nigel2003
New member
I am looking at buying a pre 1990 princess 45 as my first boat does anyone have any advise on these boats?
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Princess 45
- Thread starter nigel2003
- Start date
derekh
Member
45' as a first boat. you obviously have a lot of faith in your ability. I have been boating for many years and manovering a 45 ' princess in a side wind in a marina would scare the poo out of me. It obviously has scared the poo out of others that is one reason why so many 45' crusers spend 99% of their time securley tied up. Why not start with something smaller and easier handled then move up to a 45' boat when you know the ins and outs of this wonderfull pastime.
On the other hand if you want a gin palace just go for it.
<hr width=100% size=1>Work ? don't be daft , the suns out.
On the other hand if you want a gin palace just go for it.
<hr width=100% size=1>Work ? don't be daft , the suns out.
byron
RIP
I had the 435 which is essentially the same boat below the waterline. I took mine up and down the Thames through all the locks single handed a zillion times. It is an excellent and easy manageable boat and if you have crew it is a doddle. At sea it is absolutely superb giving a smooth ride and copes admirably with the most atrocious conditions. Obviously it doesn't have the finish & quality of a Broom but never-the-less it is a very sound boat.
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cngarrod
New member
Hey Byron,
Good to see you are still about - thought you had finished with the forum!
Hows things?
Cheers,
Craig.
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Good to see you are still about - thought you had finished with the forum!
Hows things?
Cheers,
Craig.
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Renegade_Master
New member
Re: Princess 45, no probs
"It obviously has scared the poo out of others that is one reason why so many 45' cruisers spend 99% of their time securley tied up"
I dont think its just the thought of handling a boat this size at close quarters that results in them remaining tied up, I believe other reasons could be:
1) bought it just to impress the neighbours, (I saw plenty like that in Brighton,
owners sat in the cockpit at weekends entertaining).
2) Costs: having spent all that money on a boat this size, and perhaps with an ongoing loan, they then see how much it costs to fill her up and bang goes the budget.
Any other thoughts on reaons why big boats stay tied up folks?, would be interesting.
Now on the subject of handling the big boat at close quarters, we have two boats one F36 and a Fairline 50. The Fairline is therefore very similar to the P45.
We have stern to moorings in the med of course. This week we have three pupils, a couple in their 40's and a guy of 72 would you believe.
Under the guidance of our instructor they have been coming in and out of the berth, even the 72 year old, and with a fair old easterly on the beam.
Yes the F36 is easy to handle, but so to is the Fairline, in fact its heavier and therefore grips the water better.
Its all relevant the engine controls do the same you just take into account the extra 14ft length and 3ft beam.
Yesterday afternoon the Fairlines starboard engine packed up so they returned early to research the problem. Our Instructor Phil had to bring her in on just the port engine and the rare help of the bow thruster.
The couple in question came to learn as they are looking at a Squaddie 50 for their first boat. CGN
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>
"It obviously has scared the poo out of others that is one reason why so many 45' cruisers spend 99% of their time securley tied up"
I dont think its just the thought of handling a boat this size at close quarters that results in them remaining tied up, I believe other reasons could be:
1) bought it just to impress the neighbours, (I saw plenty like that in Brighton,
owners sat in the cockpit at weekends entertaining).
2) Costs: having spent all that money on a boat this size, and perhaps with an ongoing loan, they then see how much it costs to fill her up and bang goes the budget.
Any other thoughts on reaons why big boats stay tied up folks?, would be interesting.
Now on the subject of handling the big boat at close quarters, we have two boats one F36 and a Fairline 50. The Fairline is therefore very similar to the P45.
We have stern to moorings in the med of course. This week we have three pupils, a couple in their 40's and a guy of 72 would you believe.
Under the guidance of our instructor they have been coming in and out of the berth, even the 72 year old, and with a fair old easterly on the beam.
Yes the F36 is easy to handle, but so to is the Fairline, in fact its heavier and therefore grips the water better.
Its all relevant the engine controls do the same you just take into account the extra 14ft length and 3ft beam.
Yesterday afternoon the Fairlines starboard engine packed up so they returned early to research the problem. Our Instructor Phil had to bring her in on just the port engine and the rare help of the bow thruster.
