‘Newbie’ searching for a first boat. Advice on this one please ?

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Newman

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Morning all

I have a friend who is about to enter the world of boating as a complete novice and needs all the help and advice he can get before making his first purchase. I am still a bit of a newcomer to boating myself and have a 9.5 metre yacht, so am not in a position to advise him. I have told him just how helpful people are on the forums and he will be making contact very soon. Meanwhile I said I would make the first approach for him. So here goes:

His intention is to berth it at Brighton Marina and his main usage will be local to there, predominantly ‘gentle weekend cruising’ and a bit of fishing. He also intends to venture as far as the Isle of Wight for a few days, perhaps a couple of times per year, so he wants something suitable for sleeping/eating on.

I have copied details of an ad below for a boat he went to view yesterday. This is the sort of boat he is really drawn toward:

A Maxim 2400SCR. Year: 2000, Price: £ 18,950 Tax Paid.

Dimensions - LOA: 25 ft 4 in, Beam: 8 ft 6 in, Maximum Draft: 3 ft 0 in, Displacement: 2177 kgs

Engine Brand: Mercruiser, Total Power: 220 HP, Engine Model: 5.0L, Engine Type: Inboard, Stern drive, Year Built: 2000

Fresh Water Tanks: (49 Liters), Fuel Tanks: (265 Liters), Holding Tanks: (49 Liters)

4 Berths in 2 cabins, Hot & cold pressurised water system, Electric/alcohol hob, Microwave, Fridge, Separate toilet compartment with shower, Sea toilet with holding tank, Air conditioning, 240v Shore power, Battery charger, Trim tabs, JVC Stereo radio/CD, Compass, Standard Horizon VHF radio, Speedo, Lowrance X88DF Fishfinder, Navigation lights, Auto fire system to engine compartment, Full canvas package, bimini, Transom door, Bathing platform with ladder, Walk-thru windscreen, Anchor, warps & fenders, Hull antifouled (December 2011), Engine serviced (December 2011), Midship cleats, Fender baskets, Cockpit table.

I expect I have supplied too much ‘irrelevant’ information above but hope I have given a clear picture of the type of boat which appeals to him. He would greatly appreciate any comments on the above example and also any recommendations of what you feel would be comparable makes/types of boats in that size and price range.

Many thanks in advance to those who have the time to respond
 
Welcome to forum,without being too negative somebody may be along soon to work out just how much it is going to cost your chum for that occasional journey to the IOW with petrol at around £1.70 per litre at the marina pump.
 
There are a number of US built Sportscruisers of similar ilk, Maxim being one. They are generally great starter boats, but the accommodation is at best "snug". If accomm is not a requirement, then the Maxim is fine. However, for trips to the Solent, he might consider a Sealine S23 or 24. these can be bought with the petrol engine as the US boats or a diesel (Volvo) which will be cheaper to run, but more expensive to purchase. Of course he will get the difference back when he sells. The accommodation, and usability for a weekend are much improved on the Sealine.

There are several owners of each on this forum, and will be along at some point to add their 10p worth.

For what it is worth, we had a 25ft US cruiser for a couple of years, as that is all we could afford at the time, and we had a lot of fun on her.
 
Have a look around the marina and see what style of smaller boat is there. If there are virtually no smaller sportsboats, start to wonder why;)-though perhaps there are.
Most of these USA sportsboats are bay hopping overnighters, but not especially suited to our tides and coast;good for a day out on the water but maybe not really right for longer distance cruise.
Maybe think UK or French that are built facing the Atlantic !
 
Hi there,
The advertised boat sounds reasonable and should be upto the requirements however maxum and Bayliner share a few components so bayliner ciera models would be on par, probably slightly better than maxum.

I would think a Bayliner Ciera 2355 would be about the same price at the spec quoted.

The reputation of the US stuff being lake/estuary boats is quite true but we had a cierra 2255 some years ago and enjoyed every minute of ownership although we never ventured from sheltered waters.

It was quite capable of holidaying onboard for a fortnight but you had to make the V berth every night, and be extreamly tidy, build quality was adequate, there is a few cost cutting nasties to be seen as Im sure your friend will have found by now.

For the quoted budget I would be looking as has already been sudgested for an older sealine s24 / s240, I believe a diesel version could be within budget and would make an ideal first boat which would do all thats required by your friend, interior fitout is where the sealine would win hands down in comparison to the maxum, althought the newer ciera 2355 would look a little roomier the sealine would deliver better on cruising/livaboard features (seperate midberth, fridge etc etc).
 
I would seriously consider whether he wants to be in Brighton unless he really does just like fishing, not many places to go and if the weather is poor its very exposed so the entrance can be "exciting" in a small boat. That quick trip to the IOW will cost £300+ in petrol and theres not much in between.
 
There certainly used to be a few of those Maxum 2400's and similar at Brighton when I was there - good fun as a day boat but not ideal for any sort of cruising. Personally I would question if the 2400 is a titchy bit heavy for the 5.0; I'd go for the 5.7 (I had a similar-ish Regal 2450 with the 5.7 Magnum and it was a hoot).

As others have said, Brighton's ok for day boating in fair weather, but that is all, really. Having said that - the Maxum is a fair weather day boat, so perhaps this is exactly what your chum is after?

I only ever took my Regal to the IOW once, and it felt like a blimmin long way for a speedboat. I'd either strike the cruising ambition from the plan - or change the boat for a diesel with more accommodation.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
I have owned a boat very much like the Maxum, only a bit older, for many years. It is perfectly capable of doing what is required but you do need the right weather. I have taken mine from the Solent to Essex, Essex to the Solent and from Essex to the Channel Islands and back again.

The biggest downside will be the running costs of the petrol engine. For dayboating petrol is fine but for more serious stuff, and I'm including going from Brighton to the Solent, I would go Diesel.

Now if he wants an older 25ft sportscruiser but with a 2006 diesel engine and drive plus a bowthruster and diesel heating, I do know where there is one going :D
 
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