As Princess’s first outboard-powered model and its first stepped-hull design, the C48 is also set to become the fastest yacht the company has built to date. Available in two versions - the Princess C48 Open and the Princess C48 Deck Saloon - it marks a clear shift in direction for the brand.
The update marks tangible progress for the first model in the yard’s new C-Class range, first revealed at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival.
Production Phase Begins in Plymouth
When the C48 was introduced in Cannes in 2025, the yacht represented Princess Yachts’ formal entry into the high-performance center-console sector. Now, with production tooling finalized, the project has moved from presentation to build phase.
The C48 will be constructed at Princess’s Lee Mill site, with production beginning ahead of a planned show debut at the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and deliveries expected from 2027. The model forms the foundation of the new C-Class - a series dedicated to performance-led, outboard-capable yachts.
Two Interpretations: Open and Deck Saloon
As Princess’s first outboard-powered model and its first stepped-hull design, the C48 is also set to become the fastest motor yacht the company has built to date. Available in two versions, it marks a clear shift in direction for the brand.
- Princess C48 Open - Configured around a fully open main deck with a hardtop and wraparound windscreen, the Open prioritizes direct contact with the water.
Also available as a Princess C48 Open Inboard version, the cockpit of this yacht centers on an aft sunpad with forward-facing seating and a table. This is complemented by folding side seats and twin wet bars. Below deck, owners can select between a lower saloon with a convertible dinette, an aft cabin, and a day head, or alternative arrangements including a forward cabin or lower galley.
- Princess C48 Deck Saloon - The Deck Saloon introduces an enclosed main deck with triple-sliding aft doors, twin side access doors, and an optional sliding roof.
Lounge and galley spaces sit within the saloon, while cockpit and foredeck seating remain central to the layout. This is also available as the Princess C48 Deck Saloon Inboard version. The lower deck includes a forward cabin, aft cabin, lobby, and day head, with an optional hydraulic transom platform available on inboard versions for improved water access.
The Team Behind the C48
The C48 is the result of a three-way collaboration. Naval architect Michael Peters developed the underwater geometry, applying his patented Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel hull. Bernard Olesinski Limited was responsible for exterior design and deck structures, while Princess’s in-house team under Director of Design Andy Lawrence shaped the interior layouts and detailing.
The C Class brings Princess style to a new range of centre console powerboats designed to take you to a new level of exhilaration."
Princess Yachts
The SVVT concept uses a twin-step arrangement that channels air beneath the hull to reduce drag and increase lift. Vertical sidewalls within the ventilated tunnel generate a stabilizing effect, helping reduce roll and sharpen directional control at speed. The objective is clear - high top-end performance without sacrificing composure in varied sea states.
Power Options and Top-End Targets
Speed is central to the C48 brief. In its most powerful configuration, fitted with triple Mercury V12 600hp Verado outboards, the yacht is expected to exceed 50 knots, with top speeds projected between 52 and 54 knots.
A triple Mercury V10 400hp setup targets 44 to 46 knots, while buyers preferring inboard propulsion can opt for twin Volvo D6-480 diesels, delivering speeds in the 32 to 34 knot range.
At 14.9 meters in length with accommodation for four guests, the C48 sits at the intersection of dayboat agility and weekender capability. Its stepped hull and outboard configuration introduce a performance profile not previously associated with the Plymouth-based builder.
Why the C-Class Matters
For Princess Yachts, the C48 is not an isolated model but the start of a broader program. The move into outboard propulsion responds directly to strong demand in the American performance market, where high-powered dayboats have gained traction in recent years.
At the same time, the availability of inboard diesel propulsion ensures relevance for European clients who prioritize range and fuel economy over outright speed. The dual approach allows the C48 to serve as either a primary superyacht for coastal cruising or a secondary, high-speed platform for owners of larger vessels.
With moulds now in place at Lee Mill, the transition from concept to production is underway. The C48 will be the first physical expression of the new C-Class - and potentially one of the most technically distinct models in Princess’s history.
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