Help me choose please

[Falcoron]

Evening all, I’m looking at buying a princess 33 cruiser now I’ve looked and like the layout and so does the missus so good to go!
My question is if I go fir a mk1 it’s going to be shafts on ford maremaid Diesel engines, if mk2 probably volvos with drives. Ive only ever owned 1 boat before an ocean 30 on shafts and it was really reliable, I know drives will need servicing but are there advantages and drawbacks to each? If so could you share your thoughts please! Also if anyone know how much would it cost to road freight it from Essex to Larne Northern Ireland roughly?
Cheers

 

[Seastoke]

Shafts for older boat and a guess for transport 3 to 4 k

 

[kashurst]

Outdrives on paper use less fuel than shafts, but need much more regular love and attention. As the years go by boats tend to go through periods of neglect - including the outdrives. A Princess 33 will be 30+ years old by now and the risks of outdrive problems increase. Unless you plan on doing fast, high mileage on a regular basis, the possible fuel savings get eaten by the service costs. Plus the risk of steering rams/pumps etc failing with age/water ingress.
Annual outdrive service needs oil change and anodes plus check jubilee clips etc
Outdrive service every two years needs bellows changing. Some people leave them longer but if water gets into the universal joints you will wish you had changed the bellows.

A shaft drive boat will tolerate neglect/age better as the gearbox is out of the water and there are no universal joints/rubber boots to corrode etc.
Shaft drive service -change the oil in the gearbox when you buy it, check it periodically. You may need to repack the stern glands, at some point you may need to change the cutlass bearings. Both cheap to do, so probably worth doing when you buy the boat and they will almost certainly last 5 - 10 years or until you sell it again.
Engine wise - again the mermaids and the equivalent volvo will be getting on a bit so get a proper engine survey as well as a hull survey. Either would almost certainly be fine if in good condition, but probably smokey when cold, they were like that when they were new. Check out spares availability too.

 

[Greg2]

Transport cost to NI circa £2k if memory serves (we have moved boats from Redbay to Norfolk for that sort of money)

 

[Falcoron]

Outdrives on paper use less fuel than shafts, but need much more regular love and attention. As the years go by boats tend to go through periods of neglect - including the outdrives. A Princess 33 will be 30+ years old by now and the risks of outdrive problems increase. Unless you plan on doing fast, high mileage on a regular basis, the possible fuel savings get eaten by the service costs. Plus the risk of steering rams/pumps etc failing with age/water ingress.
Annual outdrive service needs oil change and anodes plus check jubilee clips etc
Outdrive service every two years needs bellows changing. Some people leave them longer but if water gets into the universal joints you will wish you had changed the bellows.

A shaft drive boat will tolerate neglect/age better as the gearbox is out of the water and there are no universal joints/rubber boots to corrode etc.
Shaft drive service -change the oil in the gearbox when you buy it, check it periodically. You may need to repack the stern glands, at some point you may need to change the cutlass bearings. Both cheap to do, so probably worth doing when you buy the boat and they will almost certainly last 5 - 10 years or until you sell it again.
Engine wise - again the mermaids and the equivalent volvo will be getting on a bit so get a proper engine survey as well as a hull survey. Either would almost certainly be fine if in good condition, but probably smokey when cold, they were like that when they were new. Check out spares availability too.

Superb thank you!

 

[Falcoron]

Transport cost to NI circa £2k if memory serves (we have moved boats from Redbay to Norfolk for that sort of money)

Ok cheers

 

[longjohnsilver]

Outdrives on paper use less fuel than shafts, but need much more regular love and attention. As the years go by boats tend to go through periods of neglect - including the outdrives. A Princess 33 will be 30+ years old by now and the risks of outdrive problems increase. Unless you plan on doing fast, high mileage on a regular basis, the possible fuel savings get eaten by the service costs. Plus the risk of steering rams/pumps etc failing with age/water ingress.
Annual outdrive service needs oil change and anodes plus check jubilee clips etc
Outdrive service every two years needs bellows changing. Some people leave them longer but if water gets into the universal joints you will wish you had changed the bellows.

