Yachting Art Magazine

Unveiled at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival, the Princess C48 marks a turning point for the British shipyard. This centre console boat is the first in the range to feature outboard engines and is due to hit the market in 2027.

At the Cannes Boat Show, Princess Yachts unveiled a highly anticipated new model: the Princess C48. This boat marks the culmination of several months of gradual communication from the manufacturer and signals its entry into the particularly dynamic market for outboard motorised centre console boats.

Princess Yachts, known until now for its inboard motor boats, is changing course with this launch. The C48 is the shipyard's first outboard model. This development reflects the desire to offer a faster and more manoeuvrable alternative, designed for sports or leisure day trips. According to the company, it is also the fastest model ever designed by Princess.

The C48 features a layout inspired by centre console boats, with optimised space for movement and a direct connection to the marine environment. The layout focuses on openness, allowing for multiple relaxation areas while maintaining versatility. This type of configuration, which is very popular in the Mediterranean and on the North American coast, meets a growing demand for boats that combine comfort and performance.

The presentation of the C48 in Cannes illustrates Princess's desire to showcase this model on an international stage. The centre console boat segment is experiencing significant growth, and this launch represents a way for the brand to diversify its offering. By expanding its range, the shipyard aims to attract customers who are interested in speed, ergonomics and the accessibility of outboard engines.

Princess has confirmed that the C48 will go into production in the next few years, with availability expected in 2027. Presenting the boat in 2025 will allow the company to gauge public reaction and position this model as a key step in its future development.

The introduction of outboard engines represents a milestone in the manufacturer's history. More than just a new model, the C48 reflects an evolution in the identity of Princess Yachts, historically associated with large vessels equipped with integrated propulsion systems. This choice highlights the shipyard's adaptation to current trends in the nautical market and its desire to position itself against competitors already established in this segment.

The launch of the Princess C48 thus opens a new phase in the British shipyard's strategy. It remains to be seen, when it goes on sale in 2027, what place this model will occupy in a particularly competitive sector.