Princess 37

Fire99

Fire99

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Hi all,

Second attempt, this time in the correct forum. :)

Currently on my short-list of boats to view is a Princess 37. (around 1980 ish vintage).
I see its double berth is a side cabin almost amidships. Obviously broker photos can be deceiving but exactly how big (or not) is that double berth?

It looks a bit snug. Can you really sleep two comfortably-ish in it?


many thanks,

Nik
 
At times like these, forumite 'oldgit' often helpfully posts a copy of the original Princess/Marine Projects sales blurb. Let's hope he does so again, as it may possibly show the actual sizes of the berths to which you refer.
 
carlton said:
At times like these, forumite 'oldgit' often helpfully posts a copy of the original Princess/Marine Projects sales blurb. Let's hope he does so again, as it may possibly show the actual sizes of the berths to which you refer.
Click to expand...

Many thanks.

I'll keep my pinkies crossed 'oldgit' stops by. Or a previous '37' owner who's actually slept in the aforementioned berth. :)
 
double berth on P37

our first boat was a princess 37 with the amidships double. I am 5'7 (short a**e) but it fits 2 normal people no problem. only thing I would change is that you end up with your head lower than feet at night. If you buy one (good strong boat) mod the berth a bit so it angles up a few degrees. not the fastest boat 18Kn ish with 180 mermaids maybe 22 with 220 mermaids. If you are looking at cruising inland and a bit of coastal its a very good boat. look at hull condition and engine condition. forget the rest (especially electronics) as you can change it all very easily and cheaply.
 
kashurst said:
our first boat was a princess 37 with the amidships double. I am 5'7 (short a**e) but it fits 2 normal people no problem. only thing I would change is that you end up with your head lower than feet at night. If you buy one (good strong boat) mod the berth a bit so it angles up a few degrees. not the fastest boat 18Kn ish with 180 mermaids maybe 22 with 220 mermaids. If you are looking at cruising inland and a bit of coastal its a very good boat. look at hull condition and engine condition. forget the rest (especially electronics) as you can change it all very easily and cheaply.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for that. Yep, the plan is mostly coastal work and a semi live-aboard for 1 (me) plus 1 other probably part time.

Obviously suitability will be determined when I see one in the the GRP but I wanted to get a general idea about the double berth, since if it was 'diddy' it would discount the boat.

There seems to be a fair choice of 37's at the moment too.
 
the berth is not diddy but go and try one. the interiors on many are getting a bit tired but easy re-vamped. for one or two to live on no problem. the engines smoke a lot (really a lot) when cold but this is normal don't panic and nothing except a good hard run reduces it. ( I changed injectors, filters pumps all sorts but they still smoke like a chimney) look at engine oil pressure and temperature when properly warmed up. If thats oK all will probably be well. if you find one you like get a good survey first and go from there.
 
Fire99 said:
Many thanks.

I'll keep my pinkies crossed 'oldgit' stops by. Or a previous '37' owner who's actually slept in the aforementioned berth. :)
Click to expand...

Ta Da.....
P37.jpg


Recently just missed one of these advertised on Boats and Outboards,it was a fairly reasonable example,it went for mid to high £20k,divorce apparently.
Loads around do not pay silly price.Ex coded boat in Scotland at offers on £25K very recently.
My preference was for non third cabin version loads of space,use forecabin for perm sleeping,and dinette for vistors.
 
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Thanks Kashurst and OldGit...

With the period they're from and age I expected they would be fairly smokey.
Most seem to be advertised around the late £40k 's which may be a touch optimistic IMO.

Thanks OldGit for posting the 'blurb' I'll certainly put them down as ones to go and view. There appears to be one fairly locally to me which I may take a look at, to get a general idea.

That said, a Powles 41 caught my eye last night so the list is getting a bit on the long side :)
 
One thing to consider is whether one of you is happy sleeping next to the "wall", ie if you want to get up in the night you have to clamber down to the foot of the bed. We only considered island berths for that reason.
 
PlanB said:
One thing to consider is whether one of you is happy sleeping next to the "wall", ie if you want to get up in the night you have to clamber down to the foot of the bed. We only considered island berths for that reason.
Click to expand...

That's a very good point.

I guess I could say it would be better for me to be nearest the "wall" so at least it would reduce the chance of me being kicked out of the bed. :)
 
PlanB said:
One thing to consider is whether one of you is happy sleeping next to the "wall", ie if you want to get up in the night you have to clamber down to the foot of the bed. We only considered island berths for that reason.
Click to expand...

Also, beds like that are very difficult to make neatly. Makes making the bed a horrid job
 
FWIW I used to have a P33 which was a really solid boat. Mermaid engines are easy and cheap to service. The 37 was on my dream list at the time! The mid cabin looked okay to me from what I can recall.

There is one for sale at Kip Marina on the Clyde and has been for a while. From what I know it's a good boat, so I guess he must be asking too much money. Maybe an offer would tempt them to sell.
 
asteven221 said:
FWIW I used to have a P33 which was a really solid boat. Mermaid engines are easy and cheap to service. The 37 was on my dream list at the time! The mid cabin looked okay to me from what I can recall.

There is one for sale at Kip Marina on the Clyde and has been for a while. From what I know it's a good boat, so I guess he must be asking too much money. Maybe an offer would tempt them to sell.
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The one on the Kip Brokerage is up for a shade under £50k, which for a mid 70's with 180's, i'd say is rather on the steep side. Nicely finished inside though.
 
There's a P37 for sale in Farndon at the moment for only £36k.

Floda III I think. I was curious and had a good look, it looks a nice boat, if in need of a bit of TLC, as one might expect.

Great value I thought. I was tempted, but after 5 years of hard work have just about got our boat to the standard and spec I want! Not sure I want to start all over again just yet!

http://www.farndonmarina.co.uk/brokerage.html
 
Trundlebug said:
There's a P37 for sale in Farndon at the moment for only £36k.

Floda III I think. I was curious and had a good look, it looks a nice boat, if in need of a bit of TLC, as one might expect.

Great value I thought. I was tempted, but after 5 years of hard work have just about got our boat to the standard and spec I want! Not sure I want to start all over again just yet!

http://www.farndonmarina.co.uk/brokerage.html
Click to expand...

That looks quite pleasant. Has the larger engines too. Would probably prefer the flybridge though.
 
As a matter of interest, most of the boats i'm looking at are running TAMD60's and TAMD70's.

Are there any specific issues to concern myself with, with these engines?

Those and maybe the Ford 150hp 6 cylinder turbo-diesel in a Birchwood, that i'm also looking at.
 
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.
 
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