A shaft drive boat will tolerate neglect/age better as the gearbox is out of the water and there are no universal joints/rubber boots to corrode etc.
Shaft drive service -change the oil in the gearbox when you buy it, check it periodically. You may need to repack the stern glands, at some point you may need to change the cutlass bearings. Both cheap to do, so probably worth doing when you buy the boat and they will almost certainly last 5 - 10 years or until you sell it again.
Engine wise - again the mermaids and the equivalent volvo will be getting on a bit so get a proper engine survey as well as a hull survey. Either would almost certainly be fine if in good condition, but probably smokey when cold, they were like that when they were new. Check out spares availability too.

Good summary, I've had Mermaids in my last 2 boats, both quite smokey when cold, but reliable, easy to work on engines. Servicing parts are easy to obtain, and very cheap (oil filter about £5)as they are Ford based. Marinising bits from Mermaid, Lancing marine or seahorse power.

 

[QBhoy]

Great boats and great engines...but like all boats of an age like this...depends on history and price perhaps. Apologies for stating the obvious, but for me all depends on the price. If such a boat was 30k for example...I’d be looking elsewhere. If it was 15-20k....sounds good. Personally I’d prefer shafts on such a boat and in the assumed price range...be going for a fairline corniche or princess 330 ?? Just me ?

 

[Falcoron]

Good stuff thanks, I’m still looking and as I will be inland fresh water only on Erne Shannon and usually weekend occasional won’t be putting many hours or mileage on it. Prices for ones I’ve been interested in are in the 13-19k range but good inspection etc before purchase etc thanks again

 

[oldgit]

Owned a P33 and had great fun with it for many years totalled around 1500 hours. Used for both coastal and non tidal. What to watch for. Windows, they all leak eventually especially the front ones over the bed and the canvas channel runners rot out.Somebody at some point will have to sort it. Depending on your circumstances its either a out of boat refurb or diligent use of sealer. Engines. We had Volvo 40As 130 HP. Just went on for ever with regular oil changes and the odd starter or alternator collapsing. Interiors on all will be bit tired with some horrid Pink or Green nightmares still lurking which were all the rage at one time. The drive system will be either shafts or outdrives most probably 270 or 280, with the odd rogue 280T which must be avoided if you value your sanity and wallet. The MK11 is definately a much better boat in every respect but hold their price better. A Mk1 should be selling at around £15k to low 20k anything more and the boat has got to be amazingly exceptional or more likely the owner is not in contact with the real world. Two versions around the one with small keel and usually lower powered engines and one sans keel with bigger engines. Max speed with pair of 80HP....10-12 knots.A pair of 130HP with outdrives....17 knots downhill (when outdrives were working ) . A neat solid boat....if/when you find decent one. Loads and loads of tired old wrecks out there. A Princess 37 in running order, recently sold between club members for £17K. !

 

[Falcoron]

I wish! But funds dictate unfortunately

 

[Falcoron]

Great boats and great engines...but like all boats of an age like this...depends on history and price perhaps. Apologies for stating the obvious, but for me all depends on the price. If such a boat was 30k for example...I’d be looking elsewhere. If it was 15-20k....sounds good. Personally I’d prefer shafts on such a boat and in the assumed price range...be going for a fairline corniche or princess 330 ?? Just me ?

Owned a P33 and had great fun with it for many years totalled around 1500 hours. Used for both coastal and non tidal. What to watch for. Windows, they all leak eventually especially the front ones over the bed and the canvas channel runners rot out.Somebody at some point will have to sort it. Depending on your circumstances its either a out of boat refurb or diligent use of sealer. Engines. We had Volvo 40As 130 HP. Just went on for ever with regular oil changes and the odd starter or alternator collapsing. Interiors on all will be bit tired with some horrid Pink or Green nightmares still lurking which were all the rage at one time. The drive system will be either shafts or outdrives most probably 270 or 280, with the odd rogue 280T which must be avoided if you value your sanity and wallet. The MK11 is definately a much better boat in every respect but hold their price better. A Mk1 should be selling at around £15k to low 20k anything more and the boat has got to be amazingly exceptional or more likely the owner is not in contact with the real world. Two versions around the one with small keel and usually lower powered engines and one sans keel with bigger engines. Max speed with pair of 80HP....10-12 knots.A pair of 130HP with outdrives....17 knots downhill (when outdrives were working ) . A neat solid boat....if/when you find decent one. Loads and loads of tired old wrecks out there. A Princess 37 in running order, recently sold between club members for £17K. !

