Princess Yachts celebrates 50 years
From a boat fit-out to one of the biggest luxury motoryacht makers in the UKThis year marks the 50th anniversary of Princess Yachts International, one of the world’s leading motor yacht manufacturers, and big things are planned for the UK boatbuilder's Golden Anniversary.
Founded in 1965 as Marine Projects (Plymouth) by David King and two friends, Princess made its splash with a Senior 31 hull and deck moulding that was fitted out in a rented shed based at Newport Street, Plymouth.
Project 31, as it was known and is pictured in the opening black-and-white frame above, was sold for £3400 and marked the beginning of a successful Plymouth shipyard.
Over the years, Princess Yachts has produced some world-beating craft 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.
On August 1, 2001 Marine Projects became Princess Yachts International plc now occupying sites in Devonport, Plympton and Lee Mill.
In 2008, the company was purchased by L Capital, an investment group sponsored by LVMH (Moe¨t Hennessy Louis Vuitton) and Groupe Arnault. The LVMH group includes over 60 international luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi, De Beers, Moet Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Krug. Other Marine interests include Superyacht builder Feadship.
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 over the 100-foot mark.
Now with over 2400 employees across six sites, Princess Yachts International is one of the biggest employers in the UK's South West.
Along with a distributor network covering more than 65 countries around the world, and a product range consisting of 23 models, Princess has become a leading motoryacht manufacturer at the forefront of the industry.
Princess Yachts is set to make 2015 a memorable year with the launch of two new M Class superyachts. The Princess 30M will mark the entry point into M Class with the 35M reaffirming Princess’ ability to produce world-class superyachts.
As with all M Class yachts, the 30M and 35M will combine elegant lines with sophisticated and contemporary interior styling, the UK-based boatbuilder says.
Princess says 2015 will also see further announcements in the Flybridge, V Class and S Class ranges.
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