Prinz 54 coupe

Nick_H

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Those with good memories and/or no social life may recall that I considered one of these "off plan" earlier in the year, even going to the factory in Croatia to see the first hull being moulded.

In the end we decided against it, but i still reckon its a really interesting boat due to the epoxy resin infused hull and IPS which makes it superlight and fast, so i've kept an eye on progress. Timing has definitely slipped, but I guess that's not too unusual for boat builders, and it seems they have just hit a bit of a milestone by plonking the hull and topsides together for the first time. I'm really looking forward to seeing one in the flesh, and still wouldn't rule out buying one in the future if the build quality is up to scratch.

UK dealer is a regular hearabouts, but I have no links to him other than a couple of brief conversations earlier in the year.

L1000259.jpg
 

Nick_H

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The base price doesn't include the hardtop, patio doors, air con, passarelle or crew cabin fit out, so really you have to compare it with a conventional soft top sport cruiser. The general spec of equipment and materials used looks good though, and there are some freebies like the hi-lo platform that could be extras on other boats.

I should qualify the above by saying this was the case when I was looking, but they may have changed the standard specs.
 

Whitelighter

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Ok, but I reckon Aircon and Passerelle are options on most boats. What was the cost of the Hard Top and Patio Doors? I didn't even know they were doing an open version, all the marketing has been with the HT picture and £298k + Vat price tag - bit cheeky if the HT is extra.
 

Whitelighter

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Ah right. Sorry mis-understood. How much £££ is the sunrrof and doors then?

Looking forward to having a nosy at Earls Court if you don't mind? If you don't mid coming down a peg or four your welcome on our 34 any time (we are launching that boat at the show also.

Did you get anywhere with the RIB theft?
 

powerboats

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Cockpit doors add about £10k + VAT:

IMGP0022.jpg


Lightweight epoxy sliding roof adds about £14k + VAT:

IMGP0018.jpg


No problems, all welcome onboard at Earls Court.

No news on the RIB, Hampshire Constabulary's finest are working all hours no doubt.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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Deleted User YDKXO

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houghn, can you explain further how the hull technology differs from standard grp lay up and why it ends up lighter? How much lighter is it than a standard 54 footer and what difference does it make to the performance? For example, does it allow the use of smaller engines than normal for an IPS powered 54 footer?
 

Nick_H

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The second picture is interesting for anyone who hasn't seen the vacuum infusion process. The stuff that looks like fibreboard is actually a foam, and more fibreglass matting is laid on top. The whole thing is then effectively sealed with polythene and epoxy resin is fed in one end and a vacuum sucks it through from the other. The result is a sandwich construction about an inch thick all bonded together in one with epoxy so little chance of delamination. Its not hard to believe that that could be stronger and lighter than a conventional polyester layup IMO.
 

Nick_H

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Mike, maybe the last post answered the question about how it differs. As i'm sure you know conventional hulls are solid polyseter resin with glass either hand laid or chopped up and sprayed. In the same way as tube is stronger than solid bar for the same weight, the sandwich with lightweight foam in between can be stronger and lighter.

The 54 is expected to weigh about 12 tonnes from memory, about a third less than usual for that length. Thats not all the hull, it also uses composite panels for the interior and IPS 600 with D6 Volvos which are much lighter than the D9/D12 you might normally see in a boat this size. They are also being careful with the weight of ancilliary stuff like the genny.

They are hoping for high 30's knots with 435 hp IPS 600's.
 

powerboats

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Just to add to what houghn correctly says, it is not just the hull which is epoxy infused, but all of the structure of the boat including bulkheads, floor mouldings, beds etc. This means all of these components have had a vacuum infusion mould built and the boat can be effectively built outside of the boat and assembled efficiently and quickly:

P1010095.jpg
 

MapisM

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54\', 12T, D6 and high 30\'s

These 4 numbers are indeed hard to believe, also considering the epoxy infusion.
Sounds like a project target, rather than a realistic technical calculation.
I'd bet they won't be below 15/16T with max speed in the very low 30's, unless using bigger engines (thus obviously increasing weight further).
Let's wait and see...
If the real thing will actually comply with the declared specs, imho the boat will be either:
1) in danger of falling apart against an F5 head sea, OR
2) an absolute winner in its segment
All the best to them for the second alternative!
 

Nautical

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Re: 54\', 12T, D6 and high 30\'s

We just launched our 52 Coupe with a similar set up and IPS600 and we are pretty well much top dollar on the tech front. Max speed with full fuel and water and ballast for stores and max pax we managed just a whisper over 33 knts at 18 tons, ok take two ton of ballast out and that might add two knots but realistically after a couple of seasons and stores etc she is a genuine 33knt boat.

To shift up a gear to the 40 knt bracket is not all about weight, sure it helps but you need an awful lot more horsepower for that last 5knts or 6 knts, our 56 with twin IPS600 light will do 33 knts but needs a third 435 hp for just 6 knots extra.

I really hope they pull it off it would be a tremendous coup and we'll all be chasing our tails for few years to come. Good luck to them I say, wish a few more would follow suit instead of waiting for someone else to show the way.
 

MapisM

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Re: 54\', 12T, D6 and high 30\'s

Yup, your figures for the 52' sound much much more realistic.
Actually, they're already pretty good!
We'll see, if the boat in flesh confirms those numbers it's going to be a winner for sure.
I wouldn't buy one before its structural strength will be tried and tested, anyhow....
 
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