Princess V40
- LOA: 12.98 m (including pulpit)
- Beam: 3.81 m
- Draught: 1.02 m (full load)
- Engines: Twin Volvo Penta D6-380 DPI sterndrives (380 hp each)
- Top speed: up to 36 knots
- Fuel capacity: 730 litres
- Accommodation: 2 cabins, up to 4 guests
- Exterior design: Olesinski, GRP hull, current V Class styling
The compact gateway to the V Class
The V40 sits at the foot of the V Class as the smallest sports yacht Princess builds, a boat sized for owners who want to run it themselves. At 12.98 metres it stays inside the length that a couple can berth without help, yet it wears the same sculpted styling as its bigger sisters. Below decks it carries two cabins and berths for four, so a weekend away is always on the table. For many buyers this is a first step into the marque, or a lock-up-and-leave second boat for the family. It brings the flagship design language within reach of a much wider crowd.
Princess launched the current V40 in 2025 to fill the gap left when the range grew larger at the top. The number has deep roots in the yard's history, and the new hull revives it with modern proportions and a fresh interior. Owners moving up from a bowrider or a small cruiser find the leap in refinement immediate, from the quality of the joinery to the way the hull handles a following sea. Those coming down from a bigger Princess keep a look and a helm layout they already know. It is a boat that fits neatly into a busy life, ready for a Saturday run at short notice.
A hull that looks fast at the dock
The exterior comes from Olesinski, the design house behind the Princess line for decades, and it reads as a scaled version of the larger V boats. A raked bow, low glasshouse and long hull windows give the V40 a taut, purposeful stance that stands out among boats of its length. The cockpit flows straight through to the bathing platform, so guests move easily between the seating, the swim steps and the water. A large sunpad aft and a foredeck lounging area open the boat up at anchor. Even at rest it carries the intent of a much bigger sports yacht.
Detailing stays clean across the deck. A wet bar and a folding cockpit table set up lunch in minutes, and the hardtop can be specified with an opening sunroof to bring air and light into the helm. The moulded GRP hull is finished to the standard the marque is known for, with fair lines and deep gloss. Every line is drawn to make a 13 metre boat feel like a bigger yacht at the marina.
The smallest V Class, and the most accessible way into a modern owner-driver Princess.
Two cabins and a bright saloon below
Step down the companionway and the V40 opens into a saloon lit by long windows set into the hull sides. The galley sits to one side with enough worktop and cold stowage for real meals, and a dinette converts for casual dining or an extra berth. The midships cabin uses the full beam for a comfortable double where the motion at anchor is easiest. A forward cabin gives children or guests their own space, and a separate heads with a shower completes an overnight layout that punches above the length.
Materials follow the modern Princess palette of pale timbers, soft leathers and matt lacquers. Clever stowage is worked into every locker and step, which matters a great deal on a boat this size. Headroom and natural light make the accommodation feel larger than the numbers suggest, and the hull windows keep the cabins from feeling closed in. A couple can live aboard comfortably for a long weekend, and four can manage a coastal hop in ease.
Sterndrive punch and easy handling
Power comes from twin Volvo Penta D6-380 DPI sterndrives rated at 380 hp each, driving the V40 to a top speed of around 36 knots. The Duoprop drives give strong acceleration onto the plane and precise low-speed control when threading a busy harbour. A joystick ties the drives and thrusters together for stress-free berthing, which suits the owner-driver brief exactly. The deep-V planing hull holds its line through a chop and settles into a fast, dry cruise. It feels lively under the hand without ever feeling nervous.
A 730 litre fuel tank gives useful range for a boat of this type, enough for a full day of coastal running and the trip home with margin to spare. The sterndrive package keeps the engine room compact and frees space for the accommodation forward. Servicing is straightforward, and the whole drivetrain is tuned for reliability. Trim tabs and the drives let the owner set the ride to the sea state. This is a boat built to be used often and handled with confidence.
Who the V40 is for
The V40 suits the hands-on owner who wants a modern Princess they can drive and dock themselves, without stepping up to a boat that needs crew. It is ideal for couples and young families based near the coast who value fast days out and the option of an overnight. Buyers trading up from a smaller sportboat get a clear jump in build quality and sea manners, and the reassurance of a hull that stays composed offshore. It is also a natural tender-plus for owners of a larger yacht who want their own compact runabout.
Running costs stay sensible for the class, and the compact footprint keeps berthing options open across busy marinas. The V40 rewards regular use more than occasional showing off, and it earns its keep on ordinary weekends as much as on holiday. For the person who wants into the V Class at its most accessible, this is the boat that opens the door.
Who it is for: The hands-on owner or young family who want a modern Princess sports yacht they can drive and berth themselves for fast coastal days and easy overnights.