Absolute Total Noob to the world of Motor Boats

Yes, you'll get more than 1 mpg. Probably about 3-4 mpg at cruising speeds, less if you really open up.

If you're going to trail, fill up at the garage as well, 'cos petrol costs about £1.05 per litre at yer average fuel jetty..............
 
Hi and welcome.
You are asking a lot of a traileable boat if you want to sleep onboard with the wife and kids. I have owned a 1952 cuddy and a great boat it was but for two not for family of four. Having said that When my daughter was younger they have slept in the cabin and I have crashed out on the cockpit floor. You do have to be very drunk however in order to get any sleep. I think you really nead to be more specific as to your requirements or accept that whatever you buy you will be chopping in after 6 months. You will prob be changing within a year anyway cos none of us get it right untill the third boat or thereabouts. In other words buy whatever you can afford and whatever takes your eye and get on the water cos untill you have dipped your toe in so to speak no one can really say what you need long term.
Ian
 
its only money , yeah I think your right , Im maybe approaching this the wrong way etc etc expecting to much , I feel maybe type of boat suited for the days boating is where to start off , organise some training, and in general make the commitment.

Fuel costs at 3/4 mile to the gallon doesnt scare me , certainly didnt think as little though to be honest , but things have their price I guess.

Service Intervals ? how often and how much as an estimate ?

Competant person and manual is it possible , or safer to leave to the fully trained technician.
 
Service is possible yourself as an example a 1952 is quite easy to service and can be winterised easy due to single point drainage system. Every year a service should be carried out unless your doing ridiculous amounts of hours. Sooner you get on the water the sooner you know what you need. Just make sure what you buy is saleable again cos I warn you it will go within 6mnths no matter what it is.
Ian
 
Hello

We bought our first boat 4 years ago. All started with me getting 'Boats and Yachts for Sale' for my husband as his birthday card!!! Didn't really think we would end up buying one!

Our first idea was the trailer option, so went down in direction of Southampton for the weekend with family in tow (3 boys then aged 14, 12, and 6 and our dog!!)

Probably was a busy weekend - good weather and all that! - but the queues to launch your boat were pretty long at all the places we visited, plus living in the Midlands was a fair treck to take our family every weekend (my husband works some Sat mornings so we would not be able to leave til lunchtime Sat some w/ends) Well, we -maybe I - decided that seemed like a lot of hassle (remember I was not too sure about this boating idea as it was)

To cut a long story short (or shorter!), we went from the idea of a trailer and boat then a 25' then 28' and so on and finally decided (with our budget) if we went older we could get bigger and the Princess 32 pretty much fitted the bill for accomodation. We are definitely not rich! but my husband was to do all the maintenance. I, having been on the smaller boats, couldn't imagine coping with our 3 in too cramped conditions. The Princess 32 offered the options of 6 berths, but during the daytime - albeit a pain to set it all up and put it all away in morning - all that space would be usable, allowing the older one to disappear with his headphones in the front, the other two playing games (much healthier than being on the playstation all day!) on the dining table or cockpit table and us wherever!!! Naturally on a lovely day, when not travelling we would have option of being on or off the boat but you have to allow for long journeys and rainy days!!!!!!!!!!! I think if we had gone the smaller option, it would have only worked to stay perhaps one night or just use it as a day boat. As it costs a lot to change your boat, I reckoned to give it any chance we had to have the most space we could afford, rather than the whole idea fail, or having to change your boat the next season.

We also decided to moor on the river, so that weekends the boat was only 40 minutes away, and the river is a lovely place to enjoy your boat, but we go further on longer breaks, on the Bristol Channel and up to now as far as Swansea.

For your wife: The first week we spent on the boat, I thought we had made the biggest mistake. The worst of it was that I disliked it as much as Paul loved it - a real problem! To me it was harder work than at home with the boys under my feet, almost literally and it is quite hard work making up beds, putting them away, cooking in a very small area for 5 etc etc. The loo seemed to need cleaning every 5 minutes (4 males!!!!!!!) If it was raining and we were moored on the river side you cant imagine the mud and soaking clothes, and where to get them dry. Oh yes, and at the start of the season if we were moored without power, washing your hair in freezing water .. etc etc etc..... Made worse by Paul being so bloody happy about it all!!!!!!!!

