Princess boats - credit where credit`s due.

Yup agree 100% in the internal staircase thing. It's a widespread problem though - Princess, Azi, Fairline, Sseekr are all doing it.

We may be Luddites (though I don't think so - I think we're right) cos many customers are happy to dump the internal stairs

Hull #4 of the Squadron 66 (SIBS boat in about 2005) had internal stairs. They designed the boat (esp the flybr mouldings) so it could have internal stairs but the dealers didn't recommend it and all but #4 had no internal stairs. Hull #4 has been bought by someone secondhand and it is currently in the big shed at EssexBoatyards and they removed the internal stairs and rebuilt the galley to match the non-internal stairs boats!

Though, if you buy a good ole San Lorenzo 72 (proper boat that!) it ONLY has internal stairs. No stairs in the aft cockpit

Just generally on Princess I think whichever designer they've got drawing their latest stuff (I'm thinking partic the 95 and the newest V series in particular) is doing a top job. Very crisp styling imho, right up there with the best
 
ah so they put them as optional on the 510 means Ferretti is feeling the complains in this for there boats I am sure, would not be surprised to see this as standard in the future again
it was a big selling point for Fer in the past the internal staircase

Princess 50, 54 and 58 are nice boats but I think the galley in the way to the nice full beam master cabin, is really made wrong
may be it can be accepted for the 50 but for the bigger models I am sure not
I think new Sq 55 and AZ 58 with the socializing galley is so much better, and for the best solution on the 592 and 510 with the astern a clever layout
 
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Princess 50, 54 and 58 are nice boats but I think the galley in the way to the nice full beam master cabin, is really made wrong

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I agree with you and more importantly so does the SWMBO. Imagine taking food and drinks to the cockpit. You have to walk up several steep steps (they're steep because the master cabin is underneath)and along the whole length of the saloon. IMHO, Princess should have found a way to design the galley up rather than down
 
I am sure for any woman cooking in there being it SWMBO or a lover with no socialisation it will be the pain of her life not really the boating she imagined
add to that the smell of food and dirty dishes which goes in the cabins which in a med summer adds x 10 and it is really not pleasant for all....
 
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add to that the smell of food and dirty dishes which goes in the cabins which in a med summer adds x 10 and it is really not pleasant for all....

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Not a problem with my SWMBO. I insist she washes all the dishes and cleans up the galley before she's allowed to go to bed. It's all about training and showing them who's boss /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Isn`t it funny. I actually don`t like an internal staircase to the flybridge. Obviously I`ve never owned a boat with one so possibly I`d change my mind if I had. Certainly that dash up to the flybridge when you come to berth or anchor up is easier.

I`ve always seen them as a chance for water to get in, they also take up a fair bit of space both physically and visually. For some reason I also associate them with rather dated interiors.

As I say this is all coming from a bloke that`s never enjoyed the pleasure of one thus far so who knows.

Henry /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Yes Henry

We had a Sealine T51 before - no internal stairs and all the boat shows we went to SWMBO and I refferred to them as the "silly internal stairs".
We've had the new boat for less than a year and I wouldnt want to be without an internal stairs now.

Just simple things like when we left Gijon before breakfast the water was so flat that we decided to have bacon and eggs under way. From the galley I only have to raise my voice a little to ask the helmsman if he wanted brown sauce or ketchup before handing it through the hatch. Yep I cook as well - sometimes.

And it really makes the flybridge part of the rest of the boat.

I do think that there are lots of prople like we were before that would rather not have the internal stairs so the boat builders are just responding to demabd.

On the other hand you talk about the rush through the cabin to the controls on the flybridge and visa versa - a little tip here make sure the patio doors are open first - the Sealine has curved doors and the first part of the body to make contact is your head - experience talking here - it hurts.
 
Just 2 cents from another owner of a FB boat with no internal stair.
The only reason to have also an external ladder is to avoid filling the cabin with rain if you really have to go upstair in bad weather.
But aside from that, nothing is better than a properly designed internal stair.
And by properly designed I mean that it also doesn't waste any space.
You can find the best ones in raised pilothouse boats, like in the example attached, which shows a Fleming 55 (forget how ugly it is, but the blue seat is the helm chair, right in front of the internal helm station).
Below, under the few steps to the flybridge, there are the steps down to the cabins, so no space waste at all.
And upstair, you can see in the second pic where the stair leads.
You can literally jump between the two helm stations in a matter of seconds, and the convenience when bringing food and drinks upstairs is pretty obvious.
But you should see one of these solutions in flesh to really appreciate them.

1916599_49.jpg


1916599_18.jpg
 
Another advantage of the internal stair that's not so often talked about, is that you can leave the hatch open for moving between galley and fly without losing all the cold air from the air con ('cos cold air sinks). With an external stairs only, you either have to open and close the patio doors every time you go through which is a PITA, or leave them open and all the cold air floods out.
 
Good point. I don't know about other boats but my boat draws exhaust fumes into the cockpit and saloon when under way so we're pretty religious about keeping the patio doors closed at sea. Internal stairs mean they can stay closed
 
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Another advantage of the internal stair that's not so often talked about, is that you can leave the hatch open for moving between galley and fly without losing all the cold air from the air con ('cos cold air sinks). With an external stairs only, you either have to open and close the patio doors every time you go through which is a PITA, or leave them open and all the cold air floods out.

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You know how you instantly take a dislike to someone.........

Bloody air conditioning. Heatwaves. What are you on about man?

I`m more concerned about our hot air escaping into the chilly outside world !!!! Next you`ll be telling us all you need a special machine on your boat to keep food fresh because outside the back door isn`t cold enough.

Ah well, clearly people who`ve got them seem to love them. I did have a chuckle to myself about opening the patio door. Last time on the boat I popped up to the flybridge before setting off, ran back down to the lower helm to grab something, Mrs Henry-F had closed the door and whack. I found the forehead was my first point of contact. I`ll get her back. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow.........


Henry /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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Last time on the boat I popped up to the flybridge before setting off, ran back down to the lower helm to grab something, Mrs Henry-F had closed the door and whack. I found the forehead was my first point of contact

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See what I mean - it happens to all us at sometime.

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I`m more concerned about our hot air escaping into the chilly outside world !!!!

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/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Love it - we all make an advantage out of a dissadvantage. You can see it both ways.
 
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Last time on the boat I popped up to the flybridge before setting off, ran back down to the lower helm to grab something, Mrs Henry-F had closed the door and whack. I found the forehead was my first point of contact

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See what I mean - it happens to all us at sometime.


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Tee hee. Me too! I had a boat name decal (in the frosted glass look stuff) put on the glass door to try to prevent it happening again :-)
 
Yep, i'm in the club as well, Lymington river single handed on the T46, rushed out to put the fenders out before I drifted too far, and forgot to open the patio doors first.
 
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