Perched on the edge of the English Channel lies the city of Plymouth, where we established our home in 1965.
Today Princess shipyards cover an area of over 1.1 million square feet, an area rich in British maritime heritage. In fact, South Yard, where our X Class super flybridge yachts are constructed, is a former naval yard dating back to the 17th century.
Explore our extensive range, with six classes of yacht each meticulously designed to delivery your perfect experience. Choose from our sophisticated F Class and Y Class motor yachts, dynamic V Class sports yachts, ground-breaking S Class sportbridge yachts and expansive X Class Super Flybridge yachts.
Discover Our CraftExplore our extensive range, with six classes of yacht each meticulously designed to delivery your perfect experience. Choose from our sophisticated F Class and Y Class motor yachts, dynamic V Class sports yachts, ground-breaking S Class sportbridge yachts and expansive X Class Super Flybridge yachts.
Discover Our CraftThrough a culture of innovation, our yachts are not only some of the most technically-advanced in the world but also the most beautifully realised. Over 80% of each Princess yacht is crafted in-house. Scroll to discover more about how we bring our yachts to life.
The Princess Design Studio is our in-house team responsible for all areas of yacht design, styling and finish across the Princess range. Working with our naval architects to produce the most visually progressive and luxurious yachts in the world, the Princess Design Studio is setting a new standard for powerful, practical and wonderfully memorable design.
The Design Studio is comprised of 14 in-house teams including CAD (Computer Aided Design) and engineering departments as well as our customer facing consultants who are available to bring to life creative and diverse interior design schemes to meet the customer's personal tastes.
The boats we design are a culmination of our ideas and our customers' feedback. This all goes into the pot at the initial concept stage which then translate into more detailed drawings and layouts, and once these are signed off, the mock up can be produced.
Our pioneering deep-V hulls are born from our naval architect’s obsession with exceptional seakeeping and voluminous space. Their sculpted form is shaped from a lightweight, resin-infused hull composite which can create greater internal volume compared to standard hull production methods. This ingenious design ensures it requires less power and burns less fuel to achieve its maximum design speed. Such precision thinking gives rise to the most exhilarating performance, defined by its efficiency, agility and poise. So whether you’re slicing through the seas at 40 knots or navigating stormy waters – a foundation of superior engineering rides with you.
A 1:1 scale model is made of all new yachts at Princess. This a truly unique part of our design process, not carried out by any other yacht manufacturer.
The mock-ups are an invaluable part of the design process; offering the design team the opportunity to sit in the spaces, tweak the rake of a seat, check sight lines in the windows, experiment with different materials and even optimise the design of component parts for assembly.
They also offer our customers a unique opportunity to walk around a life size model of a yacht before it even goes into build, allowing them to feel the atmosphere that the space creates.
Known as a ‘Plug’, full scale patterns are cut out of polystyrene using a 5-Axis machine which is essentially the template for all the moulded components of the yacht. This is all completed in-house.
Our mouldings production is classified in two groups: major mouldings sees the lay up of the hull and deck; small moulds includes the creation of smaller GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) component parts from wetbars to a locker door. We pride ourselves on delivering the same level of superb quality behind the carpets and doors and within the structure of the boat as we do the elements on show.
All of our hulls are resin infused, which is the most efficient and consistent method of manufacturing using GRP, resulting in weight savings, better performance and fuel economy. It is also better for the environment. This moulding phase can take from 1 week to 3 weeks dependent upon the size of the boat.
Once the moulding process has finished, the boat then moves to the build shop. This first stage of the build process is called the Pre Build. At this stage all the plumbing is installed, holding tanks are loaded, fuel tanks installed and all the pump systems are fitted.
Once the mock up has been tweaked and adjusted to perfection, the drawings can be issued and the furniture shop can start the skilled task of creating all of the furniture for the yacht. All timber elements of the boat are created by our bench joiners and skilled carpenters from elements not seen by the customer through to head linings, bulkheads and of course the furniture, both built-in and free-standing pieces.
