Phantom 43 or princess 42??

volvopaul

volvopaul

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 Apr 2007
Messages
9,065
Location
midlands
hotmail.co.uk
I wasn't going to tempt fate but here goes.

My boat is under offer with deposit paid, completion date a week on Friday. I'm looking at both boats as my next purchase.
My wife likes the outside look more of the fairline over the princess, I think the flybridge is a better layout too.
The princess is a better built boat, has more wood inside, thicker stainless everywhere and more modern dashboards but the question I'm asking myself is that the princess is going to be another 60k plus.
Yes I know I'm going to get a newer boat as the fairline I'm looking at is a 2001 where the cheapest princess 42 starts at 2005 year. I'm not sure I'd pay nearly 200k for a 2004 phantom when I could buy a princess 42 that's why I've looked at earlier year phantoms which are no different at the end of production where the princess had 3 changes before it bowed out to the new 43.

I also think now the 42 is an old model its going to drop in value over the next year quite quick, where as the fairline is settled as it went out of production in 2004.

Both boats suit our needs very well as they have the same size saloon and cockpit of our princess 410, the phantom 40 is too small in certain areas though a very nice boat.

The engines in both , Volvo Tamd74/75 480hp are great motors so there is nothing between the two there.

So, anyone been in this dilemma ?

Cheers guys.
 
Sorry Paul, can't really help you with your selection, as you know which direction I went. However, great to hear that you have made progress with your sale, as I know it has been a tad painful. Good luck with the completion.
 
There is a comparison of the P42 and Phantom 43 in the August copy of MBM.

You know this, but at that age how it was maintained is more important than actual years.

60k is a lot but you will get more back when you sell, you might lose say around 15% of that per year depreciation and cost of capital. So, is the P42 worth the extra 9k per year? That is a personal choice although I tend to agree with SWMBO that the Fairline looks a bit more modern.
 
EugeneR said:
There is a comparison of the P42 and Phantom 43 in the August copy of MBM.

You know this, but at that age how it was maintained is more important than actual years.

60k is a lot but you will get more back when you sell, you might lose say around 15% of that per year depreciation and cost of capital. So, is the P42 worth the extra 9k per year? That is a personal choice although I tend to agree with SWMBO that the Fairline looks a bit more modern.
Click to expand...

There's also a video which is quite revealing, the Princess looks a bit more modern and brighter inside I'd say.



Against that, I think the flybridge is better on the Fairline and the blue hull looks great.

Difficult choice Paul, I don't envy you. But I guess the condition and price of whatever you find will have a huge bearing on your choice too.
 
ari said:
There's also a video which is quite revealing, the Princess looks a bit more modern and brighter inside I'd say.



Against that, I think the flybridge is better on the Fairline and the blue hull looks great.

Difficult choice Paul, I don't envy you. But I guess the condition and price of whatever you find will have a huge bearing on your choice too.
Click to expand...
Thanks ari , I've watched that I'd a few times. Interesting is that nick got his engines the wrong way round, the princess has the 430 hp engines , the phantom has the 480 hp engines, I know I've enquired about the phantom, but its a blue hull which in my view look great after a polish up then fade on the corners quickly , they take more looking after so its a white one for me when I find one.

Eugene , 9 k a year is a lot to loose!!
 
I used to handle a 43 Phantom from 2003 for a couple of years for a client, and that boat was definitely a step up in the construction standard from Fairline.

I visited early 42s and I do not think they are a better boat, IMO they are a step less.

