Boat viewing

Viffer

Viffer

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Thatcham West Berkshire
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Hi All
First time poster here. I've lurked around for some time picking up morsels here and there wondering at times if you're using a different language but I appear to be getting there. :)

I'd appreciate some advice, I'm buying my first boat or rather am looking to buy my first boat, small money in the scheme of boatie things circa £20000. I've viewed several, some nice some not so nice, generally looking for 30' I want twin diesel.
I'm off tomorrow to view a Princess 33, 130hp twin diesel, 280 out drives she appears to be in good interior condition with relatively recent re furb' etc. Out drives also reconditioned with good services on the engines. The boat has a 2012 survey report which I'm informed (I haven't seen it yet) shows no major issues. The boat has recently been cleaned blasted and anti fouled. Will the relatively recent survey be sufficient for purchase or would a new one be advisory?
My initial use will be river and canal with ultimately shore and then a first accompanied channel crossing with continental rivers a hope in the not to distant future.
The coastal work will wait until I have the necessary knowledge and experience to handle it safely with courses and classes now already in the diary. I'd appreciate your assistance the knowledge and experience on this forum is vast please help me avoid some of the major pitfalls. In my past I trained as a mechanical maintenance fitter so nuts bolts gears oils and seals don't frighten me, I'm ok on the elictrickery stuff (basic), I'm hoping with your help I can take the first steps into something I've wanted to do for a very long time.

Cheers
Peter
 
Hi
Lovely boat and big fan of a princess. But 280 drives are of a vintage that are certain to cause problems sooner or later. The older VP diesels are also harsh, noisy and rugged things too. It may become weary and perhaps be screaming in an anti social manner to make any real headway. Can’t fault the boat. Just the drive train wouldn’t be my first choice for 20k money. You might get a more modern twin engined Sealine 260 or 290 for just a little more. Likely come with more refined tamd 41 or kad 32s and 290 DPs
Just a thought. If you don’t need twin engines...the worlds your oyster of more modern boats at that price
 
A lot could have happened in 6 years since the last survey. Worth looking at it to see any faults that were highlighted and then look to see if they’ve been rectified and get a new survey done, pointing out the issues from before.

As has already been said, the engines and in particular, the outdrives are the most important, and expensive, parts to fix if anything goes pop. Good luck with it, and keep looking, there’s plenty of choices.
 
Princess 33's also had inboard diesels on shaft but were very slow (bought a new one 1979 fitted with twin 80hp Mermaids and rejected it as brochure said 12-14 knots and it only did between 9 - 10 knots) apparently they also fitted the larger diesel engines on shaft and that is what I would try and find.
 
Thanks for the reply, SWMBO isn't as light on her feet as she once was and the deadlines cause her problems getting onboard.
The princess viewed today was out of the water, the hull looked perfect, the interior was not quite what the boss wanted but we've not discounted her but I do here what you say regarding the drives and I'm looking out for shaft boats, birchwood 33?
Thanks for the heads up on small engines on shafts.
 
A 6 year old survey doesn’t really tell you anything about the current state of the boat. You may also need a current survey for insurance purposes so might as well get one done if you’re serious about the boat.
 
In addition to the engines and drive, check that everything works including running water, any cookers, electrics such as lights etc. There were a few things on the boat I have just purchased that didn't work that I had them fixed as part of the agreement. The main one was steering, although this didn't come up until the survey and sea trial.

It took me around 10 months to finally buy from when I first started raising the money to actually having the keys handed over.

Good luck.
 
With your budget be careful with a twin engine boat, especially on outdrives. There's nothing wrong with a single engine boat to get started with bearing in mind a major proportion of the value is the engine/s on any motorboat, so with a limited budget you are likely to find a better single engine than a twin, plus less chance of an expensive failure.

Most people start off coastal and estuary cruising, indeed many never progress much further, so peace if mind can be gained from Seastart membership, plus a bow thruster to assist with berthing.

Aquastar and Nimbus are two specific makes I would seek out. Remember the asking price is not the expected sale price, so be prepared to haggle hard.

In my own opinion a 6 year old survey is worth less than the paper it is printed on.
 
def a more recent survey, get the oils checked too unless it's just been changed.
the surveyor i used was ok, still missed bits. if you can take volvopaul or similar with you that would save a load of hassle.

