Our Story

About Princess Yachts

Distinction in Detail

We established our home in Plymouth, on the edge of the English Channel, in 1965. Today, a highly skilled team come together at our shipyards to create something remarkable.

From designers to engineers, from carpenters to metalworkers, each of them possesses a mastery of their individual craft. And each one is completely focused on the details for which they are responsible.

By crafting every detail, we can perfect every detail. So you can enjoy the perfect experience.

Built where the sea makes no promises

Our yachts are born in Plymouth, England, on the edge of the North Atlantic, where conditions are unpredictable and calm water can’t be relied upon. We test our yachts in all weathers. Not because our owners will ever seek out these conditions but so that they never have to question her capability.
Distinction in Detail

At Princess, Distinction in Detail is more than a strapline, it’s an ethos. With over 80% of each Princess yacht crafted at our home in Plymouth, we retain complete control over quality, unlock creative freedom for our designers, and ensure every detail is perfected.
60 Years of Distinction in Detail

In 2025, we proudly celebrate six decades of distinction in detail at Princess Yachts. To mark this incredible milestone we're launching a series of short films that explore the Princess journey from humble yet pioneering beginnings to the world-renowned boat builder we are today.

Discover the full series

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Princess through the decades

In 1965, in a rented shed in Plymouth across the water from our current Newport Street site, we built our first boat.

Since then, we’ve built and shipped tens of thousands of yachts across the globe.

Explore our story, decade by decade.

- Where it all began
  
  In 1963, three friends decided to set up a boat charter business, which they named Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd. Cliff Viney, a former merchant navy engineer, along with David King and Brian Phillips, both serving officers in the Royal Navy, purchased a Senior 31 hull and deck moulding to fit out from a rented shed in Newport Street, Plymouth.
- King and Phillips left the Navy to join Viney full-time at Newport Street. As the ‘Project 31’ fit out neared completion, the partners turned their attention to securing charters for the upcoming season – but found it difficult to secure deposits. So they decided to sell the boat instead.
- Project 31 sold quickly for £3,400, and the trio realised there was an untapped market for boat sales. So they decided to continue their venture as boatbuilders instead. Between 1966 and 1969, they produced and sold over 150 Project 31 yachts, with a second model, the Pilgrim 30, introduced in 1968.
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1960s
- High demand led to the expansion of the facilities, and our first venture into GRP moulding. The result was the Princess 32, the first yacht to bear the Princess name, which was unveiled 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 established. 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.
- However, the decade was not without its challenges – the oil crisis of 1973 threatened sales. So we decided to diversify, and entered into a partnership with A.H. Moody and Sons to produce sailing yachts. The partnership went on to cover 30 years, 40 models and the sale of over 4,000 yachts.
  
  Meanwhile, the introduction of new motor yachts also continued. Designer John Bennett created the Princess 37 – a flybridge yacht that would inspire the iconic Princess flybridge range. More models followed, and the expanding range led to the acquisition of our third premises at Lee Mill.
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1970s
- In 1980, naval architect Bernard Olesinski was invited to design a new Princess yacht to meet the demand for larger and faster craft. The result was the Princess 30DS, the yacht that established the design language for Princess yachts for the decade. Over 500 were sold.
  
  The second design from Olesinski was the Princess 45, the UK’s largest production motor yacht at the time. Launched in 1981, it established the company in new global markets – and in 1988, we were awarded the Queen’s Award for Export as a result.
- In 1983, Olesinski designed our first sports yacht, created specifically for the Mediterranean market. The 286 Riviera proved almost as popular as the 30DS, with a further six Riviera models following throughout the 80s and 90s.
  
  By the end of the 1980s, our fourth Plymouth site, a 4,200 m2 manufacturing facility, had opened at Langage. And our design relationship with Olesinski was firmly established – a relationship that lasts to this day.
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1980s
- New model launches ramped up in the 1990s, with nearly 40 new models coming to market over the course of the decade.
- Some of the most notable launches included: the 1990 Princess 65, Britain’s largest production yacht at the time; the first V Class 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 led to the acquisition of our fifth premises in Plymouth, a 30,000 m2 site at Coypool. We also expanded our facilities at Langage and opened a new purpose-built headquarters at our Newport Street site.
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1990s
- With the Princess name 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 entry-level modern flybridge yacht. At the other end of the scale, the design team were pushing the boundaries with the introduction of a new flagship model, the Princess 95, launched in 2007 – followed by the V85 in 2008. And the development of our M Class superyachts began.
  
  In preparation for superyacht production, we acquired our sixth site at South Yard, part of Plymouth’s historic dockyards.
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2000s
- The 2010s marked another landmark era for Princess: we launched both the largest vessel we’ve ever built, the Princess 40M, and the fastest, the Princess R35.
- In 2010, we became the first major European yacht manufacturer to be awarded ISO 14001 in recognition of our achievements in reducing our impact on the environment.
  
  We were also the first significant British boat manufacturer to achieve the RINA Green Plus (Y) notation for our entire range of V Class and Flybridge yachts up to 24m.
  
