Princess 38 or Moonraker or............

Ah a secret admirer of Mucky Farter I see. You have to admit it is impressive. Half the bloody marinas here now...../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn
 
\"WE\"...........are not amused.

/forums/images/icons/laugh.gifC,mon HLB.sort him out,I will hold your coat.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.
 
If you bash Moonraker into search thingy,you will find owners club.gives interesting details on different sorts ie 350 etc.Also try JCL.Another one of Colin Chapmans little ideas to get into buying a boat company.Later boats inc the Mamba and the Mystere.
Boat when new cost from 10K with small engine option.
One I went to look at had open aft deck and think was called a Softrider.We have no less than a half dozen(at least) of the things lurking down here on the Medway.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.
 
Ha Ha. Now it was the bloke with that moonraker in the corner that told me it was crap in a following sea. But Mucky Farter excells with a F7 up her arse.

PS Sorry about the noise and smoke. Mechanic had knicked the battery charger. So had to give it a bit of welly to charge the one remaining battery cose he also knicked the other....{laugh]

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn
 
Oh dear, you been upsetting the locals again?

Now when does the scooter come out of the cellar again? /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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Well I only used one engine. Pitty. could have used the other!! Scooter all primed and ready. You got any thoughts??

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn
 
I think there were 400 odd Moonrakers built, and being 1977 I guess this the final "F" series 350F. Personally I liked the "E" because it had a more split up interior. My F "Yellow Moon" was very open plan apart from the aft cabin, though probably a better bet for days out entertaining if you have an apartment there too. It was the first boat I owned that could be lived on and I have a continued affection for her.

Also, I think I'd favour the boat owned by a marine engineer if he's staying around on the Island to give a little help and advice.

Yes they have a tendency to broach in a following sea and a degree of "opposite" lock is sometimes needed, but I suspect for the kind of use you propose you're never going to notice it. I was never worried that it was actually going to happen, nor did I ever hear it had happend, it's just a slight feeling that you're a bit out of control. Only in a significant following sea. Going the "other way" she was always great, I have a fond memory of crossing from St. Vaast on a sunshiny Spring day in 5/6 head sea, and giving her everything and seeing rainbows in the spray. (Mind you I wouldn't have been quite so sanguine if I'd known she and her attached pontoon broke free in one of those early 90's hurricanes while overwintering there, and had ground all the gelcoat off one side below the waterline, they didn't tell us)!

The other thing about such a large production run of largely similar boats is that there is a great deal of knowledge about them, so advice is not hard to come by.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>
 
They've been offering a 40' Miller Fifer Motor Sailer with a Gardner 4LW, formerly owned by a thespian knight whose name I can't remember, but it's a long way to go and a lot further to come back at 6 knots.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>
 
Thanks again to all for useful opinions.

Now getting close to visit and offer on the Princess 38 (subject to survey etc. etc.)

Just got details confirming engines as TAMD 60 C 's with good service history.

Anybody got any guidance on what sort of shape they should be in after 750 hrs in this boat? Any problems to look for? Presumably, being simpler, they are more robust than my KAD 43 which has a supercharger and seems a bit sensitive to cooling flow (brought to its knees by one baby mussel last season). Is 255 hp the right rated output for the TAMD 60 C ?

After reading Deleted User's recent post I'm wondering about oil analysis - how long does this take and can you get it done anywhere?

Likewise can anyone with 1985 ish Princess 38 experience suggest any foibles or weak points of the boat which might need attention?

Whats a realistic top speed and sensible cruising speed for this combination?

Am I right in assuming there was only one hull profile for the 38 - unlike the 37 which had inland and offshore versions?

What's the osmosis history for Princess's of this period?

Any opinions gratefully received as ever.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Thanks again to all for useful opinions.

Now getting close to visit and offer on the Princess 38 (subject to survey etc. etc.)

Just got details confirming engines as TAMD 60 C 's with good service history.

Anybody got any guidance on what sort of shape they should be in after 750 hrs in this boat? Any problems to look for? Presumably, being simpler, they are more robust than my KAD 43 which has a supercharger and seems a bit sensitive to cooling flow (brought to its knees by one baby mussel last season). Is 255 hp the right rated output for the TAMD 60 C ?

After reading Deleted User's recent post I'm wondering about oil analysis - how long does this take and can you get it done anywhere?

Likewise can anyone with 1985 ish Princess 38 experience suggest any foibles or weak points of the boat which might need attention?

Whats a realistic top speed and sensible cruising speed for this combination?

Am I right in assuming there was only one hull profile for the 38 - unlike the 37 which had inland and offshore versions?

What's the osmosis history for Princess's of this period?

Any opinions gratefully received as ever.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Deleted User's oil sample clearly paid dividends, but what if the oil has just been changed, which if the vendor knew there was a problem would seem a reasonable idea?

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