Volvo Penta AQ205 / 431 V6 - Princess 266 / Targa 27

[Hambleite]

Hi All,

I’m considering purchasing a Princess 266 or Fairline Targa 27, both with twin Volvo Penta AQ205 or AQ431, c1989-1994 vintage.

I fully appreciate these are old motors and I’m also looking into re-power options ranging from new long blocks to a full new VP engine and drive package.

However, has anyone had experience with these engines? I’m trying to figure out whether running with the original engines for a season or two is realistically viable. Cruising area is mid-Solent.

I’m keen to learn more about:

Reliability
Known / common issues
Fuel consumption

I’m open to all opinions but particularly welcome views based on actual experience.

Best regards.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi
Nothing to worry about with these engines.
I had an AQ205A in my little Sealine. Owned it for about 9 years and only let me down once, when the exhaust riser rotted through and allowed water into the engine. Even then, she still ran ok to get us home. Replaced the risers and changed the oil. All good again for many years.
Really cheap to self service too. Just the basic Chevy 4.3 v6. They aren't one of the most popular engines in the world for nothing.
Fuel consumption was excellent coupled to the DP 290 drive. Even more astonishing at slow speeds at around 6 knots. If you can keep them under 3200 rpm at planing cruising speeds, I found this the most economical (apart from dead slow). Higher than this and all 4 barrels on carb will be in full thirsty mode.
Very powerful too, when you consider the larger V8 version at the time only had about 10-15 more hp.
Could go on all night, but basically keep changing the oil, plugs and filters annually and change the manifolds and risers every 5 odd years (if SW) and they will go on for years. Still loads of these about.

 

[QBhoy]

Squeeling alternator belt a common issue. The tightening arrangement is a bit of a cock up.
All I can really think of. Same engine as the mercruiser 4.3 of that time just with a Volvo badge and a better carb.

 

[oldgit]

Had this engine in a small Princess,never gave any problems and was reliable.
However the price of your boat needs to reflect it is difficult to sell petrol boats over 8m or so at any price, especially with two fuel guzzlers in sports boat.Took me a while to work out why petrol boats were so clean with amazingly low hours compared to diesel versions and why brokers were so keen to do deals on them.
How many hours has it done ?
Marinas always have a selection of unusually immaculate petrol boats at attractive prices compared to diesel alternatives.
Your cruising area does not help. On the Thames petrol boats could make sense, most are only travelling short distances and slow speeds. On the Solent destination distances will be longer and you are not going to want to do the entire trip and back at 5 knots.
Over season average our fuel burn was around 5-7 GPH per engine.
The condition of the boat normally reflects the lack of use due the the price of petrol and that it increasingly difficult to find anybody who stocks petrol compared to diesel.
You will frequently find posts on here from folks with petrol boats attempting a trip outside their immediate vicinity, requesting details of anywhere that can refuel them
The novelty of avoiding the attention of the girl on the till while filling 20L drums of supermarket fuel does wear off but the pervading smell of petrol in the car takes much longer.
All bit negative perhaps but worth considering before purchase ?
Ooo nearly forgot...get those outdrives checked over by somebody who knows what they are doing !
The newer the version the better avoid at all costs the 270 or 280 T&T.

 

[Hambleite]

Thanks OB and OG, much appreciated.

I live in Hamble and have had a 7m rib since 2004, so my 'cruising area' will be pretty much the same - Portsmouth-Yarmouth. Petrol is available at Port Hamble, it's not cheap but doing the 'jerry can' thing is not really a viable option. (100l a time, young family, time, boat dry stacked) If she proves reliable then I'd plan for longer trips and point taken about petrol availability, especially towards the West Country.

I think we'd all agree that a twin petrol sports cruiser is not the weapon of choice for circumnavigating the UK, but for pottering and blasting around the Solent, it's probably an acceptable compromise of all factors.

I'm quite happy to adjust the cruise speed to suite. On the rib, if solo, then 43 knots WOT, cruise at 30 - happy days. If with my very young family then all happy at 5-6 knots or 17-20 knots. So it's good to hear that these motors can do both. The first time I took my daughter out on the rib she was only 2 weeks old and we went to Cowes at 6 knots. I was pleasantly surprised to experience just how relaxing this was. It didn't seem to take too long either.

Reliability, age related failures, time spent on niggling little fixes that spoil your day are main concerns.

I have heard a few stories of these engines not wanting to start or tick-over particularly well.

 

[QBhoy]

Ah
The stories about not starting or tick over, are to do with the automatic choke, no doubt.
Forgot to mention. Most of these engines require this to be disconnected. A very simple fix and means you just pumps throttle 10-15 times before starting cold.

 

[oldgit]

Just get those outdrives checked and good point about the risers they tend to last around three or four years especially in salt water,no great expense or time involved but just pain to change and if you leave it ....the cooling channels slowly block with rust scale.
My first warning of problems came when a hose burst due to pressure of water in raw water cooling.
Systems fitted with fresh water heat exchangers are far less problematical.

Wassarisa ?
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/exhaust_risers.htm

 

[Hambleite]

Thanks all, much appreciated.