The furniture shop brings to life the beautiful shapes of the designs, giving the contemporary feel associated with all Princess yachts. A large investment in tooling ensures that the beautiful custom made, hand crafted furniture is impeccably realised. Component parts are precision cut from sheets of wood within the machine shop on our CNC machines. Hardwood edging is created using bespoke tooling, handmade in-house, to create the variety of different profiles needed on a yacht. Radio Frequency and Post-Forming machinery creates our signature curved furnishings.
Each craftsperson sees the furniture unit they are creating through from start to completion which gives them a great sense of pride in what they are creating. There is no tolerance for any imperfections, each piece is a labour of love. Timber is a natural product so can vary greatly in grain patination, colour and texture. By building the pieces side by side in one place gives the carpenters the ability to make sure each timber panel matches and fits together perfectly.
Once assembled, the furniture then goes to the paint shop where it is buffed and lacquered to a perfect polish and is readied for delivery to the build line.
Teams of welders and fabricators within our metal shop manipulate raw materials to produce pristine polished handrails for staircases, pulpits, dining table stands and components for fixtures and fittings throughout the yachts.
Welding is done by hand but must look like it has been done by machine, so the art of welding at Princess is to have the ultimate dexterity.
Some of the metal work is structural but most of it is on show and all of it looks and feels perfect.
The raw material is checked immediately upon delivery at Princess, if there are any blemishes or imperfections, then it is rejected straight away.
By dealing with the metal work in house it means the craftspeople can see where each element will go on board, they can visualise the finished product and as such ensure the quality of their work is world class.
The wiring gets fitted at a very early stage on the yacht and as such the electrical specifications and requirements are needed early on in the build. Complex wiring looms are produced to carry the electrical cables throughout the yacht to power everything from lighting and air conditioning to electrical appliances such as televisions and audio systems.
Around 200 looms are created for a smaller boat while over 800 can be found on some larger boats.
Operating on a ‘right first time’ basis, the looming aspect is a complicated engineering feat. Development by its own nature is fluid so the team must quickly respond to changes in the electrical design.
As each customer's yacht specification is unique, we are never building the same boat twice in the loom shop which makes it an exciting place to work for our skilled electrical craftspeople.
Once the pre-build phase is completed, the yacht enters the fit out stage of her life. Fit out sees all of the component parts and furniture being installed. The assembly of components can occur at different sites, but on boats up to 70ft they are installed on a rolling line, moving every 10-15 days. It is a hugely organised and structured process.
Despite 3D models and advances technical system, we ultimately rely on our skilled craftspeople to make things by hand, from handstitched upholstery to hand planed furniture, the quality is evident throughout every single element of the yacht.
To put this into context, when the galley is fitted out on board, the galley units arrive and the build crew install them. The units are already created in their entirety in advance, but are fitted out completely in one go including plumbing, taps and electrical items. This fit out stage of the process can take from 30 days to 4 months dependent upon the size of the yacht.
Yachts which are built away from the sea are tested in a test tank at the facility in which they are built. The engines are started, the hull fittings tested, hydraulics and air con started up. Generators are fired and all on board systems are thoroughly checked.
The yacht is then taken to our Newport Street facility to commence the commissioning sea trials. The sea trials are completed by the Princess Outside Crew teams who perform over 3,000 checks on each boat.
Various people are involved in the sea trials, including the engine manufacturers and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) suppliers and all installations are tested and signed off. Nothing on-board your yacht, even the finer details, remains unchecked.
Sea trials culminate in extended trials and the yacht is only signed off once all the systems have been checked, stress tested and are running perfectly. Noise checks, performance checks and all speeds and rev ranges are also checked. Final quality audits are carried out and the yacht is then cleaned and readied for handover and delivery to the customer.
Like all the best dreams, ours started small - in a rented shed which sits opposite our current Newport Street site, where we built our first boat in 1965.
