Princess V50-something : options and variations

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tom2018

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Greetings All,

I'm a long time lurker, first time poster; what a fantastic resource of info, experiences, and ideas this forum is.

We're on the hunt for a sports cruiser, and earlier in the year have checked out a Targa 43, a Portofino 53, and the Princess V53.

However I'm a bit confused with the myriad of models in the 50-foot range, with all the variations in year and size.

Would anyone be able to confirm the differences between the Princess V53 and V56, approx 2008-2010 era, sliding hard top. We've checked out a 2009 V53 and from the info I can gleam it would only appear to be the length of the bathing platform that changes for the V56 - with the hydraulic lowering platform. Other than that, same cockpit and below deck layout, same engine options etc. There seems to be rather a lot fewer V56s available out on the market so I wonder if it wasn't a popular option or they simply didn't build as many? I like the proportions of the V53 in photos and in the flesh, I've only seen the V56 in photos, I do wonder if it's too much hanging over the stern.

I've checked out the model history/heritage page on Princess' website but it doesn't give a huge amount of info other than a small pic and production dates, sometimes specs. And you can only get to the page from the UK site, not the international one...

From what I can tell:

Early 2000s, no sliding hard top, open galley below at an angle, and a 60 foot V58 which is getting too big for us.
2008-2010 ish, sliding hard top, U shaped galley below (our preference)
Much newer - 2012 ish to current day, sliding hard top but also sliding rear doors so cockpit becomes enclosed deck lounge with TV etc - clever but not really out sort of thing.

Do I have this about right?

Although the Portofino 53 is lovely, we don't like the interior layout as much - and again there's the Predator 56 which has the longer platform and IIRC surface props?

Was the V53/V56 from the era we're looking at ever offered with teak side decks as an option? Cockpit and bathing platform all lovely but some teak up the sides to the bow would be great, that's why I like the Portofino 53 which I believe was offered with teak (although I have been known to be wrong on the rare occasion :rolleyes:). The family boat was a 44 foot gaff rigged cutter with wood everywhere - so I need to soften the transition from wood to GRP! Less to varnish each winter mind you...

I like the way the V53 manages to get 2 u-shaped seats into the cockpit, a layout we like more than that of the Portofino 53.

Is there anything else we should be looking at in this sort of mid-50 size, 2010 ish era, E375-425k price bracket? Does anyone have any opinions or real life experience with the V53/56 as that's what we seem to be narrowing down on. Any major (or minor recurring) issues we need to be aware of?



Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any info,

Tom
 
Hi Tom and welcome to the forum. The V53 was available as both hard top and open, although I've only ever seen one open for sale. They virtually all had D12-800's, although this was initially an option engine, the base model was the D12-715 although again this isn't common. The V53 was succeed by the V56 which as you say is basically the V53 with a hilo platform added. However the V56 was also offered as a two cabin with a full-beam master. This is a pretty rare option with only about 10 boats built with this option. A handful of very late boats were offered with the D13 engine but again this isn't common.

After a couple of years, the V56 was succeeded by the V57 which although visually similar was a completely different boat, with a different hull design and build. So the reason there aren't many V56's is simply that they didn't build many - at the time the V56 was in production, the entire boat market was a bit depressed so volumes were down a bit, and it just wasn't in production for very long as big wet-cockpit sportcruisers went out of fashion. Personally I think a two-cabin V56 is a pretty fantastic boat.

Teak side decks might well have been an option for the V53/V56 but I've never seen one with this; the OE teak was probably supplied by Wattsons and a quick email would probably tell you if they still have the template for the teak. If so - adding teak to the side decks would be an easy retrofit. Don't be varnishing your teak decks though, that's a quick way to have an accident on a slippy side deck.
 
Thanks for the info, didn't realise they were offered with the D13 later on, yet just as happy with the D12 as its such a familiar engine for maintenance.

You're right about the teak on the side decks, one less thing to maintain, and apart from anyone onboard or the odd drone shot - nobody would know if it had teak or not!

What about the lifting platform on the 56.... Is it a lot more to maintain and worry about? Quite early for that tech, although fairly mainstream now. Early teething problems?


Thanks
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
After a couple of years, the V56 was succeeded by the V57 which although visually similar was a completely different boat, with a different hull design and build. So the reason there aren't many V56's is simply that they didn't build many - at the time the V56 was in production, the entire boat market was a bit depressed so volumes were down a bit, and it just wasn't in production for very long as big wet-cockpit sportcruisers went out of fashion. Personally I think a two-cabin V56 is a pretty fantastic boat.
Click to expand...