The couple in question came to learn as they are looking at a Squaddie 50 for their first boat. CGN
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>
tcm
...
Re: Why big boats aren\'t used very much
I don't think that it's because they run out of money, praps quite the reverse.
Owners of smaller boats have spent proportionally more wealth on he boat and are more keen with fewer other diversions. Owners of larger boats have second homes, more non-boat holidays so don't do so much boating. All complete generalisations but more likley true than the idea that people who buy big boats have spent their last fifty quid onnem hence can't afford the fuel.
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I don't think that it's because they run out of money, praps quite the reverse.
Owners of smaller boats have spent proportionally more wealth on he boat and are more keen with fewer other diversions. Owners of larger boats have second homes, more non-boat holidays so don't do so much boating. All complete generalisations but more likley true than the idea that people who buy big boats have spent their last fifty quid onnem hence can't afford the fuel.
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mainshiptom
Active member
Byron
Nice to see you back !
Is the good old gang starting to come back ?
Tom
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Nice to see you back !
Is the good old gang starting to come back ?
Tom
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Benny1
Member
Re: Why big boats aren\'t used very much
I think TCM is right...the more money someone makes the more 'toys' a person will buy - cars, boats, planes, 2nd 3rd & 4th homes, more holidays etc however one thing you cannot buy more of is time, so you end up with less time to use each 'toy'.
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I think TCM is right...the more money someone makes the more 'toys' a person will buy - cars, boats, planes, 2nd 3rd & 4th homes, more holidays etc however one thing you cannot buy more of is time, so you end up with less time to use each 'toy'.
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adarcy
New member
Go for it when you have had some training !
We have a P45 and love it. However , it did seem awfully big when moving up from a 29fter, I know tcm says (+ I tend to agree w him) that bigger boats get blown around less (wieght goes up by the cube and side area by the square) but they certainly can feel intimidating initially. After a bit one generally gets confident and can squeeze it in wherever it'll fit. But I would plead with you to get some training and then have someone experienced or an instructor when you take it out the first few times. I am sure some people get a biggish boat, use it OK for a bit then have a scare/problem and then remain inhibited by it ever after (or it's sold)
Anthony
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We have a P45 and love it. However , it did seem awfully big when moving up from a 29fter, I know tcm says (+ I tend to agree w him) that bigger boats get blown around less (wieght goes up by the cube and side area by the square) but they certainly can feel intimidating initially. After a bit one generally gets confident and can squeeze it in wherever it'll fit. But I would plead with you to get some training and then have someone experienced or an instructor when you take it out the first few times. I am sure some people get a biggish boat, use it OK for a bit then have a scare/problem and then remain inhibited by it ever after (or it's sold)
Anthony
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adarcy
New member
Re: Byron
Great to see you back.
Your erudition has been sorely missed.
Quite a few erstwhile contributors are v quiet or have gone and I'm sure neither you nor I are able to work out why!
Little changes e.g. there was a recent "handbags at dawn" which as usual I missed so I am not able to dish you the dirt on it.
Not replaced the 435 then?
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Great to see you back.
Your erudition has been sorely missed.
Quite a few erstwhile contributors are v quiet or have gone and I'm sure neither you nor I are able to work out why!
Little changes e.g. there was a recent "handbags at dawn" which as usual I missed so I am not able to dish you the dirt on it.
Not replaced the 435 then?
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Wiggo
New member
Quite agree on training. Was told by Sealine sales bod that customer took an F37 last week or so, no training, thought it would handle like his little boat etc, promptly stuffed it into the pontoon before he left, punched a hole through the hull, shifted a bulkhead and caused some 8k of damage... Can't see him enjoying his new hobby much.
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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairlinetarga29.info>Buy my boat!</A>
Renegade_Master
New member
couldnt agree more Wiggo, (see my post)
Had the same in our Marina last week guy came in 52ft 25 tons flybridge, and damaged three other boats. Turns out he had not done any training , and that two days prior had stuffed it, bow on, to the fuel pontoon at Gib.. Needless to say he hired us to get it back to Firengirola for him and has signed up for lessons.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>
Had the same in our Marina last week guy came in 52ft 25 tons flybridge, and damaged three other boats. Turns out he had not done any training , and that two days prior had stuffed it, bow on, to the fuel pontoon at Gib.. Needless to say he hired us to get it back to Firengirola for him and has signed up for lessons.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>
oldgit
Well-known member
Most P45s seem a bit of a bargain compared to other craft and you get a great deal of boat for the money.
