New build Princess F55 flybridge

[henryf]

I got round to setting up our little SIM card based WiFi hub which was easy enough, more painful was registering TVs and logging them into the WiFi then setting up access to our streaming services. I hate codes, passwords and so on but I think we got there in the end. I've also paired my phone to some of the head units located around the boat. It sort of works although I think I've probably confused my phone a bit. When we're out and about I'll have a little play.

We also fiddled around with the boat on the berth. I turned it around and messed about then turned it back round again. Tried to use the joystick but found it was a bit more aggressive than I was wanting so I ended up going old school and just tickling the engines and thrusters. These variable thrusters are nothing short of incredible, I mean WOW ! Subtle little inputs as you manoeuvre around and then when you're ready gently hold the boat against the pontoon to make rope work easy for the crew.

I will persevere with the joystick and do some more experimenting but at this stage I think my finest work will be achieved with shafts and thrusters controlled manually.

The reason we were turning around was to try and get shore power leads connected. I touched on this in an earlier post but the mains hook up on the F55 is very different to the P50. There are still 2 shore power connections, 1 and 2.

Number 2 is specifically for the reverse cycle A/C which has 5 different compressors and corresponding zones.

Number 1 is a bit more intelligent. When shore side facilities permit we can plug into a staggering (to this simple country boy) 64 Amps using the primary lead. In our case we only have a 32 Amp supply so we would use the secondary lead which terminates in a 32 Amp plug, but we do also have a 64 Amp socket to 32 Amp plug step down adapter if we want to use the primary lead and look like a super yacht.

When power is fed to shore power input 2 the climate machinery is no longer powered by shore power 1. So you end up with a number of options depending on what's there shore side. I'm going to get a couple of 32 Amp socket to 16 Amp plug step down adapters so that I can use the supply most commonly found in UK marinas. The switch panel clearly tells you exactly how many amps each circuit is drawing. We do also have a Whisper power generator fitted as well for when we're out in the sticks.

 

[EricJ]

Almost certainly the pedestal is there because there is the angled V hull right under that toilet, so a pedestal is the only way to do it.
It doesn't alter my answer above, but iirc the piping on the "short" version of the Planus Elite hangs below the ceramic base, and dips down into a 7 inch hole that you must cut in the floor. Perfectly ok and sensible. In later models of Tecma and Planus all the piping is within the ceramic base of the pot.

Makes sense. I see it now on the virtual tour. Henryf’s photo is from the guest heads.

 

[henryf]

Henry it will be interesting to hear from you how you like or dislike Garmin, having used Raym for years.

For me the difference isn't so much features like how you enter routes or whatever because all the big brands are quite similar. The big difference imho is processor speed. Charts contain so much info, and screens sizes are now so big, that you need high end processors to redraw and zoom in/out quickly. This is a feature that magazine reviewers etc miss but to me it is a big point, and Garmin wins hands down on this point.

Initial thoughts are that the processing is virtually instant. I'm not waiting for things to happen which on a touch screen set up is important if it is to be intuitive. I too am a go to cursor skipper but I can see getting a route automatically calculated allows you to make Macro decisions - what time should we book the restaurant for or what speed do we need to make.

I'm sort of having 5 minutes here and there with the glass in between jobs. I've managed to get rid of all the bloody AIS markers which allows me to see the screen a bit better. You can imagine how busy solent marinas are.....

When the Garmin rep comes over I'm sure he will impart lots of useful knowledge.

A quick question, I was kindly given my charts by Princess. I assumed I was going to have to buy them and then it looked like annual renewal was half the purchase price but the charts are working without internet connection. Is the annual subscription just for chart updates or do they stop working if you don't do your annual subs ? Sorry if that sounds a naive question but I haven't looked at navigation tech for a long time.

 

[jfm]

100% agree on goto cursor, and auto route for macro info.

