princess Yachts manufactures fibreglass yachts ranging from 13 to 40 metres in length. French luxury group LVMH is the parent company of Princess Yachts. The shipyard is headquartered in Plymouth, UK. History of Princess YachtsLuxury yacht builder Princess Yachts was founded as Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd in 1965, in a region of England known for its seafaring tradition. The first Princess GRP luxury motor yacht, featuring a flybridge, launched in 1974. In 1995, Princess Yachts formed an alliance with luxury yacht builder Viking Yachts of New Gretna, New Jersey, to market Princess yachts in the U.S. Today, Princess Yachts America (formerly Viking Sport Cruisers) remains a major distributor of Princess Yachts. Throughout the late 20th century, the size of Princess luxury yacht models continued to grow. In 2001, the luxury yacht builder entered the megayacht market with the launch of the Princess 25 Metre motor yacht. Luxury goods conglomerate LVMH acquired Princess Yachts in 2008. Notable Princess YachtsLuxury yacht builder Princess Yachts introduced its M Class superyacht range in 2011, with the launch of the Princess 32M motor yacht. The shipyard launched its new flagship, the 40.16-metre Princess 40M Solaris , in 2014. Superyacht Solaris features exterior styling by Princess Yachts and Bernard Olenski, Ltd. , and interior design by Mark Berryman . RELATED ARTICLES Yachts for saleYachts for charter, specialisations of princess yachts. Luxury yacht builder Princess Yachts specialises in manufacturing high-quality production and semi-production motor yachts in fibreglass composite. Yacht Features Propulsion System  Inside Princess Yachts: How are they builtSaturday 30th November 2019 The sports boat and motoryacht market is by no means deficient in boat buying options. The modern buyer is now able to explore a vast range of designers, builders and brands in a bid to tailor his boat to his favoured marine application before committing to a decision. In terms of choice and accessibility, that certainly has its merits, but as we continue to see established brands taking ever greater advantage of the production efficiencies offered by third-party suppliers, overseas workforces and shared construction facilities, a builder like Princess Yachts stands out as markedly different. Based in Plymouth at the traditional maritime hub of England’s southwest, Princess Yachts expanded fast after the original founder moved into a rental shed on an offshoot of the River Tamar back in 1965. By the time the company had reached its 40 th anniversary in 2005, it boasted 81,000 square metres of space, 1,450 employees and global sales in excess of £140 million. And following its entry into the superyacht sector in 2011 with the first of the new M Class yachts, it continued to expand. The company we see today employs more than 3000 people across seven manufacturing plants and has raised production from 230 boats a year to more than 300. And yet the story of yacht production at Princess is not defined by scale of operations or speed of production. It’s defined by culture, process and mindset… Keeping it in-house One of the most fundamental differences at Princess Yachts is the fact that the company designs and builds 80% of its components in-house. There’s an argument that the yard’s relative geographical isolation has compelled it to become self-sufficient over the years but whatever the truth might be, Princess now runs dedicated in-house departments for a variety of specialist tasks that most builders are compelled to outsource. For instance, Princess operates its own mould shop, where it builds its own plugs with a pair of five-axis cutting machines and uses resin infusion to create everything from its decks and structures to the hull of its 40-metre flagship. The fact that the process is controlled by computer and put under vacuum helps ensure exact fibre-to-resin ratios for greater consistency, stiffness and strength. And in addition to reducing weight for uprated on-water speed and efficiency, the absence of cumbersome stiffening beams helps optimise internal volume for increased space and versatility. Princess also runs a dedicated metal shop, where all the stainless steel fittings are built, as well as its own specialist loom shop. Here, specialist technicians pre-assemble all the required wiring harnesses in preparation for the fit-out of a yacht – and while that gives Princess the ability to alter designs mid-build, it also enables them to incorporate customer requests with far greater flexibility than other yacht builders can achieve. One of the yard’s most impressive assets, however, is its furniture shop. This bustling department is responsible for building all the timber elements of a Princess yacht, including the structural pieces, bulkheads, sidelinings and headlinings. And whether fixed or freestanding, it also builds the furniture from scratch, enabling it to optimise continuity throughout each yacht by using timber of precisely the same grain texture, pattern and colour. As Paul Bailey, Commercial