Princess 35 Here We Go

[Seastoke]

Yes sir mr MC Google you are good at wrapping, you must love Xmas.

 

[QBhoy]

Enjoying so far. I was aware there was the odd single screw model. Never seen a flybridge 35 with a single though. Only a couple of sedan 35 with single. I didn’t know that engine was an option for them either. Has she had the bathing platform wooden inserts replaced yet ? Having the same style on the 385 I maintain and other era princess known locally, they are not to be trusted, if there is the usual sign of deterioration. They can be very fragile by now. We got a beautiful set of replacement sections made locally. What a work of art and stronger than they have ever been.
If you are not already. It would be well worth your time joining the Facebook classic princess group. Just incredible info and knowledge on there. Not to mention how keen they would all be to follow your progress.

 

[JOHNPEET]

Great project and a great thread - going to enjoy this! It’s a big step to rip everything out to the extent that you have! How much of the work do you envisage that you will undertake yourself? If you have the required skills yourself or are able to develop them, it’s a fantastic way to keep costs down. Good luck with it all - looking forward to seeing the project progress and happy to offer any advice that I can if needed!

 

[Princess35]

Hi everybody.
Thankyou for all your comments.
Yes she’s definitely going to be a labour of love for the next year or so.
Time for a mid week update.
So my boat finishing company has started to work on the hull of my boat this week. they have given the hull a very thorough machine polish.
It’s come up quite well considering the state it was in.
But there’s a couple bits which require some proper fibreglass repair.
It’s been bashed below the water line some how and there’s a split in the gelcoat on a corner on the water line.
So these are going to be repaired shortly.
Whilst this is going on outside I’m busy inside.
With the white suit, mask and gloves on ready I’ve continued removing that old rotten vinyl to reveal more black mouldy rotten panelling.
So I completely rip it apart getting rid of that nasty smelly wood and I also tidy up the cabling in that corner.
Time to remove that nasty dated vinyl headlining. It’s all nice and dry up there which is good but has been a home for a lot of big spiders.
Probably about a million staples we’re used to hold it up but fortunately most of them came away with the strips of headlining.
To finish off it’s time to remove that vinyl on the dashboard and surround below the windscreen.
Nasty black smelly mould again.
Going going gone.
I’m glad that’s all gone. It already smells cleaner once that mouldy vinyl has gone.
It’s now time to start the next part of the strip out. Down in the lower part of the boat. So more then.

 

[Princess35]

More photos

 

[kashurst]

Wow that takes me back 20 years.we had a princess 37 similar vintage. I restored the ceiling in the lounge with two large sheets of acrylic plastic sheet, covered the join with a wood moulding etc. Dont rush the job, it will be great.

 

[harvey38]

I found the feeling of trepidation whilst removing the old panels releasing that aroma of years of damp wood and vinyl is soon overtaken by relief when everything behind them seems OK

 

[Princess35]

Hi everybody.
Time for this weeks final update.
The weather is fine and really warm so the hull guys have been able to get cracking on with the hull restoration.
Firstly they have repaired the 2 areas that were badly damaged and required immediate attention.
They have also started sanding down the blue upper part of the hull getting it ready for the vinyl wrap. It’s quite rough as it was previously hand painted.
As I had removed the davits the holes required filling and tidying up.
Finally a couple of big tins of dark blue antifowel has been applied.
3/4 of the way round it ran out so they need to get some more.
I understand it will have 2 coats of antifowel applied.
They will finish off by filling those small screw holes left by those really naff corner fenders in the next week or so.
There’s a few small battle scars on the front of the hull which require attention. The fibres have been exposed so need repairing properly.
So it’s coming on good.
Whilst they have been busy outside I’ve been busy continuing with the strip out.
Time to rip out the guest cabin.
It had 2 bunks which is ok for small kids but no good for any adult.
So I’ve completely gutted it. The bunks have gone and everything else along with it.
Not sure why it has a small wash basin in every cabin. There really small. To be honest there only suitable for taking a middle of the night piss in so out they go.
Once everything has gone it turns out to be a decent sized cabin.
Definitely enough room for a small double bed in there and a small storage cupboard.
Now for the nasty job.
It’s time for the toilet to go.
This thing is really nasty. Nothing worse than a second hand toilet.
A couple of screws and I simply pulled it out. It wasn’t even fixed down propley. Ohh. alittle poo on the connection join. Nice. lol.
Then I simply rip out the tiny wash basin, mirror and other bathroom bits.
Once empty it turns out to be a nice sized bathroom. Actually enough room for a nice new toilet, wash basin and shower.
Because it has a very nice 80s tasty finish I will be getting it vinyl wrapped bright white inside.
To finish off this week I rip out the tiny wash basin in the owners cabin.
My next jobs are to finish off ripping out the vinyl ceiling in the guest cabin and start ripping out the owners cabin so more next week

 

[Princess35]

More photos

 

[stelican]

More photos

You seem to be ripping along!

 

[QBhoy]

More photos

Has she been painted the blue colour shown around the upper part of the lower hull ? Wonder if she has and there is white gel under there, like the rest of the lower ? Certainly those bumper bands surely won’t be original you’d assume ? Or were both the aforementioned part of the hire boat spec/build request ? May have asked previously, but is there any sign of counter ballasting efforts, towards the forward area of the boat ? Just imagining she must be hugely lighter in the water back aft, without the assumed 1500kgs+ of tamd41’s and larger fuel holdings etc.

