Considering new Princess V42

[jfm]

Whilst I generally agree with the above, you haven't yet tried the reverse cycle heating in February when the water is 6-8 degs. I think it really struggles at low ambient water temps, so you'd probabaly need some extra form of heating if you planned to use the boat year round in the UK

+ another one. Henry will not find his r/cycle heating so good when the seawater is 4 degrees. It'll be ok, and much better than nothing, but it will produce somewhat warm air rather than very warm air, with the result that the only way to get the kilowatts of boat heating high enough is to run both chillers and have fan speeds on max, which is quite noisy compared to eberspacher or a few £20 fan heaters

You get the same prob in reverse in the Med when the seawater reaches 28deg. The airco works less well. That's why you need to spec "tropical" airco for the med

 

[Alwaysbyboat]

Maybe a stupid question (sorry- still fairly new to the magnificient world of mobos) but do you need a generator when installing a Eberspacher heater? I thik they recommend a D4 Airtronic for the V42.
You need one when going for the A/C especially if you want to use it outside the marina.

Are Eberspachers good heaters? They come with a silencer I read on the options list...

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Maybe a stupid question (sorry- still fairly new to the magnificient world of mobos) but do you need a generator when installing a Eberspacher heater? I thik they recommend a D4 Airtronic for the V42.
You need one when going for the A/C especially if you want to use it outside the marina.

Are Eberspachers good heaters? They come with a silencer I read on the options list...

No generator required, they run off 12-24vdc and use diesel from the main tank. I think they are excellent, I have a D5 on the T40, and also had them on the P42 and the T37 previously.

It's good to spec the silencer. Also, if a retro fit, make sure they isolate the pickup pump as much as possible, the ticking sound can be annoying (it was in my P42).

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[Alwaysbyboat]

Thank you (again) Jimmy - that's very helpful.
Another thing I was thinking about: in the V42 the engines are right behind the mid cabin. If you run the engines for a few hours, then I guess it must get warm in that cabin. So A/C needed even if staying in the UK?

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Thank you (again) Jimmy - that's very helpful.
Another thing I was thinking about: in the V42 the engines are right behind the mid cabin. If you run the engines for a few hours, then I guess it must get warm in that cabin. So A/C needed even if staying in the UK?

Tbh that's never occurred to me. I have never once wished for aircon in the UK. (Conversely, I _did_ use the Eber in the Med a few times in April).

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[mjf]

The Eber uses quite a load on startup and once fired up its quite a low load for the pump and fan. No genset needed for an overnight stay at anchor or whatever in my experience.

On my boat once its run for 30 mins I knock it off even when below zero as it gets too hot (and dry). Unlike some others I run it at max and then off never left on the thermo to cut in/out - that might be a battery drain?

 

[erik_plus8]

Since I just spent a week in a V42 in normal Swedish summer weather (similar to British weather, I guess...) my impression is that the heat from the engine compartment does not transfer noticeably to the mid cabin. In the engine room there is quite a lot of volume in front of the engines (D6-400) up to the bulkhead so also I don't think radiation heat from the engines will transfer.

In addition, if buying a new V42, I would ask for some other color than white on surface in front of the dashboard / under the windscreen. In nice weather the sunshine makes the white, large surface mirror in the windscreen which impacts the visibility quite badly. I actually found myself standing most of the time, sticking my head out. (which was not so bad - gives a nice feeling of speed... )

 

[Alwaysbyboat]

Thank you Erik. And good suggestion regarding the dashboard.
Any other impressions you can share about the V42? Positive/negative experiences?

 

[erik_plus8]

Well, my experience in the >40ft sportcruiser world is somewhat limited I have driven a few, but only a bit older ones and none of the alternative boats you mention.

