princess 36 riviera info please

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ultrarep

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Hi
I am looking at changing up from our much loved 286 Riviera which we have had massive fun on over the last 6 years.
I am looking at the 36 Riviera (286 big sister) about 1990 vintage with the TAMD61 306 hp engines on shafts.

Can any one offer any advice on these boats with these engines ?
Any comments on these engines good points weak areas etc?
Also any info on the boats expected performance and fuel use etc would be very helpfull.
let the flood gates of opinoin open!

thankx
 
Absolutely fantastic sea boat, due in part to shaft drive meaning the weight of the engines is further forward in the boat. Also a doddle to manoeuvre compared to outdrives as boat swivels more toward the centre (where the mass of the engines are) rather than right at the stern.

Huge cockpit, superb engine access, plenty of storage, excellent cockpit layout with the double twin helm seats like your 286. Lovely flat foredeck too.

Downside to all this is that it shifts all the accommodation forward so no more room inside than a Targa 33 of the same era, and headroom not bad, but you won't stand up straight if you're 6ft 3ins. But it's got all the main bits, two seperate double cabins (aft one is very similar to your 286) and a decent sized (converting) dinette and a good sized galley.

Styling very dated now, although typical of that period. Square flat pane windscreen, bolt on platform etc. Think it had a transom door though.

Performance, bit over 30 knots from memory and I'll guess at 15-20 GPH depending on cruising speed.

Build quality similar to your 286, basic, but strong. Plenty of wood inside.

A really great boat. Compromised and benefiting from the shaft drive layout, but the benefits far outweigh the compromises. Killed off (in terms of concept) by the fact that interior space sells, so the 366 Riviera that replaced it was outdrive.

If you like your 286 then you'll love owning this.
 
spot on
a great seaboat and one of the best Olenski Princess hulls of the era, due mostly to well distributed weight
those Tamd61 are good drinkers too and it will drink double compared to a sterndrive with 41s or 42s
but are reliable engines too
 
Its the princess 35 hull so maybe hlb can supply more info, should be good with 306, ive worked on 1 and the engines are a bit of a squeeze as the hull more happy with 200hp 41s or cummins 6bt250s, engines are pushed back as far as poss due to transom hung rudders which imho are not good but theres plenty of boats out there with them.

Interior wood is dated now, I nearly bought a 406 riviera that was a fantastic boat same hull as my 410.

Just look out for rusty fuel tanks as all princess boats of that era had mild steel tanks and they are getting on abit now.

Maybe your looking at nimrod or another one that spent some time at cobbs quay poole, its been on the market for years at silly money.

I personally would go for a targa 38/39 for the same money and have beter accomodation, unless your like me and sware by shafts only policy.
 
Hi,

I am interested in the same boat. I have found a 1994 Riviera 366 with stern drives.

From your previous message I can understand that the interior of the stern drive version is different from the shaft version. Is that true ? If yes what is the difference ?

Thanks

:)
 
If it's on a P35 hull on shafts, it's rock solid. A F 6/7 maybe 8 from behind, wont bother it at all, even on the beam it will be quite happy, may feel like a roller coaster, but the boat will be fine. If there is a down side to all this, the bows are very big and buoyant. So into the sea, can throw the bows in the air, so slow down a bit. The boat will never have you feeling it cant cope, even if you cant. In close quarters it's a dream, no bow thruster rubbish needed, except maybe when backing into a finger pontoon, where you might loose the bow due to, no room to move the stern. Bow thrusters have a big down side though, that I'm not going into here.

It's Olsinki ?? designed and a legend. Had no probem getting us back to Plymouth with a F 10 behind it, without looking at the waves outside. It was a breeze, on auto pilot of course.
 
Thanks for the replies :)

As I told you, I am in the bargain process for 1994 Princess 366 with stern drives, but I can undestand from your comments that shafts do a better job in that Olsinki hull. Should I stop bargaining and search for a shaft version ?

Another question would be is what to be careful at. Which are the weak points except the tanks ? Must have more right ? or maybe not ?

Dear hlb I am guesting from your message that you are already a lucky owner of 366 Riviera. Can you please give me more info possibly impressions about the external and internal built quality ?

Thanks again

:)
 
the 366 Riviera is a good boat
will surely drink about 50% less to the shaft version and seamanship is good too, I would say it is close to the standards of the 36 Riviera
speed is about 34 knots max with Kad42s 2x 230hp, but will be very economic to run at about 25 knots which should be about 3100 rpm and 50 LPH
you also gain much more spacious interior with 2 double cabins one midship, plus a more modern look to the 36 Riviera, like a slanted stern with integrated bathing platform, and a more curved windscreen look appearance
as someone said this model replaced the 36 Riviera and was the last generation Rivera togather with the 32 and 406 before this being replaced by the V series
the market was always difficult for this boat, as the more modern looks, similar price and faster speed of the Fairline 36/37 Targa dominated the market at the times, from the UK/British point of view
 
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