Thanks mate that’s great stuff! Im not adverse to leaking windows etc. Having owned & refurbished inside and out an old ocean 30 from early 70’s now sold as that was the plan then get something a bit younger to do similar, I would prefer shaft drive and I’m not glued to a princess either, I’ve seen and missed a cracking broom 35 fly that put me on the track for a 30-35’ sedan type boat fly would be a bonus.
There is only 2 princess here in Ireland that I can see both are twin drives. Also missed a really nice birch wood 31 commador which ticked all my boxes still looking and this information is invaluable do great job and please keep it coming this is only our second boat but learned so much restoring the little broom which are bomb proof! The hull and Perkins 4108 where exceptional for the age

 

[Ferris]

IMO on the upper reaches of the Shannon you need a full keel that provides some protection to the props, princesses with Y hulls or the broom 35 you mentioned are a good shout. All the interesting places to explore in your cruising area feature restricted navigation, channels, canals etc. so I would buy accordingly, it’s not easy, not many sedan types fit the bill.

 

[neil-c-8]

Where in Ireland are you based Falcoron? We're in the minority in the MB forum! I'm based in the North and recently purchased a 24ft Sunseeker Mexico which has been on Lough Neagh this summer but plan to keep it in Coleraine next year for some North Coast cruising. Good luck with the search!

 

[Falcoron]

Where in Ireland are you based Falcoron? We're in the minority in the MB forum! I'm based in the North and recently purchased a 24ft Sunseeker Mexico which has been on Lough Neagh this summer but plan to keep it in Coleraine next year for some North Coast cruising. Good luck with the search!

I live in islandmagee near Larne and had our boat in Erne marine on Lough Erne just Nicely situated between the upper and lower loughs

 

[oldgit]

Also be aware of of ex hire boats which appear from time to time on the market where you are. Hire companies tend to want to get every last farthing out of them. One we went to look at had structural damage probably from years of hard contact with solid objects ! Thing really ought to have been cut up for safety reasons.

 

[Falcoron]

Also be aware of of ex hire boats which appear from time to time on the market where you are. Hire companies tend to want to get every last farthing out of them. One we went to look at had structural damage probably from years of hard contact with solid objects ! Thing really ought to have been cut up for safety reasons.

Yeah a lot about but I’ve looked at a few befor that were really in great nick, but yeah buyer beware indeed

 

[ari]

Just had a look on line purely out of curiosity - certainly do seem to be a wide range of prices, from a twin shaft drive for £12K through to one that was refurbed in 2010 (including engines, not sure about the outdrives) up for £44K! Norfolk Yacht Agency has a flybridge shaft drive boat at £22,950 that looks like a lot of boat for the money.

 

[Falcoron]

Just had a look on line purely out of curiosity - certainly do seem to be a wide range of prices, from a twin shaft drive for £12K through to one that was refurbed in 2010 (including engines, not sure about the outdrives) up for £44K! Norfolk Yacht Agency has a flybridge shaft drive boat at £22,950 that looks like a lot of boat for the money.

Yeah been looking on line fir a while most have either sold or have deposits on them the 12k one needed that spent on it! It’s now sold

 

[oldgit]

Norfolk Yacht Agency has a flybridge shaft drive boat at £22,950 that looks like a lot of boat for the money.

Club member had one, his very last trip with it was over to France, so more than capable doing decent distances in open water , .Had the VP 165 HP engines on shafts. Sold for around £25k with a brand pair of new Hurth hydraulic gearboxes installed . Now has P 360. Changing the impellors is real pig........