Princess 35 informations needed

[robik]

Hi everyone!
My name is Roberto, from Italy.

Actually my family ownes a displacing hull 10.5 mt boat, but now there could be the chance to get a P35 at good price (even if I think there will be quite a lot of job to do on it).

The boat will be put in auction by the customs, that's why the price could be very interesting and we are seriously thinking about it.

From an external view (the boat is out of the water), the boat conditions are the following:
1) rear platform wood panels to be replaced since completely broken (platform is the GRP with 2 wood grids type)
2) front windscreens external rubber to be replaced
3) most worring: one of the cabins window was left open for months...therefore I expect damages to the cabin furniture due to rain coming inside.

We still have to see the inside conditions, but except the above mentioned problems, the hull, props and shafts seem to be in good conditions (only need some polishing ).

I don't know yet which engines are fitted, but I suppose are 200hp Volvos (TAMD41, isn't it?).

Now the questions!
1) Could you please advise what to look in particular when we fully inspect the boat (in/outside)?
2) Could you please tell me which are the strenghts and weaknesses of these engines, as well as of the whole boat?
3) Could you please advise, roughly, the fuel consumption of the boat? Looking around I suppose it should be around 45-50 gph (imperial or US??? I'm used to liters/h).
4) How is its sea keeping? Our actual boat rolls really a lot and with side waves sometimes can be scaring!

I think for time being it's everything!

Thanks in advance to everyone will answer to my questions.

Kind regards,
Roberto

 

[longjohnsilver]

Contact hlb of this forum, he's had one for many years and knows it inside out.

 

[hlb]

Cant comment on the condition of your individual boat, but the handling and sea keeping is faultless, especially in following seas.

 

[robik]

Contact hlb of this forum, he's had one for many years and knows it inside out.

Thanks!

Cant comment on the condition of your individual boat, but the handling and sea keeping is faultless, especially in following seas.

hlb, regardless this individual boat, could you please describe which are the parts that I should check more carefully and eventually common problems of the P35?
I read on the internet that the 250hp Cummins suffered crack in the valves seats and also that the MS4 gearbox could give troubles.

I also read that from 1990, it was introduced the transom door... but on the internet I wasn't able to find any P35 with it. Is it true or it is just a "web legend"?

Which were the performance (cruise/max speed) and consumption of your boat?
Which upgrades and/or extraordinary maintenance you have done on it?

Thanks in advance,
Roberto

 

[vas]

3) Could you please advise, roughly, the fuel consumption of the boat? Looking around I suppose it should be around 45-50 gph (imperial or US??? I'm used to liters/h).

hi there,

dunno about the rest, but there's no way it's going to be using 45-50gph, could be 50lph (or l/h if you wish) but not gallons!

as for the open window, you may get some wasps nests, dampness, a few panels to replace and should be okay

cheers

V.

 

[rafiki_]

Ciao Roberto, et benvenuto nel forum,

HLB is the resident P35 expert, and I'm sure when he has more time he will give a fuller response to your questions.

However, your best approach is to spend at least 3 to 4 hours thoroughly inspecting the boat, from bow to stern. You should make a note of all your issues, and perhaps talk to a marine technician, who can give you a rough estimate of the costs to rectify. However, don't forget that this is not a new boat, and therefore you should expect some problems with age, but at least you will have some idea of the costs to get the boat in to the condition that you are happy with.

Regarding the engines, while you can always inspect for leaks and other obvious problems, you cannot really tell the condition without a sea trial, which I guess is not possible in this case?

As the P35 is quite a heavy boat, I would anticipate something in the region of 25-30 gallons (UK) per hour (100+lph), but not knowing what the engines are this is difficult to estimate.

Good luck.

 

[hlb]

Thanks!




hlb, regardless this individual boat, could you please describe which are the parts that I should check more carefully and eventually common problems of the P35?
I read on the internet that the 250hp Cummins suffered crack in the valves seats and also that the MS4 gearbox could give troubles.

I also read that from 1990, it was introduced the transom door... but on the internet I wasn't able to find any P35 with it. Is it true or it is just a "web legend"?

Which were the performance (cruise/max speed) and consumption of your boat?
Which upgrades and/or extraordinary maintenance you have done on it?

Thanks in advance,
Roberto

The MS4 gear boxes are rubbish, I replaced mine with hydraulic boxes.

No idea about the Cummins engines.

The Volvo Tam D 41's are rock solid but will need maintainance obviously.

The hull should be rock solid.

Transom door on latter models.

Most of the woodwork is veneered, so if it's damaged, it will probably need replacing, or covering with a darker varnish.

Speed will depend on the state of the antifouling and weight she's carrying.

Take no notice of the Princess figure of 27 knots. Expect around 22/24 if everything about perfect.

