Princess 286 to buy or not?

[marksaab]

Hi All
Looks like my efforts to buy a Sea-Ray have come to nothing.
BUT I may take a look at a 1984 Princess 286 Riviera, £20K in France + VAT, its been on sale for a while. Any thoughts on a Princess this "old" and has anyone had to deal with Customs re. VAT payments on older boats.
Ta Mark

 

[andrewa]

Mark, why couldn't you buy a Sea Ray there's plenty on the market?

 

[marksaab]

Hi originally I was looking for a winter project, then spotted a Sea Ray that needed work at the right price, but the sale has stalled, the same agent has a Princess again at a good price. I would like a Sea Ray but older (affordable!) ones are a bit thin on the ground. Mark

 

[w0tty]

How old was the Sea Ray then ?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Overdraught]

For info, a mate of mine bought a'96 240 Sundancer for £19,000 recently. A fair bit smaller than the Princess but a decent boat in good condition

 

[Will33]

The 286 Riviera is a great boat, at this price i feel confident in guessing it is petrol in which case if you are lucky it may have twin V6's otherwise twin V8's, do the sums on the fuel consumption before you buy but other than that there are still some very good late 70's princesses on the market and the 286 still looks very good and not dated!

If it is diesel then buy it quick before somebody else does!

Good luck

Will

 

[ported0]

i know of a princess 32 with twin diesels going for around 17k, it's in scotland though.

 

[Will33]

Thats about the right money for a 32, the riviera is newer and they hold their money a lot better. The one being referred to here is good money even for a petrol, the cost of the Vat bill is the thing that will determine how good a deal. A 286 with diesels will fetch in the region of £40k

Will

 

[RIN]

Well I'm biased but the 286 is a really really solid boat with just short of 11' beam which makes for good accomodation.

 

[marksaab]

Hi All
Thanks for feedback. Its got twin diesels so I think it may be worth getting, trouble is its from a finance company as its a repossessed boat so I'm guessing zero TLC for a while before before they took it back. JPO I'm very interested in the one in Scotland do you have any more details or contact info?
Thanks again. BTW this forum is the most helpful/friendly I have used.

 

[ari]

£20K+VAT for a 286 with diesels is an absolute bargain assuming they're original engines (and they work!) and it's not a repowered petrol boat that's been fitted with GM engines or something.

 

[marksaab]

Hi Ari
The sale listing says Volvo's but not clear if they are original fit.
Mark

 

[duncan]

that will do nicely.............

 

[marksaab]

Hi
Just heard its been sold! So far my buying efforts have come to nowt!
Mark

 

[Will33]

Just want to confirm i did not buy it but given half a chance would have done /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Good luck with the hunt

Will

 

[marksaab]

Hi Will
I'm still looking, my guess is that more boats will come onto the market in the next few weeks.
Mark