Princess 360 boat test

[gillybee]

We currently own a Sealine S28 with the twin 170hp diesels and are thinking of upgrading to a flybridge boat in the 35 to 40 foot range. We’re drawn to the classic lines of the Princess 360. I’ve been trawling the web for a boat test / review on this model, but can’t find one anywhere!
Does anyone know of a review on this model?
Also, any tips or advice on what to look out for, (both positive and negative) when looking for one of these.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[oldgit]

We currently own a Sealine S28 with the twin 170hp diesels and are thinking of upgrading to a flybridge boat in the 35 to 40 foot range. We’re drawn to the classic lines of the Princess 360. I’ve been trawling the web for a boat test / review on this model, but can’t find one anywhere!
Does anyone know of a review on this model?
Also, any tips or advice on what to look out for, (both positive and negative) when looking for one of these.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Chum bought one of these about two years ago, after owning a old Princess 33 flybridge for many years. He was looking for the ability to cruise comfortably at 20 + knots without stressing engines, for this reason chose the 370 HP ? engine option.
Personally think the 230 HP engine option would struggle.
He is very pleased with his purchase, think you will find the P360 to be a very stable and sea kindly boat compared to your Sealine and much more easy to manoeuvre in confined spaces .Shafts always give a better more planted ride.
Although a bow thruster would be a nice option the P360 does not really need one for any half competent skipper
You may be lucky enought to find one without the "interesting" Maple interior (a sort of LSD influenced garish green). . Might be possible to use this as a bargaining point.
Downsides.
He has been plagued with cooling problems. Nothing expensive simply the entire system was clogged with gunge and requiring several goes involving Ridlyme and dismantling heat exchangers.
It was of course the engine with everthing hidden away and almost certainly due to lack of maintaince by previous owner.
If you are not having a survey a good blast out at WOT on the sea trial should reveal all regards engines, any reluctance by seller to allow this should ring alarm bells.


Princess Model History | Princess Motor Yacht Sales

 

[gillybee]

Thanks for the heads up on cooling issues. One big concern does seem to be the very limited access to the engines! Most 360s that come onto the market have the 200hp Volvos fitted, which does seem to be underpowered with a max just over 20knots.
I’ve seen one with Perkins 310s, but can’t find anywhere that this was a factory option, so assume they were retrofitted?
Thanks again - the hunt continues…..

 

[oldgit]

Thanks for the heads up on cooling issues. One big concern does seem to be the very limited access to the engines! Most 360s that come onto the market have the 200hp Volvos fitted, which does seem to be underpowered with a max just over 20knots.
I’ve seen one with Perkins 310s, but can’t find anywhere that this was a factory option, so assume they were retrofitted?
Thanks again - the hunt continues…..

Are we talkng about the Princess 360 ????
Never ever heard of the P 360 with the 200HP 41 series engines only the KAD series with 230 Hp
The Perkins M 225 was a popular re - engine choice in the Fairline SEDAN 36.
The Perkins usually came with 300 HP ? as the most powerful option.

 

[gillybee]

Apologies for the typo - it was the 230s I meant. The Perkins were the M300ti, but from what you say, these were not a factory fitted option and must have been retrofitted - thanks for your help.

 

[oldgit]

Apologies for the typo - it was the 230s I meant. The Perkins were the M300ti, but from what you say, these were not a factory fitted option and must have been retrofitted - thanks for your help.

It is not impossible that an original owner of a P360 knew his arse from his elbow and decided to custom spec a reliable, easy to service and maintain engine instead of the Green electronic (Do not get wet ) nightmares that Volvo are/were flogging to the gullible.
They may have been an original fit, it was not unknown for Princess to fit non standard engines when requested by the customer.

 

[DAKA]

We currently own a Sealine S28 with the twin 170hp diesels and are thinking of upgrading to a flybridge boat in the 35 to 40 foot range. We’re drawn to the classic lines of the Princess 360. I’ve been trawling the web for a boat test / review on this model, but can’t find one anywhere!
Does anyone know of a review on this model?
Also, any tips or advice on what to look out for, (both positive and negative) when looking for one of these.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

We’ve had our Princess 360 for over 15 years and still love it.
First fitted with twin mercruiser 220 in 1993.
previous owner upgraded to twin 300 in 2004 , apparently because it was underpowered so I would avoid 230.
2x300 certainly ample power through the season
we have crossed the Chanel to France and Chanel islands loads of times, less than F5 most the times , very comfortable.
F6 in a following sea tolerable. F6 head on for far is more than our family want to put up with

2x300. max speed (loaded water diesel holiday gear 30knots. ) Cruise 22 to 24 Depending on seastate


this might be worth reading
Sealine F33 versus Princess 360 - which wins and why?

 

[gillybee]

@DAKA
Really useful info and much appreciated ?
Great to hear that you’re so pleased with your P360 and they definitely seem to be much happier with the bigger engines. This might explain why nearly all the ones for sale have the smaller power units ?
Good link as well - thanks.

 

[terrysquires]

We currently own a Sealine S28 with the twin 170hp diesels and are thinking of upgrading to a flybridge boat in the 35 to 40 foot range. We’re drawn to the classic lines of the Princess 360. I’ve been trawling the web for a boat test / review on this model, but can’t find one anywhere!
Does anyone know of a review on this model?
Also, any tips or advice on what to look out for, (both positive and negative) when looking for one of these.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

We had two 360. One with 230hp then 2nd 370hp. The 230 is under powered as its quite a heavy boat compare to sea line 360
we had the first for 4 years did channel island and West Country but top speed was 22-24 but the 370 did 30-32 knots and was much better ride at cruising speed. Motor boat and yachting had one in our marina at the time and Alan harper was the skipper and also did a test in the mag He said at the time a good boat. The 230 smoked quite a bit where as the 370 was good as we had then in our 430 when we changed up definelty go for the 370 or 316 Volvo s

 

[gillybee]

@terrysquires
Thanks for that Terry - great that you’ve had experience of both engines and have really confirmed what I thought. Appreciate your valuable knowledge share ?