1986 Princess 35 Fly

Built by Marine Projects, Plymouth, UK in 1986.

Length 10.6M  Draft 1.0M  Beam 3.7M Air draft 3.4M (arch removed )

2 X Volvo TAMD41A engines (200 hp each) shaft drive

There is a wall-mounted LCD TV with DVD player (new 2018) and Chromecast, and a Klipsch sound system.  The teak and holly finish wooden flooring lifts up to give excellent access to the engine space.  

There is a fitted teak drinks cabinet.

There is ample stowage space under the sofas.

Mains and 12V (LED) lighting.  Mains electric socket.  Solar controller with regulated 12V output (used for router) and two USB sockets for charging phones etc.

There are sliding windows and sliding patio doors, which give level access to the large cockpit.

The electrical panel for 240V and 12V is located under the helm seat.  It has circuit breakers for both systems, voltage gauges and a NASA BM-2 battery monitor.  A galvanic isolator is fitted with warning lights for miswired shore power installations.

There are two VHF radios, the original integrated Shipmate unit and a modern ICOM IC-M421 DSC set.  There is an Echopilot FLS Bronze forward-looking echo sounder.

There is a Raymarine ST6002 control unit for the integrated hydraulic autopilot, this can also be used to display other data including depth from a secondary Raymarine transducer.

A Matsutec combined AIS transponder and GPS unit - with screen display - is fitted

There is also a Furuno GP50 Mk3 GPS Navigator.

Two Volvo engine displays showing RPM, oil pressure, water temperature and voltage.

Helm and two single lever throttles.

Rudder position indicator and fuel indicators.

Remote control for Lofrans anchor windlass.

The galley has a Plastimo Neptine two-burner gas cooker with oven, located under a folding cover.

There is a good sized refrigerator with ice box, this works off either 240V or 12V.

There are two round sinks with cover, and a mixer tap for pumped hot and cold water.

There is a 240V Sharp microwave oven with grill.

There is a two-burner mains induction hob for use when on shore power.

Mains and 12V (LED) lighting.  Mains electric socket.

Caframo 12V fan

Opening window

Good storage

There is a large storage area under the seats.

Two opening windows with curtains. storage above.

Mains and 12V (LED) lighting. 

Mains electric socket. 12V socket.

Clock and Barometer. 

Smoke detector.

There is a dressing table drawer, cupboards and mirror, and two good sized hanging wardrobes. 

There are two additional cupboards at the head of the bed, and a mirrored hatch which gives access to the chain locker. 

There is a central LED lamp and two individual LED reading lights.  

There is a 12V Caframo Fan and a television.

There are two oening windows, one on each side, in addition to the forehatch.

Mains electric socket.

The basin is fitted with a hot and cold pumped water tap which pulls out to become a shower head.  There is a shower sump pump.  There is a storage cupboard under the basin.

There is an opening window with two storage cupboards above.

The 12V bathroom light is fitted with a shaver socket, which enables the use of mains powered shaver from the 12V system.  

There is a removable teak grating on the floor.

Bathing Platform and Transom Gate

These are two of Growltiger's most unique features.

Most Princess 35s have a small wooden bathing platform and no transom gate, so you have to climb over the cockpit edge to get in.

Growltiger has a large and very solid fibreglass bathing plaform supported by several stainless steel struts,  It has an integral folding bathing ladder.  The starboard side of the platform currently houses a large storage box which is useful for storing hoses, cleaning materials, petrol cans etc.

The large central transom gate has strong stainless steel hinges and can be secured in the open or closed position.

The boat thus has excellent accessibility as it is possible to walk from the bathing platform, through the cockpit and into the saloon on the same level and with no obstacles.

This is another area in which Growltiger differs from the average P35.  Most of the boats have a fixed seat to the rear of the cockpit which takes up a lot of space and is not very comfortable.  This has been removed on Growltiger leaving a larger cockpit which can accommodate a good sized table and several really comfortable reclining chairs.  There is a gas locker to port and several other small lockers for storage of warps and the like.

After owning the boat for a year or two we decided to dispense with the existing cockpit cover and have a new awning and framework custom made.  This rolls up in several sections and offers great flexibility, and a comfortable sitting area even in inclement conditions.

Subsequently I have fitted two (removable) solar panels to the top of the awning to keep the batteries charged when we area away from shore power.

There is a ladder to the flybridge, and a fresh water shower for rinsing off after swimming. 

There is also a deck wash pump.

Two Volvo engine displays with RPM gauge and alarms

Helm and two single lever throttles.

Rudder position indicator

Raytheon/Autohelm Depth and Speed instruments

Autohelm ST6000+ Autopilot controller

Anchor windlass control

There is a cover to fit over the drivers seat and instrument console when these are not in use.

McMurdo 406MHz epirb with automatic release mounted to rear of flybridge.

Two life rings.

The radar arch - with radar scanner - has been removed to reduce clearance for inland waterways use.  It is stored in a garage in Poole, UK and can be made available if required.

There are no engine hour meters fitted but I have been led to believe that each engine as now run for around 1600 hrs.

Growltiger's engines have been serviced in July 2019 by Demolin in Rouen.

The engines are fitted with Volvo MS4 gearboxes, shaft drives with Volvo shaft seals, and 4-blade bronze propellors.

Access to the engines through the saloon floor is excellent.