Princess 268

[QBhoy]

Hi
A friend is about to pull the trigger on one of these. Lovely thing.
Just wondering if anyone had any experience with these.
Interested in everything about them and perhaps how they perform with twin V8 5.7s.
It used to be twin VP diesels. Converted to Merc 5.7 V8s not so long ago (likely a cheaper option than the diesels) but still mates to the Vp drives.
My concern is around the drive ratios and suitability to the change to petrol and their different rpm range.
The DP 290 drives look to have the petrol 3 and 3 blades instead of the usual 4 blade and 3 blade of the diesels in those days. Hoping the drives are suited. Awaiting more details next week.
The boat came from the south coast but is now here in Scotland.
Thanks all.

 

[ari]

I'm guessing you mean the 286 Riviera?

Given that they're pretty cheap these days with petrol engines in, it would have to be extraordinarily cheap to persuade me to buy one with (potentially mismatched gearing) Mercruiser engines and Volvo drives.

 

[QBhoy]

I'm guessing you mean the 286 Riviera?

Given that they're pretty cheap these days with petrol engines in, it would have to be extraordinarily cheap to persuade me to buy one with (potentially mismatched gearing) Mercruiser engines and Volvo drives.

Yeah. Hard to say if it’s cheap. Anytime I’ve seen one for sale the price of them seems to vary wildly.
On its upside, it’s one of the very last of them with slightly more modern trim.
The pictures of the drives I’ve seen look like they have the petrol spec B series props (for that era at least). We shall soon see when the broker gets back with more info Monday. The petrols in it aren’t quite as big an issue as it could be. It will be used in Loch Lomond and I suppose don’t have the usual diesel draw backs at that. Shouldn’t be too bad on fuel with such a great hull....if it’s propped right. That is.

What would you say was cheap ?

 

[moresparks]

I am just guessing but I assume the engines are the Vortec 5.7 V8’s which seems to be a realistic and economical way of replacing worn engines in a late 80’s early 90’s boat. They will mate to a Volvo Stern-drive I understand but I assumed the gearing and props will have to be changed. Somebody more knowledgeable to me will hopefully contribute. I believe they originally came with diesel options of twin 130hp or twin 200hp as well as twin 270hp petrol’s. I did see one a while ago for sale in Essex Boatyards with fairly new Vortec 5.7’s and that looked good.
Used boat prices for a number of boats seem to be on the rise, at least in the sub 30 foot market; I have seen boats that last year were going for say £18000 now up for £22-24000. One boat I had a passing interest in was around £45000 in the spring now up for £50,000. (Not sold yet though).

 

[scottie]

Yeah. Hard to say if it’s cheap. Anytime I’ve seen one for sale the price of them seems to vary wildly.
On its upside, it’s one of the very last of them with slightly more modern trim.
The pictures of the drives I’ve seen look like they have the petrol spec B series props (for that era at least). We shall soon see when the broker gets back with more info Monday. The petrols in it aren’t quite as big an issue as it could be. It will be used in Loch Lomond and I suppose don’t have the usual diesel draw backs at that. Shouldn’t be too bad on fuel with such a great hull....if it’s propped right. That is.

What would you say was cheap ?

The lower unit determines the drive ratio and can be changed to suit engines so it may have been done
If used on Loch Lomond probably not going too far so consumption may not be a horrendous experience

 

[QBhoy]

I am just guessing but I assume the engines are the Vortec 5.7 V8’s which seems to be a realistic and economical way of replacing worn engines in a late 80’s early 90’s boat. They will mate to a Volvo Stern-drive I understand but I assumed the gearing and props will have to be changed. Somebody more knowledgeable to me will hopefully contribute. I believe they originally came with diesel options of twin 130hp or twin 200hp as well as twin 270hp petrol’s. I did see one a while ago for sale in Essex Boatyards with fairly new Vortec 5.7’s and that looked good.
Used boat prices for a number of boats seem to be on the rise, at least in the sub 30 foot market; I have seen boats that last year were going for say £18000 now up for £22-24000. One boat I had a passing interest in was around £45000 in the spring now up for £50,000. (Not sold yet though).

Yeah. The gearing and/or props will defo need to be changed, doing this. I’ve no doubt of that. That's my concern really. Just waiting to find out if it was done or not.
It may be the same boat you saw previously ?

 

[QBhoy]

I am just guessing but I assume the engines are the Vortec 5.7 V8’s which seems to be a realistic and economical way of replacing worn engines in a late 80’s early 90’s boat. They will mate to a Volvo Stern-drive I understand but I assumed the gearing and props will have to be changed. Somebody more knowledgeable to me will hopefully contribute. I believe they originally came with diesel options of twin 130hp or twin 200hp as well as twin 270hp petrol’s. I did see one a while ago for sale in Essex Boatyards with fairly new Vortec 5.7’s and that looked good.
Used boat prices for a number of boats seem to be on the rise, at least in the sub 30 foot market; I have seen boats that last year were going for say £18000 now up for £22-24000. One boat I had a passing interest in was around £45000 in the spring now up for £50,000. (Not sold yet though).

The lower unit determines the drive ratio and can be changed to suit engines so it may have been done
If used on Loch Lomond probably not going too far so consumption may not be a horrendous experience

Yeah. That’s correct. The props look like the usual B series petrol props. I’m hoping at least the props and the ratio suit the petrols.
Agree with your observation on the prices too. I’ve noticed that.