New member

[Scrubber]

Just introducing myself, new member and just purchased our first boat, a tidy Princess 31 (so I’m told) I know little about boats but worked as a mechanical technician for 42yrs before retiring from the day job just before Christmas.
I have little interest in things boaty wanting to enjoy a few trips down the river with little or no fuss repairing or renovating (I know, I’m dreaming here after buying a 53yr old boat)
The boat seems ok, both engines run sweetly although one did hesitate a little initial start up, steering seems to work ok as do the instruments.
It has two Volvo petrol engines, engine bay is clean, the canopy is a bit worn so I’d like to get that refurbished (anyone know best place to get that done?)
I’d like to know what size and type of
Engines are fitted, if they are original etc. I guess there will be some type plate somewhere or engine number.
It has been fitted with stainless fuel tank (unknown what size)
I’m sure I’ll be posting on here plenty, seeking advice and inspiration, ill
Post a few picks when I go down to the marina later this week to finalise the deal.

 

[Seastoke]

First of all welcome , from the photo she looks ok . So first what river are you on then what fuel does she take. The first thing you need to look at is safety , also are the bilge pumps working .

 

[Boathook]

First of all welcome , from the photo she looks ok . So first what river are you on then what fuel does she take. The first thing you need to look at is safety , also are the bilge pumps working .

Mentions petrol in the post.
Welcome @Scrubber

I sail, so little knowledge of motor boats, but the engines should have some plate on them. Failing that a few pictures posted here should get a response.

If on a river / canal in the UK the boat should have a BSS (boat safety scheme) certificate to be legally used.

Regarding the canopy ask around locally especially those on nearby boats. You don't give your general location so my recommendation of somewhere on the south coast is possibly not helpful !

 

[Tranona]

Welcome.

The engines are probably based on the 2L 4 cylinder Volvo engines of the period used in cars such as the 144. They are likely AQ type followed by a number, 120, 140 etc that denotes the HP and if sterndrives will be type 270 or 280 depending on age.

For canopy repairs depends on where you are located as you need to find a local canvas worker or sailmaker.

 

[markc]

Looks like a Project 31, before they became Princess and this then turned into the Princess 32.... father owned a Project 31 in the mid 1970s

 

[47GC]

Looks like a nice project to keep you busy! Lovely looking boat.

 

[Scrubber]

First of all welcome , from the photo she looks ok . So first what river are you on then what fuel does she take. The first thing you need to look at is safety , also are the bilge pumps working .

The boat is moored at Buckden Marina, river Great Ouse, it’s floating and runs so I’m hoping I can use it without too much trouble, has two red Volvo petrol engines.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Nice. Looks like she has folding screens to reduce air draft to get under ever-lower bridges, that’s cool.

If you’re a Facebook user there’s a couple of groups you might like to join:

Bei Facebook anmelden

And

Bei Facebook anmelden

 

[Scrubber]

Looks like a nice project to keep you busy! Lovely looking boat.

Hope not a project boat, can’t think of anything worse than that, Injustvwant a bit of fettling and cleaning, there’s a couple of bits I’d like to improve but if it needs lots of work I’ll sell it, to be fair I think it’s useable as is, was used last summer and previously was used as live aboard.
Needs a replacement windscreen as one is cracked, the cabin heater is a bit of a lash up using a diesel heater, the canopy has is looking rough, bit of upholstery will make a big difference, engine bay is seriously clean for the age. I’m finalising the deal this week, I have to take over the mooring, get my insurance and boat licence and I’m employing a guy to show me the ropes of driving, I’d probably manage but prefer a little tuition

 

[47GC]

Hope not a project boat, can’t think of anything worse than that, Injustvwant a bit of fettling and cleaning, there’s a couple of bits I’d like to improve but if it needs lots of work I’ll sell it, to be fair I think it’s useable as is, was used last summer and previously was used as live aboard.
Needs a replacement windscreen as one is cracked, the cabin heater is a bit of a lash up using a diesel heater, the canopy has is looking rough, bit of upholstery will make a big difference, engine bay is seriously clean for the age. I’m finalising the deal this week, I have to take over the mooring, get my insurance and boat licence and I’m employing a guy to show me the ropes of driving, I’d probably manage but prefer a little tuition

Exciting times. Good luck with the small refit works. It makes a massive difference to a boat when you get upholstery etc done. I'd assume your going to try and keep it original looking?

 

[Scrubber]

Nice. Looks like she has folding screens to reduce air draft to get under ever-lower bridges, that’s cool.

If you’re a Facebook user there’s a couple of groups you might like to join:

Bei Facebook anmelden

And

Bei Facebook anmelden

Well spotted, yes it does have folding screens.
I sneaked a preview of the boat whilst having a look around the Marina, the guys there knew the boat and said how nice it was, it is clean and to be honest I don want perfect as it’s hard to enjoy if you are worried too much what it looks like, I just hope the mechanics are ok, I don’t plan any trips at sea but just a bit of river stuff, probably end up hardly using it, like the static caravan and the hot tub! Seem like a good idea at the time!

