Princess V45 - too heavy for sterndrives?

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mornar1969

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Few days ago, I talked to some guy who wants to sell me a V48.
However, I prefer V45 more (newer model...).

During discussion, he pointed out that Princess will probably discountinue to produce V45 with sterndrives, since the boat is too heavy for such drives (i never heard that before).
At the same time, he favourized shafts (as on V48), which should be much more suitable for such boat size.

Someway, I totaly agree with him (shafts vs. sterndrives).

However, I would still like to receive some other opinions on V45 (seakeeping...).
 
I'm having the same dilemna myself at the moment, as we're thinking of changing from a shaft drive flybridge to one of the boats you mention. Princess is not alone in putting stern drives on a 45 foot sport cruiser, you will also find them on a Fairline Targa 44, Absolute 45, and others I think. In fact it seems stern drives are preferred to IPS on the Targa.

The main issue seems to be around the marina, it's harder to control the bow in a cross wind with sterndrives, but you can mitigate this by speccing a big bowthruster or the Axius joystick system. Stern drives also need more looking after than shafts, but you save in fuel and gain a lot of space in the boat.

Where did you hear that Princess are considering discontinuing the V45 with stern drives, was it a reliable source? It seems quite unlikely as the V45 was well received, and doesn't come with any other drive options.

edit: ah, just read your post again, it's the guy who's trying to sell you a V48 that told you, so I think we can discount that! :-)
 
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I think what makes the V45 trickier than say the T44 for for close-quarters handling might be windage - it's got a much higher freeboard.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
as long as

mornar1969 said:
Few days ago, I talked to some guy who wants to sell me a V48.
However, I prefer V45 more (newer model...).

During discussion, he pointed out that Princess will probably discountinue to produce V45 with sterndrives, since the boat is too heavy for such drives (i never heard that before).
At the same time, he favourized shafts (as on V48), which should be much more suitable for such boat size.

Someway, I totaly agree with him (shafts vs. sterndrives).

However, I would still like to receive some other opinions on V45 (seakeeping...).
Click to expand...

you have a bow thruster you should have no problems.
 
Builders like outdrives, because there easier and cheaper to build. No time consuming worries about getting the shafts and engines in the right place. Plus owners get a load of knobs to play with. So a marketing tool.

Shafts however will beat the pants off them, in handling and rough sea conditions.

The other issue is, whether an outdrive can ever be strong enough for a boat of that size. Mind that problem will only be an issue a few years after the sale. Thats when Volvo reap the benifits of selling cheap engines to the builder.
 
I would say go for the stern drives on anything sub 14m sports cruiser, the handling is better, up to 1.6 mpg and a hoot to drive (well the Absolute 45 was/is anyway). Spec a bigger bow thuster and you will not have any problems.

I can only speak having had an Absolute 45 myself on D6 350 hp's and she was probably one of the best, turned on a six pence, great in the rough stuff and we got near 37 Knots falt out and 1.7 mpg on longer passages at 23 knots. Plus, you had a much bigger aft cabin than if on shafts as the engine are much further back.

This was Dave Marsh thrashing mine off the Isle of Man, I think the test comment was that you needed a very good reason not to go stern drives on sub 14m sports cruiser considering all the benefits they afforded over shafts.
 
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Hi mornar1969, where in the Adriatic are you? We are moored in Marina Frapa near Split right now.
Re your question, I would be very surprised if Princess discontinued the V45 with sterndrives since it was the update of the very successful V42, the vast majority of which were also produced with sterndrives. Having said that, IMHO this length of boat is right on the limit for sterndrives and you will definitely need a powerful bowthruster to aid handling in marinas or the Volvo joystick control, preferably both. This is just my personal opinion but for the same money as a new V45, you can get a secondhand V53 and that is a much nicer boat
 
hlb said:
Builders like outdrives, because there easier and cheaper to build. No time consuming worries about getting the shafts and engines in the right place. Plus owners get a load of knobs to play with. So a marketing tool.

Shafts however will beat the pants off them, in handling and rough sea conditions.

The other issue is, whether an outdrive can ever be strong enough for a boat of that size. Mind that problem will only be an issue a few years after the sale. Thats when Volvo reap the benifits of selling cheap engines to the builder.
Click to expand...
AH, but the outdrive boat has arrived at port, and the shaft boat is still at sea having had to fill up several times en route!
Do prospective 45ft sportsboat buyers look for heavy sea handling as a priority? OK, no one wants a lemon, but I guess if you are the all weather boater, maybe this isnt your first choice of boat style anyway?
 
surely the key point about a boat being too heavy for outdrives relates to the available engine power that has to be put through the drives, and the drive's ability to handle that power. I think this will get increased over the current 'limits' - it's been going up little by little.

and of course there's always surface drives....... :)
 
You dont have to look for rough seas, they turn up all on their own. Just think it's wrong to spoil a good boat by putting egg whisk on the back. Mind living in a tent has no logic to me either.
 
Whilst accepting that the V45 may be best paired to sterndrives for reasons of driving and accommodation, to my mind it's just too big a boat for eggwhisks and every time I see one I think, "gorgeous boat; shame it's not on screws".
 
gjgm said:
AH, but the outdrive boat has arrived at port, and the shaft boat is still at sea having had to fill up several times en route!
Do prospective 45ft sportsboat buyers look for heavy sea handling as a priority? OK, no one wants a lemon, but I guess if you are the all weather boater, maybe this isnt your first choice of boat style anyway?
Click to expand...

But hlb thinks the Botnia Targa is a lousy sea boat because it has 'egg whisks' on the back and no way would it have completed the 2008 Round Britain race http://www.targa.fi/WebRoot/1035330/2Columns.aspx?id=1082200 :)
 
@Deleted User:

Currently, I'm on island Ist, moving towards Brioni.
I was on Hvar / Palmizana 2 weeks ago...

Marina Frapa: they said they were the best Marina in the world (2007 I believe).
Otherwise: quite a nice mooring place or stop by when passing from Hvar to Kornati islands.

V45: I believe all are STD equiped with bowthrusters. Therefore, I really can't see any handling problems in marinas.

Bigger question is: isn't V45 too heavy (too big) for sterndrives?
 
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mornar1969 said:
Bigger question is: isn't V45 too heavy (too big) for sterndrives?
Click to expand...

What do you mean by too heavy/big? Do you mean the 350hp required to power the V45 is too much for the outdrives, or do you think there will be some handling problem underway by having the props further aft on a longer/heavier boat?
 
mornar1969 said:
Bigger question is: isn't V45 too heavy (too big) for sterndrives?
Click to expand...
Simple answer, no.
I understand this idea comes from the guy trying to sell you the V48.
If he's also the one who told you that Marina Frapa is the best in the world, I'd rather ask elsewhere for any suggestion on boating matters... :D
 
Form my experience of owning the first V45 produced and doing over 300 hours in her I would not say its too big or heavy for stern drives. Great fuel economy, good accommodation & handling is OK. A great all rounder
timbad
 
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