Princess V39

[Matthew Chell]

Hello.

I am considering buying a Princess V39. Would anybody be able to advise me how well this boat performs on cross channel crossings in excess of one hundred miles (typically Dartmouth to Guernsey in my case)?

Secondly, what level on the Beaufort scale would stop you from undertaking a channel crossing?

Thank you for your assistance.

Matthew Chell.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Would anybody be able to advise me how well this boat performs on cross channel crossings in excess of one hundred miles (typically Dartmouth to Guernsey in my case)?

100 miles from Dartmouth to Guernsey? Are you going via the Isle of Wight?

The more serious answer is that it should be fine, if you pick the right day. I've cross the channel in my Fairline Targa 40 a bunch of times, including once from Dartmouth to St Peter Port. All very straightforward provided you do a bit of sensible weather and tide planning.

 

[rafiki_]

Matthew, if I missed your first post, welcome to the forum.

There are 1 or 2 P39 owners on here, so you should get a reply from the horses mouth. In any case the P39 is a fantastic boat, more than capable of making the crossing. The boat will take more punishment than you can
As Jimmy says, it pays to choose the right weather conditions and tides, as the crossing will be much more pleasurable for you and crew.

 

[kcrane]

All very straightforward provided...

you avoid breaking the steering wheel in the Alderney Race

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

you avoid breaking the steering wheel in the Alderney Race

Not to mention the bed in the front cabin...

To the OP: see my point about good tide planning. What the ever-jovial kcrane is referring to here is a direct consequence of not-very-good tide planning.

 

[[2574]]

Matthew,

We had the Fairline equivalent, Targa 39, which we took down to La Rochelle and back without any problems, these are capable boats.

As to the Beaufort scale "hurdle"; that's not a great way to make the "stay or go" decision. You should focus on sea state, much more important for a safe crossing and other factors such as visibility/timing. For example F4 wind over tide could be unpleasant, especially if going upwind. On the other hand F5 wind with tide and downwind would be a lovely pleasant and enjoyable passage. You need to be in the mindset of thinking about the external factors and how they will impact the sea state and therefore the passage.

rob

 

[crazy4557]

I've had a V40 up until recently. A V39 is going to be very similar so in my experience you will be able to cruise in quite moderate sea's as the hull is very soft riding and it takes a lot to make it slam. I've been out on several occasions in 6-7's in the Solent where you have very short sea's giving any hull a hard time. The V40 always soaked up the worst but you have to keep your speed sensible. Prone to roll quite a bit in beam on sea's but it's easy to change course slightly to offset this. All in all a great hull and the V39 is a beautiful boat.

 

[Whitelighter]

Oh my!

The dangers of putting a little shines plate saying 'this boat is certified for....'

I'm afraid it's not as simple as 'what Beaufort scale wind will the boat cope with?'

In sheltered water a 6 might be fine, in open water a 6 might be horrid
You have to consider wind direction vs tidal currents
You have to consider the length of time the wind has been strengthening
You have to consider the forecast - is it strengthening or weakening.
You have to consider the ability and experience if crew
Proximity to safe havens
Etc
Etc

It's not possible to say 'this boat can cope with Beaufort x' no matter how much the nice people at the EU legislators desk would like think it is

Well ok. It can definitely cope with Beaufort 1, and probably 2.

 

[Jurgen]

Did Brixham to SPP last summer, took just under 4 hours @ 18 ish knts in ideal conditions with tide in our favour

Re conditions I would not choose to go on even the shortest of journeys in anything greater than a 4 especially across the channel but each to there own

 

[Nigelpickin]

I've done it a couple of times in a 40' er, Once from Dartmouth and once from Portland...
Re weather, well don't push yourself or the boat or you are in danger of putting yourself, (or other half/Kids/friends), off boating for life...

We generally try to stick to wind with tide and no more than 15kt wind speed for longer runs. It gets pretty lonely when you loose sight of land and the sea/swell looks far more menacing out there.
I would plan to head to Alderney first and pick up a buoy, its a great place to land and this will give a slightly shorter run with the option of going longer to Guernsey or Jersey should you fancy it and the weather permits.

Try and go with 1/2 to 2/3 tank of fuel as you will want to fill up an emptyish tank when you arrive at one of the two larger islands...you will feel cheated if you cant fill up at 60p per litre!

Don't forget that the main marinas in Guernsey & Jersey have timed tidal gates and a lot of queuing in the main season. Get there early and then you can hop ashore while you wait for the gates to open and the raggies to come piling in....

But to answer your question a forty foot boat of that quality will be perfect for the crossing and a great size for getting berths and buoys, just don't be too proud to hold off for the right weather and to pull back the throttle when the crockery starts to smash!

Have fun....

 

[Andy Bav]

Pull back the throttle when the crockery starts to smash[/B]!

QUOTE]

That made me give a loud belly laugh - and we are supposed to be very busy at present !