BUT... I must say that was then, and now I would say it is the best thing we ever did. The eldest boy was never that keen and he only comes down occasionally, he is 18 now and we leave him at home. The other two love the boat and they have played more board games and cards than ever they would if we stayed at home. They enjoy fishing, they play football in all the different locations, appreciate the countryside, the wildlife etc etc (obviously they still fight and argue but they would do that wherever we are) Jack is 16 now and still enjoys it and still comes away with us at weekends, he helps his Dad with the navigation when we go on longer trips, also helps with some of the maintenance. They enjoy the social side it brings too. They sort of help with keeping the boat straight, but I am used to that now anyway and dont find it a chore like at home.

Bit of a long tale but thought it might help as you sound in a similar situation to us 4 years ago!


Kathryn
 
long tale but interesting and I can relate to it and it has just made me thought , Im maybe kinda get wrapped up more what I would like , rather than us as a family , so thanks kathryn for bringing me back home to roost a bit.

Maybe I speeding along on this idea to fast for my own good, I can see me sitting down and discussing again with the Wife and us both agreeing fully what our lines of thought are on the matter ...

Is it gonna be a fun day boat ! the fun aspect of it for me and the kids a big plus or indeed accomodation has to be taken into consideration in a more serious light. Certainly already I can see so many options and why it does have to be seriously addressed , just the so many options .. Im trying not to lose the fun aspect of it all and certainly I do not want to make the wrong purchase nor for the wrong reasons.

I had certainly been thinking lake cruising , but never gave river crusing a thought , the slower more leisurely outlook perhaps .... I think personally at this time off shore cruising is something for the future as the learning line curves.

Oh Im seriously confused now LOL , and excuse me guys if I appear to be going from one extreme to another. One thing is for sure it was a very worthwile investment joining this forum , in such a short space of time you have all gave me so much to seriously consider and time for me to take the blinkers off a bit ... already I see how friendly and amicable a pastime/hobby community can be ... makes it even more inviting now /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

a day or two's serious thought I reckon maybe in order for me to get more focussed.
 
If the lake idea means the kids having fun on the water, that sounds good to me as if they are entertained that's half the battle.

You will learn as you go along - boat handling wise. My husband had a couple of lessons from the chap who owns our moorings and we took lots and lots of advice. Our first few trips out must have been hilarious for any on-lookers. When things went wrong, boat didn't go where it was supposed to etc or going under a bridge was very tight, we all used to end up shouting and blaming each other - we all learned to obey the skipper (sometimes like having teeth pulled!!!!!) and to stay calm. Makes me laugh to think of it now. Also we found everyone kept a very wide berth first couple of weeks we had our boat!! We didn't really have anything major go wrong, it's more that you worry it will.

If you are going further afield then is the time to do a navigation course - really helps.

Good luck in your decisions, but don't dwell too much or you wont do it. Add up the pros and cons of each, go for the one which suits everyone best and go for it!!

Kathryn
 
Gulp!!!, thanks Rick. As it happens my oppo hasn't seen the Falkirk Wheel so we'll go anyway.
That'll mean there will be less folks about so easier to get on the trip boat, if it's running.
Good job I'm not going to buy a boat /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Just returned from an almost incident free evening on the water....me hoods blew off on the M8 on the way up /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Looks like it'll be an insurance job then!!!

Nik, the 1952 Bayliner is a good boat to start on (we had many happy hours on one!!) The 3.0L engine will keep you entertained and is, as far as boats go economical, about £120 should see you all right for a weekends fuel.

You can stay on board a 1952 but its very cramped...buy a tent and join the "tented villagers" on the islands of a weekend!!

I've settled on a Bayliner 602 cuddy with the Mercruiser 1.7 diesel......Whats a fuel pump? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Alistair, the Prossers gig is usually held in August at Cameron House......I frequently get up to Ardlui for the peace and quiet. Was thinking of a mooring up there but it looks like it would limit my options...or is should that be wallet /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Better sign off and lookout my insurance policy for tomorrow....

Cheers,

Clyde
 
Sorry to hear about losing your hood Clyder , I guess driving at 90 + trailing a boat is a bad idea then :P , at least like you say its insured.

