Considering new Princess V42

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Alwaysbyboat

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Having narrowed down the selection I'm actively looking at, I am now seriously considering to buy a new Princess V42. It will be my first motorboat, so I don't want to go much bigger at this point (although I'll try the V45 as well in a few weeks).

Does anyone (especially current or former owners of a V42) has any specific comments/suggestions regarding the new V42 (either on a standalone basis or compared to the V45)? Any drawbacks or weak points? Things I should look out for? Options that are definitely good to add (or not)?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks in advance.
 
Both very good boats but if you can afford to buy the V45 then go for it as you will wish you had at some later date, my boss has one which I am fortunate enough to borrow.
Great boat, lots of room, huge garage, engine room is a mechanics dream at first you think they forgot to install the engines, so servicing access is excellent.
At full throttle it will be using around 70 lph per motor, cruising around 40lph.
They are a very good seaboat and I don't think you will be disappointed, I'd recommend you have a good look over both and trial them before you make your final decision.
Not sure what the UK spec incliudes but definitely have the heating system, ours in Norway has two diesel heaters, one for below decks and one for the cockpit, I took 10 girls out on hen party/cruise and they appreciated the heating in the cockpit even though it was a summer evening.
We also have the Volvo joystick system on the sterndrives, but it doesn't work all that well as the boat is so long and the thrust lines close so it struggles to move the boat sideways without using the bow prop, whereas it worked brilliantly on a shorter Windy 35 so I'd save your money on that option. I am sure others will be along with good advice also.
 
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Thank you spannerman. I assume your fuel consumption figures are referring to the V45?
Are the cabins on the V45 larger than on the V42? Maybe a silly question, but I went only briefly on a V45 once and got the impression that the saloon is bigger but the cabins and heads roughly the same size as on the V42. Also headroom was a little more generous but not that much of a difference (I'm 6ft5 - so not born for sportcruisers but I just love them!).
 
Alwaysbyboat said:
Thank you spannerman. I assume your fuel consumption figures are referring to the V45?
Are the cabins on the V45 larger than on the V42? Maybe a silly question, but I went only briefly on a V45 once and got the impression that the saloon is bigger but the cabins and heads roughly the same size as on the V42. Also headroom was a little more generous but not that much of a difference (I'm 6ft5 - so not born for sportcruisers but I just love them!).
Click to expand...
I had to re-read Spannerman.. note -that was per engine, so double the numbers. Even then, sounds a tad optimistic to me, but I guess its a fair enough benchmark.
MBM or MBY did a review of V39-42 a few months back, I think.
I think if you look at the new 39 (is it?), then the 42 looks dated.. I wonder what they have next on the way if it is an "ageing" model...
 
MBM did indeed test the V39 recently - they were over the moon. If I'm not mistaken, then the V42 was renewed in 2009. The V45 is much older and rumoured to be at the end of its life. However, with the Fairline Targa 45 coming out soon, Princess would need a response to that, so maybe they keep/update the V45?
V42-V45 size would be perfect for us.
 
Alwaysbyboat said:
MBM did indeed test the V39 recently - they were over the moon. If I'm not mistaken, then the V42 was renewed in 2009. The V45 is much older and rumoured to be at the end of its life. However, with the Fairline Targa 45 coming out soon, Princess would need a response to that, so maybe they keep/update the V45?
V42-V45 size would be perfect for us.
Click to expand...
One of them did the (old) V39-42 model, which is, what, 15+years production run?
 
gjgm said:
Is it? Always thought the 45 looked fresher, but 42 has always been popular.
Click to expand...

Yep, do try and keep up at the back :D the V42HT was announced in 2008 and launched in 2009; the V45 was announced in 2006 and launched in 2007 and is apparently no longer in production, although still available for sale (stock boats, I guess).

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Alwaysbyboat said:
MBM did indeed test the V39 recently - they were over the moon. If I'm not mistaken, then the V42 was renewed in 2009. The V45 is much older and rumoured to be at the end of its life. However, with the Fairline Targa 45 coming out soon, Princess would need a response to that, so maybe they keep/update the V45?
V42-V45 size would be perfect for us.
Click to expand...

