Princess Yachts

Princess began in 1965 as Marine Projects of Plymouth, founded by David King and partners; the Project 31 established a reputation for solid, sea-minded motor cruisers. The lasting turn came in the early 1980s with naval architect Bernard Olesinski, whose efficient deep-V hulls have underpinned virtually every Princess since — a continuity of design rare in the industry.

Renamed Princess Yachts and long owned by LVMH-linked fund L Catterton before changing hands in 2023, the yard employs thousands across Plymouth sites, building everything in-house from tooling to joinery. The range spans the F and Y flybridge lines, S sportbridges, V sports yachts and the resin-infused X wide-body series. Less flamboyant than its British rival Sunseeker, Princess trades on refinement, hull manners and build discipline.