But for us (family w two kids, 9 and 12) the V42 worked brilliantly. Absolutely enough space and the sunpad quickly became SWMBOs favourite spot... Maybe I could agree to what was mentioned earlier in the thread, that the "S-layout" in the cockpit makes the passages a bit difficult when more people are on board. At one time we were 6 adults and 5 kids and we sort of had to spread out over the boat (front sunpad, aft sunpad and one or two kids playing Nintendo in the saloon...) to make it work. But it did work, so I'm not really complaining, just giving my impression. Also, I guess moving away from this layout means >50ft territory...

The boat is *very* nice to drive, very responsive in both steering and engines. The hull works well in sub 20kn as well as +35kn. Seaworthiness was tested when we at one occasion experienced waves higher than the boat and winds >15m/s. Everything went well and stayed under control, although we only drove at displacement speeds, of course...

Also it was easy to manouver in tight areas and crowded harbours.

All of this said as my impressions of the V42. I'm afraid I can't make any comparisions to the V45 or any other of your alternatives mentioned. But we definitely had a faboulus time with the V42

 

[Nick_H]

Maybe a stupid question (sorry- still fairly new to the magnificient world of mobos) but do you need a generator when installing a Eberspacher heater? I thik they recommend a D4 Airtronic for the V42.
You need one when going for the A/C especially if you want to use it outside the marina.

Are Eberspachers good heaters? They come with a silencer I read on the options list...

You don't need a genny for the eber, but you may want one anyway. It means domestic kettles, toasters, coffee machines, electric hobs, microwaves, water heaters, barbeques, hair dryers, etc. are just the flick of a switch away. Also means you can charge the batteries for longer stays away from the marina without having to run the engines. I'd consider a V42/5 without a genny to be underspecced.

 

[Alwaysbyboat]

That's a very good point Nick - thanks.
I didn't think about all those nice things like coffee machines and hair dryers....So back to the option list and tick a few more boxes...

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Re: the fitting or retro-fitting of air con, generators, etc., can't you specifiy the prep for it (ducting runs, that sort of thing) and then get the components fitted later if you feel you do want them? Presumably that would be slightly more expensive in the long run but it would give the better fit out. I'm surprised boats at this level aren't all supplied prepped for it anyway.

 

[jonnybuoy]

Maybe a stupid question (sorry- still fairly new to the magnificient world of mobos) but do you need a generator when installing a Eberspacher heater? I thik they recommend a D4 Airtronic for the V42.
You need one when going for the A/C especially if you want to use it outside the marina.

Are Eberspachers good heaters? They come with a silencer I read on the options list...

FWIW I had an eber retrofitted this year by Krueger. They did a great job looks like a factory fit. That said we haven't used it in earnest yet despite the rubbish weather. We don't have a genny. It's an expensive option and as most marinas have shore power (and we defo don't need aircon up here ) I guess it would only really come in handy when at anchor for any period. It would be nice to have though (but the price doesn't make it a need to have, not for us anyway). They can also be retrofitted no problem (we had the nice chaps at Landau spec one up but didn't go ahead).

 

[henryf]

We had Princess Swanwick retro fit both the heating and Genny for us on the P42. You wouldn't know the difference from a factory install.

Is was the first boat we had owned with a generator and it was fantastic. The factory / Swanwick install is all but silent from the outside so no problem using it in places like Newtown Creek. Not only does it allow the use of "essentials" such as hair driers it gives a tremendous feeling of self sufficiency when away from marinas, so much that you end up seeking out more independent over it moorings which often as not are free. I'm not saying the genny will pay for it's self but taking into account the ease of re-sale (people loved that it was fitted) and the savings on a few nights the numbers almost add up.

The Ebber heating was fine. We had to have them out for a warranty visit when it started smoking badly but worked without falter after that. Worth upgrading the controller to a timer one if it isn't already fitted and possibly even having a controller in the bedroom. Saves the argument over who turns it on in the winter mornings. You could even be really extravagant and have it switched on by phone so the boat is warm when you arrive.

But definitely go for a generator.