Wonder what engines she has got and where do you intend to keep her.
<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.
Wonder what engines she has got and where do you intend to keep her.
<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.
byron
RIP
Tony! Most are fitted with the 306s some with the 385s. With the 306 you are looking around 20 knots or so cruising. I do believe, but could be corrected that the 45 cannot get above Windsor because of the Windsor/Eton Bridge. Whereas the 435 can (just)
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adarcy
New member
Another contribution from Byron!
how 'umbled we all are etc etc
375 CATs P45 cruise gently @ 23kt easily @25 and (ours anway) will do 29 flat out w clean bottom despite loading of 3 x aircon + large genny. Best with a hint of tab down confirmed w GPS not just cleaner speedo reading
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how 'umbled we all are etc etc
375 CATs P45 cruise gently @ 23kt easily @25 and (ours anway) will do 29 flat out w clean bottom despite loading of 3 x aircon + large genny. Best with a hint of tab down confirmed w GPS not just cleaner speedo reading
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D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Welcome back Byron. Agree with you about the P435. A bit of a pussycat to handle at low speed but it does'nt carry too much windage compared to its waterline length. Altogether a fab boat in its time but also agree the Brooms are better built
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D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
The P45 has a reputation of being an excellent seaboat and, as commented elsewhere, is lots of boat for the money. I think the older models with the s/s radar arch look a bit dated but the newer ones with a grp arch still look fairly modern. I think these also have a proper cockpit door and one or two other updates
Like any used boat, always worth going for one with the biggest engine options. Not only will the boat be faster but it will be easier to sell on. I think you might find pre '90's models with Volvo 71B/380hp or Cat 3208/425hp engines and these would be the ones to go for but bear in mind that any engines of this age could be very costly to maintain so I strongly reccomend you get the engines looked at by a competent engineer and oil samples taken. Also worth looking out for nice to have extras like generator, aircon, bow thruster and recently upgraded navaids
This is a big boat for your first boat and, like the others, I think its essential you get some training when you buy it
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Like any used boat, always worth going for one with the biggest engine options. Not only will the boat be faster but it will be easier to sell on. I think you might find pre '90's models with Volvo 71B/380hp or Cat 3208/425hp engines and these would be the ones to go for but bear in mind that any engines of this age could be very costly to maintain so I strongly reccomend you get the engines looked at by a competent engineer and oil samples taken. Also worth looking out for nice to have extras like generator, aircon, bow thruster and recently upgraded navaids
This is a big boat for your first boat and, like the others, I think its essential you get some training when you buy it
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adarcy
New member
Allegedly (although I'm bound to agree as we have them) according to boatdiesel.com the 3208 375 hp are the ones to have. They say the 425 and ? 442 ones are a bit overstressed and give more trouble but we are talking about CTAs so relative to V**l*s it may not be too serious!
If it's pre 1990 I don't know if the more powerful versions were widely (if at all) available. 375 is enough IMnotsoHO
Anthony
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If it's pre 1990 I don't know if the more powerful versions were widely (if at all) available. 375 is enough IMnotsoHO
Anthony
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D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Yes, I've heard the same. In fact, I recently looked at buying a boat with the 435hp versions(I think this is the same as the 442hp version bhp v mhp??). Only 8 yrs old and with 700hrs on the clocks and the oil sample analysis showed both engines knackered and needing major rebuilds. The engineer who did the survey told me he had come across other Cat 3208 engines in the high power version which were needing major rebuilds at around 10yrs old. For longevity, it would seem the 375hp versions are a better bet
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adarcy
New member
Re: Phew
I read about your recent CAT experience and have been hoping it was of the more powerful versions.
Our 375's have done 1500 ish hours but official CAT annual services and so far ..............
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I read about your recent CAT experience and have been hoping it was of the more powerful versions.
Our 375's have done 1500 ish hours but official CAT annual services and so far ..............
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