Princess Yachts: Luxury and Innovation on the Waves
Princess Yachts is a prestigious British luxury yacht manufacturer, known for creating high-quality, elegant vessels that offer unforgettable experiences for their owners and guests. With a diverse portfolio of motor yachts and sports yachts, Princess Yachts caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, emphasizing a marriage between responsive power and unparalleled luxury.
Established in 1965, the brand has since expanded its presence across the globe, offering new and used yachts through experienced yacht brokers and dealerships in various countries, including the United States, Spain, Turkey, Italy, and France. Their V Class sports yacht line is particularly popular, boasting phenomenal performance, sleep accommodations for eight, and the ability to reach speeds up to 39 knots. The V78 serves as the flagship of this range, demonstrating the exceptional experience offered by Princess Yachts.
History of Princess Yachts
Princess Yachts was founded in 1965 in Plymouth, England, under the name Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd. The company's story began in 1963 when three friends, Cliff Viney, David King, and Brian began their yacht manufacturing journey together (source).
Over the years, the company has grown into one of the foremost British luxury yacht manufacturers. The current shipyard in Plymouth has a unique history, as it was formerly the site of another renowned shipyard (source).
In 1995, Princess Yachts formed an exclusive partnership with Viking, a leading American yacht manufacturer. This collaboration resulted in the founding of Viking Sport Cruisers, further expanding the reach of the Princess Yachts brand (source).
Today, Princess Yachts continues to maintain a strong presence in the global yachting industry, producing a wide range of luxury motor yachts with a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and craftsmanship (source).
Notable Models
Princess Yachts has produced several remarkable models since the company's inception. Among the most popular is the Princess V39, which marked the beginning of the V-Class range. This sporty yet luxurious yacht offers high-speed cruising with comfortable living spaces.
Another standout model is the Princess S72 which features a unique blend of style and performance. This motor yacht is designed for those who appreciate speed and elegant aesthetics, making it perfect for socializing and maritime adventures.
For those seeking superyacht experiences, the Princess X95 is a shining example of innovation and craftsmanship. This flagship yacht allows customization to cater to various needs, and it seamlessly blends interior and exterior spaces for an exceptional on-water experience.
In the M-Class range, the Princess 35M is notable for its breakthrough design and immaculate attention to detail. This sophisticated vessel combines spacious living and entertainment areas with impressive performance capabilities.
Apart from these notable models, Princess Yachts offers an extensive range of yachts, such as the F-, S-, V-, and Y-Class yachts, each tailored to cater to diverse boating lifestyles and preferences. Throughout their history, Princess Yachts has consistently delivered innovative design and craftsmanship, making them a well-established name in the luxury yacht industry.
Innovations and Design
Princess Yachts, a leading British luxury yacht manufacturer, is known for their meticulous attention to detail and commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences(source). One of their significant contributions to the yachting industry is the innovation and design found in their various yacht models, such as the R Class, F Class, and S Class yachts.
The R35 is the first model in the Princess R Class performance sports yachts, designed and hand-built in Plymouth, England. Combining revolutionary performance capabilities with stunning aesthetics, this yacht exemplifies the manufacturer's pursuit of excellence in design.
Moving to the F Class and S Class yachts, the F50 flybridge and S66 sportbridge models are praised for their elegance, beauty, and innovative use of space, characteristics that have become synonymous with Princess design.
Beyond these classes, Princess Yachts has also made waves with their recent development of the Princess X95, Y95, and Y85 models. The X95, in particular, features an innovative design that redefines what a luxury yacht is capable of, showcasing the creative vision and expertise of the company.
In addition to these striking designs, Princess Yachts is also renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, evident in each of their luxury yacht models, further elevating both the aesthetics and functionality of their creations.
Awards and Recognition
Princess Yachts has earned numerous awards and recognitions for its outstanding yacht designs and performance over the years. In 2022, the company's Princess Y72 and Princess F45 models both won titles at the prestigious Motor Boat & Yachting (MBY) 2022 Motorboat Awards.
The Princess Y72 was named the winner in the Best Flybridge over 60ft category. According to the judges, this yacht stood out for its glamour, polish, and attention to detail. The Princess F45, on the other hand, earned its recognition in the Flybridge yacht under 55 feet category.
In addition to these recent accolades, Princess Yachts was also the first major European motor yacht manufacturer to be awarded the ISO14001 certification. This certification recognizes the company's efforts in reducing its environmental impact as a yacht builder, further establishing the brand's commitment to sustainable practices within the industry.
These awards and recognitions highlight the exceptional quality, design, and innovation behind the Princess Yachts brand. The company's dedication to excellence in motor yacht manufacturing has made it a leader in the luxury yacht industry, and these achievements are a testament to their ongoing success.
Ownership Experience
Owning a Princess Yacht is known for providing a luxurious and enjoyable experience for yacht owners. As the UK's largest luxury boat builder, Princess Yachts places a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and customer satisfaction (Princess Yachts).
One option for owning a Princess Yacht is through their YachtQuarters shared yacht ownership program. This program allows owners to enjoy a Princess Yacht at a fraction of the cost, with full yacht management taken care of by the company (Princess YachtQuarters).
Princess Yachts also offers support for brokerage customers, ensuring that they enjoy the full benefits of yacht ownership. For example, a Princess V50 owner named Craig was able to enjoy the complete Princess Yachts ownership experience even as a brokerage customer (Bluewater Yacht Sales).
Maintaining a luxury yacht can be a costly and labor-intensive process; however, Princess Yachts takes pride in offering seamless experiences for both first-time buyers and experienced owners alike (Princess Yacht Charter).
Environmental Commitments
Princess Yachts recognizes the importance of environmental sustainability throughout its products' lifecycle. With over 55 years of experience in yacht manufacture, the company continually seeks ways to improve its operations to minimize impacts on the environment.
Within the next 24 months, Princess Yachts has made a commitment to reduce its carbon emissions in manufacturing by over 20% (source). Moreover, the luxury yacht brand has already been recognized for its excellence in environmental management of its business (source).
To further promote sustainability and ocean conservation, Princess Yachts has partnered with Ecoworks Marine (source). This collaboration aims to set industry standards for environmentally friendly yacht manufacturing and maintenance practices.
On World Oceans Day, Princess Yachts teamed up with the Marine Conservation Society to raise awareness about the importance of protecting marine environments. As the first luxury yacht brand to do so, this partnership demonstrates the company's commitment to preserving and supporting marine ecosystems (source).
Future of Princess Yachts
In recent years, Princess Yachts has been focusing on eco-friendly advancements in yacht propulsion. They have introduced hybrid drive systems in their latest X95 and Y95 models, marking a shift towards sustainable technologies in the yachting industry.
As yacht propulsion continues to evolve, the company is likely to explore further innovations in hybrid and electric power systems. The popularity of eco-friendly options is growing, and Princess Yachts' commitment to sustainable solutions will play a significant role in defining the future of yachting.
Business-wise, the company has recently undergone significant changes. In February 2023, Princess Yachts was purchased by U.S. private equity firm KPS Capital Partners. This acquisition may lead to further growth and development for the company as new investments and strategies are implemented.
In an interview with Will Green, he discussed the challenges the yachting industry faced regarding delays and price strategy, and mentioned potential future growth plans for Princess Yachts. With a bright vision for the future and ongoing investment in the company, Princess Yachts is well-positioned to navigate the ever-evolving yachting landscape, ensuring customer satisfaction and retaining its status as a leader in the luxury yacht market.