About 1.3 MPG at full cruising speed but much much more at 8 knots. Same as any other boat of similar size.

 

[robik]

Ciao Roberto, et benvenuto nel forum,

Grazie!

The MS4 gear boxes are rubbish, I replaced mine with hydraulic boxes.

Good (and bad) to know that!
Could you please explain why? Do they suffer failures or they are simply not as good as others from an operational point of view? (e.g.: unprecise clutching when moving from idle to fwd/rev?)

If it's not a problem, could you please tell me the details of the hyd. boxes you installed and the price?

Sorry for making so many questions but coming from 2 x Yanmar which are almost unbreakable, I want to know exactly what I will face in case we purchase the P35.

About 1.3 MPG at full cruising speed but much much more at 8 knots. Same as any other boat of similar size.

Stupid question: the consumption you said is overall for both engines, isn't it?

 

[hlb]

MS4 gearboxes break after a time.

Think the hydraulic ones cost me about 6 grand a piece, about ten years ago.

All boats need things replaceing from time to time. It depends on what work has already been done.

 

[Cheekybrat]

Hi everyone!
My name is Roberto, from Italy.

Actually my family ownes a displacing hull 10.5 mt boat, but now there could be the chance to get a P35 at good price (even if I think there will be quite a lot of job to do on it).

The boat will be put in auction by the customs, that's why the price could be very interesting and we are seriously thinking about it.

From an external view (the boat is out of the water), the boat conditions are the following:
1) rear platform wood panels to be replaced since completely broken (platform is the GRP with 2 wood grids type)
2) front windscreens external rubber to be replaced
3) most worring: one of the cabins window was left open for months...therefore I expect damages to the cabin furniture due to rain coming inside.

We still have to see the inside conditions, but except the above mentioned problems, the hull, props and shafts seem to be in good conditions (only need some polishing ).

I don't know yet which engines are fitted, but I suppose are 200hp Volvos (TAMD41, isn't it?).

Now the questions!
1) Could you please advise what to look in particular when we fully inspect the boat (in/outside)?
2) Could you please tell me which are the strenghts and weaknesses of these engines, as well as of the whole boat?
3) Could you please advise, roughly, the fuel consumption of the boat? Looking around I suppose it should be around 45-50 gph (imperial or US??? I'm used to liters/h).
4) How is its sea keeping? Our actual boat rolls really a lot and with side waves sometimes can be scaring!

I think for time being it's everything!

Thanks in advance to everyone will answer to my questions.

Kind regards,
Roberto

Just answering on the fuel consumption, according to the figures I have the thirstiest P35 used 99 litres per hour (but that is princess figures), My P35 is fitted with 200HP Ford Diesel engines and isn't bad at all on fuel.
The people at Princess are very approachable and have gone out of their way to give me information on my particular boat. if you wish to pm me your email address I have part of the owners manual on my computer which I can send to you.
Nick Heath

 

[PlanB]

If this boat is being sold after being seized by Customs, it is very likely that it will have been thoroughly searched. They may have drilled inspection holes through the woodwork and other internal surfaces, and removed various panels, not always carefully. Upholstery may have been damaged, too. You should therefore insppect the interior very carefully to establish how many repairs will be needed and whether they can be done without adversely affecting the appearance.

 

[robik]

MS4 gearboxes break after a time.

Think the hydraulic ones cost me about 6 grand a piece, about ten years ago.

All boats need things replaceing from time to time. It depends on what work has already been done.

ok, I understand the very first, and expensive, job to do will be check the gearboxes and, if needed, rebuild/replace them!

Just answering on the fuel consumption, according to the figures I have the thirstiest P35 used 99 litres per hour (but that is princess figures), My P35 is fitted with 200HP Ford Diesel engines and isn't bad at all on fuel.
The people at Princess are very approachable and have gone out of their way to give me information on my particular boat. if you wish to pm me your email address I have part of the owners manual on my computer which I can send to you.
Nick Heath

Nick, thanks a lot! I will pm you my email address!

If this boat is being sold after being seized by Customs, it is very likely that it will have been thoroughly searched. They may have drilled inspection holes through the woodwork and other internal surfaces, and removed various panels, not always carefully. Upholstery may have been damaged, too. You should therefore insppect the interior very carefully to establish how many repairs will be needed and whether they can be done without adversely affecting the appearance.

No no no...is nothing to do with smuggling or similar illegal activities, the boat has been seized by Customs for financial issues. The previous owner didn't pay the marina for a long time, therefore the boat was first "seized" by the marina (I think they were refusing to put her in the water until paid) then they went in court and the boat was officially seized by Customs and will be put in auction shortly.
That's the story!

 

[lovezoo]

3) most worring: one of the cabins window was left open for months...therefore I expect damages to the cabin furniture due to rain coming inside.

