Shared in a recent construction update from the Plymouth-based builder, the model is now progressing through systems installation, interior construction, and final detailing as work continues. Offered in either the Princess C48 Open or Princess C48 Deck Saloon configuration, the C48 represents one of the most significant additions to the Princess lineup in recent years.
The milestone marks the latest step in a project that has already introduced several firsts for the British builder. The C48 will be Princess's first outboard-powered yacht, its first stepped-hull design, and, according to the shipyard, the fastest production yacht it has ever built. The update comes ahead of the model's global debut at the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Inside the Next Stage of the Build
Footage of the yacht shows the completed hull emerging from the mould and taking shape within Princess's production facility, with technicians already working on onboard systems and infrastructure. Cabling, insulation, equipment installations, and structural components can be seen throughout the build, while major molded sections continue to progress through parallel assembly stages.
Several views also provide one of the clearest looks yet at the C48's stepped-hull geometry, a defining feature of the model's performance-focused design.
The C48 introduces a new performance platform to the portfolio as our first outboard-powered model, our first stepped-hull design, and the fastest-ever Princess."
Princess Yachts
Unlike conventional Princess yachts, the C48 has been developed around a new hull platform created specifically for high-speed operation. The motor yacht brings together naval architect Michael Peters, exterior designers Bernard Olesinski Limited, and Princess's in-house design team led by Director of Design Andy Lawrence.
A Hull Designed for High-Speed Cruising
At the heart of the design is Michael Peters' patented Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel hull, which uses a twin-step arrangement to channel air beneath the running surface, reducing drag and increasing lift. The design is intended to improve efficiency, stability, and handling while supporting significantly higher speeds than traditional planing hulls.
In its most powerful configuration, the C48 will be equipped with triple Mercury V12 600hp Verado outboards, with projected top speeds between 52 and 54 knots. Alternative power options include triple Mercury V10 400hp outboards capable of 44 to 46 knots, while buyers preferring diesel propulsion can specify twin Volvo D6-480 inboards with anticipated speeds of 32 to 34 knots.
At 14.9 metres in length and with accommodation for up to four guests, the model occupies a space between a luxury dayboat and a compact cruising yacht.
The Beginning of the New C-Class
When Princess first revealed the C48 at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival, the model represented one of the most significant departures from the company's traditional portfolio in recent years.
Rather than expanding an existing range, the builder created an entirely new product category. The C48 serves as the entry point to the new C-Class, a performance-oriented series designed around center-console principles and available with either outboard or inboard propulsion.
The model will be offered in both Open (also available as a Princess C48 Open Inboard version) and Deck Saloon (also available as the Princess C48 Deck Saloon Inboard) variants, giving owners the choice between a more exposed dayboat-style arrangement or a more enclosed cruising platform. For Princess, the project also represents a strategic move into a market segment that has seen strong growth, particularly in North America, where high-performance outboard-powered yachts continue to attract increasing demand.
The latest construction milestone arrives as Princess continues preparations for the C48 Open's global debut at the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where the model is expected to make its first public appearance.
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