and Technical Manager at Princess Motor Yacht Sales, points out: “This stuff is not sourced off the shelf at the same impersonal third-party plant that other manufacturers might use. It’s designed and built by Princess’s own craftsmen, so whether a customer chooses to spec up his boat or buy the ‘standard’ package, a Princess yacht will always have the feeling of something special; something unique; something much more artisan and bespoke than you might experience from other builders.” Creating a culture of quality One of the key drivers behind Princess’s fastidious approach is the Chairman, Anthony Sheriff. Having come from an automotive background, he invested heavily in a quality management system based around a process known as ‘No Fault Forward’. This involved rooting out any faults early on in the build process, so they could be remedied before the issue was passed forward onto subsequent production stages. Its effective integration would require a very structured and transparent approach to problem solving, so he established a dedicated Quality Control Division that has since grown from six people to around 30. The idea behind this investment was to transform ‘quality’ from a formal manufacturing protocol into a culturally ingrained attitude inhabited by everyone at Princess Yachts – and to help achieve that, the quality division is involved throughout the entire process, from the moment a build begins right through to a yacht’s entry to market. The division’s personnel go out on the boats themselves; they talk to the test engineers and the boat management professionals; they do everything they can to understand the customer experience because getting things completely right is the means by which Princess aims to differentiate itself from the competition. The team have an inspiring approach to the yacht design, the most striking exponents being the company’s full-scale mock-ups. To ensure that a new design works properly, the entire boat is built from plywood in exhaustive detail, enabling the designers to step on board and examine it first-hand – to explore head heights, door openings, spatial arrangements and furniture; to think about materials and real human usability. It enables them to inhabit the space and get a genuine feel for it in a way that a 3D CAD drawing can never achieve. Things can then be tweaked before the final design is put into production and while it does of course involve a highly skilled and labour-intensive process, its value in terms of the end product is fundamental to what Princess does. Equipping the customer Princess makes a point of encouraging customers to come to its Plymouth headquarters and witness first-hand how its boats are put together. It urges them to take an active role partly because it is proud of its standards and partly because a customer who is properly equipped to collaborate in the detailing of his yacht is likely to end up with something much better tailored to his needs. To that end, Princess has a team of designers dedicated solely to helping customers navigate their way through the options and select the choices that will be of greatest benefit to their favoured cross-section of boating activities. The company’s fastidious in-house approach has an impact on the long-term quality of the ownership experience in other ways too. For instance, in addition to safeguarding the standard of each finished yacht with exhaustive sea trials encompassing more than 3,000 checks, every part of the build process is archived and traceable. That enables the yard to examine original engineering diagrams for each yacht and to identify the ‘who, how and when’ of every individual element. It can then leverage its distributor network to provide bespoke support for a customer’s yacht throughout its lifetime, even after that yacht is sold on to new owners. As the industry’s appetite for international third party construction plants continues to gather traction, that degree of care, accountability and control looks set to become even more special than it is today. Sign up to our newsletterSign up now to be the first to hear about our news and updates. Our Sister Brands   50 years of Princess History: The key modelstisdag 16 juni 2015 Here, we take a look back at the last 50 years of Princess history, from the 60s to now. 1960’s – Project 31 Genesis for Princess Yachts – the story began in 1965 in a rented shed in Newport Street. Three men looking to enter the charter business but with a dearth of funding bought a hull and deck mould from Senior Marine and began fitting it out. The charter business never got off the ground but the completed boat sold quickly. Realising they could be on to something they decided to build another and Marine Projects, one of the most prolific boat building companies in Europe, was born. Available initially with twin Perkins four cylinder diesels, later boats sported Volvo Penta diesel engines – in all cases mated to sterndrive propulsion. Updated in 1969, the Project 31 became the very first Princess, the Princess 32. Successful from the very beginning, over 600 boats were built.  