 

[Seastoke]

Unless it’s very cheap , I recommend a survey, if the engine room is clean then it’s been cleaned. I hate to say this but to own a boat you need a big tool box , mine is a 2008 but there is always something to do . I enjoy as they say messing about . Does it have a current safety certificate .

 

[Boathook]

The boat is moored at Buckden Marina, river Great Ouse, it’s floating and runs so I’m hoping I can use it without too much trouble, has two red Volvo petrol engines.

Any boat of age needs maintenence and that at 50 years will certainly need it. You have mentioned a few items and once you start to use it a few more will appear. They can be easy as long as you can use the boat.

 

[oldgit]

The engines and the outdrives are basically 90% of what you need to to care about before handing over any cash.
It needs to be able to get you to your first planned stop ( preferably where you actually intended to stop in the first place) and more importantly get you back to where you came from, ideally on the same day.
If you can find somebody who knows what they are looking at regards marine engines and drives Please Please get them involved.
Your wallet will thank you for ever.
If the boat moves ............every thing else can be done as you go along.

An immaculate engine room can mean a well maintained loved to bits boat.
It can also mean the boat has hardly moved for years, simply because the skipper and especially his wife is fed up with catching the train back from where it conked out this time.
Good Luck.

 

[Refueler]

As another says - the Volvo engines of that era are usually based on the Car engines of that time. Often the 4cyl 14x or the 6 cyl 16x cars .. If I remember correctly - the ID is usually down on the ignition coil side of engine block ... a series of letters / numbers embossed ...
Entering this into a Volvo Online site will bring forth the details of the engine.
If the 31 has had its life on the river - I would hazard a guess that the engines would be of the smaller lower power range - as the larger AQ series would be far too powerful and wasted in such service.

I have a 1973 24ft Motor Boat with 6cyl Volvo (AQ170) ... old but gold ! Just because a boat is old - does not automatically mean its suspect.

If others (with a bit more knowledge of boats) have looked at the 31 with OP and all come away with positive feel .. then enjoy !

What was it that 'Ratty' said ? There's nothing better than boating on the river ...

I'm a life long diehard seagoing sail boat person ... but that Primor 24 I bought for a 'song' puts a smile on my face everytime I go out on the river .... I am lucky that I have private channel at bottom of my garden where I keep all but one of my boats.

 

[SP2]

Just introducing myself, new member and just purchased our first boat, a tidy Princess 31 (so I’m told) I know little about boats but worked as a mechanical technician for 42yrs before retiring from the day job just before Christmas.
I have little interest in things boaty wanting to enjoy a few trips down the river with little or no fuss repairing or renovating (I know, I’m dreaming here after buying a 53yr old boat)
The boat seems ok, both engines run sweetly although one did hesitate a little initial start up, steering seems to work ok as do the instruments.
It has two Volvo petrol engines, engine bay is clean, the canopy is a bit worn so I’d like to get that refurbished (anyone know best place to get that done?)
I’d like to know what size and type of
Engines are fitted, if they are original etc. I guess there will be some type plate somewhere or engine number.
It has been fitted with stainless fuel tank (unknown what size)
I’m sure I’ll be posting on here plenty, seeking advice and inspiration, ill
Post a few picks when I go down to the marina later this week to finalise the deal.

Welcome to the Forum. Friends had a Project 31 in the 70s and of course Princess worked their magic on one a few years ago:

 

[Scrubber]

The boat was rebuilt a few years ago and I believe the engines are much younger, they are aq131b with electronic ignition retrofitted along with Weber carburettor conversion, had small issue with one motor which eventually packed up but it was only the rotor arm. Both motors run sweetly now and we’ve been out a couple of times, getting some navigation courses to help with locks and the wife wants to learn how to drive it, I managed ok but as technician I’m used to driving all sorts and understand the principles of twin engines in boats, it will turn on itself nicely with one forward and one reverse which helps with a big boat in s small river! Most jobs now done including replacing all the ply in the front berth and sealing and cleaning windows, painting the interior and sorting the plumbing and electrics!

 

[Scrubber]

I did notice parts are getting hard to find for the aq131 engines and the prices are steep, I need a resistor for the d+ line on alternator £57! I bought 5 resistors of the same type and will repair the original, I’m also after an engine temp sensor, stone know what size thread!

 

[PCUK]

Sounds like you've caught the bug. Enjoy!

 

[Refueler]

I did notice parts are getting hard to find for the aq131 engines and the prices are steep, I need a resistor for the d+ line on alternator £57! I bought 5 resistors of the same type and will repair the original, I’m also after an engine temp sensor, stone know what size thread!

The AQ131 is based on the B20 series of car engines ... B21 .. B23 .. B230 etc. The most common basis being the B23. These engines powered the old Volvo 240's etc.