OD and 24/7 in (salt) water will cost you yet more money.

i use my OD diesel over the weekend, the mobo is small enough to trailer and park on land where it is rinsed out and off.
no growth on the various hydraulic bits, easier to maintain.

lots of single OD boats about, learn how to fix small issues with your own motor.
 
Id be looking diesel(s) on (a) shaft(s)

You'd get a lot of river boat for that money that you can use and enjoy and maybe venture out inshore on a nice day

Remember, you,ll spend most of time on board tied up (!) so some home comforts and a user friendly loo are worth considered define
 
Viffer said:
I've just been to see a couple or Birchwood 33s. Seems a really roomy boat. Any advise on them?
Click to expand...

Popular, affordable river boat. OK for a bit of sea work. Some were supplied hull and superstructure for home fit out, not sure how they would have stood up over time. A hull and engine survey should be helpful if you find one you like. Lots of space, shaft drive, accessible decks, aft cabin.. all positive for that type of boat. Obv a bit long in the tooth, so check all systems
 
Viffer said:
I've just been to see a couple or Birchwood 33s. Seems a really roomy boat. Any advise on them?
Click to expand...

Mate had one.
Check the wheelhouse roof for leaks.Its balsa cored.Friends one had turned to mush but passed a survey!
Check fuel tanks.They are mild steel and old now.His were/are v.rusty!Have read somewhere I think that they do come out without engine removal but it’s a swine of a job.
Sound nice with the Ford 120’s in them.
 
Birch wood 33’s are also lovely, but of a vintage to be concerned about too. Friend has one with twin 6 pot diesels. Fair turn of speed out it too. Older boats like this warrant a good going over and watch out for the seemingly low use model sat on a fresh water river or canal all its life. Tarted up inside with nice cosmetic finish. These are the ones that money has been spent on cosmetics rather than engines and hull and haven’t been over 1000 rpm on the engines hiding any underlying mechanical issues. But worst of all....are usually sodden with osmosis. This model is one of a number of likely candidates for this. Along with the usual Princess 32, Norman’s and seamaster etc etc.

Previously mentioned Nimbus boats are outstanding things. Stable, well built, good at fast or slow....but it would be a challenge at under 20k. As mentioned you won’t be far off older Sealine models around 26-29ft at that money with decent VP engines. The wonderful fairline corniche models have taken the occasional slump into the late 20k’s on occasion too. Depending on your use, don’t totally discount a cruiser with a Merc or Volvo MPI engine. Just as efficient as a diesel, much more power and a fraction of the maintenance costs. Just that petrol is expensive and from some people’s view, hard to come buy in bulk at marinas if that’s a consideration. Run some numbers on the costs. Often same boats with petrols are 5 figures cheaper than the diesel and cost less to service. Problem is that they most likely come in a lesser quality American made hull. Lots to consider but I’d look at the Sealine 260 and similar. Might just be a good one out there at the 20k mark with a good diesel.
 
Thanks for all of the advise I am taking notice of all comments. I just can't see myself with a petrol.
I've viewed a Channel isles 32 which I loved, quite a bit over my budget but with negotiation I'd have stretched for it except SWMBO gave it a flat no with the comment it's a fishing boat.
I went to see a Princess 33 today, just over budget but not by lots. Twin diesel 2712E Ford mermaid- advertised as 130bhp on shafts. She was a coastal boat until about 6 years ago and is now just used on the rivers with occasional estuary forays. She's still used every weekend and looks cared for. I'm keeping an eye out for all models suggested and everything is in the mix until I find the right one, todays boat is in the running.
 
Viffer said:
Thanks for all of the advise I am taking notice of all comments. I just can't see myself with a petrol.
I've viewed a Channel isles 32 which I loved, quite a bit over my budget but with negotiation I'd have stretched for it except SWMBO gave it a flat no with the comment it's a fishing boat.
I went to see a Princess 33 today, just over budget but not by lots. Twin diesel 2712E Ford mermaid- advertised as 130bhp on shafts. She was a coastal boat until about 6 years ago and is now just used on the rivers with occasional estuary forays. She's still used every weekend and looks cared for. I'm keeping an eye out for all models suggested and everything is in the mix until I find the right one, todays boat is in the running.
Click to expand...
 
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