pappaecho
Well-Known Member
As a Raggie I am thinking fo defecting to power. What are the sea keeping qualities of the Birchwood 29, or the Princess 32. Most seem to be river based, but are they OK for coastal use?
Birchwood 29 or Princess 32??
- Thread starter pappaecho
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Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
A friend here had a Princess 32 in the 70's, and I used to go day fishing with him on it.
We often went 5 or 6 miles offshore, sometimes in typical tradewind conditions, with 2m seas and winds of F 4-5, and the boat seemed to handle these conditions quite happily.
We often went 5 or 6 miles offshore, sometimes in typical tradewind conditions, with 2m seas and winds of F 4-5, and the boat seemed to handle these conditions quite happily.
DAKA
Well-Known Member
Forget the birchwood as a sea boat, no contest between the two, Princess 32 still oozes quality although it would need to be well looked after before you go out in a F4.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
A bit more on the P32
Be very CAREFUL if the thing has outdrives.
Make sure you are not the one who will be picking up any big bills due to lack of maintance by previous owners and petrol is a definate No No.
Also worth finding out which diesels it has,some bits are hard to find for some versions.
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Greg2
Well-Known Member
Our first boat was a P32 and I agree with the comments already made - no contest as the Princess is easily the better sea boat. It will need to have been well maintained though as they are getting on a bit.
macnorton
Well-Known Member
I have a Project (same hull as the Princess 32 but with a different roof), good sea/river boat. 8 years ago I sold a Birchwood 33GT to by it??
PaulGooch
Well-Known Member
From experience, a P32 will only be OK at sea in good conditions. She'll happily plough through waves a few feet high, if meeting them bow on, but anything much on the beam and she'll be very rock and roll. Built like a brick ****house, just a wee bit narrow on the beam.
macnorton
Well-Known Member
Some boats were fitted with large (for a mobo) keels, makes all the difference!
pheran
Well-Known Member
You do surprise me. I know from experience that old Birchwood hull was a far better sea boat than the Princess would ever be, assuming we are not talking just about calm waters of course. As another poster has commented, the Princess is far too narrow in the beam.
PaulGooch
Well-Known Member
Ours had a 3/4 length keel, about 4" deep. Probably not the one you're talking about. At anchor, with anything on the beam, she was rather uncomfortable.
mil1194
Well-Known Member
Took a trip last year from Neyland (West Wales) to Bristol in a P32. Things were more than a little choppy at times but no real concerns apart from a severe lack of power.... Twin Volvo diesel 75's...... max of 6/7 and more often than not - a good bit less and still used 100litres a day. 400 litres(def.) to do about 125miles(ish). Would have been cheaper to put it on a low-loader when you took into account the fact we had to fill a crew of 4 full of 'liquids' for 4days.....but it was a good laugh!
macnorton
Well-Known Member
Ours has two keels app 8" deep again 3/4 length, and it makes a difference.
It does still roll at anchor but once under power it is quite good.
Years back my dad had a Senior 31 with no keels at all, now that could rock and roll with Elvis.
PaulGooch
Well-Known Member
Ours has two keels app 8" deep again 3/4 length, and it makes a difference.
It does still roll at anchor but once under power it is quite good.
Years back my dad had a Senior 31 with no keels at all, now that could rock and roll with Elvis.
Totally different to our old one. Must make her much more stable at low speed steering.