1970’s – Princess 37 With the Princess 32 selling well and the range augmented by a smaller model (the Pilgrim 25 which became the Princess 25) it was time to begin the unstoppable drive up market. Designed by John Bennett and launched at the London Boat Show in 1974 it was one of the largest boats in the Earls Court exhibition hall and immediately set the tone for the direction of the company. It was one of the first Princess yachts to feature a flying bridge (as it was then known – now commonly shortened to ‘flybridge’). And it introduced shaft drive and an enclosed deck saloon for the first time on a Princess, and featured two cabins and two heads. Initially launched with Thornycroft and then Ford Mermaid 120hp diesels, demand for greater performance lead to a second hull profile, the original ‘Y’ hull sporting a small keel for low speed directional stability and a ‘V’ hull without the keel capable of supporting twin engines of up to 210hp. LOA: 37ft 1in (11.27m) Built: 1973 – 1981 Typical engines: Twin Ford Mermaid 180hp diesel 1980’s – Princess 30DS In 1980 Marine Projects was approached by a naval architect called Bernard Olesinski with plans for a thirty foot cruiser. With the successful but ageing Princess 32 due for replacement, the design was accepted and the Princess 30DS launched at Southampton Boat Show in 1980. DS stood for deck saloon, and the 30DS replaced the 32 in the range. Rather than the open backed wheelhouse of the 32, the 30DS had an enclosed deck saloon (hence the ‘DS’ of its nomenclature) with a sliding roof section, although there was a less popular open backed wheelhouse version called the 30S. Available with single or twin shaft drive or sterndrive engine installations the boat was built with everything from a single 60hp for river use up to twin 200hp diesels or 210hp petrols which lifted the top speed past 30 knots. A flybridge version was added in 1986, further broadening the options. Not only did the 30DS prove a worthy successor to the 32 over its decade in production, but the collaboration with Bernard Olesinski extended to the design of every Princess since. LOA: 31ft 6in (9.59m) Built: 1980 – 1989 Typical engines: Twin Volvo Penta AQ151 146hp petrol Princess 45 By the early eighties the largest Princess yachts had barely passed forty feet, but Princess commissioned Bernard Olesinski to design a flagship mid forty foot flybridge yacht. When it was launched in 1982 it was the largest production motor yacht built in the UK and it propelled Marine Projects into the big league. The Princess 37 had had some export success in Northern Europe but the 45 opened up the Mediterranean, proving popular with UK buyers that boat abroad as well as attracting foreign custom. The initial build rate of one boat a month was quickly revised, the 45 selling at triple the anticipated rate. Not just a modern and spacious design, the 45 was a phenomenal sea boat, widely lauded by the maritime press. At the time Managing Director David King reputedly stated that he thought the 45 would be the largest model Marine Projects would ever produce. Today the smallest flybridge Princess is slightly longer… Princess 286 Riviera With a successful range of flybridge and deck saloon models firmly established, the early eighties saw fresh markets sought, in particular the open cockpit sportscruiser sector, and in 1983 the 286 Riviera was launched. With its raked screen, flat foredeck and sporty GRP radar arch it was at the cutting edge of eighties sportscruiser design, but luxury and practicality had certainly not been forgotten. A massive eleven foot beam created plenty of space below decks for a generous dinette forward, an L-shaped galley opposite the heads and a separate mid cabin aft with a double berth that ran transversely beneath the cockpit. Motive power came via a range of twin petrol engines ranging up to V8 5.0 litre AQ211 motors delivering 210hp each for a top speed in excess of 35 knots. Twin diesel engines of 130hp and 200hp were also available. The 286 Riviera became the forerunner of a range of Princess Riviera cruisers that spanned twenty six to forty six feet. 1990’s – Princess V Class, V39/V40/V42  Unveiled in 1994 it looked sensational, but the big news – literally – was inside. Those high topsides created phenomenal internal volume – over six feet of headroom, two cabins and a huge heads proved beyond doubt that the days of compromised sportscruiser accommodation were over whilst a new breed of Volvo Penta KAD 42 diesel engines lifted the performance past thirty knots – neatly demonstrating that you could indeed have your proverbial cake and eat it. Mild facelifts took the V39 through V40 and V42 iterations that spanned fifteen years and 500 boats, making this the most popular vessel in Princess history. So far… 1997 – Princess 20M Whilst the V39 was taking the lower end of the market by storm, the inexorable rise upmarket continued unabated and in 1996 the very first ‘Metre’ yacht was announced. Distinctive oval saloon windows, a funnel style radar mast rather than