Princess 32

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Sailorsam101

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I'm thinking of turning from rag and sticks to something a bit faster.

I would like opinions on the princess 32 as a weekend boat in the solent etc.

What does it cost to run with twin 75hp volvo's and are they any good at around 15k.

Cheers
 
Sailorsam101 said:
I'm thinking of turning from rag and sticks to something a bit faster.

I would like opinions on the princess 32 as a weekend boat in the solent etc.

What does it cost to run with twin 75hp volvo's and are they any good at around 15k.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Solid boat with decent space inside.

We had one with twin Peugeot 1.9 normally aspirated engines fitted. Cruise speed is around 8 knots, less if you're pushing the tide. Used 7 or 8 litres an hour. A bit rolly, as they don't have much beam for their length.

15k should buy a really nice example. Bear in mind they are 30 odd years old, so look carefully at everything. Some will be suffering with osmosis by now.

Depending upon the sail boat you're used to, it might not be that much faster, but at least it won't drink tons of diesel.
 
Sailorsam101 said:
I'm thinking of turning from rag and sticks to something a bit faster.

I would like opinions on the princess 32 as a weekend boat in the solent etc.

What does it cost to run with twin 75hp volvo's and are they any good at around 15k.

Cheers
Click to expand...

I had a 'RLM' version of the Princess.They do roll, hope you have a strong stomach if you buy one.More of a river boat IMHO.
 
Our first boat was a Princess 32 with the VP 106 hp engines (actually a Peugot Idenor badged as VP). Can't say I noticed too much rolling but we did limited sea time in her. As mentioned, they are getting on a bit but good amount of space and formica doesn't tend to fade! We were a family of four but the kids were small t the time. We managed fine on two week holidays so no problem as a weekend boat.

Hav a good look at the legs to make sure that you aren't buying a load of trouble. The 75hp engines will only be good for displacement speeds and not sure what they will be like punching a tide. I think the largest option availble was twin 130 hp. You won't use too much fuel.

Not bad boats overall and we loved ours.
 
There is one Volvo engine of that time that spares are totally unavailable for. Meaning that any significant problems will mean scrapping the engine. Can't remember which ones it was but someone here will know. If it has those engines then either drop the price very significantly or walk away. Other than that, still a very nice boat.
 
Good solid boats, they can hold the sea well if set up for it (some had deeper keels for this).

A freind had two Aqd 75's in a Mirage and some of the parts he needed were hard to get and expensive. There is a guy on here called "Volvopaul" who could probably give you good advice on VP engines.
 
p 32

I have had a Princess 32 with 75hp Volvos on 270 outdrives for the last 6 years, on the East coast.Been up as far as Hull over the pond, up the Thames from the Crouch every year.Thay are easy to maintaine as the engines are Peugeot you can get engine parts quite cheapley, yes she does roll a bit in the wrong sea .But we got hit in a force 6 gusting 7 once not fun but never felt unsafe just nackerd when we got in.The one to to keep away from is the 6 cylinder 110 hp as thay like to crack cylinder heads and you can no get them for love nor money.She will do 10 knots with a clean bum at 3500 rpm have had 12 with the Thames up me stern.Some times i wish i could get more knots but at 7 liters per hour at 2500 rpm with the price of diesel today i change my mind a lot.Thay were well built and take there years well, if you look around there are still a lot about some 40 years old. We love our 32 some times we have had 7 on board for the day.Great boat for not loads of££££££ . PM me if you want to know more details about them
 
Both the AQD21A and AQD32A engines were based on Indenor units. The AQD21A is a four-cylinder 2.1 litre engine and was used by Peugeot in some of their larger cars such as the 504. The AQD32A has six cylinders and is 3.2 litres. This was too big and heavy for use in cars and I think that most of them were used as stationary engines for genrators and compressors. As a result spares for the 2.1 are easier to find than those for the 3.2. Many spares are common to both engines but, as has been mentioned, cylinder heads can be hard to find.

I have twin AQD32As in my Princess 32. They are significantly quieter and smoother running than the AQD21As in a similar boat. Also, they can just get us onto the plane, running at about 14 knots in cruising trim or 16 knots in ideal conditions. Although it is fun to have the occasional quick blast we not not run for long periods at full speed.

Spares can be a challenge but have not stopped us yet. I had a cracked cylinder head a few years ago and eventually found a stock of new ones available in Argentina. I was on the point of ordering one when I found a second hand one for sale nearer home so I used that instead. When I had it refurbished at a local machine shop they commented that they had a couple more of these engines round the back if I needed anything else!
 
P32 info.

p32.jpg
 
I used to have a 1793 Princess 32 with twin 130hp petrols. (AQ130c I think).

Lovely cockpit, sociable layout and really enjoyed that boat. Petrol ones can be 10k cheaper but you'll soon burn the saving at sea. Nice and quiet on the river but too tempting to open it up!

Like others have said, condition and price can vary hugely but lots of boat for the money.
 
"Here's a pic of me making a scheduled (ahem) stop in The Wash to check the antifoul :cool:"



Managed that particular type of "stop" while going round the Isle of Sheppey a few years ago.
Also did it again a year later in almost exactly the same place.

Still,gives you chance to chill,watch the tide ebb and then slowly come back in again.
Ps.Catch anything ?
 
oldgit said:
"Here's a pic of me making a scheduled (ahem) stop in The Wash to check the antifoul :cool:"



Managed that particular type of "stop" while going round the Isle of Sheppey a few years ago.
Also did it again a year later in almost exactly the same place.

Still,gives you chance to chill,watch the tide ebb and then slowly come back in again.
Ps.Catch anything ?
Click to expand...

Not a bite.
 
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