Advice needed on my first boat

[Merbals]

Hi guys,

This is my first post so be gentle.

Basically I am looking at buying my 1st boat in the new year and basically struggling to find what I am looking for so I am hoping you guys might be able to point me in the right direction.

Basically I a looking for a coastal motor cruiser but want something capable of offshore as I would like to have the option of France so will need to be a true BCD Category B. now like everything budget is an issue and looking to spend between £40-£50k. I have been looking at the S28 which we like the look of but worry about spending that sort of money on a 15+ yo sealine especially when I have read mixed reviews. I have seen plenty of Bayliners and love the look of them but again read poor reviews. I know it is a tall order for my budget but I want the right boat that we can enjoy for many years. I have read that best to go for 28ft + for offshore?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[RogerRat]

Hi Merbals,

I guess I must be the one to say, 'Welcome to the Forum', which is weird as I'm not around as much as I used to be. There is a lot of experience here and in time the shy ones will reply... (eventually that is)

I think everyone has been a little too gentle on you and not bothered to reply at all. Your request for advice is a very open type of question.

I would suggest that you offer more information about yourself, your relevant experience, not necessarily as an owner but time on board boats as crew or passenger. Also where you intend to boat and whether you are on your own, with ownership partner and also whether you have crew. Are you trained / qualified to Power boat Level 2 at least?

Next, I would suggest that you attend a local pub meet or marina where boats are used of a type that interest you. The S28 is a good starting point, very popular and well proven. Not everyone's ideal boat but 'Flower Power' an experienced poster on here has had one for over 5 years and I'm sure he could offer detailed advice on this popular boat.

It is very likely that you will buy the wrong boat first time as we all have but it is part of the learning curve. Also your cruising area and time available may change in a few years.

I don't think you should be looking at a cross channel boat below 30 foot just yet. Yes you could go in one but everything has to be right and almost certainly better in company.

Your question is sound but the answer may be too complicated to help you on a first boat as there are just so many variables.

I hope this may be of assistance to get the ball rolling.
Regards,
Roger.

 

[No Regrets]

Where do you intend to berth her!?

If this is your first boat and you're not experienced, perhaps start off on a non tidal river enjoying the boat in relatively risk free conditions, and make some good friends, even join a club.

Then go with your club on some tidal cruises to gain experience.

With regard to the kind of boat, bear in mind Planing boats (Bayliner etc) offer less accommodation but are faster than Displacement or Semi planing boats, which tend to do between 10-20kts instead of 20-30kts. Both have distinct advantages in all kinds of usage, but £40-50k is enough to buy a nice boat, if you're sensible and know the right things!!

The forumites here unknowingly helped me so much in the last eight years, I recommend you just read as many posts as possible!

Welcome by the way!

 

[Whitelighter]

Don't worry about the RCD category. It's a load of EU carp plus at the 50k mark you will probably be looking at boats tgat predate the whole RCD sharad anyway.

I would suggest that 28ft is a good place to start. The S28 is a good boat but if you want something with a sharper more refined hull but with less room inside look at the Fairline Targa 28/29/30. You budget would probably stretch to a nice T30 with twin diesels etc

Couple of example here (both under offer but it gives you an idea.)
Don't be put off by asking prices and don't be afraid to negotiate.



http://www.essexboatyards.com/boat.php?id=498

http://www.essexboatyards.com/boat.php?id=630

 

[petem]

Don't worry about the RCD category. It's a load of EU carp plus at the 50k mark you will probably be looking at boats tgat predate the whole RCD sharad anyway.

I would suggest that 28ft is a good place to start. The S28 is a good boat but if you want something with a sharper more refined hull but with less room inside look at the Fairline Targa 28/29/30. You budget would probably stretch to a nice T30 with twin diesels etc

Couple of example here (both under offer but it gives you an idea.)
Don't be put off by asking prices and don't be afraid to negotiate.



http://www.essexboatyards.com/boat.php?id=498

http://www.essexboatyards.com/boat.php?id=630

+1 what Whitelighter says. I had a Targa 30, great boat as is the Targa 29.

