Princess 32/RLM 32/RLM31/Senior 31 Wheelhouse conversions

Cliveshep

Cliveshep

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We currently have an ex-hire Ocean 30 single screw with full canopy and folding windscreen so we can go places where taller boats cannot (meaning under low bridges). However, other boats of similar size can go where we cannot because they have twin engines with a bit of "grunt".

Money is always tight, but with a little legacy coming in we have been looking at RLM/Senior/Princess boats with their twin engines BUT - they all seem to have fixed wheel houses.

Is there a full canopy version of any of these or has any reader made a successful conversion so the wheelhouse folds down to get under low bridges? By conversion I mean without destroying the look of the boat and operable by an old and greying fool with a young son/daughter.
 
Ive seen it on a Princess 32.
Screens fold down and roof lowers.
Boat is based on the Wey and has to negotiate a low bridge to get out onto the Thames.
Boat doesnt look any different until you get close and see the hinges.
Owner did it himself, retaining the hardtop and the sunshine roof..
I have also seen one or two full 'softop' Princess 32's .. I imagine they were professionally modified with additional pipework etc.
You might talk to an expert ... for Thames .. perhaps .... BEHC Trimshop at Walton Marina , Surrey .. or the canopy shop (cant remember the name) at Penton Hook marina.
 
We used to have a Princess 32 with a soft top conversion. Ours had a frame that shaped the canopy and gave good headroom. IMHO getting the right shape on a soft top is important - I have seen several P32's with full canopies that looked a bit naff to be frank.

Our windscreen didn't fold down but that can be achieved with a bit of money.

I could probably dig out some photos (digital) if you want - PM me with your e-mail address if you are interested. Might give you some ideas.
 
I too have seen soft-top conversions that, because of poor shape, look realy awful.

The P32 to which I refer is called TAHOE and is moored at the bottom of the owners garden (Weybridge). I am not sure if it can been seen other than from private property
I know the owner, a fellow member of Walton Bridge Cruiser Club. He is also username :
Dave_Seager in this forum
 
Any stainless steel manufacturer will make you a folding windscreen to your design. It would not be difficult to have a lightweight removable roof section that clipped onto the screen when not folded.
 
Hi Martin, I'd love to be able to see Tahoe, "She who must be supported/obeyed without question/loved/indulged etc" would probably approve as our previous choice (a Moonraker 36) has been discounted due to the red diesel issue - it just burns too much!
Whould the owner be willing to let a stranger come and see it? Perhaps you would be kind enough to pass on my request?
We're keener on Princess 32's rather than RLM's etc purely on style/age Costs seem to vary little but the planing hull of the Princess offers o/shore opportunities we do not get on a s/screw Ocean 30. On a tideway the underpowered old girl rolls about in any sort of lollop and my beloved gets scared and the kids get s/sick!
 
The princess is a nice boat, and not scarce (over 1100 made I think and with diesel/petrol choices). Very capable offshore.
Ive already emailed David and asked him if he would care to join the forum thread. You might also watch for a Private Message in case David contacts you off piste.
Send me a PM if you dont hear anything couple of days after the weekend.
 
Clive,
Whilst the P32 is a good boat don't expect too much in the way of performance at sea. I think I am right in saying that the largest diesel engine option was a pair of 130hp turbo-charged jobs. They might get you on the plane - I don't have personal experience of them but I would be surprised if they make 20 knots now.

Ours had 106hp naturally aspirated Volvos (origionally a Peugot Idenor or something similar). They used 2gph on the river (low speeds) and could get us 10 knots flat out on a good day. On one memorable occaision we had 14 knots on the log (but I doubted it's accuracy).

The hull is very flat in the aft sections and I found it to be very susceptible to wind. Even the faintest breeze would move her about and the ourdrives didn't help in that regard.

Overall, though, they are a lot of boat for the money and we loved ours. I will PM some pics.
 
Hi Greg,

Looking at David Seager's boat in the message side-bar she's certainly up & running there which is just what we want. I'll ask him later what engines he has. One thing for sure is that we only want a diesel boat. looking at the gas vs diesel thread on the PassageMaker forum, (American it's true but valid) there are simply too many horror stories about exploding boats using petrol.

I'd love any info on the boats plus pics, thank you. We've seen some really pretty ones but have never even gone aboard one nor had any owner's feedback on them 'till now.
 
Hi, I have a Project 31 with this conversion, looks and works well and I can nearly get it down to the same hieght as a sewer-tube.
Mine has tinted windscreens wich are great but a pain in the butt at night. if you send me an Email I will send some pic's...
 
"click" on his user name and send a private message using

link at bottom of page

cheers Joe
 
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