Article overview: HMY Yacht Sales joins the Princess Yachts family and the global yachting community in remembering David King, the visionary founder whose curiosity, humility and commitment to e...
HMY Yacht Sales joins the Princess Yachts family and the global yachting community in remembering David King, the visionary founder whose curiosity, humility and commitment to excellence helped shape one of the world’s most respected luxury yacht builders.
David passed away following a period of illness, leaving behind a legacy that spans more than six decades. What began in 1965 as a small boatbuilding venture on Plymouth’s waterfront grew into Princess Yachts, a globally recognized British yacht builder whose yachts are enjoyed by owners in more than 100 countries.
For HMY, David’s passing is especially meaningful. Our decades-long relationship with Princess gave our team the opportunity to know David not only as the founder of an iconic yacht builder, but as a person whose character made a lasting impression.
A Personal Memory from HMY
HMY Owner Steve Moynihan first met David during his initial visit to the Princess shipyard in Plymouth in 1996. David personally gave Steve and his party a tour of the facilities—an experience Steve remembers to this day.
“David personally gave me a factory tour when I went to Plymouth for the first time in 1996. He exuded class, vision, wholesome pride, and genuine kindness while escorting our party through the Princess facilities. His dedication and demeanor never wavered during the entire time that HMY has been a Princess dealer. He was literally a man among men and we will miss him.”
— Steve Moynihan, Owner, HMY Yacht Sales
Steve’s memory reflects what so many who knew David personally have shared: behind Princess’s success was a man deeply passionate about his people, his company and the yachts they built.
A Vision Built on People
Born in Dundee in 1942, David studied engineering at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, while serving in the Royal Navy. In 1965, he and two friends founded Marine Projects from a modest waterside shed in Plymouth.
The company’s first boat, Project 31, sold for £3,400—only for the founders to discover afterward that it had cost £3,460 to build. David often looked back on the experience as a reminder that success comes from learning, adapting and continually looking for a better way.
That philosophy became central to Princess. David believed exceptional yachts could only be created by exceptional people, leading the company to invest heavily in craftsmanship, engineering, design and the development of future generations of talent.
His commitment to Plymouth was equally strong. Rather than moving production overseas, he continued investing in the city and surrounding region, helping create thousands of skilled jobs and supporting a network of specialist suppliers.
A Founder Who Never Stopped Looking Forward
Even after stepping away from the day-to-day leadership of Princess, David remained closely connected to the company. Until recently, he continued spending time with leadership and product development teams, asking questions, sharing ideas and encouraging designers and engineers to make every new yacht better than the last.
His curiosity and passion never diminished. Neither did his humility.
David consistently credited the people around him for Princess’s success, recognizing the designers, engineers, craftspeople, apprentices and colleagues who helped build the company. His belief in people became one of the defining characteristics of his leadership.
His vision also helped put British yacht building on the global stage. Today, Princess exports approximately 90% of its production to more than 100 countries, carrying British design, engineering and craftsmanship around the world.
A Legacy That Continues
For HMY, David King’s legacy is inseparable from the Princess brand and the relationship our company has shared with Princess for decades.
The qualities he valued—exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful design, innovation, curiosity and a commitment to people—remain woven into the Princess brand today.
Perhaps the greatest tribute to David is to continue doing what he cared about most: asking questions, striving for better and building exceptional yachts for generations to come.
HMY Yacht Sales extends our deepest condolences to David’s family, loved ones, the Princess Yachts team and everyone around the world who had the privilege of knowing him.
We are grateful for the legacy David leaves behind and for the lasting impact he made on Princess Yachts, the marine industry and the many people whose lives he touched.
His vision will continue to sail forward with every Princess yacht that leaves Plymouth.
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