Since then we have built and shipped tens of thousands of craft across the globe from the yacht that started it all, Project 31, to new X Class super-flybridge yachts.
Explore Princess throughout the decades.
Princess Yachts was founded as Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd in 1965 but our story begins in 1963 when three friends, Cliff Viney, David King and Brian Phillips, decided to set up a boat charter business. The three set out to fit out and charter 'Project 31', a 31ft motor boat, however they later decided to sell the model and the potential for sales was realised. Between 1966 and 1969 over 150 Project 31 yachts were produced and sold.
Princess Yachts was founded as Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd in 1965 but our story begins in 1963 when three friends decided to set up a boat charter business. Cliff Viney, a former merchant navy engineer, David King and Brian Phillips, both serving officers in the Royal Navy, purchased a Senior 31 hull and deck moulding to fit out for charter from their rented shed in Newport Street, Plymouth. The three had planned to call the business Marine Enterprises however this name had already been registered so they settled upon Marine Projects instead.
King and Phillips left the Navy to join Viney full time at Newport Street and as the fit out neared completion the partners turned their attention to securing charters for the upcoming season, however after encountering difficulties securing deposits they decided to sell the boat instead.
Project 31 sold quickly for £3,400 and the potential market for boat sales was realised. The trio decided to continue their venture as boat builders and between 1966 and 1969 over 150 Project 31 yachts were produced and sold. A second model, the Pilgrim 30, was then introduced in 1968.
The 1970s were a landmark era; the first yacht to bear the Princess name was launched, the Princess 32; we began GRP moulding for the first time; our first dealers were appointed; and our iconic flybridge range was conceived. The oil crisis of 1973 also saw the company venture into the production of sailing yachts in partnership with Moody.
High demand lead to the expansion of our facilities and our first venture into GRP moulding. The Princess 32, the first to bear the Princess name and first to be GRP moulded within our own facilities, made her debut at the 1970 London Boat Show to great acclaim. Following strong interest, the decision was taken to sell the Princess 32 through the trade and a network of home and overseas distributors was created. The 32 went on to become one of the most successful models in our history with more than 1,200 yachts sold over the course of her decade-long production run.
The decade was not without its challenges however; political and economic uncertainties and the oil crisis of 1973 threatened sales. While overseas distribution helped maintain sales, we decided to diversify into less fuel dependant products and entered into a partnership with A.H. Moody and Sons to produce sailing yachts. This partnership would continue for 30 years with nearly 40 new models being developed during this time and over 4,000 sailing yachts manufactured.
Turbulent times did not stop product innovation however. In 1973 designer John Bennett was appointed to create two new motor yachts to complement the Princess 32. The first of these was the Princess 37, the yacht which would inspire the iconic Princess flybridge range. The first 'flybridge years' saw a number of new models introduced to the range between the mid-70s through until the early 80s and the expanding range lead to the acquisition of the third premises at Lee Mill, Plymouth as a new dedicated mould shop.
In 1980 Naval Architect Bernard Olesinski was invited to design a new Princess yacht to meet the trend for larger and faster craft. The result was the Princess 30DS and a design relationship with Olesinski that continues to present day.
In 1980 Naval Architect Bernard Olesinski was invited to design a new Princess yacht to meet the trend for larger and faster craft. The result was the Princess 30DS and a design relationship with Olesinski that continues to present day. The 30DS was the first in a new generation of yachts and established the design language which typified Princess yachts in the 1980s. Over 500 were built and sold between 1981 and 1989.
The second design from Olesinski was the Princess 45, a landmark design which made history as the UK's largest production motor yacht at the time. Launched in 1981 the 45 was pivotal in establishing the company in new global markets and by 1988 we were awarded the Queen's Award for Export in recognition of our international sales achievements.
In 1983 Olesinski designed our first sports yacht, the 286 Riviera, developed to satisfy the Mediterranean market. The 286 proved almost as popular as the 30DS so a further six Riviera models were developed throughout the 80s and 90s. By the close of the 1980s our fourth site was opened - a manufacturing facility at Langage, Plymouth measuring 4,200m².
