Advice on Princess Riviera 266 (twin Engine) Fuel consumption, and is it good for Thames?

[lizziG]

Hi
I'm new to this site, joining as i'd like some advise.

I'm selling my little viking 22 wide beam with outboard to upgrade to a bigger boat for my family.
I know this means higher fees all round.

However does anyone have any advice on whether the princess riviera 266 are good boats for the thames? it won't go on sea, and also the engines are twin volvo penta 151hp petrol engines. Smallest type they made for this size boat.

As we can potentially run her off one engine, and we won't be hitting high speeds being on the river, what cost roughly would a days cruising be for fuel??

I'm used to the low costs of outboard, so just weighing up the fuel costs and higher mooring fees, engine service??? anyone know how much an engine service for this type of boat that would cost?!!

Sorry for all the questions, it's a beautiful boat i've found, and at a price i can afford, so just wondering i can now afford to keep it maintained and run, in comparison to my viking!!

 

[Portland Billy]

There are many more suitable boats for the river than a petrol engined 266.
My advice would be to have a thorough look through the brokers and adverts and look for a diesel engined vessel, I'm sure there would be many better suited to the river for the same price as the Princess.
Don't rush!!

 

[oldgit]

Hi
I'm new to this site, joining as i'd like some advise.
Sorry for all the questions, it's a beautiful boat i've found, and at a price i can afford, so just wondering i can now afford to keep it maintained and run, in comparison to my viking!!

It looks immaculate, hardly used inside and you know why.
Loads of excellent sensible advice on here from folks who boat on the Thames.

If you ignore all of it and cannot resist get somebody who knows what they are doing to check those outdrives.

 

[Old Crusty]

I'd say 300hp is a bit OTT for the non-tidal river as you'll rarely get out of tick over and using one engine is inefficient not to mention will cause handling challenges. A single screw, diesel, 25hp to 100hp should be more than enough.

 

[Phill]

One of my previous boats was a 33 ft Princess with twin Volvo 130 hp petrols on outdrives. I only ever used it with both engines running and used about 1.5 gallons per hour for both whilst on the Thames. The props had been changed for river use and whilst underway, the engine ran at about 1800 rpm. Having legs that could be lifted was an advantage when mooring. The down side is the cost of maintenance on the legs if you can’t do them yourselves and you obviously need to consider the safety of having a petrol boat in the first place. I must say that I was always checking my engines and sniffing around which somewhat spoiled our times aboard a little. Diesel fuel is more readily available on the Thames. As others have said, a single diesel would be better suited but I’ve never yet bought a boat with my head, always my heart. Good luck.

 

[The Glassman]

They were/are excellent boats for their intended use.... that is flitting about in coastal waters in reasonable weather. It's a 30 knot plus planing hull. Like most Princesses, was well made and designed.
BUT... anywhere above the Lower Reaches, petrol is very difficult to find - especially in the amounts that 2x200hp+ engines will need. Manoeuvring at low speed and close quarters could be quite exciting until you've got the hang of it - particularly on windy days. These issues are surmountable, but the thought of all that petrol - probably in 30 year old tanks and lines is a bit chilling to me. I know 3 owners who suffered severely after petrol fires on board. (None of them on Princesses though). And that's not to mention the potential cost of maintaining outdrives.
If you just want to potter about on the River, look at what the majority settle down to... a similar size and age shaft-drive diesel with a displacement hull. Less than .5 gall/hour of easily found and safe diesel, happy days!
Just saying. And all the best for your future boating on The Thames - despite all the (our) moans on this Forum, it's a great place to go boating!

 

[BB1]

Hi
I'm new to this site, joining as i'd like some advise.

I'm selling my little viking 22 wide beam with outboard to upgrade to a bigger boat for my family.
I know this means higher fees all round.

However does anyone have any advice on whether the princess riviera 266 are good boats for the thames? it won't go on sea, and also the engines are twin volvo penta 151hp petrol engines. Smallest type they made for this size boat.

As we can potentially run her off one engine, and we won't be hitting high speeds being on the river, what cost roughly would a days cruising be for fuel??

