C48: the first outboard (15 m) from Princess Yachts

Princess inaugurates the new C-Class with the C48, a 15-meter created to combine pure performance and everyday usability. Announced at the Cannes Boat Show, it will arrive in the near future and will represent the entry point to the prestigious British shipyard’s range, once the current V40 leaves the offering. More importantly, it will be the first Princess also offered with outboard propulsion, a sign of a step change toward speed and maneuverability.

Princess C48

From the outside, the new C48 will express the whole Princess family feeling, with soft but sharp lines and a contrasting color scheme between the black of the windows and the white of the side, as fashion dictates.

But care for design does not sacrifice substance under the waterline. An SVVT (Stepped V Ventilated Tunnel (SVVT) hull patented by Michael Peters, one of the best-known designers, reduces drag and creates lift by channeling air under the running surface, significantly improving performance and fuel economy. Recognized worldwide for its efficiency, speed and ride comfort, it is central to the sporting vocation of this range, designed to exceed 50 knots.

One boat, two souls

Princess C48 is offered in two versions: the Open, with a more Mediterranean flavor, and the more protective Deck Saloon.

C48 Open has a fully open main deck, protected by a hardtop that stems from the forward deckhouse and gently joins over the aft flaps. In the cockpit, aft sundeck, forward-facing seating with folding table and seats, and outdoor galley.

The C48 Deck Saloon takes the same philosophy by adding protection from the elements: an enclosed saloon with large windows, triple-panel sliding doors, and a sunroof (optional). In this way, the spaces are more intimate, with an L-shaped sofa and galley in the saloon to a dining area in the cockpit. A more “grand touring” version, to extend the season and sail comfortably without sacrificing the sporty feel.

Both will be available with the sunroofs opening aft at the boat’s relaxation area.

Below deck

Below deck, the layout can vary between a lower salon with a convertible dinette and galley or a forward cabin. Standard instead is a single, large, central bathroom, accessible from the companionway, with a separate shower stall and an aft cabin.

As for the engine, the big news is the outboards, a first for Princess. Two choices: a more “frugal” 400-hp triple, but you can go up to a 600-hp V12 triple, for 1,800 total hp that takes the C48 to 53 knots. A pair of Volvo D6-480 inboard with stern foot in the Princess tradition remains on the list. With inboard, also available hydraulic up/down swim platform for launching toys and water access.

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