Advice needed

[Markb999]

I have just returned to this country and have thought about buying a cruiser on the Thames. Having spent the last few years running fast boats for diving with twin 200 Yamahas ect at silly speeds I would now like some thing on the Thames to enjoy weekends and breaks on.
Questions: boat sales ect from main marinas such as Bray ect are they willing to trade or take offers on the marked prices on boats? Coming from Dubai and not been home for a while not used to paying full price for anything, would it be offensive to ask for 10% or more off the marked price.
What is the cost of using marinas and what do they offer? Is it best o use a marina as I presume there are 5* to 2* marinas at varying cost.
If I had say 20k to spend would I get any thing reasonable?
Who is a good broker to visit to get some good advice ?
Sorry it sounds all a little naive but I am not used to cruising rivers and would like to get it right, so as not to make a shambles of it
Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Ramage]

The guys at Bray and Penton Hook are very good. There is no problem with making an offer lower than the asking price, they will refer the offer to the owner who will then decide if he wants to sell.

For Thames use a displacement or semi-displacement boat with good wide decks is ideal. You will be passing through a lot of locks, so it is best to have a boat your crew can get around on!

At £20k you should be looking for Birchwood, Freeman or Broom 30.

With marinas you get what you pay for. At the more economical end of the Market there are places such as Saxon Moorings (Old Windsor).

For a full service marina with security, nice loo/ shower blocks, power, floating pontoons etc MDL's marinas (Bray, Penton Hook & Windsor) are hard to beat.

If you are looking at a boat with Bray Marine Sales (or their sister office at Penton Hook), why not pop into the marina office for a quote?