New model launches ramped up in the 1990s with nearly 40 new models coming to market throughout the decade.
Some of the most notable launches included: the Princess 65 which claimed the title of Britain's largest production boat on its launch in 1990; the first ever V Class sports yachts, Princess V39 and V52; the first Princess Meter yacht, the Princess 20 Meter; and the first electronic diesel engine yacht in Europe, the Princess 52.
This growth lead to the acquisition of our fifth premises, a 30,000m² site at Coypool, Plymouth, the expansion of our facilities at Langage and the opening of new purpose built headquarters at Newport Street.
With the name Princess now synonymous with the brand, Marine Projects became Princess Yachts International in 2001. The iconic Princess 42 was launched in 2003, setting the benchmark for the modern day entry level flybridge yacht. At the other end of the scale, the Princess design team were pushing the boundaries; the flagship model, the Princess 95 Motor Yacht, was launched in 2007; the V85, the flagship of the V Class range launched in 2008; and the development of our M Class superyachts begins. In preparation for superyacht production, our sixth site was acquired, South Yard, part of Plymouth's historic dockyard.
The 2010s marked another landmark era for the brand in which we launched the largest vessel we have ever built, the Princess 40M plus the fastest-ever Princess, the Princess R35. We become the first major European motor yacht manufacturer to be awarded ISO14001 in recognition of our achievements in reducing the affect on the environment and embark on a new partnership with the Marine Conservation Society. We also celebrate 50 years at the forefront of yacht manufacture.
In 2010 we became the first major European motor yacht manufacturer to be awarded ISO14001 in recognition of achievements in reducing our affect on the environment. We were also the first significant British boat builder to achieve the RINA Green Plus (Y) notation for our entire range of V Class and Flybridge yachts up to 24m. Since 2016 we have worked with the Marine Conservation Society to support protection of marine environments and sea life for future generations.
In 2015 we celebrate 50 years at the forefront of motor yacht manufacture. To mark the occasion we restored an original Project 31, under the code name "Project 31@50", bringing back some of the original team from the 1960s as advisors. Project31@50 was later named M/Y Charlotte by the voting public on social media and made her debut appearance at the Cannes Yachting festival alongside the global launch of the new Princess 35M, celebrating a journey through half a century.
Today Princess is recognised as once of the world's leading boat builders, with a reputation for design, engineering and manufacturing excellence. From our sophisticated F Class and Y Class motor yachts, dynamic V Class sports yachts, ground-breaking S Class sportbridge yachts, expansive X Class super flybridge yachts to the revolutionary R Class performance sports yacht, evert Princess yacht represents a blend of cutting-edge technology with traditional craftmanship. Scroll to discover more about our manufacturing process or click to discover more about our ranges.
As a brand with our heart on the sea, sustainability is at the core of our values. Because of this, we are offering more responsible ways of yachting; from hybrid-technology, to the option of eco-friendly upholstery material substitutions and energy saving technologies and measures, reducing our impact is more than just a box ticking exercise.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the environment we have implemented the following measures:
We have partnered with the Marine Conservation Society to protect and sustain marine environments for future generations. This includes: raising money for essential conservation work, driving awareness amongst Princess customers on the importance of protecting the oceans, only serving sustainably caught seafood and banning single-use plastics at all of our events. Princess is currently the custodian of the Eddystone Reef, working with MCS on several projects, including eco-moorings to protect seagrass beds, and turtle tagging in Turks and Caicos.
Collaborating with MarineShift360 to analyse our manufacturing processes and quantify beneficial, sustainable techniques going forward. In 2010 we became the first major European boat-builder to be awarded ISO14001 in recognition of our achievements in reducing our environmental impact. We are also breaking new ground in large scale resin infusion technology, a closed moulded process which almost completely eliminates styrene emissions in the workplace and local environment.
