Advice needed on my first boat

[rhino_mac]

Then there's the ongoing cost consideration, why buy a boat like the 25ft Doral with its mahoooooosive swim platform to get stitched for large berthing fees when other boats have much smaller swim platforms allowing for larger cockpits to socialise in.

On the other hand, the large swim platform on my Monterey is one of its best features. Handy for nervous passengers to board on from a pontoon - I stand on it to have the kids passed to me (got two little ones). Handy when berthing to stand on with the ropes. Have fished off the back of mine a few times and also............for swimming off. I agree it adds to the berthing costs, but I wouldn't unbolt mine now I've got used to having it.

 

[wipe_out]

To respond by saying go and pick your own based on your own judgement, isn't really helping the fella (if he ever comes back )

haha.. Ok.. Fair point..

 

[neale]

I took my 1987 2455 to France and the Channel islands more than once. Perfectly capable given the right conditions, and the right conditions are basically the same as any other make of boat of a similar size. Nothing ever broke and nothing fell off.

I have an S28 now, which would be a good choice for the OP, but equally so would the Targa 28/29/30. What I found when looking was that you could get a simlar spec and year Sealine for much less than a Fairline, and there was not enough in it to justify the extra cost. But that's just IMHO.

 

[julians]

Just a small point of order regarding the RCD categories.

Coastal is Cat C not CatB.

Cat A - Ocean
Cat B - Offshore
Cat C - Coastal
Cat D - Sheltered waters

There is definately a british boat bias on here, probably not surprising, but there are many many european and american boats that are arguably as good as or better than the usual 3/4 that are trotted out on here whenever anyone asks what boat to buy. Horses for courses isnt it. Whats suits one may not suit another.

A large swim platform for me is a pretty nice and useful thing to have (even though my current boat doesnt have one).

And where you do your boating must play a massive part in deciding which boat to buy, I doubt I'd have the boat I do if I did my boating in the uk.

 

[Will Morgan]

Is it me or has no mention of any flybridges on this post?......hmmm 40K to 50K , Id personally go for a 30 to 37ft flybridge myself, Fairline Corniche? Princess 35? Birchwood TS37(supersport)?

Lovely looking boats and IMO not looking dated for 20+ yrs old boats , All have mainly nice twin shaft diesel setups and good equipment and all have mostly had re-furbs on interiors so I think it would be silly not to consider those types of crafts.

 

[oGaryo]

Is it me or has no mention of any flybridges on this post?......hmmm 40K to 50K , Id personally go for a 30 to 37ft flybridge myself, Fairline Corniche? Princess 35? Birchwood TS37(supersport)?

Lovely looking boats and IMO not looking dated for 20+ yrs old boats , All have mainly nice twin shaft diesel setups and good equipment and all have mostly had re-furbs on interiors so I think it would be silly not to consider those types of crafts.

If that is to be considered then the OP ought to also factor in the likes of the following

As an example, Berthing 29ft in Swanwick £5.5k pa, 37ft is £7.5k pa
Visitor berthing increases
Fuel expenditure will be greater, bigger boat, older guzzlier engines, fuel efficiency of sterndrive v shafts
Annual maintenance will be greater due to boat size albeit balanced by no sterndrives to maintain but unlikely to counteract wear due to age, more antifoul needed, increased lift out charges, no option to store / maintain on a trailer etc


In short, initial outlay is one consideration, ongoing outlay is another

 

[Andy Bav]

Is it me or has no mention of any flybridges on this post?......hmmm 40K to 50K , Id personally go for a 30 to 37ft flybridge myself, Fairline Corniche? Princess 35? Birchwood TS37(supersport)?

Lovely looking boats and IMO not looking dated for 20+ yrs old boats , All have mainly nice twin shaft diesel setups and good equipment and all have mostly had re-furbs on interiors so I think it would be silly not to consider those types of crafts.

The the OP has plenty to get his teeth into now.

I guess the original request for information was quite open ended and the thread has come up with some interesting responses - including yours.

The only analagy I can draw is when one of my team announce they are thinking of moving out of London and I ask them where to and they say they havent decided .....and 360 degrees of the compass beckons. That said at least the OP is swaying towards one particular model, so there is some focus.

Having only ever bought from new I can't comment on second hand prices, but I guess at around the 50k level, you could buy a boat that is pretty well depreciated and as alluded to above, if you buy the right boat there is a chance you could sell it 12 months or so later for similar money - especially if the popular comment that your first boat doesnt last too long holds true.

Would be interested in the final decision though.

 

[gordmac]

Interesting that the boats being recommended are all sports boats with legs. The Merry Fisher etc ones mentioned are completely different, also in the price range would be Seawards, Rodmans and the like. Really a bit of research and looking at various types would be a first step. I suspect a lot of people just getting into boats would underestimate how much fuel they use, especially at speed.

 

[stelican]

I took my 1987 2455 to France and the Channel islands more than once. Perfectly capable given the right conditions, and the right conditions are basically the same as any other make of boat of a similar size. Nothing ever broke and nothing fell off.

I have an S28 now, which would be a good choice for the OP, but equally so would the Targa 28/29/30. What I found when looking was that you could get a simlar spec and year Sealine for much less than a Fairline, and there was not enough in it to justify the extra cost. But that's just IMHO.