the usual goalpost arch and ‘superyacht’ high gloss joinery marked the 20M out as something really special, even by Princess standards. Powered by twin MAN diesels of between 800hp and 1,360hp it was clear that performance had not been lost in the pursuit of luxury. LOA: 71ft 4in (21.74m) Built: 1996 – 2002 Typical engines: Twin MAN D2848 1,360hp diesel 2000’s – Princess 42 The new millennium brought a new name for the business and Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd became Princess Yachts International Plc. But despite the change of name and the successful expansion into new markets the commitment to intrinsic values remained the same and in 2003 the Princess 42 was born. Able to trace its roots back to that first flybridge craft of thirty years earlier, the 42 was a two cabin two heads family flybridge cruiser with twin shaft drive diesels engines just like the Princess 37. But whilst the format might be familiar, the execution was very different. The first true production line assembly, the 42 was built in stages as the boat moved down a line, emerging at the rate of one a week. Styling was bang up to date too, being one of the first boats to feature flush glazing and a new style of sweptback radar arch whilst inside contemporary high gloss cherry woodwork surrounded the very latest innovations like the soft touch non reflective helm. LOA: 44ft 3in (13.48m) Built: 2003 – 2013 Typical engines: Twin Volvo Penta D6-435 435hp diesel 2010’s – Princess V48 Nearly fifty years in and the multi award winning Princess V48 proves that the innovation and far sightedness that has stood the company in such good stead remains a core philosophy. IPS pod drives, resin infusion construction, a choice of superstructure and cockpit layouts (deck saloon and ‘Open’) and a full beam full headroom master cabin place the V48 at the very cutting edge of current technology and thinking.  Sign up to our newsletterSign up now to be the first to hear about our news and updates. Our Sister Brands DriveMag Boats Your ultimate resource for anything ship-related The story of Donald Trump’s superyacht: The Trump Princess Donald Trump loves a good deal In 1988, the successful businessman Donald Trump bought the 86m Benetti build superyacht Nabila . He renamed her Trump Princess and used it until 1991. For a superyacht built in 1980, Nabila was an impressive vessel. She was built for Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi that paid $100 million for it and named after his daughter. Khashoggi is known for his involvement in arms dealing. His net worth was around $4 billion in the early 1980's. When Khashoggi ran into financial trouble in the mid-1980's he took a loan of $50 million and put Nabila as collateral. He defaulted on the loan in 1987 and a Swiss holding company took possession of the yacht. It was placed with yacht specialist Burgess for a quick sale at an asking price of $50 million. Learning that Nabila is for sale, Trump made a bid. Burgess had already two other offers, but Trump's bid was more appealing. A Burgess agent flew to New York and made Trump a proposal for $32 million. The sale was settled at $30 million. A bargain, for a yacht he never set foot on. Trump refitted the vessel and named it Trump Princess . Why did Trump buy the yacht? He does not like water sports, he's not keen on swimming and always tried to avoid the sun. He never owned a big boat before. He doesn't even like boats. He was charmed by a "certain level of quality" and admitted that it's an incredible toy and a work of art. "I was buying a great piece of art at a ridiculously low price." Unlike Trump, Khashoggi loved boats. He acquired his first yacht when his was 18 and traded up as his wealth increased. In the 70's he owned two yachts but wanted something out of this world. So, he commissioned British designer Jon Bannenberg to draw the most impressive and sumptuous yacht. Khashoggi didn't stop here he employed Italian designer Luigi Sturchio to produce an interior that is believed to have cost more than the yacht itself. Also, he wanted the ship to be completely self-contained and included everything in the specifications: from a patisserie and a hair salon to a cinema room with an 800-film library and a hospital with an operating room. Nabila had crew quarters for a staff of 52 people. It had a helicopter landing pad and two nine meter tenders. The fuel tanks were big enough for 8,500 nautical miles when cruising at 17.5 knots. It had three water-makers capable to produce 45.000 liters of fresh water from the ocean. Also, it had six huge refrigerators that could store a three-month supply of food for 100 people. For Khashoggi and later for Trump, this vessel was an invaluable business instrument. Movie stars, political leaders and diplomats were invited on board. It is believed the yacht had 150 telephones and satellite communications in order for business sales to be arranged. The yacht has five decks and more than 100 separate areas. The owner's suite is a full-beam area with a three meter wide bed. It has a dressing room