New build Princess F55 flybridge

[jfm]

One thing I did notice on the F55 which kind of relates to the auto pilot is the treatment of the rudders. Rather than a central ram system they seem to have independent servo motors on each rudder.

That's an newish product maybe since about 2019/20 (?) - I love it. The software allows the rudders to turn at slightly different angles (the inner one turning tighter) . In a nerdish way that is quite cool.
Ferretti group use these and Sanlorenzo, plus probably many others.
There is one trade off to make, which is that if you turn the rudders independently at different angles you have no tie bar, so if one side fails the other motor can't drive it, whereas if you use a tie bar you have that redundancy. I wouldn't criticise either choice, but tend to prefer to take the risk and let them turn at different angles, with no tie bar. Unfortunately Sanloz don't agree so I'll have a tie bar
A big benefit of all this is no hydraulic hoses going from steering wheels to rudders. The steering wheel is a rotary actuator and it's fly by wire. There's no hydraulic steering unit and PTO in the engine room, no hoses, no autopilot pump and solenoid valves, etc. That's a major saving in materials/ build time/weight/energy consumption.
It's now on outboards too - my new Yam will have fly by wire steering, by an electric motor and leadscrew built into the outboard, and that means with a little black box plugged in has an autopilot, Merc/Verado same.

 

[jfm]

I’m so glad the South of France tourist board still have you on retainer ?

We should unionise and compare notes on what I get from them vs what you get from the Thai TB

Having said that we both enjoy and get good use out of our respective boats ?

Indeed so - this is a great thread thanks and please keep it going through the commissioning etc.

 

[EricJ]

Some interesting news on the build....

She floats !

Slightly ahead of my expectations F55 135 has come off production and is now floating in the sea whilst sea trials and initial commissioning are undertaken. I suspect we may not do another factory visit before taking delivery now. I thought there would be more of a slow down over Christmas but the factory is obviously pushing on keen to honour delivery slots.

It is coming together very nicely!
did you have any options to choose from regarding battery banks and chargers and shorepower possibly?
and what did you choose as anchoring gear?
she is a real beauty.

 

[Commercial Dave]

Some interesting news on the build....

She floats !

Slightly ahead of my expectations F55 135 has come off production and is now floating in the sea whilst sea trials and initial commissioning are undertaken. I suspect we may not do another factory visit before taking delivery now. I thought there would be more of a slow down over Christmas but the factory is obviously pushing on keen to honour delivery slots.

Is that on the pontoons at Turnchapel? I was down there yesterday

 

[henryf]

We should unionise and compare notes on what I get from them vs what you get from the Thai TB


Indeed so - this is a great thread thanks and please keep it going through the commissioning etc.

A great idea brother John. I shall enlist the services of Jeremy Corbyn and Mick Cash to represent us and the hardship we endure in the relentless tasks we undertake.

 

[henryf]

It is coming together very nicely!
did you have any options to choose from regarding battery banks and chargers and shorepower possibly?
and what did you choose as anchoring gear?
she is a real beauty.

I opted for AGM batteries in lieu of the standard offering. Shorepower and charging is as per Princess fit. I’m assuming there will be a pair of 16 amp inlets although it could be a single 32 amp ?

Standard anchor, extra 20m of chain (the cheapest of my options) to make it up to 60m

 

[Switch]

I’d hated the hut for ever. They always keep hold of charter guests for ages and send them back full of magnums of Rose wine.

One of our last charters was there last season dropping off in Lymington, so we stayed overnight in Yarmouth allowing us to take a tide east the next day. As it was my birthday I thought sod it, and got a table for lunch. Obviously arrived by boat as it’s a short potter round from Yarmouth.

Went there with the right frame of mind and had a really lovely time. Joked with the manager as to why such a great restaurant would carry sponsorship on the crew clothing from the second best boat builder…..

Had to deal with Mrs Henry F full of Rose wine for the rest of the afternoon though ?

Bit of thread drift here but as The Hut has been mentioned and there are obviously peeps on here that organise charters there, I’d like to ask a question.
The Hut typically opens for pre-bookings in February. Last year I went onto their website on the morning of the day they opened for bookings only to find they were fully booked for every Saturday and Sunday lunchtime for May, June, July and August. In 2021 I did the same and was able to book several tables over the summer of 2021. I visited on my boat on five occasions each with a party of 6-8 guests (I’m not a charter btw). In 2022 I didn’t visit the Hut once as I was unable to book any weekend lunchtime slot which is a real shame as we and our friends and family really enjoy going there. I know you can go on a waiting list but if you’re taking a group of people you generally need some notice. So, my question is, do you charter boys get first dibs on bookings before bookings are open jo public?

