Advice for new beginners boat?

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spearson92

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Hi everyone!

This is my first post on this forum so bear with me. Also apologies if this has been posted in the wrong section. I'm looking for all you expert advice on buying my first boat.

Basically my background is that work has brought me up to Inverness where, (for those that don't know) there are some lovely rivers, canals and just down the road loch ness. Having walked up and down the canal several times I'm starting to think getting a little boat for myself might not be a half bad idea. I've never operated a boat myself so would be looking so get some hands on experience before actually buying one.

I like the idea of a little sailing boat but I don't have any experience on one (which isn't a problem I'm more than willing to learn). I guess the issue there would be that the people I take out with me won't have any sailing experience either so wouldn't really make an effective crew. So with that in mind I'll probably look at getting a little power boat. Now here the question comes in: for the type of boating i'd be looking to do - going out on rivers, canals and the odd loch, either by myself or some friends - what type of boat should i be looking at getting? Ideally i'd like something with a little cabin, or alternatively I've been looking at a small speed boat. My budget is probably around £3000 or so.

As well as the above, any rough ideas on how much licences, insurance and maintenance would cost? Would I be able to keep a little boat like that in the water the whole? And if so how often would I have to take it out to clean and maintain etc?

Many thanks in advance!

All advice is appreciated.


Steve
 
spearson92 said:
Hi everyone!

This is my first post on this forum so bear with me. Also apologies if this has been posted in the wrong section. I'm looking for all you expert advice on buying my first boat.

Basically my background is that work has brought me up to Inverness where, (for those that don't know) there are some lovely rivers, canals and just down the road loch ness. Having walked up and down the canal several times I'm starting to think getting a little boat for myself might not be a half bad idea. I've never operated a boat myself so would be looking so get some hands on experience before actually buying one.

I like the idea of a little sailing boat but I don't have any experience on one (which isn't a problem I'm more than willing to learn). I guess the issue there would be that the people I take out with me won't have any sailing experience either so wouldn't really make an effective crew. So with that in mind I'll probably look at getting a little power boat. Now here the question comes in: for the type of boating i'd be looking to do - going out on rivers, canals and the odd loch, either by myself or some friends - what type of boat should i be looking at getting? Ideally i'd like something with a little cabin, or alternatively I've been looking at a small speed boat. My budget is probably around £3000 or so.

As well as the above, any rough ideas on how much licences, insurance and maintenance would cost? Would I be able to keep a little boat like that in the water the whole? And if so how often would I have to take it out to clean and maintain etc?

Many thanks in advance!

All advice is appreciated.


Steve
Click to expand...

Few! a Ton of questions there Steve
However I will try and answer/ clarify some solutions for you
More people will come along in due course there is a Wealth of knowledge on here
Have a 'Google' etc on the Net at types of boat
Shetland Family 4 is the type of thing and should be about your budget
You need quite a 'tough' seaworthy craft because as you probably know some Loch's can be quite 'lumpy' from time to time
I suggest an outboard type of vessel not an inboard with an outdrive
An inboard restricts the space you have to move about the boat usually
A 3 grand boat with an inboard or outdrive that is in good nick will be hard to find
About 'costings' etc
You will find that boat insurance is quite reasonable in the scheme of things
'Licensing' is pretty loose compared to running a car, flying a plane or riding a motorbike
In that-- for all intense and purposes in the UK you don't need one!
Well ,to go out to sea
Some inland waterway authorities may require various 'tickets' and certification, I am no expert on inland waterway rules and stuff
A 'Trailable' boat seems maybe what you need from your initial Post
Like you say there are many places you can explore from Inverness and thereabouts
Look at vessels that will allow you to move about the sidedecks
This is so important for a new boater when mooring to a pontoon and retrieving on to a trailer etc
A good idea is to go on a Course
Like the RYA Power Boat ones
You will meet similar Peeps and the Instructor should be able to guide you on various matters you have asked
Plus-- Welcome to the Forum
Lot's of help on here
There a lot of English peeps on here too
Just beware of them!
Us Celts need to watch out for them as you may well understand!!!
:encouragement::D
 
Hi Kawasaki

Thanks for your reply. Haha sorry for all the questions. I've been having a good look on the internet and in books and things, just seems like such a big subject I didn't really know where to start! You've given me some good research points to be getting on with though.

