Calling All Princess owners.....

[andyfollett]

Hi all, Im considering buying a 2013 Princess 42 in Blue which the owner describes as painted but the broker describes as Gelcoat blue. I am hoping that the broker is correct but both seem pretty adamant! There are not many of the blue hulled ones around but does anyone know how Princess created this colour option 5 years back?
Any other advice about the P42 (with updated layout/bigger windows and Volvo engines) and what to look for in survey?
Thanks in advance,
Andy.

 

[andy59]

If it's the one in Lymington it's just down the pontoon from me , nice looking boat . I will be down there later so will have a look to see if it's obvious , although a call to Princess should clear it up. Can't think of any faults to look for on survey ( apart from usual wear and tear or damage ) as mine has been great and is much older than that one . Great boats , good luck .

 

[andyfollett]

Cheers Andy I spoke to John at Princess this am and he is presuming its gelcoat too but cant confirm. Yes indeed it is the lymington one. Does yours have a pasarelle? I dont need one for access but it will be good for using as a davit. I know the ones they place on the 42s dont handle much weight (150kgs i think it says on the side of the pasarelle) I would aim to put an aluminium hulled ribeye on it which is light and add a 15hp motor... Have you any experience with that sort of set up on a boat this size?
Thanks again much appreciated... Andy.

 

[admillington]

Hi all, Im considering buying a 2013 Princess 42 in Blue which the owner describes as painted but the broker describes as Gelcoat blue. I am hoping that the broker is correct but both seem pretty adamant! There are not many of the blue hulled ones around but does anyone know how Princess created this colour option 5 years back?
Any other advice about the P42 (with updated layout/bigger windows and Volvo engines) and what to look for in survey?
Thanks in advance,
Andy.

Andy

Ask for a copy of the original invoice as it will have details of the gelcoat colour - I am sure they would have charged extra for it.

Andrew

 

[andyfollett]

Will do. Thanks Andrew.
Cheers Andy.

 

[andyfollett]

ps.. you think its gelcoat rather than paint?

 

[Whitelighter]

Hi all, Im considering buying a 2013 Princess 42 in Blue which the owner describes as painted but the broker describes as Gelcoat blue. I am hoping that the broker is correct but both seem pretty adamant! There are not many of the blue hulled ones around but does anyone know how Princess created this colour option 5 years back?
Any other advice about the P42 (with updated layout/bigger windows and Volvo engines) and what to look for in survey?
Thanks in advance,
Andy.

I hope the owner is correct - a properly painted hull is vastly superior to gel coat in terms of finish and longevity

 

[MapisM]

I hope the owner is correct

If there's anything I would hope, it's that the boat weren't blue.
For a boat, any color so long as it is white!

 

[andyfollett]

Yes me too!! Prefer the look of blue but alas not practical. I guess in colder climes than ours.....?

 

[andyfollett]

Yes concensus is that its gelcoat. I had a painted westerly many years back painted with Du-pont (3 pack?) and every year the fenders would dull the coat where rubbed. Years later i had a Moody with Gel coat blue that seemed to stand up better to the abrasion. Is the opposite normally true?

 

[MapisM]

I guess in colder climes than ours.....?

Good point. Keeping a dark hull clean is still a nightmare in any weather, though.

 

[andyfollett]

Can see i might regret this. Hey ho!!!

 

[Whitelighter]

Yes concensus is that its gelcoat. I had a painted westerly many years back painted with Du-pont (3 pack?) and every year the fenders would dull the coat where rubbed. Years later i had a Moody with Gel coat blue that seemed to stand up better to the abrasion. Is the opposite normally true?

I think paints have come on immensely since the mid 90s, plus Westerley were not the most, er, careful builder.
Now an Awlgrip or similar job wont rub onto fenders (do you get paint on you when you lean on your car?) as its a multi coat process with clearcoat on top etc. What you can do with paint that you cannot do with gel is smooth out all the imperfections that are in the hull from the mold. At best little wobbles and at worst matt shadow and joint lines. Structurally no issues but a proper paint job can* look miles better than coloured gel coat.

The other thing is gel coat gets horribly damaged by UV, and colour heat up worse than white so compound the problems. Go and look at 5-6 year old blue hulls before the owner spends hours polishing them and you will see they are chalky and patchy. Yes you can polish them back but paint is UV stable in a way gel coat just isn't.

I too like coloured hulls - used to be blue but now I like the modern greys - but I would go for painted over gel everytime

*assuming it is done property, professionally with 2-pac and a clear coat. I'm not talking about diy with a roller

 

[andy59]

Cheers Andy I spoke to John at Princess this am and he is presuming its gelcoat too but cant confirm. Yes indeed it is the lymington one. Does yours have a pasarelle? I dont need one for access but it will be good for using as a davit. I know the ones they place on the 42s dont handle much weight (150kgs i think it says on the side of the pasarelle) I would aim to put an aluminium hulled ribeye on it which is light and add a 15hp motor... Have you any experience with that sort of set up on a boat this size?
Thanks again much appreciated... Andy.

Had a quick look yesterday and to be honest i couldn't say if hull was painted or gell coat . We don't have a pasarelle but we do have removable snap davits with a 3 metre ribeye that we can easily lift if needed. Personally we like the fact we have a clear swim platform for access in uk , but would definitely need one for the med .