Ah yes
But many owners preferred the kudos of owning one

 

[Tender_aft]

why buy a boat like the 25ft Doral with its mahoooooosive swim platform to get stitched for large berthing fees when other boats have much smaller swim platforms allowing for larger cockpits to socialise in.

Slightly off thread, so apologies, but does anyone know of a proper (1-1.5 metre) foldable/hinged or removable swim platform? I've looked around but not found one. That could save you £/metre of berthing charges each year

 

[Falling Star]

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

No doubt about it. A Merry Fisher 805 would be the perfect boat.

 

[neale]

Is it me or has no mention of any flybridges on this post?......hmmm 40K to 50K , Id personally go for a 30 to 37ft flybridge myself, Fairline Corniche? Princess 35? Birchwood TS37(supersport)?

Must admit when I saw the budget I also thought something like the Corniche would be good. However the OP was worried about spending £50k on a 15 year old Sealine, so how would they feel about spending the same amount on a 25 year old Fairline?

Interesting that the boats being recommended are all sports boats with legs.

I guess that is because the OP was looking at Sealine S28s and Bayliners so it sounds like they are already going down that route.

 

[Merbals]

Wow my head hurts and my apologies for starting which seems like a common war between certain boat marquees lol.

I am so sorry for the late reply and thank you all for your time. Took ages to post and gave up checking then been busy moving home anyway enough of my ramblings.

Where shall I start, well yes I am a total noob at skippering my own boat and plan to do my courses over Xmas period early Jan. Don't worry I don't plan on buying a boat and straight out to sea. The France/offshore thing is because i don't want to be restricted and have the option later on possibly in a year or two. I say I am a noob but my father inlaw has had boats for many years and currently has a Glastron....errr don't ask my personal opinion on these as I spend most my time repairing it and working on the AD31 Penta. I am an engineer by trade and very good with a spanner and engines so that side of things I am pretty clued up with and also have sea experience and driven his boat when accompanied. My partner in crime has been brought up with boats all her life so nothing new to her but again she has never skippered 1 on her own. I would say we know the basics and also have experience where we appreciate the sea and know to respect it.

The fathers boat is in north Wales and I definitely want to stick to the west coast but have looked at moorings and fancy a change of scenery so have decided on Cardiff. This seems best for us with both location and cost as we are in the midlands.

I haven't ruled anything out and open to suggestions I do like the look of flybridges but worried about cost. I certainly have no problem in buying an older boat just really don't want to get it totally wrong. Just a little wrong would be nice lol.

 

[Merbals]

Is it me or has no mention of any flybridges on this post?......hmmm 40K to 50K , Id personally go for a 30 to 37ft flybridge myself, Fairline Corniche? Princess 35? Birchwood TS37(supersport)?

Lovely looking boats and IMO not looking dated for 20+ yrs old boats , All have mainly nice twin shaft diesel setups and good equipment and all have mostly had re-furbs on interiors so I think it would be silly not to consider those types of crafts.

Thanks for the advice and I think this is the sort of answer I was looking for. I have been looking at the Fairline Corniche and have to admit I think it suits me perfectly the more I have thought about it. Discussing more with my partner I think we are decided on something that we can stay comfortably on over the weekend even if we don't take her out but more like a second home in Cardiff as we love the city. We are definately heading down that route more so than a sports cruiser as I think it gives us more options. I have to admit I love the Birchwood but I think this will be out of my budget for a nice one.

I still have that worry in my mind that its a lot of money for something 20 years old but I guess its all about finding the right one that has been maintained.

 

[Andy Bav]

http://www.essexboatyards.com/boat.php?id=820

just flicking around the internet and came across this. Not sure if its of interest. No connection.

 

[RobWales]

Want a Corniche?

No connection or interest here either, but IMHO if this is mechanicaly sound then it has to be the bargain of the century!

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=326668

 

[Will Morgan]

Thanks for the advice and I think this is the sort of answer I was looking for. I have been looking at the Fairline Corniche and have to admit I think it suits me perfectly the more I have thought about it. Discussing more with my partner I think we are decided on something that we can stay comfortably on over the weekend even if we don't take her out but more like a second home in Cardiff as we love the city. We are definately heading down that route more so than a sports cruiser as I think it gives us more options. I have to admit I love the Birchwood but I think this will be out of my budget for a nice one.

I still have that worry in my mind that its a lot of money for something 20 years old but I guess its all about finding the right one that has been maintained.

By the sounds of it the smaller flybridge option will suit you more As thats the same ball park as what Im looking at, rather than the smaller sportscruiser. Aswell if youre thinking of being at Cardiff and navigating the Severn Channel I would from experience rather be using a twin shaft/leg flybridge than a smaller sportscruiser. Im currently looking for a decent condition Sealine 305/310 Statesman at the moment and I would be using it in the channel but keeping it on the inshore River Avon / Severn, Cant wait for all the haters now Ive just mentioned a early 90's Sealine (All the build quality jokes).

But definatly look at the Corniche , There is a lot of clean examples in the market at the moment

 

[RogerRat]

http://www.essexboatyards.com/boat.php?id=820

just flicking around the internet and came across this. Not sure if its of interest. No connection.

This Turbo 36 is twice the boat of the Corniche below but then it is twice the price!

Having owned a Sealine 305, I would definitely recommend the Turbo36 or similar. They are always popular and have a great reputation. Dealing with Essex just a added bonus. imho of course.