Cult boats, the true story of the first Princess 45 (14 m)

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Princess 45
Princess 45

The boating world is not just made up of shiny new hulls fresh off the boatyard. On the contrary, for the most part, it is made up of used hulls, boats that have also passed through several hands and that, in spite of everything, in spite of the miles, still know how to give joys. Among them, then, there is a category of “special” boats, boats that have not only been able to give pleasant moments to their owners, but have also been able to leave a mark, their own imprint on the market and on the history of nautical design. We, you know by now, call them
Classic Boats
, and every now and then we tell you about some of them, both to celebrate them and to remind us that sometimes all that glitters is not gold. In this case, an exceptional hull, the first-born daughter of a shipyard that is now great to say the least: the Princess 45, not only a great cruiser, not to be underestimated, but also the springboard for Princess Yachts.

Princess 45

Spacious cockpit, forward sundeck, dinette and covered wheelhouse, no small interior and flybridge. This is 1982, and by the standard the Princess 45 is not an obvious hull. In fact. And it glides up to 26 knots. Not bad for being Princess’ first project, and it will be a success, remaining in production until 1991. Simply put, it is a boat that excites the public. It is well made, it runs and, most importantly, it is versatile, lending itself well to weekend getaways, cruising and, why not, even fishing, with that large protected cockpit of hers and the flush-mounted swim platform…

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Princess 45
Princess 45

Princess 45 – The First Time of Princess

Before it was Princess Yachts, in its own way, Princess already existed, being born somewhat by accident. It was 1965 and, as sometimes happens, three friends-all former British naval officers-returned from a boating vacation and decided to buy one. The trio’s financial resources, however, soon show how the project is unfeasible. There is, however, a seemingly crazy option. Buy molds of existing hulls and decks and build the boat yourself. With that said, a first hull comes out and the three decide to do some chartering. An experience that will turn out to be more unsuccessful than expected. But not all evil comes to harm. The choice is one, sell the boat, a solution that, absurdly, instead creates a not inconsiderable profit. It is the spark of an idea, Marine Projects is born, which is the foundation for Princess Yachts.

Princess 45

From 1966 to 1969, 150 units of that first hull will be produced, record numbers for a small Plymouth shipyard. In 1970, a new model, the Princess 32, was even born, built for as many as 10 years with 1,200 total examples. A second resounding success. The site was born by chance, but it is undoubtedly a masterpiece. It would not be until 1980, however, that things would move toward what Princess Yachts is today, and for that a fourth key figure is needed: Bernard Olesinski, the man who would design the Princess 45, then the largest production yacht ever built in the UK. And, as if that were not enough, it will immediately be an immense success. So much so that the site will change its name with him. Princess Yachts is born.

The Project

Right from the start the Princess 45 turned out to be a great project. Fast (26 knots) thanks to two 270-horsepower Volvo Penta engines, it was (and still is) a particularly marine hull, thanks to a well-designed deep-V hull and excellent balances. On the other hand, she had a smart layout on her side, with 3 cabins capable of accommodating up to 6 people, divided into a double owner’s cabin, a twin with single beds but convertible into doubles, and a third cabin, with bunk beds.

Princess 45, cockpit

Just below deck, a well-designed galley allowed extended stays, while, on the main deck, the wheelhouse was relegated to starboard, offering maximum space to a large salon, surrounded by glass windows and complete with table and sofas.

Princess 45 – Salon

Completing the package were the huge cockpit, served by a flush-mounted swim platform with crane for the tender, the large furnished flybridge, with lounge and sundeck, and the two forward solariums, recessed in the deckhouse, easily reached by wide, well-protected walkways. A combination of space and volume that, not only made it the largest production yacht Made in the UK, but also a great boat, perfect for sailing and spending one’s time on board and cruising. In short, a small cult, still to be considered today.

Princess 45 – forward sundeck

Princess 45 – Data Sheet

Years of production 1982 – 1991
Length Over All (LOA) 14.4 m
Baglio Massimo (Bmax) 4.3 m
Original Motorization 2x Volvo Penta 270 hp
Maximum Speed 26 kn
Cabins 3
Beds 6
Bathrooms 2
Fairing Bernard Olesinski
Construction site Princess Yachts

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