Was the later V58 again a different design than the V57? From what I recall they did not produce the V57 that long and a hull design just for this model must have been costly.
 
Another boat to consider would be a Fairline Targa 52GT. Very similar to the V53 generally.
V56 was a V53 with extended platform.
V57 & now V58 different boats completely and of course a lot more expensive as much more recent.
V53/56 cockpit layout is best in class in my opinion.
 
speedfiend said:
Another boat to consider would be a Fairline Targa 52GT. Very similar to the V53 generally.
V56 was a V53 with extended platform.
V57 & now V58 different boats completely and of course a lot more expensive as much more recent.
V53/56 cockpit layout is best in class in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Fairline 52 Targa GT is a bit smaller to a V53 / 56, although it does run better in choppy seas. We have a V53 I was never overly impressed how it runs and I see it pulling to much water.
The cockpit of the 52 Targa GT is a bit cramped versus the 53/56. If we look to Britian builders only there is also the Suneeker 53 Portofino Mk.II which has a nice interior.
If you look at others (mainstream Italian builders) you can also put the Atlantis 54 and the Pershing 50 (with shafts and Mans R6 800hp). I think this last would by favorite out of the bunch.
 
The V57 has the sliding door to enclose the deck cockpit fully and make it a saloon. Whilst a nice idea this isn't what we're after, otherwise we'd go to a flybridge something. But we have 2x 2 year olds and flybridge steps at sea is a bit much for them, so SWMBO and I agreed sportscuiser with a sliding roof best idea. The V57 at about E800k is also twice where we are at with the V53/56 options.

SWMBO thinks the Pershing is a bit aggressive looking and she's allowed one or two vetoes.

Atlantis 54 does look good and we have done a couple of day charters on an older larger Azimut over the summer which everyone, even the kids, enjoyed. Sliding cockpit roof with all that glass must get hot, but what a great amount of light. Interesting cockpit layout with just one u-shaped couch and two sun pads, one right up next to the helm. Gotta love the British design to include lots of sitting upright, and the Italians making plenty of space for lying down :D


Anyway, found a V56 with D13s in Athens that I'm arranging to see later this week. It's white, whereas I wanted blue, I guess I could get it wrapped when out of the water next maintenance haul out?

And it's in Athens, well out of my comfort zone for a trip back to home base which will be Mandelaiu or BsM depending on how much time we want to spend stuck on the A8. And waiting lists. The V53 I tried was in Palma, with a rough idea that we'd pootle around to P. Pollenca and Formentor (old stomping grounds) for a week of get-to-know-your-boat before dumping the green crew of the SWMBO and the twins, and heading north to Barcelona. An easyish 5hrs at 25 or 6 at 20. Then working our way east to CdA.

But Athens to CdA, how?!

Not that I'd let any broker know I had got this far with the planning, he'd be rubbing his hands and I can just see the euro signs rolling in his eyes!

SWMBO is politely suggesting I stop obsessing over the search and make a decision. It's only been 4 months so far! We all want to enjoy it this year - end of season Sep/Oct - before we have to return home to NZ in November and heading over to have a look and do a quick sea trial on a boat becomes rather a lot more difficult than just hopping on a sleazyjet!
 
Athens to CdA - sounds like a delivery trip. Have a look at MapisM's post here to get an idea - http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?502720-Under-way-eventually-(a-1200-Nm-cruise-around-Italy)

If you would like to know anything more about BsM let me know as we are based there. You will probably be aware that all leases where due to expire at the end of this year and the whole contract for the management of the port was going to be opened to competition. There are complications with this now and the whole thing has been kicked right 6 months into mid 2019.
 
tom2018 said:
Anyway, found a V56 with D13s in Athens that I'm arranging to see later this week. It's white, whereas I wanted blue, I guess I could get it wrapped when out of the water next maintenance haul out?
Click to expand...

Imho the white hull is a much better choice in the Med, and I think the Princesses of that generation look better with it (cf the Fairlines which conversely look better in blue). Yes you could get it wrapped, but you'll almost certainly be getting it unwrapped again in a year's time. Plenty of discussion in here about the pros and cons of wrapping.
 
It will be about 5 long days Athens to Mandelieu ( where we are btw )
I would advise a del skipper because they know the ports and the language actually an Italian lad is best .
My guy was €2000 + flights / train home .it took a about week in the end Naples - Mandelieu due the weather off Corsica .
You pay for the subsistence.
Just smooths the process and he,s a young lad aged about 30 .
Based in Roma .

