Princess 40 Which Tender

[statgar]

I have just bought a Princess 40 and want to buy a tender that would tow my 14 yr old son on a wake board. It looks like the largest RIB I can get to go on the bathing platform is about 3.1mtrs and these only take a 15hp motor, is this enough for wake boarding? does anyone have any ideas out there?
Another question concerns the fitting of either a Passerelle or Crane to lift the Tender on, I have heard about "hidden cranes" on Princess 40's has anyone any experience?

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[jointventureII]

A 15hp probably won't be enough to board behind i doubt - it would need more power to pull the boarder out (not certain but i know a 9.9 isnt for sure). Jetribs can competently pull a skier or boarder but they have 80hp+ and very quick acceleration.

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[statgar]

Smallest JetRib I can get is a Williams 2.8mtrs with a 70hp the problem is that it weighs 200kg

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[tcm]

15hp is marginal, i think. I had a 15hp which could get a very light girl wakeboarding, or a normal sized person kneeboarding.

Provided that you only plan to go off in nice conditions, ( ie flattish water) i wouldn't be worried about exceeding the maximum ratings on the boat by a bit.

An important consideration might be that it will be awkward to board/ski behind a boat when the driver is at the back and the connection to the skihook is also low on the transom - much better balance with some sort of arch for skihook, and fwd driving position but this may be asking too much.

Note that it is easily possible to wakeboard off a princess 40. It is a total pain having a too big/too heavy tender hanging off the back.

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[jointventureII]

Wow you could get some serious air off a princess 40's wake! I have jumped the wake of the condor ferry once when we passed it whilst wakeboarding, for a brief moment i felt superb before quickly realising the landing wasn't going to be successful....ouch.
The force created by a boat as big as a princess would require an experienced boarder, the usual speed to board at is about 16-18 knots and im not sure if that big a boat planes at that speed (i dont think it does?) and would draw a wash too big to endure!

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[tcm]

yep, agreed, i wd avoid them. Partly cos erm i've got one - they weigh loads and their power delivery is fun but not useful for skiing/boarding where you neeed a slow grindiong acceleration - jetribs tend to be a bot more "on" or "off".



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[statgar]

Does sound like fun but I can't imagine the thought of my poor little boy airborne most of the time on a 3ft wake! the P40 does drop off the plane at about 17kts. I concur with the JetRib theory, I used an Avon 320 last summer and it was awfull the throttle was either on or off and it would not steer unless given bags of power, not for me I'm afraid.

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[ari]

Is it a 40 flybridge or a V40?

Regarding the concealed crane, the only Princess I recall this on was the Princess 45 but it had to be specified as a factory fit as the transom had to be moulded for it. It couldn't therefore be retro fitted. I've a vague feeling it might have been available on the V40 too, but really not certain about that.

I have seen a crane pedistal mounted on a Princess 42 bathing platform which sort of folded up into a very small neat unit, but it didn't disappear completely.

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[MapisM]

This is the best compromise for your needs imho: 25hp with a reasonable weight and 3m lenght.
Might be difficult to find one, though.
I understand Marine Power is not producing it anymore.

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[Greg2]

Friends of ours have a Valiant 3 metre RIB with centre console and 15hp engine (the reccomended maximum is 10hp) and they regulalry take thier kids water skiing and 'donutting' with no problem. Wouldn't manage it with an adult though.

We also have a Valiant 3 metre - excellent RIB and the lightest on the market as I understand it.

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[Magnum]

Found it available in the UK here - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.magnumyacht.net>http://www.magnumyacht.net - Princess P42

 

[statgar]

Its a flybridge P40, I'm sure you are right about the crane and agree that the pedestal idea is probably the best as a retro fit, thanks for your input.

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[tcm]

Re:white tenders nightmare

...keeping them clean - they always go greyish. Best to start with a grey one. Or blue or purple - anything but white!

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[statgar]

Thanks for that, looks great, Magnum has even found me a website

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[statgar]

Good thinking I've rechecked my Valiant brochure and can see what you mean

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[MapisM]

No way (unfortunately)

That's not an option, with this model. Only available as shown, white+yellow.
But a cover is a must anyway, to protect the console instruments, etc.
And mine - which has always been covered when not used - is as white as new after four seasons.
The only couple of problems with this rib are:
1) the hull is too flat. Very bumpy ride even with ridiculous waves.
2) it can carry either two people with the central sit and console, or (in theory) 4 people without the console - but in this case the max power allowed is 15 hp. In practice, you'd always use it with the console and the 25 engine, carrying 4 (or even more... /forums/images/icons/wink.gif) people when needed - though not planing of course, with such load. What's annoying is that the aft shape has a low profile, thus allowing some water to splash inside when loaded.

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[statgar]

Thanks Magnum great help I'm now thinking outside the avon/zodiac box! I just dont understand how quicksilver can rate their ribs for such high engine powers.

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[MapisM]

Glad to help.
Feel free to ask for any further details/experiences you might be interested in (I just posted some in reply to tcm)...
Btw, the cover which I mentioned, I had it made from an an artisan. Not available as an original accessory, afaik.

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[mjf]

I have seen a nice crane in which the jib when stows becomes the top of the cockpit seatback - sort of thing. It was on a P40 too! In fact when stowed it was quite well hiden and looked like no crane was fitted.

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[Gludy]

I would support that about the Valiant - had one with my Princess 385, very light.

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