 

[oGaryo]

Hi also, welcome to the forum. good advice thus far but having gone through the Targa / Sealine debate myself, I'd steer you towards the S28 especially if you fancy the trips to France, more living accommodation for the extended cruises is a must imo and the 'more refined hull' statement is something to be debated in any case for the usage you'll likely to get out the boat

A good starting point would be to list here what negatives you've read relating to the Sealine and lets see if myself and the likes of David (Flower Power) can offer a decent retort to whatever criticisms you've happened upon

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of the S28

Cheers Gary

 

[kashurst]

you can get a lot of boat for £40 - £50K. As others have said, go and have a good look at lots of different styles of boat. If you are at all practical an older well maintained bigger boat will be better at sea than a newer smaller boat. Its very tempting to be seduced by the shiny curvy fibreglass and leather seats. The thing to look out for is the engines and hull. The carpets/curtains and electronics are very easily changed to suit your own tastes (and a lot cheaper than engines and outdrives) Also do a search on here and other sites about the advantages and disadvantages of shaft drive boats and stern drive (outdrive) boats. Crossing the channel is easy on a flat calm day but if the wind picks up you need experience. Before you buy a boat have you thought about doing a training course, with hindsight I wish I had done that first - that will give you much better insight into boating in a short space of time. And have a think about where you want to keep your new boat and how you will use it. Let us know how you get on...

 

[jfm]

I think everyone has been a little too gentle on you and not bothered to reply at all..

Merbals, as a new poster your post goes into limbo while the mods check it, hence the couple of days between your writing it and it appearing on here, in the last hour. This limbo thing will also happen to your next few posts, so it will look like you haven't replied to your own thread. Bit of a PITA really but it will be normal service within 5 posts and a few days. Post several replies on here to hurry the process along

Anyway, welcome. I agree the above. Whitelighter's/Petem's suggestion of Targa 30 is excellent imho, given your budget and intended use. That boat will x-channel, when you have learned the necessary skipper skills. It is a fine boat generally ragrded as "BMW" quality and if you decide to change it there is a ready market of folks who will buy it. Also Essex Boatyards is among the handful of boat sellers who get constant praise from customers and they are a totally honest and always-helpful firm to buy from. I bought my last 3 boats there and can't recommend them highly enough.

So, you're all sorted!!!

Good luck anyway. If you need engine servicing (your boat may well have Volvo engines) contact volvopaul on this forum. If you want skipper tuition contact solitaire, Powerskipper, TimGriffin on here. If you decide to locate your boat in the sunny Mediterranean (highly recommended) contact Jimmy_the_Builder

 

[petem]

Hi also, welcome to the forum. good advice thus far but having gone through the Targa / Sealine debate myself, I'd steer you towards the S28 especially if you fancy the trips to France, more living accommodation for the extended cruises is a must imo and the 'more refined hull' statement is something to be debated in any case for the usage you'll like to get out the boat.

A good starting point would be to list here what negatives you've read relating to the Sealine and lets see if myself and the likes of David (Flower Power) can offer a decent retort to whatever criticisms you've happened upon

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of the S28

Cheers Gary

I've never understood that S28/Targa "more living accommodation" argument. Exactly where is the extra space (both boats have an identical length, beam and configuration)?

 

[oGaryo]

I've never understood that S28/Targa "more living accommodation" argument. Exactly where is the extra space (both boats have an identical length, beam and configuration)?

have a shufty at the swim platform on the targa v the S28... so much wasted space for a UK boat

then compare the narrower bow against the Sealine as seen in these two shots making the U berth in the Targa less ample than the Sealine.. no extra storage space the the side of the berth nor ample space to put 'stuff' on the ledges further forward. have not seen the engine bay on the Targa but suspect that'll tell a story too

 

[petem]

have a shufty at the swim platform on the targa v the S28... so much wasted space for a UK boat

Says who?!?! A Targa 30 is 70cm longer than an S28 so can spare the space on the bathing platform. Anyhow, lots of people keep a tender on snap davits on T29/30 so it's not wasted space.

The T30 does has a cockpit layout that doesn't suit everyone but it's all on a single level. The T29 has a two level layout with more seating but without the rather pointless sunpad that the T30 has.