I'm used to the low costs of outboard, so just weighing up the fuel costs and higher mooring fees, engine service??? anyone know how much an engine service for this type of boat that would cost?!!

Sorry for all the questions, it's a beautiful boat i've found, and at a price i can afford, so just wondering i can now afford to keep it maintained and run, in comparison to my viking!!

This is a good buy ,,
Succes Marco 810 OC - 7485542 - Val Wyatt Marine

 

[The Glassman]

Absolutely so, BB1. This particular one was owned from new by a former neighbour of mine here in Streatley. He sold it when he moved out a few years ago. Very nice little boat.
We have our own moorings here but only for the use of residents, so when he moved, it went.
Has single shaft diesel and a bow thruster.
Well worth a viewing at that price, I'd say.

 

[Mark26]

The Glassman gives very good advice.

If it’s any help, my 30 foot steel cruiser running on a single Volvo penta 62hp has a normal Engine cruising speed on the non tidal river of 1,500-1,800 rpm and over the last 500 hours has averaged 1.7Litres an hour including running the Ebberspacher.

Petrol on the river is cuttingly £1.62 per litre.

 

[lizziG]

Thank you so much for all this sound advice! I have since found another princess riviera 266 with a single Diesel engine!!! Is this a result, and should I consider?!! 1998 model, so same year as the one I original viewed. It’s either this spirited looking (more social room) kind of boat? Or I stick to what I know and get a Viking 26 wide beam with outboard, they just don’t look as snazzy!!
move had a Viking 22 for 5 years so was hoping I could up the size of boat without breaking bank balance and maintaining costs too much!!
Any opinions on the diesel outdrive id be very grateful to hear your thoughts? (It’s for river Thames but non tidal area, Kingston to Windsor stretch mainly

 

[lizziG]

Hi, Thanks for all this sound advice! As I mentioned above I have found a diesel version single engine of the princess 266 but she is 1989 (with new engine fitted 2003)...I’m keen to make an offer of this is the right type of boat engine for Thames?
Non tidal Thames.
I do worry a little about the age of a boat, and wonder if I should be going for something newer. I’ve seen a Monterey 266 with single petrol engine (260hp) she has space for socialising, but I’m not sure on this make? I haven’t heard much about this type of boat.
Basically I’m looking for something low maintenance (easier said than done I know!) and that is good for economical pottering around on the Thames with weekend over night stays...
Does anyone have anything positive or negative to say about the above 2 boats??
Thanks in advance...(only been used to outboards!!) lizzi

 

[Portland Billy]

If you give an idea of your budget and size of boat we could perhaps give an idea of which class of boat would best suit your needs.
A twin diesel (low HP) would be best, fitted with bow thruster if poss.

 

[Hot Property]

Hi, Thanks for all this sound advice! As I mentioned above I have found a diesel version single engine of the princess 266 but she is 1989 (with new engine fitted 2003)...I’m keen to make an offer of this is the right type of boat engine for Thames?
Non tidal Thames.
I do worry a little about the age of a boat, and wonder if I should be going for something newer. I’ve seen a Monterey 266 with single petrol engine (260hp) she has space for socialising, but I’m not sure on this make? I haven’t heard much about this type of boat.
Basically I’m looking for something low maintenance (easier said than done I know!) and that is good for economical pottering around on the Thames with weekend over night stays...
Does anyone have anything positive or negative to say about the above 2 boats??
Thanks in advance...(only been used to outboards!!) lizzi

A 260 hp petrol engine and stern drive don't quite go with the word economical! You will be shocked when you compare the fuel consumption with your outboard powered Viking.

Outboards are easier to maintain, very efficient and have the added benefit of being able to be lifted clear of the water thus minimising limescale deposits from the Thames.

A Viking 26 is designed for river use and an outboard of around 50 hp will be more than sufficient.

Avoid big petrol stern drive boats if fuel economy and running costs are important for you!

 

[Rappey]

I would have thought any boat with a planing hull and capable of speed would not really be suitable for river use. They handle great when at speed but are a lot harder to control at river speeds.
A displacement boat with rudder would have vastly superior directional stability at slow speed meaning a lot more relaxing and easier to steer.

