Princess celebrates 60 years since the inception of Princess Yachts, along with the 60th anniversary of their largest distributor in the world – Princess Motor Yacht Sales.
Princess Yachts was founded by David King back in August 1965 with the first Project 31 built at Stonehouse Creek in Plymouth, Devon, and the company was initially known as Marine Projects. Princess Motor Yacht Sales was established later that year in December 1965 and now distributes Princess yachts in the UK, Spain, Balearics and Germany, plus Switzerland, Ireland and the Channel Islands.
My Princess takes a quick look at how it all began as we look forward to the next 60 years.
Founded in 1965 as Marine Projects (Plymouth), David King and two friends started the business with a Senior 31 hull and deck moulding to fit out in their rented shed based at Newport Street, Plymouth. Project 31 sold for £3,400 and marked the beginning of a successful Plymouth shipyard.
Over the years Princess Yachts has produced some of the world’s most incredible yachts from the company’s first sports boat; the 286 Riviera which firmly cemented Marine Projects’ place in the high-speed sports cruiser market, to the Princess 65 which became the company’s flagship in 1990.
Project 31 from 1965 restored
On 1st August 2001 Marine Projects became Princess Yachts International plc (It later became Princess Yachts Limited now occupying sites in Devonport, Plympton and Lee Mill. In 2008 the company was purchased by L Capital and the following year South Yard, a 15-acre waterside site (formally part of the Royal Naval Dockyard) was acquired with plans put in place to take the brand into the superyacht category. In February 2023 Princess Yachts was sold to KPS Capital Partners, an American Investment company, and former Sales Director Will Green took the helm as CEO.
Princess Yachts International is one of the biggest employers in the South West. Along with a complex distributor network covering more than 65 countries around the world and a product range consisting of 20 models, from 40ft to 95ft, Princess has become a leading, award-winning, motor yacht manufacturer at the forefront of design and innovation within the industry.
Princess Celebrates 60 Years with the Anniversary Edition of the Iconic Princess V40
To celebrate 60 years of crafting some of the world’s finest yachts, Princess have created a very special edition of the iconic V40 to mark this incredible milestone in the brand’s history. The updated model features a restyled profile including a vignetted hull graphic that extends the window line and incorporates a special ‘60 years’ emblem denoting that this is a limited-edition yacht.
The canopy is also enhanced with a choice of 3 contrast flash colours each with a matching exterior upholstery scheme with contrast piping to provide a consistent styling feel throughout. At the helm, the unique ’60 years’ emblem is embroidered into the helm seat. An exclusive three spoke steering wheel, a popular option from some of the lager models, completes the look.
Princess Celebrates 60 Years of exceptional yachts with ‘Distinction in Detail’ throughout 2025 through a series of unique visuals, storytelling and special events that celebrates the people and products behind the brand’s long successful history.
Find your perfect Princess with Princess Motor Yacht Sales, direct from the Plymouth shipyard: www.princess.co.uk/new-yachts or from the range of pre-loved yachts through the brokerage department: www.princess.co.uk/used-yachts