 

[henryf]

Is that on the pontoons at Turnchapel? I was down there yesterday

I think it might be King Point but don’t quote me…..

 

[TonyR123]

Congrats on the V55. V series are real lookers. Any pix?

Nothing yet. Only just started the build. Anyway this is Henry’s build thread so I will sort one out myself at some point. Although will not be as good as Henry’s or jfms.

 

[Hurricane]

Standard anchor, extra 20m of chain (the cheapest of my options) to make it up to 60m

STEADY --- You don't want to turn this into an anchor thread!!

 

[colhel]

Congratulations Henry!
Are you joining the delivery crew on her voyage to Swanwick?

 

[henryf]

STEADY --- You don't want to turn this into an anchor thread!!

A very good point. ?

 

[henryf]

Congratulations Henry!
Are you joining the delivery crew on her voyage to Swanwick?

I don’t know, probably not but we will see. They probably know the way by now. ?

 

[Portofino]

Nothing yet. Only just started the build. Anyway this is Henry’s build thread so I will sort one out myself at some point. Although will not be as good as Henry’s or jfms.

Looking Fwds to a sports boat new build .Exciting times .
There are never wrong answers in new build threads , just different solutions .

 

[henryf]

Bit of thread drift here but as The Hut has been mentioned and there are obviously peeps on here that organise charters there, I’d like to ask a question.
The Hut typically opens for pre-bookings in February. Last year I went onto their website on the morning of the day they opened for bookings only to find they were fully booked for every Saturday and Sunday lunchtime for May, June, July and August. In 2021 I did the same and was able to book several tables over the summer of 2021. I visited on my boat on five occasions each with a party of 6-8 guests (I’m not a charter btw). In 2022 I didn’t visit the Hut once as I was unable to book any weekend lunchtime slot which is a real shame as we and our friends and family really enjoy going there. I know you can go on a waiting list but if you’re taking a group of people you generally need some notice. So, my question is, do you charter boys get first dibs on bookings before bookings are open jo public?

We don’t have a relationship with The Hut. I leave it up to guests to book themselves. There are people who suggest they have special relations with the restaurant on their website so who knows?

Ultimately I’d get in touch with the manager who I met on the day and see if he wanted a gyro-stabilised table of F55 guests. Our charter guests are generally some of the best looking individuals on the south coast…. ?

 

[Hurricane]

I don’t know, probably not but we will see. They probably know the way by now. ?

Awww - go on - we went with the delivery crew to Swanwick on ours.
It was a great day out - and at that stage the boat isn't yours - all the risk covered by someone else.
Ours was delivered from Sutton Harbour - from one of the PMYS berths I believe.

 

[Commercial Dave]

I spend a fair bit of time on the pontoons at Turnchapel and they're always full of what I assume are new Princess yachts with big detailing teams doing final touches before they go off for delivery

 

[benjenbav]

Do Princess Sales detail them again @Swanwick when they’ve collected 100nm of finest channel salt?

 

[henryf]

Do Princess Sales detail them again @Swanwick when they’ve collected 100nm of finest channel salt?

Yes they do. As I understand it the process is Princess the factory hand over to Princess Sales / Argo in Plymouth where the latter has a facility for PDI and retro work. The boat is checked by Princes Sales / Argo before coming to Swanwick where it is checked again and prepared for the technical handover.

We get hands on time with a guru who knows every inch of the boat and who can start off our ownership journey. That’s my understanding anyway.

A combination of owner’s manual and handbooks from the various equipment fitted should come in a flight case and if all else fails I phone Swanwick and start asking stupid questions…..

 

[jrudge]

Yes they do. As I understand it the process is Princess the factory hand over to Princess Sales / Argo in Plymouth where the latter has a facility for PDI and retro work. The boat is checked by Princes Sales / Argo before coming to Swanwick where it is checked again and prepared for the technical handover.

And then magically the owner finds a long list of faults in the first 24 hours which gets added to over the following weeks......