David King, founder of Princess Yachts and one of the pioneering figures of the British and global yachting industry, has passed away following a period of illness, he was 83.
Born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1942, King studied engineering at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth before serving in the Royal Navy. In 1965, while still a naval officer, he and two friends rented a boatbuilding shed in Plymouth with the intention of establishing a charter business. Their plans soon evolved into something far more ambitious: building boats themselves.
Their first project, a 31-foot motorboat known as Project 31, was initially intended for their charter operation. After struggling to secure charter deposits, the partners decided to sell the boat instead. Although they sold it for £3,400, they soon discovered that it had cost £3,460 to build. Despite the early loss, two further orders followed, setting the foundation for Marine Projects, the company that would later become Princess Yachts.
King left the Royal Navy and helped transform the fledgling business into an internationally recognised yacht builder. The company expanded its range, facilities and workforce in Plymouth, while King placed strong emphasis on developing skills and craftsmanship through apprenticeships and relationships with local educational institutions.
Princess began gaining significant international recognition in the 1980s, with models such as the Princess 45 helping establish the brand in overseas markets. By the early 1990s, around 60% of production was being exported, while today Princess yachts are sold across more than 100 countries.
Although King eventually stepped away from the company's leadership, he remained closely involved with Princess and continued to contribute to its model development. He was also remembered for his humility, often directing recognition towards the employees who helped build the company.
Princess Yachts CEO Will Green described King as a mentor and highlighted his constant focus on learning, improvement and looking beyond what a company already does well.
King leaves behind a lasting legacy in Plymouth and across the international yachting industry, having helped shape one of Britain's most recognised luxury yacht brands.
UNICO Yachting joins the international yachting community in remembering David King as a pioneering figure whose vision, craftsmanship and dedication helped shape the modern yacht industry. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and all those who continue to carry his legacy forward.