and an impressive bathroom with onyx tiles. Next to the bedroom, there is a television room, a large sitting area and a private elevator that takes the owner to his private sundeck. The yacht has another two elevators on board, one for guests, one for crew. Trump spent another $8.5 million for refitting the yacht at Amels in the Netherlands. Renamed Trump Princess , she set sail from the Azores to arrive in New York on July 4, 1988, in time for a huge party Trump threw on the yacht. Like the previous owner, Trump used the yacht mostly for business. But not for long. In 1991, Trump sold the ship to Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal for $20 million. The Prince renamed the yacht Kingdom 5KR , the name under she still sails today. For more about Donald Trump's Joy Rides click here . | | | | VIKING SPORT CRUISERS | | Distributors of Princess Luxury Motor Yachts in the | | United States, Canada, Central America and Caribbean | | News & Events Models V Class Flybridge M Class Company | | | In the early 1990s, Tom Carroll, now President and CEO of Viking Sport Cruisers, frequently traveled to Europe to explore new opportunities as Executive Vice President of Viking Yacht Company. On one of his trips to the Cannes boat show, Tom was intrigued by an impressive line of motor yachts built by a company named Marine Projects (Marine Projects would later become Princess Yachts International). Taken with the quality, style, and design concept of the Princess Yachts he saw, it wasn’t long before Tom had met with the company principals and was invited to tour their manufacturing facilities in Plymouth, England. During his time spent in Plymouth, Tom discovered many similarities between this European company and Viking. Managed since its inception by founder David King, Marine Projects was a vertically integrated company that manufactured a majority of components in house and had a hands-on approach to design and manufacturing. Yet, it was a ride in the less than friendly waters of the English Channel that proved to be the convincing factor for Tom that these boats had a future in America if the right partnership could be created. | In 1995, the exclusive relationship between Viking and Princess Yachts International of Plymouth, England was forged and Viking Sport Cruisers was founded with the goal of bringing this exceptional class of luxury cruising yachts to the American market. Yachts sold as part of this unique strategic alliance carried the Viking Sport Cruisers brand, which was done initially to reinforce that the product was backed by the same solid foundation of customer service and attention to detail for which the Viking Yacht Company had come to be known. Beyond the brand, both Viking and Princess recognized early on that significant changes to design, engineering, systems, and even interior décor were needed to develop a yacht that would appeal to the American market. This meant redesigning interiors with more spacious accommodations. Appliances that carried a brand recognized for service and quality in America were shipped to Plymouth for installation on yachts in build. Interior decorators were hired to create an ambiance that American buyers would favor. Refrigeration was increased to accommodate extended cruising and air conditioning and generator system specifications were upgraded to counter the hotter climates of Florida and the Caribbean. Engine rooms were reconfigured to accept more horsepower to satisfy the performance requirements and speeds expected in what was becoming an emerging market for European styled cruising yachts in America. Electrical systems were designed from the ground up for 120/240V 60 Hz service to ensure each yacht could handle the increased loads required for safe operation of all systems and components installed on board. A lot has changed since the first yacht built for Viking Sport Cruisers was produced in 1996. Models that have been introduced since then have not been simply redesigned or modified to meet the needs of the American market, rather, they have been designed from the start to incorporate the wants and desires of our growing customer base. Princess Yachts International has continued to make significant investments in new facilities, engineering, design, materials, and production techniques in order to continue to improve quality and consistency in each yacht they produce while allowing new models to be introduced to the market more frequently. This continual reinvestment has helped Princess develop a solid companywide infrastructure, expanding capabilities to build a worldwide reputation firmly founded on quality, craftsmanship, and technological advancement with an unparalleled focus on efficiency to deliver remarkable value in every yacht produced. In 2008, Princess became part of the exquisite LVMH family of luxury brands, which includes over 60 of the world’s pinnacle companies best known for uncompromising quality. Some of these brands include Louis Vuitton, De Beers, Fendi, Moet Hennessy, and the Feadship Yacht brand acquired by LVMH later in 2008. In