I was also contemplating a crane / passerelle for the back but ended up buying a really light aluminium hull tender which I could lift on and off by hand. Quite a weight saving (and £10k!).

Henry

 

[volvopaul]

We had Princess Swanwick retro fit both the heating and Genny for us on the P42. You wouldn't know the difference from a factory install.

Is was the first boat we had owned with a generator and it was fantastic. The factory / Swanwick install is all but silent from the outside so no problem using it in places like Newtown Creek. Not only does it allow the use of "essentials" such as hair driers it gives a tremendous feeling of self sufficiency when away from marinas, so much that you end up seeking out more independent over it moorings which often as not are free. I'm not saying the genny will pay for it's self but taking into account the ease of re-sale (people loved that it was fitted) and the savings on a few nights the numbers almost add up.

The Ebber heating was fine. We had to have them out for a warranty visit when it started smoking badly but worked without falter after that. Worth upgrading the controller to a timer one if it isn't already fitted and possibly even having a controller in the bedroom. Saves the argument over who turns it on in the winter mornings. You could even be really extravagant and have it switched on by phone so the boat is warm when you arrive.

But definitely go for a generator.

I was also contemplating a crane / passerelle for the back but ended up buying a really light aluminium hull tender which I could lift on and off by hand. Quite a weight saving (and £10k!).

Henry

Heating switch by phone is great, 30 mins before you arrive at boat just send the txt and your not arriving at a cold dungeon, well worth it.

You can also if feeling really lazy in a morning do the same, although my wife can never find her phone when returning from an evening in the jolly sailor, spinnaker of the ship, oh I forgot to mention swanwick too!!


Alwaysbyboat , have we made your mind up yet?

 

[Alwaysbyboat]

I'm getting there Paul - getting close to THE moment. But I enjoy this thread so much, it would be a pitty to stop just now....

Seriously, this forum has been VERY helpful for me in narrowing down the list of boats I am looking at, and answered a lot of questions regarding engines, spec etc.
It's always great to hear other boaters' experiences. And although I agree that at the end it will be us making the choice, it's useful to learn from what others say. I know there is no right or wrong when chosing between the P42 or V42 (or Targa 44), but I just wanted to get a picture that is as complete as possible to compare both concepts, strengths and weaknesses. This forum definitely helped me a lot.

 

[volvopaul]

I'm getting there Paul - getting close to THE moment. But I enjoy this thread so much, it would be a pitty to stop just now....

Seriously, this forum has been VERY helpful for me in narrowing down the list of boats I am looking at, and answered a lot of questions regarding engines, spec etc.
It's always great to hear other boaters' experiences. And although I agree that at the end it will be us making the choice, it's useful to learn from what others say. I know there is no right or wrong when chosing between the P42 or V42 (or Targa 44), but I just wanted to get a picture that is as complete as possible to compare both concepts, strengths and weaknesses. This forum definitely helped me a lot.

Of course if I wanted to throw another spanner in the works, as I'm sure you having a he'll of a job deciding between flybridge (shafts) and sports hardtop ( outdrives) for the money or maybe less how about one of the newest targa 47s a truly magnificent boat that has both hardtop and shaft drive, good tender garage, the list goes on.

 

[Alwaysbyboat]

Not helping Paul...

The new Targa 47? I must have missed something. I looked at the Targa 44GT, and know they are going to launch a 45. But a 47?

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Not helping Paul...

The new Targa 47? I must have missed something. I looked at the Targa 44GT, and know they are going to launch a 45. But a 47?

I think Paul's referring to the out-of-production Targa 47 - two cabins, two heads, shafts (mostly D9's, but a handful of D11's as well), hard top.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[Alwaysbyboat]

Somehow I get the impression you're not a big outdrive fan - no D6 400 for you.
I just had a quick look at the Targa 47. I do prefer a new boat though. I know some used ones are very well maintained, but I prefer new.