+ Fairline 43 Phantom
- larger flybridge
- a tad better quality interior joinery
- nice performance from Volvo 480hp
- bigger boat feel to 42

+ Princess 42
- larger after deck
- sleeker line
- nicer stainless steel railing fittings
 
I personally prefer the princess interior, however I'm not paying so I agree with your thinking that the Fairline will be the better financial decision and just as good a boat. Engineering wise I wouldn't think there is anything in it. Have you considered a Sealine 425 - more wood than the Fairline and some clever ideas. Good luck with the boat sale
 
Last edited:
Really pleased on your news about the sale Paul, new owner will be getting a great boat.
For your new purchase, the P42 would be my choice, but I totally agree that the new P43 will have an effect on current values of P42's so not an easy decision to make. Either way, both are amazing boats and I'm not jealous at all :)
 
oceanfroggie said:
The saloon of the P42 in the video looks a lot nicer than the F43
Click to expand...

The phantom they used was like comparing a new BMW to an old smoking 1990 BMW, if you look close at the woodwork above the galley its gone white with the sunlight that's been exposed to it, the carpets are old, the upholstery has seen its best days. Had they compared say a 2004 boat it would be a different story and the prices would be a lot closer.

Thanks to all so far.
 
They are both great looking boats. The princess has a much nicer looking interior, but I think the Fairline beats it everywhere else. The outside is much nicer, the lower helm seats are better, and the Flybridge is a lot nice. I have to say I think the Fairline is a much better value boat for the price you pay. And other than being tempted to change the seating material below on the Fairline that would be the one I went for....


Good luck choosing though
 
volvopaul said:
Eugene , 9 k a year is a lot to loose!!
Click to expand...

For you and me, yes. In which case, does the P42 offer you anything that is worth that much more? If you have to ask the question, I doubt it so I suspect you know the answer.

The way I would choose, is many viewings and see which one grows on you, considering the extra 9k ish.
 
Glad to hear your boat is under offer Paul, In my old marina I knew a chap with a Phantom 43 circa 2003 and a chap with a P42 circa 2008. In my opionion I always felt than the Phantom 43 looked modern even though I knew it to be 10 years old. It seems to be a classic design. The P42 is also a classic design (the number sold speaks for it self) but, If it were my money, I'd go with the Phantom and save a heap of dosh as you'll be further down the depreciation curve with the Phantom. Either way, a nice position to be in...
 
Whitelighter said:
I cant see the point of the Phantom 43.

The 40 does everything it does, or the 46 adds a bunk cabin (useful store if nothing else) and a crew at the back.
Click to expand...

I don't get that comment as you know I am buying a phantom 40 and I went on a phantom 43 in the lakes and it felt bigger than the 40 I am buying, the cockpit area feels much more spacious and the starboard cabin is much bigger, also the galley is a lot bigger too after all its 3ft bigger and that's a lot in boat size so there must be a point otherwise fairline would not have bothered with it
 
Last edited:
lanerboy said:
I don't get that comment as you know I am buying a phantom 40 and I went on a phantom 43 in the lakes and it felt bigger than the 40 I am buying, the cockpit area feels much more spacious and the starboard cabin is much bigger, also the galley is a lot bigger too after all its 3ft bigger and that's a lot in boat size so there must be a point otherwise fairline would not have bothered with it
Click to expand...

If you look at the numbers built, the 40 and 46 sold in better volumes. Same with the SQ52 - it's a huge two cabin boat but people want three if there is space. It's just more flexibility.

The P40 is a cracking boat - the P46 is also a great choice. Why pay extra for a slightly bigger galley and some more elbow room when you are asleep (or more likely your kids are asleep since you're on the bow cabin). Each to their own but I can't see the point of the 43.

I am amazed Princess haven't got a 3rd cabin in the new 43. They say resin infusion makes more space but haven't used it. The 440/460/45 sold loads yet they never replaced it instead forcing people into the P50 or to look elsewhere - which is a shame.
 
Whitelighter said:
I cant see the point of the Phantom 43.

The 40 does everything it does, or the 46 adds a bunk cabin (useful store if nothing else) and a crew at the back.
Click to expand...

Might as well question what's the point of a Mercedes S Class? The E Class does everything it does or the GL Class adds a third row of seats.

Some people just want a bit more space or a bit bigger/heavier car/boat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top