addition, the introduction in 2009 of the M Class range of yachts with initial offerings in the 32 meter (105’) and 40 meter (130’) range moved Princess into a new market with world-renowned super yacht builders. In 2010, Viking Sport Cruisers and Princess Yachts International announced that, beginning with the 2011 model year, yachts built for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean would be branded as Princess, with Viking Sport Cruisers continuing as the sole distributor for these markets and providing the critical sales and service support for customers through its extensive network of dealers while maintaining the same high level of spare parts inventory in its New Gretna, New Jersey facility. This decision was made with a mutual recognition of the benefits of both companies working together to build a global brand, while acknowledging the foundation of success of Viking Sport Cruisers in its approach to unparalleled support behind the product. Today, Viking Sport Cruisers brings The Viking Difference to every Princess yacht sold, delivered, and serviced in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. As we look forward to the future and continue to grow our Princess family in these markets, we remain focused on our goal of delivering The Viking Difference by providing quality support when needed to enhance the value of the yacht ownership experience to our customers. | | | | | | 
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Princess Model History. A small industrial unit in Newport Street, Plymouth was the birthplace of Princess Yachts almost fifty years ago in 1965. Since then, Princess has developed into one of the most successful and sophisticated motor yacht builders in the world. Below you will see a timeline of how these magnificent models have developed ...
Here, we take a look back at the last 50 years of Princess history, from the 60s to now. 1960's - Project 31. Genesis for Princess Yachts - the story began in 1965 in a rented shed in Newport Street. Three men looking to enter the charter business but with a dearth of funding bought a hull and deck mould from Senior Marine and began ...
Founded in Plymouth in 1965, Princess Yachts is one of the true titans of the British boating industry. The story began on Newport Street in Plymouth in 1965. It was here that ex-Naval officer David King and two friends started a company called Marine Projects. Their first model, which was named Project 31, was built on the hull of a Senior 31 ...
The History of Princess Yachts. The world famous shipbuilding company Princess Yachts was founded in 1965 in Plymouth, the heart of British shipbuilding. The company is a leader in the construction of premium superyachts and motor yachts. ... Princess Yachts Model Lines. Princess is building production yachts from 10 to 30 meters (30 to 100 ...
Princess Yachts has 5 sites across Plymouth covering over 1.1 million square feet. [10]New Port Street: Originally just one rented shed, Princess now operates the entirety of New Port Street and has had its head office on site since 1965. Lee Mill: Collaboratively developed by Naval architect Bernard Olesinski and Marine Projects in the late 1970s. For some time Lee Mill was operated by Felix ...
A Distinctive History. In the early 1990s, Tom Carroll, now President and CEO of Princess Yachts America, frequently traveled to Europe to explore new opportunities as Executive Vice President of Viking Yacht Company. On one of his trips to the Cannes boat show, Tom was intrigued by an impressive line of motor yachts built by a company named ...
Their first model, which was named Project 31, was built on the hull of a Senior 31 and fitted out in a rented shed.. From such humble beginnings, Marine Projects made huge advances over the following years. This led to the 1969 launch of the Princess 32 - the first model to bear the name.. Eleven years later the company began work on the Princess 30DS with a promising young designer called ...
Princess Yachts is the oldest of Britain's big three motor boat builders with a history that stretches back 55 years. To select the 10 most iconic Princess models from its past line-up we turned to a couple of the yard's longest-serving sales managers. Between them Bill Barrow, international sales manager for Northern Europe, and Adam Essex, general manager for Asia Pacific, have almost 50 ...
8 images. Princess Yachts' Y95 model. Comparing the superyacht models leading the Princess fleet. 17 July 2024• Written by Holly Margerrison for Princess Yachts. Perhaps traditionally known for its sub-24-metre boats, British builder Princess Yachts has established itself in the luxury superyacht scene with striking yachts in its M Class series.
The highly exceptional Princess Yachts started in Plymouth England in 1965. The current shipyard has a unique history seeing that the former naval yard dates back to the 17th century, coming from a rich heritage of famous voyages. The History of Princess Yachts began with a man named David King and two friends that started what was known as ...