I don't know all the answer to your last Q. I have only ever just bought a chart chip (SD card) for £300 or thereabouts, then after a few years bought another, so I've never had a subscription. For sure they do not stop working if you never pay a sub - they would work for 100 years. I very much doubt Garmin or anyone would do "auto switch off", because of litigation risk in case it happens at sea, esp in USA. Hopefully the Garmin rep can give a better answer. Do you know his/her name yet btw?

 

[henryf]

Yep, that was the world it was for sure.
Ain’t much different now either tbh. Certainly an undervalued skill and industry.

You must know Ali Coleman from your Synapse time?

I think he was the year after me at art college. We were there at the same time I think but it was a long time ago and I've had quite a good life since so the brain cells have taken a hell of a pasting

 

[henryf]

100% agree on goto cursor, and auto route for macro info.

I don't know all the answer to your last Q. I have only ever just bought a chart chip (SD card) for £300 or thereabouts, then after a few years bought another, so I've never had a subscription. For sure they do not stop working if you never pay a sub - they would work for 100 years. I very much doubt Garmin or anyone would do "auto switch off", because of litigation risk in case it happens at sea, esp in USA. Hopefully the Garmin rep can give a better answer. Do you know his/her name yet btw?

No, just that Chris who did my technical handover said he was going to arrange some time with them. I will keep you informed.

 

[henryf]

I have just been approached by forum administrators who ever they may be with suggestions that my posts on here may be inappropriate. There was a suggestion that I'm being paid to post either directly or by way of free products. A post I made relating to the cleaning pack you get with a new Princess F55 seemed to trigger the intervention.

With that in mind I shall refrain from further posts until the matter is resolved.

For the record I don't believe I have been treated any differently to a returning customer on their 3rd boat from Princess and certainly no offer of remuneration has been made. The magazine did approach me to ask whether I would consider joining them as a regular contributor commenting on the change of boats and our experiences. I agreed to this and in return would receive a token remuneration but to date I'm £5.50 down because I bought March's MB & Y from Fleet services just to get a handle on current content

Much love and sorry if I've upset or offended anyone. I merely wanted to give an insight into what it's like buying a new boat and also what it feel like unwrapping the present.

 

[hinch]

saw your boat i think the other day in southampton looks lovely, i've just spent a week down boat shopping for an axopar and i think probably a manhattan 55 not decided yet though still looking am coming back down in april to take a closer look just want to check out galeon just for completeness they do a 560 fly.

 

[stelican]

I have a spare pair of props and a spare shaft on my boat. There's a certain sense of comfort that they bring, but hopefully I'm never in a position to need them

Many years Ago these were listed as an option on flybridge Fairlines the shafts were stored in the flybridge moulding P and S.
Can't remember where props location was

 

[Hooligan]

No way! If your kit is old, download the latest software/firmishware

Will do. Thanks.

 

[benjenbav]

I have just been approached by forum administrators who ever they may be with suggestions that my posts on here may be inappropriate. There was a suggestion that I'm being paid to post either directly or by way of free products. A post I made relating to the cleaning pack you get with a new Princess F55 seemed to trigger the intervention.

With that in mind I shall refrain from further posts until the matter is resolved.

For the record I don't believe I have been treated any differently to a returning customer on their 3rd boat from Princess and certainly no offer of remuneration has been made. The magazine did approach me to ask whether I would consider joining them as a regular contributor commenting on the change of boats and our experiences. I agreed to this and in return would receive a token remuneration but to date I'm £5.50 down because I bought March's MB & Y from Fleet services just to get a handle on current content

Much love and sorry if I've upset or offended anyone. I merely wanted to give an insight into what it's like buying a new boat and also what it feel like unwrapping the present.

Well, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this thread; mostly to see your fab new boat, but also to bask secondhand in the pleasure it’s clearly giving you and to learn new details from some expert commentators.

 

[Parabolica]

I have just been approached by forum administrators who ever they may be with suggestions that my posts on here may be inappropriate. There was a suggestion that I'm being paid to post either directly or by way of free products. A post I made relating to the cleaning pack you get with a new Princess F55 seemed to trigger the intervention.

With that in mind I shall refrain from further posts until the matter is resolved.

