Princess 37

[Fire99]

I think the volvo engines are OK. watch the horsepower though. If you want to go at planing speeds 150 X 2 won't be enough to get on the plane. My Princess 37 had 2 X 180 and it struggled to get over the hump. Once it did max speed was @ 18 kn. If you can find one, some P37s had 220 Hp engines. You also may be able to find a Princes 41 or better 414 for your budget, that has an aft cabin and solves the bed size/wall issue.

Also there are two hull designs to look for on the P37. One is the V shaped planing hull (usually with the more powerful engines), but they also did a Y shaped hull - basically added a keel for more directional stability at low speeds. If you are considering Birchwoods (another good strong boat but not especially quick) try and avoid a boat with BMW engines. Apparently spares are rare as rocking horse droppings.

Thanks for that. The Princesses i've looked at have ranged from 180 -250 hp, a Birchwood 35 is running Ford 150's and a Powles 41 is running TAMD70's (280hp)

I saw a slighly pricey Birchwood TS37 running BMW engines but I remember from before a word of warning on BMW marine engines.

I've done a fair bit of engine work in my time so whatever I take on, I don't want to be over complex. I can suffer a bit of extra smoke and lack of refinement as a pay-off.

 

[Fire99]

Well took a look at my first Princess 37 today. They are quite a decent size. Large deck area.
Interior was fairly good but the forward bunk berths seem a bit naff. (I guess the years have moved on somewhat). Two heads facing each other seems a bit excessive to me.

The search continues.

 

[Renegade_Master]

The earlier references to island double beds as opposed doubles which are against the wall,
I had a 37ft boat with an aft cabin island bed and en suite, twas a Broom Crown 37, semi dis nice boat Oldgit will remember it

 

[Fire99]

The earlier references to island double beds as opposed doubles which are against the wall,
I had a 37ft boat with an aft cabin island bed and en suite, twas a Broom Crown 37, semi dis nice boat Oldgit will remember it

I can see the appeal of an Island Berth. I'd take one of those over extra single berths which are not really of much interest to me.