Princess 385

A

ArthurWood

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Took a look at a 1987 Princess 385 today. See her at http://yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_bo...d=1790&url=

We like the accommodation which has been partially renovated, tho' she looks her age. Re-engined w/2X300hp Cummins. There are a few minor dings on the transom and topsides , some showing the glass beneath and there are some stress cracks, some of which appear to have been painted over. Did the original have teak deck etc, 'cos this looks like it has been painted over? She was on a lift and the hull and running gear looked good. Any opinions on whether to persue her or run away?
 
Damned good solid boat.
Cummins engines are excellent. I had same in my Fairline Turbo 36. 29 knots max'. In the European market most had VP 235hp. Cummins sounds much better for you in US.

Decks are not painted. From new they had white immitation teak decks with immitation black culking.

Sounds pretty good value at that price if intrinsically sound. At 20 years old I would be surprised if there were not a few dings and some stress cracking. Just get the areas checked as part of a full survey which I assume you would want anyway.

Good luck.
 
looks good. Dunno the boat, but wd guess that teak gets wd very very hot under bare feet in florida sun, prompting the paint? Even in the med you need to sloosh teak with water from time to time, so wdn't be in a rush to change to anything that wasn't white mebbe? Painting it seems a bit drastic but it's still there i suppose and cos be brought back....
 
Have looked at a couple in the UK. Generally up for around 80K, one or two less than that. Most appear to have volvo 306hp engines so the cummins will be ideal. Looks OK to me but get the GRP repaired on any deep cracks, particularly if matting is visible as you mention. Worth following up but get a survey.
 
Hi Arthur!
I like the boat! I have an old 41 and love it! the 38 is a good solid boat I guess the stress cracking is around the toe rail on the grey? why not ask the same questions of 38 owners on the Princess owners site. www.princessownersclub.com. you have to join but it cost nothing!
Take care!
Rob
Oh! Id love Cummings in mine! Volvo are great for anchors! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif))
 
Many thanks, yous guys for the inputs. I'll follow up and we'll take another look at her. Can't quite afford a Leopard at the moment, so looking at something a bit more modest, but hopefully more reliable:-)
 
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Anyway, i am ahead

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Good for you, but sorry to hear about the hassle you had during your epic voyage. Great reading - and you've started a trend.
 
A few more thoughts

With my limited knowledge of Princesses check the following.

They are built like the proverbial outhouse but weigh as much and hull design not the most sporty. Check the real Cruising speed with all those goodies and amount of beer you carry. I would suggest 24 kts is optimistic. This could make quite a difference when going to Bermuda.

Has the headlining been replaced. Pig to clean and better to replace and put in new LED downlighters.

Check the flybridge wiring. Not that well protected and it corrodes making flybridge electrics dodgy.

Check the throttle controls on flybridge. Long and tortuous route to engines and I've seen the levers snap off when being used.

Window seals may need replacing and window handles that I have seen are poor design.

That anchor looks a bit small.

Check the cable that runs along the catwalks. This corrodes.

It has not got auto pilot, you'll never manage without a jog button!

Looks like a nice boat and am looking forward to having a go. Hope it goes well withthe broker.
 
Re: old man\'s boat

nah, not imho. It has decent styling, looks well enuf. Not an out-and-out bimbo-magnet but not "trudgy". Ultramodern boats have to be "new this year" or else are past it - this looks as though quietly confident, ageless to a degree.
 
Re: old man\'s boat

Jon, with Matt's kind help, you've just, but only just got back into my good books /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Anyway it was good to talk to you and the family yesterday.

We took another look with the broker this morning and we are still keen, so we are going to make an offer. She probably needs about $6K of work to bring her up to what we would like her to look like. She has a new headliner, but unfortunately they didn't fit overhead lighting. I think we wld tear out all the interior vinyl and start over. Anyone fancy coming over and doing it? The wiring is all new, but the broker says it needs tidying up in places. I'd need to get used to using single lever controls for docking as I'm used to separate throttle/gear.
Yes, the anchor is a bit small and I couldn't live without a Comnav autopilot w/dodge buttons. Broker and owner say fuel consumption 18USgph(14.4 Imp gal) at 22kt, but from what I've read in these forums (1 Imp gal/20hp), 18gph is somewhat optimistic to say the least. I would have thought more like 24g/h. Where can I find specs for the engines/boat? Looked at Cummins website but no info.
 
Re: old man\'s boat

Ah......the power of this forum.

Try http://www.tadiesels.com/releases/Cummins_6BTA_Specs.pdf for engine specs.

You'll have to get used to shafts as well, just like driving a tank, or so I am told. You must remember them.

Idea of helping out sounds fine and we were looking at flights to Florida earlier today.

Good to hear from you and hope all goes well with the purchase
 
Re: old man\'s boat

Thanks very much, Jon. I can't figure out which numbers apply to the engines in the boat, but I'll find out. Do shaft drive boats behave differently from Z-driven ones? I can see that the weight distribution might be different because in the latter the engines are further aft, but what does that do to manoeuvrability? As you know, I'm a chemis (lapsed) not an engineer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
You could renovate the boat while we are in the UK, as well as feed the fish, of which we have many, now.!! Light pipes in the heads would be great.
 
Re: z drives v shafts

i thinik it's geneaklly seen as easier to drive shaft driven boat than z-drives, but it's onlty really at low speed that it is really noticeable. Also, with shafts, the gearbox isn't hanging out the back of the boat which is a bit better. Downside is that if you happen to have to go aground, you can't lift the legs out of harms way...
 
Re: old man\'s boat

Assuming what the seller says and it is 300Hp (probably 280) then the engines are probably SWAC (sea water after cooled). With a Medium Continuous rated RPM at 2600 then knocking 10% off for cruise rpm at 2300 then according to the prformance data table this provides 10.5 usgal/hr/engine.

What is price of diesel in the US? Perhaps you should sell some of those fish to fund it.

I forgot you were on Z drives and doubt that the difference between Z and shaft will be as significant as going from sports to Old Man's..........sorry 'confident and ageless'.
 
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