Princess Riviera 286

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Matthewbalzan

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Hi, I wish to get some info regarding a Princess Riviera 286. Any advice on the boat in regards to handling? Also, it is equipped with two AQ31 Volvo Penta 130 hp and am worrying they are a bit small for her. Any ideas on the cruising and max speed which can be obtained? (and at what RPM). Thanks!
 
Friends used to own one - handles very well at close quarters and a good seaboat if a little wet (it was canopy up most of the time in the North Sea). They had petrol engines but I can’t recall what HP so can’t offer a definitive comment on 130hp but would think they are okay in that size of boat. They had to re-engine theirs - direct raw water cooling so beware!
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Underpowered. Find one with 41’s...200hp.

still only a 30 knot boat with 200’s. It’s a heavy well built lump ?
 
Matthewbalzan said:
Hi, I wish to get some info regarding a Princess Riviera 286. Any advice on the boat in regards to handling? Also, it is equipped with two AQ31 Volvo Penta 130 hp and am worrying they are a bit small for her. Any ideas on the cruising and max speed which can be obtained? (and at what RPM). Thanks!
Click to expand...
is this the one for sale at Southsea ?
 
Mr Googler said:
Underpowered. Find one with 41’s...200hp.

still only a 30 knot boat with 200’s. It’s a heavy well built lump ?
Click to expand...

Our friend‘s boat was subsequently re-engined again with AD41 200hp. Way too big and heavy with the boat sitting very low in the water were their thoughts FWIW
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Strange....they came new with 41’s

RIN on this forum repowered with KAD 42’s I think. He’d be good to comment.
 
Greg2 said:
Our friend‘s boat was subsequently re-engined again with AD41 200hp. Way too big and heavy with the boat sitting very low in the water were their thoughts FWIW
.
Click to expand...
So they actually found the 130's better? At the moment I wish to be more informed on the cruising and max speeds which can be achieved without being harsh on RPM
 
I have one with 31’s 130 hp. Handles well, love the build quality. It cruises at 20 knots and we have had 27 knots out of it with A6 props. Currently have A5’s which has pulled top back a bit.
It’s economical, has to have a clean bum though.
Friends had the 41’s and found it struggled to get over the hump when full of fuel and people sat on the back.
Had the boat for over 10 years and still happy.
Would I like kad32 or 42’s ..... yes if some came up at the right money !
 
Ron the boater said:
I have one with 31’s 130 hp. Handles well, love the build quality. It cruises at 20 knots and we have had 27 knots out of it with A6 props. Currently have A5’s which has pulled top back a bit.
It’s economical, has to have a clean bum though.
Friends had the 41’s and found it struggled to get over the hump when full of fuel and people sat on the back.
Had the boat for over 10 years and still happy.
Would I like kad32 or 42’s ..... yes if some came up at the right money !
Click to expand...

Cruise revs are 3400
 
Ron the boater said:
I have one with 31’s 130 hp. Handles well, love the build quality. It cruises at 20 knots and we have had 27 knots out of it with A6 props. Currently have A5’s which has pulled top back a bit.
It’s economical, has to have a clean bum though.
Friends had the 41’s and found it struggled to get over the hump when full of fuel and people sat on the back.
Had the boat for over 10 years and still happy.
Would I like kad32 or 42’s ..... yes if some came up at the right money !
Click to expand...


We have KAD32s and 290DP drives on our 286. Flat out 36kts and rock solid. Bit wet when the going gets rough. Still love the boat though.

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Matthewbalzan said:
So they actually found the 130's better? At the moment I wish to be more informed on the cruising and max speeds which can be achieved without being harsh on RPM
Click to expand...
Sorry if I wasn’t clear - it was re-engined by a subsequent owner with AD41s but they saw the boat sitting in the water and knowing it well thought it was sitting very low compared to how it did when they owned it. Their thoughts were that the power to weight ratio might be a problem and Ron appears to have confirmed this in his post about a friends boat with 41’s struggling to get on the plane.
 
Matthewbalzan said:
Cruising speed is said to be 18 knots at 3100 revs
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With A5 we get 19 at 3400 at the moment with slightly dirty bum

When we bought it it had no trim tabs and we found it slammed in some conditions but fitting tabs changed that.
It rides nicely and feels planted in the water for a boat just under 30 ft. Also temp moorings accept its only 28 so a bit cheaper !
 
Ron the boater said:
With A5 we get 19 at 3400 at the moment with slightly dirty bum

When we bought it it had no trim tabs and we found it slammed in some conditions but fitting tabs changed that.
It rides nicely and feels planted in the water for a boat just under 30 ft. Also temp moorings accept its only 28 so a bit cheaper !
Click to expand...
The example I mentioned is with trim tabs, I guess that helps with speed and planing, isn't 3400 a bit too much for an engine which tops 3900? Apologies for all these questions, but am quite green on these types of boats
 
Matthewbalzan said:
The example I mentioned is with trim tabs, I guess that helps with speed and planing, isn't 3400 a bit too much for an engine which tops 3900? Apologies for all these questions, but am quite green on these types of boats
Click to expand...
We’ve done over 1200 hours in it at these revs and not had any related problems
Can’t remember but the manual did say recommend duty
 
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