 

[oldgit]

Hi everybody.
They have also started sanding down the blue upper part of the hull getting it ready for the vinyl wrap. They will finish off by filling those small screw holes left by those really naff corner fenders in the next week or so.
Because it has a very nice 80s tasty finish I will be getting it vinyl wrapped bright white inside.

Those "naff" little fenders on the stern quarters are there for a good reason. If you actually intend using your boat at some some point, you will eventually be doing battle with concrete on the Thames, be it in locks / lock laybyes or many of the mooring spots at the more popular honey pots.
During the gelcoat vs concrete "encounters " gel coat generally comes off worse, dangly fenders do limit some of the damage on the sides of the boat but getting any fender to stay in one place to protect the quarters is impossible, hence them there naff fixed fenders.

 

[QBhoy]

Those "naff" little fenders on the stern quarters are there for a good reason. If you actually intend using your boat at some some point, you will eventually be doing battle with concrete on the Thames, be it in locks / lock laybyes or many of the mooring spots at the more popular honey pots.
During the gelcoat vs concrete "encounters " gel coat generally comes off worse, dangly fenders do limit some of the damage on the sides of the boat but getting any fender to stay in one place to protect the quarters is impossible, hence them there naff fixed fenders.

Is someone needing more practice at the helm ? Haha. Not something that should furnish a lovely classic Princess, in my opinion.

 

[Hermit]

Why antifoul if not going back into the water for a year while you work internally? Normally maximum of 3 months before getting wet.

 

[oldgit]

Folks would normally A/F a week or two prior to actual relaunch, any budget anti foul should do the job.
Unlike salt water , freshwater boats can go for remarkably long periods without needing the A/F to be refreshed, several seasons in fact.
Usually a gentle jet wash does the job.
Magnesium or Aluminium anodes of course.
Do not rush into your local chandlery., they have to make profit, you can save considerable amounts buying online or if you have the contacts direct from the smelters.

 

[Princess35]

Hi Everybody.
Time for this weeks mid week update.
The hull repairs are coming on now as the rear holes and side damage have now all been repaired.
It looks really good to be honest and the guys have done a fantastic job.
The old painted blue area has now all been filled and sanded smooth ready.
The vinyl wrap is now booked. But it’s all weather dependant so I’m not sure when exactly that will get done. Hopefully within the next few weeks before it gets to cold.
There’s just the second coat of antifowel left to apply and it’s all done below.

I’ve been busy carrying on with the stripping out on the inside.
I’ve finished with the stripping out of the guest cabin. The last part to remove was that old stinky headlining. It’s all clear now.
I’ve now started with the stripping out of the owners cabin.
It’s got that small side shaped bed which is so small. Pretty much useless so it’s going.
Once I remove the vinyl I’m greeted with that black mould again.
Unfortunately it’s not made from wood but from fibreglass so it’s going to require cutting out.
It’s quite strong as it’s designed to hold a person so will have to come out in pieces.
I’ve removed all the sides and cut out all the edges of the fibreglass bed.
Fortunately it’s not structural as it’s basically just sitting in there.
To finish off I’ve started to rip out those nasty cupboards.
Still lots of cutting to go until it’s completely clear.

With all this work being done and when it’s finished in a year so so I’m going to have a lovely new boat but a totally crap engine.
Even tho I’ve had it serviced and it runs. It’s a pig to start. Smokes enough to make Greta Thunberg proud. Probably isn’t going to offer the reliability the boat deserves.
So I’ve decided to have the engine taken out.
I’m going to send it off to Calcutt engineering to have a complete full rebuild.
After a long chat with Roger they seem to know everything there is to know about the old BMC 1.5 engines.
I did a lot of research into a possible repower but it’s just so expensive to put a new lump in.
Whilst the engine is out it’s a good time to get the shaft bearings serviced.
I will also have a empty engine bay to play with. A great time to strip out all the other old equipment and clean and paint the whole engine bay.
I’m hoping the engine can come out late next week but we’ll have to see.

 

[Princess35]

More photos

 

[Bigplumbs]

Those "naff" little fenders on the stern quarters are there for a good reason. If you actually intend using your boat at some some point, you will eventually be doing battle with concrete on the Thames, be it in locks / lock laybyes or many of the mooring spots at the more popular honey pots.
During the gelcoat vs concrete "encounters " gel coat generally comes off worse, dangly fenders do limit some of the damage on the sides of the boat but getting any fender to stay in one place to protect the quarters is impossible, hence them there naff fixed fenders.

agreed. Also vinyl wrap will not do well in the battle against concrete. It is of course your boat but new owners do not always know best

 

[Bigplumbs]

If you have antifouled a year before it goes back in the water. That antifoul will be gassed out and you will need to do it again. It would have been better to leave as it was and let the hull dry out a bit and antifoul just before it goes back in still done now

 

[Bigplumbs]

Why are you stripping out fibreglass areas that could be cleaned. If you are not careful you will finish up with Triggers Broom