 

[oldgit]

"Hi, Thanks for all this sound advice! As I mentioned above I have found a diesel version single engine of the princess 266 but she is 1989 (with new engine fitted 2003)...I’m keen to make an offer of this is the right type of boat engine for Thames?"


The 286 was only ever produced as a twin ?
Princess Model History | Princess Motor Yacht Sales
Possibly a conversion by somebody. ?
Princess were known to custom build a hull to customer specs in ye olden days but never heard of that one.

Monterey 266 "I haven’t heard much about this type of boat. "
If you are going to use your boat on the Thames you will need to frequently get to the bow of the boat in order to handle ropes etc to transit locks.
The Princess has fairly flat foredeck and far more importantly flat side decks to allow you to go forward safely .
Photos of the Monterey 266 indicate you will need the agility of a goat and the surefootedness of cat to even get past the radar arch in any attempt to get to front of boat.

Not great fan of US sports boats, (having owned one )they certainly have the shiney shiney glitter and bling to catch the eye but precious little else regards what you need on something that floats on water.

 

[The Glassman]

Spot-on comments by OG there, I think. Fizz boats like these ones might be great for Sandbanks etc on a nice weekend, but aren't much fun on the River. Dull, boring, reliable small diesels are ideal for Thames use.... they ain't got the bling-bling looks etc., they just do the job well and safely.
All best,

 

[lizziG]

Spot-on comments by OG there, I think. Fizz boats like these ones might be great for Sandbanks etc on a nice weekend, but aren't much fun on the River. Dull, boring, reliable small diesels are ideal for Thames use.... they ain't got the bling-bling looks etc., they just do the job well and safely.
All best,

Thank you Glassman and OG!..
As expected I’ll steer well away from the Monterey. However I wonder what your thoughts are in having found a single diesel version of the princess 266...is this a rare and good find?
I know outboards are ultimately the best when it comes to motors for the river, however I’m outgrowing my Viking 22, and really the next step up in space would be 27, or Shetland 27i which are double my budget at £50k.
I have found a Viking 26 but it does look like a caravan on water a little, and doesn’t necessarily give me any more cockpit space for socialising than my V 22.
I’m certainly looking for something a little bigger for entertaining people, but also my Viking is actually quite difficult to handle as it’s light, and gets blown around a lot with a busy of wind. I was hoping a slightly heavier boat with more powerful engine would help with this.
(To be honest I haven’t considered what the hull shape Plan/displacement would do to affect this)

Thoughts?

 

[Old Crusty]

My boring and reliable 52 year old Freeman 26 with a Nanni 27 diesel engine conversion does the job for me, it can get up to 8kts with a following stream and a fair wind when the EA rozzers are not looking

 

[The Glassman]

Hi... BB1's suggestion of the Marco 810 was spot-on. At 26.75 ft and with a shaft diesel engine and bow thruster it'll be a really nice, easy-to-drive, cheap-to-run, comfortable boat. Good safe access from the all around decks for easy passage through locks etc. It's fairly priced too and should hold that sort of value for quite a while if looked after properly. If £50k is twice your budget, this boat should be very near top of your list. It was in the possession of the first (and very fastidious) owner from new in 2004 until 2014. It still looks well and shouldn't 'bite you in the b*m' as - unlike your diesel Princess, it hasn't been mucked-about with. Do yourself a favour and, at the very least, go have a look at it.
NB... I have absolutely no connection with the Vendor at all!
Cheers

 

[lizziG]

Thanks for advice. I do like BB1’s boat it seems in beautiful condition, however I’m not wanting a hard top over wheel, as sitting out, in the sun (when we get it!) it the one luxury I enjoy from boating. Also I’m not sure if this boat sleeps 4, I can’t see the second birth? However the hard top isn’t something I’m after. I’ve been advised that as long as the diesel princess is surveyed with a very good surveyor then it will pull up any problems she may have with having a new engine fitted. It was 18 years ago so I’m assuming she was altered for a new life on the river.
Ideally I don’t want to spend over £20k
we work in theatre so have no work at the moment! So ever penny counts at the moment. X