For the record I don't believe I have been treated any differently to a returning customer on their 3rd boat from Princess and certainly no offer of remuneration has been made. The magazine did approach me to ask whether I would consider joining them as a regular contributor commenting on the change of boats and our experiences. I agreed to this and in return would receive a token remuneration but to date I'm £5.50 down because I bought March's MB & Y from Fleet services just to get a handle on current content

Much love and sorry if I've upset or offended anyone. I merely wanted to give an insight into what it's like buying a new boat and also what it feel like unwrapping the present.

That’s bloody ridiculous !

No part of this thread or your posts within it have even remotely made me try to go out and spend a few million quid on a new boat or some spanners.

Mods, get some perspective for gawds sake ! You’re letting yourselves down greatly.

 

[jfm]

I have just been approached by forum administrators who ever they may be with suggestions that my posts on here may be inappropriate. There was a suggestion that I'm being paid to post either directly or by way of free products. A post I made relating to the cleaning pack you get with a new Princess F55 seemed to trigger the intervention.

With that in mind I shall refrain from further posts until the matter is resolved.

For the record I don't believe I have been treated any differently to a returning customer on their 3rd boat from Princess and certainly no offer of remuneration has been made. The magazine did approach me to ask whether I would consider joining them as a regular contributor commenting on the change of boats and our experiences. I agreed to this and in return would receive a token remuneration but to date I'm £5.50 down because I bought March's MB & Y from Fleet services just to get a handle on current content

Much love and sorry if I've upset or offended anyone. I merely wanted to give an insight into what it's like buying a new boat and also what it feel like unwrapping the present.

Are you serious Henry? Like BJB, I'm enjoying your posts very much Henry and the suggestion that you're doing if for some kind of reward is absurd, and rather insulting to you. Posting on here and faffing around with pictures often feels like quite hard work, especially when you have a day job , yet it's what drives traffic and discussion on here. Mods here are out of touch. Much respect and thanks to you Henry for all the info and reportage on this thread.

 

[EricJ]

I have just been approached by forum administrators who ever they may be with suggestions that my posts on here may be inappropriate. There was a suggestion that I'm being paid to post either directly or by way of free products. A post I made relating to the cleaning pack you get with a new Princess F55 seemed to trigger the intervention.

With that in mind I shall refrain from further posts until the matter is resolved.

For the record I don't believe I have been treated any differently to a returning customer on their 3rd boat from Princess and certainly no offer of remuneration has been made. The magazine did approach me to ask whether I would consider joining them as a regular contributor commenting on the change of boats and our experiences. I agreed to this and in return would receive a token remuneration but to date I'm £5.50 down because I bought March's MB & Y from Fleet services just to get a handle on current content

Much love and sorry if I've upset or offended anyone. I merely wanted to give an insight into what it's like buying a new boat and also what it feel like unwrapping the present.

Bizarre…. sometimes you wonder if the magazine and the forum are run by the same people. The forum was/can be a fantastic support for the magazine, especially with contributors like you and others that shared a lot of their experience here.
I thoroughly enjoyed this thread and thanks again for sharing the unwrapping of your toy with us.

 

[Hurricane]

I think the confusion about Planus and having a special version is real.
When I bought our Planus toilets, they asked me if I wanted the Princess special version.
At that time, it turned out that Princess like to fit the electronics box and the water solenoid valve within the toilet itself.
I chose to have the components supplied separately, so that I could fit them in more accessible places.

@henryf
The toilets can be adjusted.
On the controller, there are 2 knobs that adjust the delays for the filling cycle and the emptying cycle.
Effectively adjusting how much water is used at each stage.
They do use a lot of water though.
We don't have a water maker so we are careful how we use them when away from the marina.

 

[ICTM]

I have just been approached by forum administrators who ever they may be with suggestions that my posts on here may be inappropriate. There was a suggestion that I'm being paid to post either directly or by way of free products. A post I made relating to the cleaning pack you get with a new Princess F55 seemed to trigger the intervention.

With that in mind I shall refrain from further posts until the matter is resolved.