  And in 2016, we started working with the Marine Conservation Society to support protection of marine environments and sea life for future generations – a partnership that continues to this day.
- In 2015, we celebrated 50 years at the forefront of motor yacht manufacture. To mark the occasion, we restored an original Project 31 under the codename Project31@50, bringing back some of the original team from the 1960s as advisors.
  
  The restored yacht was later named M/Y Charlotte by a public vote on social media, and made her debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival, alongside the global launch of the Princess 35M – celebrating a voyage through half a century.
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2010s
- Princess Today
  
  Today, Princess is recognised as one of the world’s leading boatbuilders, with a reputation for design, engineering and manufacturing excellence. Every yacht we build represents a fusion of cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship – and, of course, exceptional attention to detail.
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Today

How we create the exceptional

It takes a combination of many different skills to create a Princess yacht. Here, we take a look at the intricate process.
- Crafted by Princess
  
  Our culture of innovation makes our yachts some of the most technically advanced in the world. And our dedication to craftsmanship, with over 80% of every Princess yacht crafted in-house, means they’re also the most beautifully realised. Watch the film to find out more.
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The attention to detail starts long before we begin building your yacht. Scroll to explore our design process.
- Princess Design Studio
  
  A Princess yacht begins its life in the Princess Design Studio, our in-house team responsible for all areas of yacht design, styling and finish. Working closely with our naval architects, they set new standards for powerful, practical and memorable design.
- From sketch to mock-up
  
  The Design Studio consists of 14 in-house teams, including Computer Aided Design and engineering departments – as well as consultants who work with our customers to bring their individual interior design schemes to life.
  
  For every boat in the range, the initial concept stage is followed by more detailed drawings and layouts. Once these are signed off, a mock-up can be created.
- Exceptional hulls
  
  Our pioneering deep-V hulls are born from our naval architects’ obsession with both spaciousness and seakeeping. Sculpted from a lightweight, resin-infused hull composite, they allow for greater internal volume than standard hull production methods.
  
  The ingenious design also requires less power and burns less fuel to achieve its maximum speed, allowing for superior performance defined by efficiency, agility and poise. Wherever you’re heading, you can be sure of an exhilarating journey.
- Mock-ups
  
  At Princess, a 1:1 scale model is made of all new yachts. This is a totally unique part of our design process and is not carried out by any other yacht manufacturer.
  
  The mock-ups give the design team the opportunity to sit in the spaces, check sight lines in the windows, experiment with different materials and even optimise the design of component parts.
  
  They also give our customers a unique opportunity to walk around a life-size model of a yacht before it even goes into build, allowing them to get a feeling for the atmosphere the space creates.
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At the Pre-Build stage, a wide variety of elements are created separately. Scroll to find out more about the Mould Shop, the Furniture Shop, the Metal Shop and the Loom Shop.
- Mould Shop
  
  From the hull to the locker doors, our Mould Shop produces all the strong yet lightweight GRP components on board our yachts. We use high-precision 5-Axis machining to create polysterene moulds known as ‘plugs’, which are then used to create the individual moulded elements for each yacht.
  
  We pride ourselves on delivering the same level of exceptional quality for the parts behind doors and under carpets as we do for the elements that can be seen and touched.
- All of our hulls are resin-infused, which is the most efficient and consistent form of GRP moulding. This results in weight savings, enhanced fuel economy, superior performance and a lower environmental impact.
  
  The moulding phase can take between one and three weeks, depending on the size of the boat. Once this is complete, the holding tanks, fuel tanks, plumbing and pump systems are all installed.
- Furniture Shop
  
  Once the final mock-up adjustments have been agreed, drawings are issued and the Furniture Shop starts the intricate process of creating all the furniture for the yacht.
  
  All the built-in and freestanding timber elements are created by our bench joiners and skilled carpenters, from the bulkheads to the furniture.
- The Furniture Shop brings the beautiful shapes of each design to life, adding an essential part of the elegant, contemporary style that is a feature of every Princess yacht.
  
  Component parts are precision cut from sheets of wood on state-of-the-art CNC machines, while hardwood edging is completed using bespoke tooling, handmade in-house. And Radio Frequency and Post-Forming machinery creates our signature curved furnishings.
  
  The result is custom-made, handcrafted furniture, impeccably realised.
- Each craftsperson sees the furniture unit they are creating through from start to finish, allowing for a real sense of pride in what they’re creating.
  
  Timber can vary greatly in grain patination, colour and texture, so building the pieces side by side enables our carpenters to make sure the timber panels match and fit together perfectly.
  
  Once assembled, the furniture goes to the Paint Shop, where it is buffed and lacquered to a perfect polish.
- Metal Shop
  
  Teams of welders and fabricators in our Metal Shop skillfully manipulate raw materials to produce pristine dining table stands, pulpits, handrails for staircases and components for fixtures and fittings throughout our yachts.
- Most of the metalwork is on display, and it all needs to look and feel perfect. If there are any blemishes in the raw materials, they are rejected immediately. Our welding is done by hand but must look as if it’s been made by machine, a feat which requires the utmost dexterity.
  