Without exactly looking somewhere north of €10k for fuel .
Then the safety gear
You really need a life raft , ERIPB. New flairs ,correct life jackets etc or the Del skipper won,t do it .
So check if all this stuff and much more if case you are stopped is in place in date or if not available on shore to buy .
So let’s add another €2500k on assuming you chip so hard the vendor strips the boat .
Then you really need a recent mech check by appropriate engine agent .

The paperwork must be done by the letter ,no winging it as there’s a high chance passing through both Greek and Italian waters you will be stopped depending on what flag you fly .

Getting that admin sorted may knacker your timelines ?

So it needs to be @ the very least €15\20 K cheaper than a SoF or Ligurian coast boat .
€20k with contingency in your flights etc .
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
Here you go. V53, blue hull, teak side decks, D12-800's - and it's already on the CdA:

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/...rance?refSource=enhanced listing#.W3HPNOhKhGM
Click to expand...

Good spot J .
When the owners bank says he’s got the €€€ , you just take the keys start up and sail away ( prob less than 20 miles ) don,t even have to fill it up .
When you arrive @ your home port you can phaff about with safety gear ( if any ? ) at your leisure and let the broker bumble away with the admin .

If you are nervous about parking etc just shout on here ,Iam sure a SoF member can help .
 
mcanderson said:
If you would like to know anything more about BsM let me know as we are based there. You will probably be aware that all leases where due to expire at the end of this year and the whole contract for the management of the port was going to be opened to competition. There are complications with this now and the whole thing has been kicked right 6 months into mid 2019.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I had a comment from an acquaintance but nothing official from BsM themselves, even when requesting waiting lists for an 18m berth. It must be all up in the air for them and a bit difficult to confirm anything maybe?

Whitelighter said:
If your going to the trouble of wrapping, why not do a modern colour like a grey or a tan/beige/bronz?
Blue is a bit 2006 innit?
Click to expand...
The blue has a soft spot in my heart, even if it is considered dated these days. This grey looks tidy and modern though for a 2007 boat: https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1563486/ although it’s a wrap rather than an original factory gelcoat.


Portofino said:
It will be about 5 long days Athens to Mandelieu ( where we are btw )
…
€20k with contingency in your flights etc .
Click to expand...
That’s about the figure we came up with too, however it’s not so much about the cost of delivery, rather the additional use the delivery will add to the boat’s life. 720hrs on the engines PLUS at least a 50hrs total engine time for delivery = nearly 10% of the entire boat’s 11 year life added in one week just for delivery. A whole years’ use almost just to get it to the CdA. It would be better if we all (including kids) went along for the ride and made a voyage out of it, but it’s too much for the inexperienced crew and I wouldn’t want them to have a bad time and be reluctant to go again.


jimmy_the_builder said:
Here you go. V53, blue hull, teak side decks, D12-800's - and it's already on the CdA:
https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/...rance?refSource=enhanced listing#.W3HPNOhKhGM
Click to expand...
FANTASTIC find Jimmy, blue, teak, in the right location. Emails to the broker already sent. What’s your finders’ fee?! Well under budget too. Again – not that I’d tell the broker that! Too good to be true maybe?

600hr D12-800s on a 2007 is 54hrs a year, pretty much an hour a week. Sounds about right. 3 years older than the D13 equipped V56 I’m looking at, however the difference in maintenance between the D12 and D13 shouldn’t be that much? Do you think I am still good putting in 10% per year for maintenance?

Older Furno avionics rather than Raymarine as per the later models and the 2010 V53 I tried in Palma. But surely sufficient for our use and always upgradeable later.

I guess I need to run the numbers, and as some background info for you, we’re running to a 3 year plan whilst the twins are young, after which it’ll be time for school and we’ll take another look at where we want to be and what we want to do. The plan I’ve sold to the SWMBO is this magic e600k figure which has everything boat-related (except fuel) for the next 3 years.

350k purchase
10% p/a maintenance and yearly servicing = 105k
Berthing @ 25k p/a * 3 = 75k (more nearer MC, less in Mandelieu)
Brings us to 530k, leaving a healthy 70k for surveying and other purchase costs, 3 years of insurance, contingency, nav updates later if we feel it necessary, own boat training (as my RYA Day+Coastal skippers aren’t going to cut it ! - anyone used Oceanpro?), and extra kit liferaft etc as required.

Am I in the right ballpark here? In a way I'd be really disappointed if we spent over e100k on maintenance over the next 3 years but a) this is a boat and b) this is an 11 year old boat! The V56 in Athens I'm looking at is right up at the e400k mark but is 3 years newer so you'd expect less immediate maintenance, but has the extra platform to maintain, and is also so far from intended home base, so you always end up at about the same total over 3 years.

Let me know if you think I'm way off...

Thanks
 
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