Princess 30 DS

Princess 30 DS Information

I had a visit to Norfolk Yacht Agency on Friday. This was the 3rd Princess Survey booked in over the last 3 weeks. Popular boats this Bernard Olensinski design and is still a modern looking craft. Originally built in 1980 the DS model was known as Deck Saloon, giving the craft extra berthing within the wheelhouse. The S model was usually an open cockpit design with 4 berths. There were also some Fly Bridge models built.

The boat hull with its semi deep V hull has a good reputation for its sea keeping qualities. All craft but a few were out driven with single and twin petrol and diesel versions available. Marine projects built around 900 of the craft and claim top speeds of around 25 knots.

This one has the 75HP Volvos and is a rare shaft driven version. 

Princess 30 DS Typical Specifications

(Specifications may vary between boats)

• Length: 30ft 5ins/9.27m
• Year: 1980-1989
• Engine: various inboard with outdrives
• Beam: 11ft/3.35m
• Draught: 2ft 11ins/0.89m 

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:  steventruss1@aol.com 

Grand Banks 42 Classic Refit Complete

Business has also been booming this summer so far. Ive almost run out of time to BLOG so I do apologise to all my hardy readers. Ive been kept constantly on my toes with boat sales, insurance surveys and of course finishing off my own boat. I have seen an influx of first time boaters this year too which is really encouraging, and this has culminated in a consistent stream of boat sales.....Long may it continue!

Anyway. Destiny's finished 'for now'. She went back in the water last week and we finished off the last of the paint, cleaned all the decks and fitted the new engine vents. Here are some pics at Coldham Hall in Brundall last night. 

Grand Banks 42 Classic 1972 Refit - Hull painting.

My boats been out for a week now... shes going back in the day after tomorrow, as I don't want to risk her drying out to much in the warm sunshine weve been getting. The prepping and paint has gone really well... we managed to get a good primer and three further top coats of the International Ivory on the sides. Just the middle bulwark to do now and that's it for now... Big thanks to Cookie and Tricky Dickie and all their help.

Cookie applying the primer coat

Drying out the cracks...

Big old girl! 

3 top coats... now that's more like it...

Little Giant

I had the opportunity to Survey this rare old American Classic Cruiser today here on the Southern Broads.

High quality cedar hulls with white oak frames and mahogany cabins, usually powered with Gray Marine engines, were produced in great numbers. 

The Richardson BoatOwners Association was established in 1973 to "Provide pleasure and service to Richardson owners". 

Yard History: In 1909 G.Reid Richardson founded the Richardson Boat Company in North Tonawanda, New York to build high quality boats at a fair price. History has shown that he was quite successful in this undertaking. Over the years many types of boats were produced including not only cruising vessels but sailboats, runabouts, racing boats and military craft during the war years. In the late 1920's standardized models were in production and the highly successful Cruisabout models were introduced. The Richardson Boat Company organized "Sailaways" where the owners of newly purchased boats were encouraged to congregate in North Tonawanda and join in a cruise down the Erie Canal to New York City. Sadly, Mr. Richardson passed away in 1937 and his wife Ethel took over management until 1941 when the company was sold to a group of local businessmen. During the second World War pleasure boat production was suspended, the work force expanded, and a great number of different types of military vessels were produced for the Coast Guard, Army, and Navy. After the war the company began building a line of molded plywood boats using new technologies and building techniques that were plagued with problems. After this short lived experiment production returned to the time proven plank on frame construction which resulted in tremendously strong and durable hulls. Competition, labor problems, and the introduction of fiberglass began to take its toll. In 1959 the Richardson Boat Company combined with Colonial Boats to become United Marine, Inc. and later joined with Avro Aircraft to produce larger aluminum hulls. All efforts to regain position failed and on June 1, 1962 the Richardson Boat Company declared bankruptcy. Now, over 40 years later, many Richardsons remain afloat and in use. A number of these vessels, lovingly cared for by their present owners, date back to the 1920's.

Grand Banks Refit Norfolk Broads 2014 The Haul Out.

Well, the 'Old Girls' out for painting the sides. Its been raining today so no sanding and its been a good time to take a really good look at the 'hidden bits'. Im convinced the planking's all original, the lengths are to exact ,and the butts are all to similar for them not to be. Reviews I read years ago on these Trawlers was correct. The bottoms rarely rot! Almost unheard off on a wooden boat this age!(1972).  Each was meticulously hand built of wood by Asian shipwrights. The hulls were planked with heavy, durable mahogany; the frames were of yacal, a tough tropical hardwood. As I found out last winter, the plywood deckhouse is vulnerable, however, the mahogany planking is virtually bulletproof. Seldom does a surveyor find decay in underwater planking, and when it does appear, it may be wood burn or electrolysis around a through-hull fitting and not true rot.

Here are my pics from last week. Weather permitting she should be out for 2/3 weeks.

Good Bones! 

Replacing the old Zincs for Mags.