Yeah I quite like what I saw of the Bayliner , the diesel 1.7 what kinda fuel consumption would one expect from that ? also I see some of the bayliners have outboards rather than the 3 inboard engine I saw ... should I maybe be considering a diesel option or outboard with regards to watching the pennies with it being a new boat. £120 a weekend for fuel I could live with but not every weekend /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif * thinking of what her indoors gonna think * , and after all it would be pointless to have the boat stuck on the trailer in the garage because one finds his self a little short on the cashflow.

I think to fully enjoy one has to utilise his spare cash , borrowed money and the running costs would be a no win situation.

I did have a chat with the Wife and initially we both agree on sticking to the inland boating , for the first year anyway. We both in agreement whilst its new to us it would be safer and makes sense. So for now as far as where we intend to cruise it looks like it will be Loch Lomond.

Were gonna spend the next couple of weekends anyway around the marinas , the boatshops etc etc , Alistairr recommended some Magazines to get better price indications so more homework I guess , daily though its sinking in a getting a better understanding.

I much appreciate the help guys , youve all been great /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: Absolute Total Noob to the world of Boats

Hi Nik, just to throw a cat in among the pigeons a little.

Are you absolutely sure on the direction you have chosen with regards a power boat? You said earlier in the thread that you are happy to slow down and enjoy a more sedate way of being on the water.

For the same money you could buy a very respectable sailing yacht which will have the accommodation you thrive. There will be more for the kids to do on board, on a yacht there are lots of jobs, some menial some mental and obviously some very important. But this allows you to dish out jobs, the kids will enjoy 'being in charge' of the head sail trim, or helping with the navigation etc.

Ok, for four of you, you will probably need a boat with a mooring, but that mooring will cost 'annually' about 3 weekends worth of MOBO fuel. Last weekend I put £8.00 of diesel into the tank, I do not expect to fill up again until we come home from our cruise in mid August. 1/3 to 1/2 ltr per hour.

Yes there are other expenses, such as running gear, my new suit of sails came in around £2k but I expect with careful treatment they should last about 6-8 years.

Sailing does take a little longer to master, there is more theory involved, oh yes there is before someone chirps up. But this can be done as a family. Your children will enjoy the navigation challenge as will you and the wife. This is not to belittle Mobo navigation, but with sailing there are things to consider such as tides, wind and wind direction, leeway etc. This kind of adventure may bring you together as a family, decisions on where to go etc.

I am not knocking power boats, but when I read your first few entries, I thought you might as a family who sound quite laid back actually get more from a yacht.

There is no nicer sound in the world as when the engine is shut down and you waft along with the wind preparing lunch. Try and eat lunch on a 35 kt power boat, he he.

Just thought I would confuse you maybe a little more.

Hope you find your perfect boat.
 
Nik, the 602 diesel uses about 1-5 gph (gallons per hour) dependant on how driven. It will cruise at 30mph and top out about 45mph, again dependant on load etc etc. My foray the other night used about £3 worth of "ribena", and for this I travelled north from Balloch up to the Islands....o.k it was a slow meander up and down but why not take advantage of a lovely evening /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Apart from the initial outlay (the diesel worked out about £8k more than the petrol) she is proving to be more useable than the petrol. We do notice a drop in power when skiing....getting out the hole requires arms like Popeye /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

If you're looking for a spin on the Loch maybe we could get something organised between ourselves and Alistair (Inchmurrin is good for a beer this time of year!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Alistair, no fixed date for the Cameron Hse. show. I'll be going into Prossers later this week and will get a date......he's trying to source me a Regal Commodore with a stinky Ribena Drinker...... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Cheers

Clyde
 
Re: Absolute Total Noob to the world of Boats

Oi. Clear off to yer own bit of ciber space. He's our customer and were not loosing out to the raggies!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Absolute Total Noob to the world of Boats

[ QUOTE ]
Oi. Clear off to yer own bit of ciber space. He's our customer and were not loosing out to the raggies!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It was going to be you, Brendan or Barry, but I knew it was going to be one of you!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And unwittingly you have laid us raggies a challenge.
 
Re: Absolute Total Noob to the world of Boats

"And unwittingly you have laid us raggies a challenge."

[/ QUOTE ]
************************************************

C'mon Bignik, you've rekindled the age old debate...do you want to set sail with a stick and rag or "take it easy" with a "loud lever"? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Go on, listen to the voices......... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Clyde
 
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