Boats of that age tend to look very dated internally, so its not really a bad thing if you have to re-do the upholstery and so on to bring it up to date.

There is a nice looking Princess 330 on ebay at the moment which has been updated, including new engines in 1996:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRINCESS-...ower_Boats&hash=item4cf9775759#ht_1053wt_1139

Its worth considering how much it will cost to bring the boat you are looking at up to the same condition.

 

[robik]

Boats of that age tend to look very dated internally, so its not really a bad thing if you have to re-do the upholstery and so on to bring it up to date.

There is a nice looking Princess 330 on ebay at the moment which has been updated, including new engines in 1996:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRINCESS-...ower_Boats&hash=item4cf9775759#ht_1053wt_1139

Its worth considering how much it will cost to bring the boat you are looking at up to the same condition.

Really nice boat!
Of course I expect there will be some job to do inside (I would like, in the next years, to do an interior upgrade similar to the one shown in this article: http://www.princessownersclub.com/iris_p35_project.html ) and, of course, these are only preliminary evaluations.
First of all we have to have a deeper inspection to the boat (it would be nice also to test or at least have the engines running, but I think it will not be possible), then to see which will be the starting price of the Customs auction in order to evaluate the the final cost (boat + repairs).
Depending on this we will decide if go one with the "adventure" or keep our actual boat making some small upgrade.

For example, a friend of mine bought in an auction by Italian Coast Guard a 44' type Nelson unit for about 10k euro. He has completed refurbished it and now she's brand new.

 

[OAF]

The ms4 box is not a very good gearbox and is very expensive to get parts for from Volvo, there is a company in Dover that will do a recon box for around a grand, I would change them for hydraulic boxes if it were me and I was going to keep the boat, given that it is a 90's boat and been neglected it will need plenty of tlc but if it comes at the right price you shouldn't loose out when you come to sell it, keep us posted as to your progess with th auction.

 

[robik]

The ms4 box is not a very good gearbox and is very expensive to get parts for from Volvo, there is a company in Dover that will do a recon box for around a grand, I would change them for hydraulic boxes if it were me and I was going to keep the boat, given that it is a 90's boat and been neglected it will need plenty of tlc but if it comes at the right price you shouldn't loose out when you come to sell it, keep us posted as to your progess with th auction.

I agree with you about considering to replace the gearboxes.
Let's say that first of all we need to have a survey of the boat, together with our mechanic, then evalueate if it's worth to buy it or not.
I will keep you updated on the further stages.

PS: what's the meaning of "tlc"???

 

[whisper]

I agree with you about considering to replace the gearboxes.
Let's say that first of all we need to have a survey of the boat, together with our mechanic, then evalueate if it's worth to buy it or not.
I will keep you updated on the further stages.

PS: what's the meaning of "tlc"???

Tender Loving Care = will need a lot of sympathetic looking after.

Good Luck

 

[Marinus]

Hi everyone.

My name is Rinus and I am from Holland. I'm new to this forum.

Since a half a year, I own a Princess 35. I love this boat because they are very spacious and they still have nice model line. The boat is build in 1988 and has two Volvo’s TAMD41A engine’s on shafts. They smoke al little bit when they are cold but they are working fine.

I think that it is nice to come in contact with other Princess 35 owners to exchange experiences and other interesting things about this boot.

I am looking for a Owner’s Manual of this boat, because this was unfortunately not with the boat when I bought it. I hope that there is an P35 owner that will make a copy of this. A digital copy is also perfect.

Thanks in advance
Kind regards
Rinus.

 

[oldgit]

Hi Rinus.
If you can work out how to send me a private message, will try to find and copy the original boat manual which came with a Princess 35.
It is certainly a reflection of different times, no glossy proclaimation of what aclever and perceptive chap you were in choosing a Princess. merely a series of photocopied pages detailing wiring and the location of various bits of kit hidden away out of sight..
OK....... it does mention what a clever chap you are in buying a Princess as opposed to making the very basic mistake of buying a Fairline .

 

[rustybarge]

Just answering on the fuel consumption, according to the figures I have the thirstiest P35 used 99 litres per hour (but that is princess figures), My P35 is fitted with 200HP Ford Diesel engines and isn't bad at all on fuel.
The people at Princess are very approachable and have gone out of their way to give me information on my particular boat. if you wish to pm me your email address I have part of the owners manual on my computer which I can send to you.
Nick Heath

Hi Nick,

Just wondering how much smoke your ford diesels produce on start up.

1. A little smokey
2. Quite a lot of smoke
3. Lots of thick smoke
4.marina is covered in smoke. Lol.

I'm thinking of going to look at a boat with ford Lehman 120hp engines in Holland.

Tia.