For the record I don't believe I have been treated any differently to a returning customer on their 3rd boat from Princess and certainly no offer of remuneration has been made. The magazine did approach me to ask whether I would consider joining them as a regular contributor commenting on the change of boats and our experiences. I agreed to this and in return would receive a token remuneration but to date I'm £5.50 down because I bought March's MB & Y from Fleet services just to get a handle on current content

Much love and sorry if I've upset or offended anyone. I merely wanted to give an insight into what it's like buying a new boat and also what it feel like unwrapping the present.

The world has gone truly mad………………

Henry, the time and effort you have gone to in sharing the arrival of your fantastic boat is greatly appreciated by those who own, enjoy or dream of owning a boat. Thank you.

It’s just a great shame that some connected with running the forum don’t seem to understand. They truly are sucking the life out of it.

 

[PaulRainbow]

A quick question, I was kindly given my charts by Princess. I assumed I was going to have to buy them and then it looked like annual renewal was half the purchase price but the charts are working without internet connection. Is the annual subscription just for chart updates or do they stop working if you don't do your annual subs ? Sorry if that sounds a naive question but I haven't looked at navigation tech for a long time.

Subs are for updates, if you don't pay for the updates they still keep working

 

[Elessar]

Horses for course - I'm not bothered about route ETA but that's my choice (and of course most of my big routes are straight line anyway )

What are you saying is a showstopper? I didn't get your point.

I’ve always said it’s a bit of a PC/Mac debate where everyone is right and familiarity plays a big part in the preference rather than the over stated minor differences.

But if I was starting from scratch the lack of route handling would definitely get me to choose another brand. It’s a big and very surprising omission IMO.

You’ve said before that your showstopper is the ability to control the pilot on iPad on Garmin where raymarine block that. Which is annoying I admit.

 

[Hurricane]

I have just been approached by forum administrators who ever they may be with suggestions that my posts on here may be inappropriate. There was a suggestion that I'm being paid to post either directly or by way of free products. A post I made relating to the cleaning pack you get with a new Princess F55 seemed to trigger the intervention.

With that in mind I shall refrain from further posts until the matter is resolved.

For the record I don't believe I have been treated any differently to a returning customer on their 3rd boat from Princess and certainly no offer of remuneration has been made. The magazine did approach me to ask whether I would consider joining them as a regular contributor commenting on the change of boats and our experiences. I agreed to this and in return would receive a token remuneration but to date I'm £5.50 down because I bought March's MB & Y from Fleet services just to get a handle on current content

Much love and sorry if I've upset or offended anyone. I merely wanted to give an insight into what it's like buying a new boat and also what it feel like unwrapping the present.

In the past several of us on here have written articles for MBY.
I've written lots.
And, like you, also written posts on this forum on our progress when buying a new Princess.
I also have friends who have bought new Princesses - and from the same Princess distributor that you are dealing with.
So I KNOW that you don't get any special treatment.
We have had our Princess for 15 years now (gosh doesn't time fly).
In my experience, we have all had the same good level of after sales treatment.
I'm gobsmacked that the moderators seem to be taking this kind of action.
Lets hope that JFM will be allowed to write a new build thread.
Without threads like this one from Henry and JFM - what would this forum be?

 

[dankilb]

In the past several of us on here have written articles for MBY.
I've written lots.
And, like you, also written posts on this forum on our progress when buying a new Princess.
I also have friends who have bought new Princesses - and from the same Princess distributor that you are dealing with.
So I KNOW that you don't get any special treatment.
We have had our Princess for 15 years now (gosh doesn't time fly).
In my experience, we have all had the same good level of after sales treatment.
I'm gobsmacked that the moderators seem to be taking this kind of action.
Lets hope that JFM will be allowed to write a new build thread.
Without threads like this one from Henry and JFM - what would this forum be?

+1.

Hopefully the @Moderator will see sense and make things right with Henry. There is no more 'promotion' going on here than might be associated with the 'unboxing' of any new product. In fact, it is evidencable that Henry has bought a new boat and thus received some comparatively modest goodies with it as part of the deal.