Yep agreed, there's a bit of gap in the Princess V class line up between the V42HT and the V52. V47 anybody? Princess turned the V53 into the V56 by adding a hydraulic platform, and then turned that into the V57 with a comprehensive rework of the accommodation spaces; both the V39 and the V42HT now have optional hydraulic platforms, so perhaps this might be a solution for the V45, together with a general update of the styling of the seating etc?

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Now I also understand better why they are so eager to sell me a V42 or V45. That doesn't change anything to the fact that these are nice boats, but they probably want to clear stock boats...
V52 is brilliant, but a bit too big for a first boat. Also a different price category...
 
gjgm said:
I had to re-read Spannerman.. note -that was per engine, so double the numbers. Even then, sounds a tad optimistic to me, but I guess its a fair enough benchmark.
MBM or MBY did a review of V39-42 a few months back, I think.
I think if you look at the new 39 (is it?), then the 42 looks dated.. I wonder what they have next on the way if it is an "ageing" model...
Click to expand...

We (MBM) reviewed the V42 in 2009. See the gallery here.
I can tell you that we said;
FOR
Good cockpit, plus
sharp and elegant styling and handling
AGAINST
Restricted headroom in midships cabin
VERDICT
It has it all – open cockpit, superb handling, comfy accommodation and a push-button roof

Let me know if you want any more detail! Both the V42 and V45 are excellent boats. From what I can recall, the V42 actually has bigger cabins than the V45. The V45 has a far bigger saloon area, which eats in the cabin space.
Greg
 
Alwaysbyboat said:
Now I also understand better why they are so eager to sell me a V42 or V45. That doesn't change anything to the fact that these are nice boats, but they probably want to clear stock boats...
V52 is brilliant, but a bit too big for a first boat. Also a different price category...
Click to expand...

V52 is a completely different kettle of fish. A tonne more cash, for sure, but quite a different boat. Given a choice between the V42HT and the V45 I'd go with the V42HT, even though the V45 is a prettier boat from the outside. (Haven't we already a version of this discussion recently...?). Stock boat represents less financial risk, and is obviously available quicker if you want to get on the water this year, and should be cheaper than a built to order.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Thank you Greg. Your comment about the cabins was indeed what I thought. I bought the 2009 issue of MBM so I do have the full test, but it's always nice to see a comparison between the boats I'm looking at. Is the headroom very different inside the saloon and cabins (V42 versus V45)? The new V39 uses a different hull construction method (read that in your test). Does that have any impact on headroom or space? Sorry to be so focused on that, but being 6ft5 it is an important criteria for me. Other than that I love Princess: great hull, good (perceived) quality, nice engines, good seakeeping...
So V42 would still be a good choice? Any must have options (or don't buy options)?
 
Yes Jimmy, we had a discussion recently (was still pondering about the P42 then, but narrowed the choice down now - we talked about hulls and oh yes...shaft versus sterndrive, a first on this forum!).
I hear what you say about the V52.
Why would you go for the V42HT and not for the V45? Just curious....both would be stock boats.
 
Here is a good shot for to compare the size and layouts.
v4245.jpg


I can't remember about headroom, but this is one for the editor, Carl. If you email me, greg_goulding@ipcmedia.com I can pass your questions to him when he is back in the office tomorrow.
 
Alwaysbyboat said:
Yes Jimmy, we had a discussion recently (was still pondering about the P42 then, but narrowed the choice down now - we talked about hulls and oh yes...shaft versus sterndrive, a first on this forum!).
I hear what you say about the V52.
Why would you go for the V42HT and not for the V45? Just curious....both would be stock boats.
Click to expand...

It's a bit subjective, but I generally preferred the cockpit and helm position on the V42HT. Headroom is definitely less on the V42HT than it is on the V45. If these are both stock boats, then they both must be physical, either in Plymouth or at Swanwick - so in your position, I'd just go down there and spend a bit of time on both of them. You might even be able to get a back-to-back sea trial if PMYS are sufficiently convinced that you're about to buy one or the other (putting down a non-binding cash deposit is a good way of demonstrating this). Much easier to do this quietly now than wait until SIBS.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
I believe they're both in Swanwick. I go down there on Tuesday for a sea trial.
I was also surprised to see that they both have roughly the same displacement despite the difference in LOA (12.000kg versus 12.600kg). So the V42 must be well planted.
 
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