  As the metal work is done in-house, our craftspeople can see exactly where each element will sit on board, allowing them to visualise the finished project and ensure the quality of their work is world-class.
- Loom Shop
  
  To power everything from lighting and air conditioning to televisions and audio systems, an intricate system of electrical cables runs through every yacht. Before these can be installed, a series of complex wiring looms are created in our Loom Shop.
  
  Around 200 looms are created for a smaller boat, while our largest yachts can require over 800 looms.
- Creating the looms is a complicated feat of engineering. Operating on a ‘right first time’ basis, the team must be quick to respond to any changes in the electrical design as development progresses.
  
  As each customer’s yacht specification is unique, we never build the same boat twice, making the Loom Shop a varied and rewarding place to work for our skilled electrical craftspeople.
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When the Pre-Build phase is complete, the yacht moves into the Fit Out stage, where all the components come together.
- Fit Out
  
  Once all the elements of a yacht have been created, the Fit Out stage sees all the component parts being installed.
  
  On boats up to 70 feet, they are installed on a rolling line, with the boat moving down the line to the next stage every 10 to 15 days in a meticulously structured process.
- The Fit Out stage can take anywhere from 30 days to four months, depending on the size of the yacht.
  
  With each element already created by our craftspeople in the Pre-Build stage, a galley, for instance, can be fitted out in one go, installing the units along with plumbing, taps and electrical items.
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The completion of the yacht isn’t the end of the story. Before being handed over to the owner, there’s a series of rigorous tests to complete.
- Tank testing
  
  Yachts which are built away from the sea are tested in a tank at the facility where they were built. The engines are started, the hull fittings inspected, the hydraulics and air conditioning tested, the generators fired up – and all on-board systems are thoroughly checked.
- Sea trials
  
  The yacht is then transported to our Newport Street facility, where the Princess Outside Crew begin the commissioning sea trials, involving over 3,000 checks.
  
  All installations are tested and signed off, with the manufacturers of the engine and other original equipment brought in to help test their specialist areas.
  
  Nothing on board your yacht, including the fine details, remains unchecked.
- Extended trials
  
  Sea trials culminate in extended trials, and the yacht is only signed off once all the systems have been checked and stress-tested and found to be running perfectly.
  
  Noise checks, performance checks and all speeds and rev ranges are also tested. Final quality audits are carried out, followed by a thorough clean.
  
  Only then can the yacht be handed over to the owner.
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Building for a better future

As a company that depends on the ocean, sustainability is incredibly important to us. That’s why we offer more responsible ways of yachting, from hybrid technology to the option of eco-friendly materials and energy-saving technologies. Discover some of our initiatives below.
- Investing in renewable energy
  
  As part of our ongoing commitment to reduce our environmental impact we are investing in renewable energy. Photovoltaic solar panels have been installed across two Princess sites. The panels at our Newport Street site cover the area of 5 tennis courts with the potential to power 104 homes per year and offsetting carbon emissions equivalent to nearly 5,000 trees. The new panels being installed at our Coypool facility will have 5.5 times the capability which will significantly increase our environmental impact reduction.
- Creating a circular economy
  
  We are committed to creating a circular economy and actively engaging in new waste management initiatives across all of our sites. These include our "Recycle and Raise" initiative where we are working with Devon Contract Waste to turn plastic bottle tops into new items such as picnic benches, with the proceeds raising money for charity. We have also embarked on a pilot programme working with an up-and-coming fashion brand, Dart & Grey, supported by Microeconomy, to turn surplus materials into high-end clothing and accessories.
- Investing in biodiversity
  
  In addition to waste management and renewable energy we are also investing in biodiversity and conservation. Since 2016 we have partnered with the Marine Conservation Society to protect and sustain marine environments for future generations, supporting various projects around the Plymouth Sound and further afield. We have also undertaken internal company initiatives including the introduction of beehives at Newport Street, encouraging pollinators to help green spaces on site thrive and inspire more vegetation and wildlife. As part of the project, employees have been volunteering as beekeepers, helping to maintain and care for the bees.
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A voyage of discovery

Explore our extensive range, with seven classes of yachts each designed to deliver unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re looking for exceptional spaciousness, refined design, sociable layouts, sleek style or sheer exhilaration, you’ll find a yacht that’s perfect for you.

Explore the range

Explore our extensive range, with seven classes of yachts each designed to deliver unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re looking for exceptional spaciousness, refined design, sociable layouts, sleek style or sheer exhilaration, you’ll find a yacht that’s perfect for you.

Explore the range

Our network

With an extensive network of distributors around the globe, we are able to bring you personalised world-class service almost anywhere. We do all that we can to make sure that the process of buying a Princess is yet another exciting aspect of ownership.

Our specialist dealers have years of experience and unparalleled knowledge of our yachts. Contact us for more information on any one of the yachts in our range.