Princess 32

Greg2

Greg2

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I recently bought my first boat, a Princess 32 (circa 1974) fitted with twin Volvo AQ32A six cylinder diesel engines (also refferred to as D32 on 270 legs). At present most of my cruising has been on the Broads but when I get one or two things sorted out I would like to do some inshore cruising. I have run up the engines accross Breydon Water and could only get 13/14 knots (on the log) at around 3000-3500 rpm (the two give different readings) and she wouldn't get on the plane.

I have some literature from Marine Projects, which suggests speeds in excess of 19 knots. Can anyone help - should I get higher speeds given the age of the engines? What should I expect? Do I need a bit more speed to get on the plane?

At around 10 knots she felt good (nice and level) but at 13/14 it was stern down and bow up (not to mention one or two leaks around the engines)!

Grateful for any advice.
 
If your boat has gathered the normal amount of junk then weight could be slowing you down.Builders top speed was achieved with new engines shiney no antifouled bottom and no freshwater/ropes/cutlery/glass/bottles/tools/spare bodies and about 1 pint of fuel I suspect.My princess 25 gained 5 knots when all bits and pieces evacuated.
 
This takes me back a few years ago, a friend had 1980 p32 with 2 tmd40 volvos, 130hp I think, it would not plane untill you put all the tabs down then 24 knots flat out, but inside it felt like the hull was going to cave in!!, if you have the non turbo engines then expect about 14 flat out as it does not have enough power to plane really, does it have turbos fitted? give the model no to me.

paul js.
 
Congratulations with your first boat!!

A friend of mine had in a Fairline Phantom 32 with D32's fitted (changed to 40's later). Cruised at approx 12K and top 17 with the D32's, but completely different hull.
I believe the D32's were one of the first Volvo diesels with Alloy tops (rated at approx 96hp, but have seen 106hp mentioned as well..) which were made in co-operation with Peugeot.... Take care to heat engines slowly and properly .... the top seal is one of the weak points of the engine.
Your problem may be in the area where the exhaust and cooling water meets. You may have some corrosion in the bend which may restrict the exhaust flow.
Unscrew (eight bolts I seem to recall) and check the bend..... should be "cheap" to fix IF that's the problem.

Divemaster1
 
I think you might be better just accepting a speed of around 10 knots. Ok polishing the bottom, new props and a few more bits and bobs will make alot of difference. But it will put a lot of strain on the elderly engines and drives.

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Haydn
 
We are at Brundall. Are you looking for anything in particular? Your current boat looks good (had a look at the website). We have a couple of kids and the Princess gives the right balance of plenty of cockpit space together with sufficient cabin accomodation (and a slidy plastic door thing to close off the forward bunks to keep the little cherubs out of sight!
 
Not sure of the model number but they are 106 hp and are not the turbo version (Volvo badged peugots I understand). Sounds as though I am getting all that I can expect.
 
Well we are still looking for a 28 – 30 boat not for speed. Thanks for your reply
we may see you on the river then, I also go down to Brundall to have a look in at NYA. Thanks for your reply. Mike.
 
We are in Brundall Bay - next door to NYA (they have some nice boats - I don't know your price range or prefferred style but we think that 'Ponda Rita' (I think it is a Freeman) looks nice - around £25k i think).
 
A Princess 32 will travel along at 15 knots max when fully loaded with fuel, water, dingy outboard and all the usual cruising gear. It will strugle to get there not like a modern planing boat . At 15 knots you are barely on the plane, kicking up a huge wash this is how they are. Normal cruising speed is 10 - 12 knots do not expect anymore. Good luck with the new boat.
 
three years ago had 140a petrols changed for 1.9 peugeot engines on my princess
32 " mondays child " sold one year ago buyer resold one month ago (same price )
new owner reported to me verified GPS his and acompanied boat 17 knots on the plane 4000 revs . Aberistwyth .
just launched and sold this week refurbed Princess 32 with peugeot 1.9 "Tera Nova " Ex petrol , will keep you posted on performance..Needs to be ballasted correctly and to have trim tabs set . cannot get enough of these boats to sell..
 
Thanks. My engines are 106hp (as far as I know) - is that the same as the 1.9 Peugots in 'Mondays Child'? (I only got 3000 - 3500 revs - sounds as though the Peugots go a bit faster).
I have sandbags in the bow (there when I bought the boat) - is this what is required in terms of ballast? I don't have adjustable trim tabs - would they help?
Some replies suggest I am getting what I can expect out of an P32 and I can understand that but I had thougtht that I might get 17/18 knots.
I am interested in anything you can tell me about these boats.
Cheers.
 
I also have a P32 1973 vinbtage with AQD32a's/270D's.
The AQD32A's were based on a Peugeot/Indenor XDP6/90 which also (briefly ) I believe came under the bonnet of the Peugeot 605. 3.2 litres rated at 106HP at 4500rpm max. The handbook gives max speed unloaded engine pleasureboat use at 4350rpm. Definitely not the same engines as fitted to Mondays Child !
I wouldny like to push my engines to anything like these speeds now asthey are getting on a bit but 2000rpm gives me around 9knots with full fuel and water tanks. As i am on the non tidal Thames cant tell you what top speed might be achievable.
I have no for'd ballast (although I wouldnt mind getting the bow down a bit) and no trim tabs - just the fixed tabs as supplied new.
I believe Princess fitted the P32 with engines from 65 - 200 HP so imagine highest speeds would only be with the top rated engines. Was told correct props for my boat were 15 x 17's but have recently fitted 15x15's for river running - highewr revs at lower speeds.

MoBoChat Images and Profile Pics at www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/mobochat
 
Thanks. The console in your picture looks familiar!
What is the benefit of higher revs at lower speeds? (also can you tell me what the prop measurements relate to i.e. which bit to measure)?
I don't suppose that you have any suggestions for refurbishing the mock timber decks? Mine are a bit cracked in places (cockpit is fine).
Thanks.

greg
 
At river speed (max 5mph!) the engines are only running at low revs - say around 1000-1200rpm at most which is not so good for engines and economy. Repitching to 15x15 means engines rev about 200-300rpm faster for same thrust so arguably better engine/performance. the numbers are 15 = diameter of propellor x15 = pitch = theoretical distance moved through the water for one revolution. Volvo props have this info stamped into after end of prop boss also L oir R for left or right handed.
Sorry, havent yet thought about decks topo much as tstill working on cockpit and cockpit canopy (I have sunroof version). I have just rebuilt cabin steps and am now gradually recovering some of the cockpit formica with leather effect vynil to try and dumb down all the acres of teak effect plastic!
You can see some pics of my boat as she was when I bought her in August last year at www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/tahoe


MoBoChat Images and Profile Pics at www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/mobochat
 
Thanks.
Our boats are virtually identical, even down to the upholstery (perhaps not surprising given that they are the same model, but I have seen some variations).
Ours has had the solid wheelhouse roof removed and a full canopy fitted - very good for warm sunny days (not many of them) and it means I can stand up (at 6'5" I struggle in most boats).
Your engines look very clean - the paint on ours needs touching up - is there a particular paint we should use?

Greg
 
Hi Greg,

My father used to have a Princess 32 (Chantilly Lady). She was an early 70's vintage with the same twin 106HP engines. With just dad on board and me adrift in the dinghy (taking a photo of her!) she'd do about 12-13 knots - just not quite enough to be properly on the plane!

I miss that boat - we had to sell her when my father died - back in 1987. Still, I now have a boat of my own - a Fisher 25 actually, so to me 12knots would be like 'warp speed'!!

Cheers,

Jerry
 
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