PRINCESS 40
BUILT: 2002 PRICE: £152,000
LENGTH: 40ft 8in (12.4m) BEAM: 13ft 0in (4.0m) DRAUGHT: 3ft 1in (0.9m) DISPLACEMENT: 10 tonnes FUEL CAPACITY: 1,136 litres ENGINES: Twin Volvo Penta TAMD 63P 370hp diesel
FOR SALE: Global Yacht Brokers www.globalyachtbrokers.co.uk
Although getting on a little now (the Princess 40 launched in 1997), with its dated stainless steel framed windows and flybridge eyebrow over the windscreen, there is an essential rightness to the Princess 40 that age cannot wither. It’s well proportioned, a very manageable size, offshore capable and offers great accommodation.
INTERIOR
Like the outside, high gloss cherry, blue carpets and cream leather might not be cutting edge, but it’s perfectly attractive and rather classy. And the layout is spot on – an ensuite double master cabin forward and a twin bedded cabin amidships for guests with their own ensuite access to the day heads. There’s a galley separated from, yet connected to, the saloon by a couple of steps and a sociable arrangement of seating that makes an occasional extra double berth.
EXTERIOR
Practicality is the watchword with wide side decks, plenty of grab rails and easy steps to the teak laid flybridge. A deep bathing platform creates space for a tender to sit on it, the optional telescopic passerelle of this boat allowing a small RIB to be lifted onto chocks.
PERFORMANCE
The base option of twin Volvo Penta KAMD 44 EDCS at 260hp a side must have been to keep the entry price low – they would be working hard in this boat. The bigger capacity
TAMD 63 engines are the ones to have, either in 63L guise for 318hp each or preferably the 63P version, boosted to 370hp for a 27 knot top speed and a low 20 knot cruise.
SEAKEEPING
Like everything else about this boat, the hull is simply ‘right’. A shaft-driven Bernard Olesinski design, it extends beneath the bathing platform for a longer waterline length and more buoyancy aft where it’s needed, creating a relatively flat planing attitude even at lower speeds and allowing the deeper forward sections of the hull to part the waves.