The OP, should look at a Targa 29, Targa 30 and an S28. They're all good boats.

 

[oGaryo]

Says who?!?! A Targa 30 is 70cm longer than an S28 so can spare the space on the bathing platform. Anyhow, lots of people keep a tender on snap davits on T29/30 so it's not wasted space. .

so, let me understand this Pete, equivalent usable space but higher berthing fees, where's the logic in that?

 

[petem]

so, let me understand this Pete, equivalent usable space but higher berthing fees, where's the logic in that?

As I said the bathing platform is not wasted space, indeed you may have noticed the trend for the past 15 years or so has been for larger bathing platforms. Here's my son enjoying ours....

View attachment 36219

He's 18 this week!

 

[oGaryo]

As I said the bathing platform is not wasted space, indeed you may have noticed the trend for the past 15 years or so has been for larger bathing platforms. Here's my son enjoying ours....

View attachment 36219

He's 18 this week!

wish your lad a happy 18th from us

 

[petem]

wish your lad a happy 18th from us

Thanks! Seems like only yesterday he was 5. He's a horrible teen now!

What we all agree on is that the OP's short list should be the S28 and the Fairline Targa's. Whichever he chooses he'll have a great time. Running costs will be similar and he'll be able to resell and get most if not all of his cash back when he goes larger.

 

[oGaryo]

Thanks! Seems like only yesterday he was 5. He's a horrible teen now!

What we all agree on is that the OP's short list should be the S28 and the Fairline Targa's. Whichever he chooses he'll have a great time. Running costs will be similar and he'll be able to resell and get most if not all of his cash back when he goes larger.

amen to both of those (having been there with the 18yo thing )

 

[No Regrets]

Instant Fairline vs Sealine post...

Not really what the OP wanted

 

[oGaryo]

Instant Fairline vs Sealine post...

Not really what the OP wanted

no regrets here

 

[Andy Bav]

Hi guys,

This is my first post so be gentle.

Basically I am looking at buying my 1st boat in the new year and basically struggling to find what I am looking for so I am hoping you guys might be able to point me in the right direction.

Basically I a looking for a coastal motor cruiser but want something capable of offshore as I would like to have the option of France so will need to be a true BCD Category B. now like everything budget is an issue and looking to spend between £40-£50k. I have been looking at the S28 which we like the look of but worry about spending that sort of money on a 15+ yo sealine especially when I have read mixed reviews. I have seen plenty of Bayliners and love the look of them but again read poor reviews. I know it is a tall order for my budget but I want the right boat that we can enjoy for many years. I have read that best to go for 28ft + for offshore?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

At least you are going quite large for your first boat, when we started out only 3 years ago with an 18 ft bowrider, a cruiser - and it was a Bayliner - seemed a million miles away and I wouldnt knock Bayliners at all.

A lot of threads on here suggest that you dont stay withyour first boat for long, but what works in your favour at this time of year, is that you dont look out the window and see a glorious summers day and wish you could be on the water and rush a decision.

I cant speak for Sealines or Fairlines as I have never owned one but seen plenty and if you buy an older boat, as long as the oily bits and hull are in order, you can turn your attention to the cosmetic parts.

the only advice I can offer is to take your time, dont rush your decision and look at plenty of boats even if you think they are beyond your budget... just wish I knew that 3 years and 3 boats ago.

Good luck with whatever you decide and I am sure there will be plenty of interest on here as your decision process unfolds and as you have seen a good source of model specific information

 

[[2068]]

Either a Targa or an S28 will suit the original posters requirements.
I preferred the cockpit layout on the S28, and didn't want to pay extra berthing fees for a bigger bathing platform. But one man's mince is another's apple pie, or something like that.

In terms of offshore capability, FP has been to the West Country, Normandy, Belgium, Netherlands, Paris etc. in company with other boats. And to the Channel Islands on our own. I've only managed to really scare myself once, and that was just off Hengistbury Head! You will want to give up before the boat does.

The main thing to check with buying either of these boats is the condition of the engines and sterndrives. Regular maintenance is essential, and even then, you will get random bills every now and again. Poorly maintained outdrives will be a money pit ... get them checked out pre purchase.