Cheers! :encouragement:
 
Hi Kawasaki,
This is the very place for ALL your questions whether you think them silly or not. A good RYA Powerboat/Motor Cruising or Sail centre I would say is essential pre your purchase. Following a good school course you'll know when to go boating, how and what craft will suit you best and for your budget how to keep you and your occupants safe at all times. Your about to embark on a journey you'll never regret. Be prepared and stay safe.
 
Promarine11 said:
Hi Kawasaki,
This is the very place for ALL your questions whether you think them silly or not. A good RYA Powerboat/Motor Cruising or Sail centre I would say is essential pre your purchase. Following a good school course you'll know when to go boating, how and what craft will suit you best and for your budget how to keep you and your occupants safe at all times. Your about to embark on a journey you'll never regret. Be prepared and stay safe.
Click to expand...

I don't think you're aiming your reply at Kawasaki lol :D
 
Welcome to the magic world of boating!

I agree with Promarine11 (even if he is replying to the wrong person!!! :)

Before you buy anything, get yourself to a training centre and take either the Start Motor Cruising or Start Sailing Courses. If you are unsure whether you want to go down the sail or power route then do both!!! They are only 1 or 2 days so not expensive and not only will it give you a chance to try out but you can also talk to the instructors and others around to get a feel for what style/size of boat you might want.

They are a great fun way to get a good intro.

Of course... stay on here and talk to the many experienced sailors... no question is too silly! We all had to start at the beginning!!!
 
At the risk of being blasphemous here, I wouldn't be too quick to rule out a sail boat. At your price range you may get a better setup for your needs and still have an engine. Either way, do the courses first. They are invaluable in giving you a solid direction and you may find what you thought you wanted changes significantly by the time you are done.

PS, dont trust Kwakers. Silly sod nearly swamped us in the tender this last weekend. I had to yell all sorts of abuse at him to stop and all he did was wave cheerily and wish us well. :D
 
Only thing about a sailboat near the Inverness end (our boat is up there, so know the place well)... is that where there are likely moorings nearby is a canal stretch away from the Lochs .... unless you're on Loch Lochy, or Loch Oich ... and the latter one is not that good for sailing really... On Loch Ness, which can be a bit lumpy, the wind always seems to be against you ... And if you plan to go out so sea, on both ends you have some "interesting" things to be aware of ... At the Inverness end (under the Kessock Bridge), tidal streams run at 5 Knots + and at the Corran Narrows (Fort Augustus end), the tidal stream runs at 6 knot +, so you need to plan a bit more ahead with a sailboat if you are heading out into salt water...

If OT wants a chat about boating in the region, I'll be underneath Navigator which is onshore at Inverness Marina (Near Kessock Bridge) most of Sunday wearing Dustmask, Goggles etc., etc. and could probably do with a break...
 
Hi everyone,

Long time no speak! So I've just come back from a 2-day powerboat course and think I've found the right path for me. I do have a couple of questions though if anybody could help me out?

Firstly (not so importantly), does anyone know a a good website or dealer in particular that sells ribs (about 5m or so)? I've had a look online and seen a few things but any advice would be great.

Secondly, what would be the best way of storing a rib of that size. The trouble is I live in a flat and so there's no room to keep a trailered boat. So I could pay for a berth? Or if anyone is in the Inverness area is there any dry storage or anywhere like a lock-up to keep a trailered boat?

Also Divemaster1 sorry I didn't get chance to meet you, if you're up this way again a chat would be great!


Cheers all!
 
Caley Marina have a Marlin (20 ft) for sale with a 150 HP Mercury on the back and a trailer .... may not be cheapest, but easy to look at .... (Just at the top of Muirtown Basin ...).

We're up there quite frequent as the boat is in the new marina near the bridge (send us a PM and we can exchange contact details).... so you can always have a chat with them about a storage place. Challenge would be launching (other side of the Kessock Bridge have a public launch site)... have not had a look for launch sites in Loch Ness or along the Canal yet ...
 
BruceK said:
... PS, dont trust Kwakers. Silly sod nearly swamped us in the tender this last weekend. I had to yell all sorts of abuse at him to stop and all he did was wave cheerily and wish us well. :D
Click to expand...
Perhaps PromarineII was right about the course for dear old Kwackers then !

Ill get my coat.
 
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