Brief history of Princess Yachts Limited. 1965. ... to acquire ISO14001 certificate as a recognition of achievements in lowering negative impact on nature. 5 new yachts are added to the model range with Princess 72 Motor Yacht and Princess V85-S. Princess climbs 37 points up in Sunday Times HSBC Top track 250 rating.
By Alex Smith. April 28, 2015. Devonport in Plymouth is the largest naval base in western Europe, according to the Ministry of Defence, but nestled into the fold of the city's military might is quite a different fortress belonging to Princess Yachts - founded on the very spot 50 years ago. Back in 1965, the Project 31 was the first boat ever ...
Luxury yacht builder Princess Yachts was founded as Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd in 1965, in a region of England known for its seafaring tradition. The first Princess GRP luxury motor yacht, featuring a flybridge, launched in 1974. In 1995, Princess Yachts formed an alliance with luxury yacht builder Viking Yachts of New Gretna, New Jersey ...
It's defined by culture, process and mindset…. Keeping it in-house One of the most fundamental differences at Princess Yachts is the fact that the company designs and builds 80% of its components in-house. There's an argument that the yard's relative geographical isolation has compelled it to become self-sufficient over the years but ...
50 years of Princess History: The key models. Here, we take a look back at the last 50 years of Princess history, from the 60s to now. 1960's - Project 31. Genesis for Princess Yachts - the story began in 1965 in a rented shed in Newport Street. Three men looking to enter the charter business but with a dearth of funding bought a hull and ...
Gross Weight: --. Fuel Capacity: 1,320 gals. Model Years: 2011—2016. Draft: 5'6". Beam: 18'0". Water Capacity: 355 gals. Waste Capacity: 120 gals. Length w/ Pulpit: --. After selling over 500 boats in the U.S. under the Viking Sport Cruisers brand, the 72 Motor Yacht is one of the first Princess yachts sold in America as a Princess product.
A Burgess agent flew to New York and made Trump a proposal for $32 million. The sale was settled at $30 million. A bargain, for a yacht he never set foot on. American businessman Donald Trump and his wife Ivana sit at a table on board their luxury yacht The Trump Princess, anchored outside the Water Club, New York City, July 1988.
Whether you're considering a pre-owned model or you're in the market for something new, trust our experts to ensure your every need is met. We have more than 25 years of experience as a Princess Yachts dealer, and an office location conveniently close to Princess Yacht America's Headquarters and service yard.
History. Pioneering Partnership, Innovative Product A closer look at the distinctive relationship that combines over 90 years of boatbuilding experience to deliver The Viking Difference in every Princess yacht bound for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the early 1990s, Tom Carroll, now President and CEO of Viking Sport ...
Bayesian was a flybridge sloop designed by Ron Holland and built with a 56 m (184 ft) aluminium hull and a single-masted cutter rig.The 75 m (246 ft) aluminium mast was designed for the yacht and at the time was the world's tallest. The yacht had a lifting keel, allowing its draft to be reduced from 10 m to 4 m. [6] It was the fifth constructed of ten similar vessels from the same designer and ...
Model Years: 2011—2015. Draft: 4'10". Beam: 17'8". Water Capacity: 206 gals. Waste Capacity: 72 gals. Length w/ Pulpit: --. Impeccably styled and beautifully finished, the V72 ranked with the most exciting sport yachts ever produced when she joined the Princess fleet in 2011. Combining exceptional levels of interior space with plenty sex ...
Princess 60. General Information: Manufacturer: Princess Yachts Model: Princess 60 Year of Manufacture: 2008 Length Overall (LOA): 18.62 m Beam: 4.83 m Draft: 1.27 m Weight: 26.8 tons Hull Material: Fiberglass (GRP) Fuel Capacity: 2,800 liters Water Capacity: 600 liters Propulsion System:
Princess 60. General Information: Manufacturer: Princess Yachts Model: Princess 60 Year of Manufacture: 2008 Length Overall (LOA): 18.62 m Beam: 4.83 m Draft: 1.27 m Weight: 26.8 tons Hull Material: Fiberglass (GRP) Fuel Capacity: 2,800 liters Water Capacity: 600 liters Propulsion System: