Princess Yachts Enters Day Boat Market With New C48
Princess Yachts unveiled its all-new C48 Open at the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, marking the British luxury yacht builder’s first entry into the walk-around day boat market. The C48 is also the first Princess model to feature a stepped hull and outboard power.
“Today marks a defining moment for Princess as we unveil the C48 Open at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show," said Will Green, CEO of Princess Yachts, at the launch.
"We knew from the outset that entering this market couldn't simply be about adapting one of our existing sports yachts or creating our own version of what was already available. We wanted to bring something genuinely different to this style of boating, but something that was unmistakably Princess."
The 47'1" (14.4 m) yacht pairs an open-air layout and outboard power with Princess Yachts’ signature contemporary styling. The hull was developed in collaboration with renowned naval architect Michael Peters, whose portfolio includes designs for Viking, Bertram, Chris-Craft, Azimut, Hinckley, Wellcraft, and more. A second version of the model, the C48 Deck Saloon, is scheduled to follow in 2027.
The C48 Open was first announced ahead of the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival and represents a new direction for Princess, traditionally known for its larger flybridge yachts, sports yachts, and motor yachts. The company says the model is intended to appeal to both first-time Princess owners and existing customers looking for a smaller, performance-oriented boat to complement their larger yachts.
The C48 is also the first Princess model to incorporate a stepped hull, with the company partnering with Peters to develop its Stepped Vee Ventilated Tunnel (SVVT) design. The C48 hull uses a central ventilated tunnel and vertical sidewalls to channel air beneath the running surface, reducing drag, and generating lift. According to Princess, the design is improves speed, fuel efficiency, and ride comfort while providing additional grip and directional stability when turning.
“We started by thinking about how owners would use the boat, creating generous social spaces, effortless movement around the deck and a much closer connection to the water," said Green. "At the same time, we wanted to deliver a level of performance and agility that we hadn't previously explored at Princess. Working with Michael Peters on our first stepped hull, alongside Bernard Olesinski and our own design and engineering teams, has been fundamental to achieving that ambition."
Exterior styling was developed by long-standing Princess collaborator Bernard Olesinski Limited while the yacht’s interior was crafted by the in-house team led by Executive Director of Design and Development Andy Lawrence.
The C48 carries an LOA of 47'1" (14.4 m) with a beam of 13'8" (4.16 metres). Displacement is approximately 31, 497 lbs (14,287 kg).
Buyers can choose from three power options, including two outboard options that offer significant top speed relative to the boat's size:
Triple Mercury V10 400-hp Verado outboards: A published top-speed range of 44 to 46 knots (50-53 mph)
Triple Mercury V12 600-hp Verado outboards: A published top-speed range of 52 to 54 knots (59-62 mph)
Twin Volvo D6-480 inboard diesel engines: A published top-speed range of 32 to 34 knots (36-39 mph)
In the company press release, Princess says the C48 exceeded 50 knots (57.5 mph) during its sea trials. The C48 Deck Saloon version, set to be released in 2027, will feature the same hull but with a different deck layout and accommodations.
“Seeing the C48 on the water for the first time was a very special moment for everyone involved," added Green. "She achieved over 50kts during initial sea trials and her handling and agility have been exceptional. We're incredibly proud of what the team has created and excited to introduce a completely new expression of Princess to our owners and to those discovering the brand for the first time.”
The C48 Open features an open main deck as its central focus, with a hardtop providing shelter while maintaining an open connection to the water. A full walkthrough on both sides allows for easy movement from bow to stern.
The helm is positioned farther forward to maximize cockpit space and create a large social area with an aft sunpad, forward-facing seating, and a table. A manually operated folding seats on the port and starboard sides provide additional flexibility. Standard half-height side balconies also offer extra seating, while optional drop-down terraces extend the available social space out over the water.
The exterior galley comes s equipped with both forward and aft wet bars, an electric grill, a drawer refrigerator, a sink, and storage. The helm features three full captain's seats, with a fourth available as an option. Additional seating areas on the foredeck provide space for relaxing away from the main cockpit.
Below deck, the standard arrangement includes a lower saloon with a convertible dinette, a lobby with storage, and an optional refrigerator/freezer, a day head, and an aft cabin. Owners can also select a lower galley or a forward cabin in place of the saloon, allowing the interior to be configured around their intended use.
For 2027, the C48 Deck Saloon will offer an enclosed layout versus the Open version while retaining the same hull platform and power choices. The C48 Deck Saloon is set to feature a main deck with an enclosed saloon with a lounge and galley, triple sliding patio doors, twin helmsman doors, and an optional sliding roof designed to provide flexibility between enclosed and open-air operation. Outside, the Deck Saloon will also feature cockpit dining and foredeck seating. An optional hydraulic transom platform that raises and lowers will be available on models equipped with inboards. Below deck, the layout will include a lobby, day head, forward cabin, and aft cabin for extended cruising.
The C48 Open joins a Princess lineup that has continued to evolve across several categories in recent years. New introductions include the flagship Y95 in 2022, the S80 sportbridge in 2023, and the F58 flybridge in 2024. Princess Yachts was acquired by U.S. investment firm KPS Capital Partners in March 2023.
You can get a full walkthrough of the new C48 Open in the video below:
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