Advice on first family boat

[chortle]

Hi LB and Oscar

Thanks for the info both - really useful. I think for the 655 the speeds look like 6knots or 14-16knots.

LB, that’s an amazing renovation of your boat!

There is a 705 as it turns out (and an Antares 7). - bigger inboards and a bit more space. Don’t see many around in the U.K. though.

 

[LBRodders]

Hi LB and Oscar

Thanks for the info both - really useful. I think for the 655 the speeds look like 6knots or 14-16knots.

LB, that’s an amazing renovation of your boat!

There is a 705 as it turns out (and an Antares 7). - bigger inboards and a bit more space. Don’t see many around in the U.K. though.

I'd hang on to your cash and keep your powder dry if I were you.

This season has gone really, and to think of the best for you - there may be quite a few people offloading decent boats in the next few months. Sounds harsh I know, but a situation not of your doing that may actually work for you.

My opinion on the newer fast fishers/outboards is that whilst they are good value and functional, the build quality in general is fair to average at best. There are lots of them about, and so I wouldn't feel the need to rush and buy one - because next year there will still be many for sale.

Because we wanted to weekend as a family, we wanted a separate door'd cabin and eventually all roads led us to our boat of choice. It has been a lot of work [and cash] but you soon realise that you can never have enough reliable boat when you are out with the family [and dog] and it chops up/gets grim.

[Having read all posts properly], considering you are going to be marina based and limited in size this would be me 2p, if you could get one that has had the money spent on it and even better if it has been re engined.

Fairline Carrera for sale UK, Fairline boats for sale, Fairline used boat sales, Fairline Motor Boats For Sale 1984 Fairline Carrera - Apollo Duck

This could be good for low twenty knots, and cruising at 17knts [maybe circa 30-35l/hr with the family]


Whilst possibly looking for hens teeth or the proverbial rocking horse 5hite, the wait would be worth it. And pound for pound I don't think you could beat it. You just need to find the right one.

Just found this review, which I am sure you will enjoy - pages 40/41

Fairline Carrera review - Pages 40/41

 

[ST840]

Here’s something you may not have considered.
could be got in budget I reckon.

Starfisher - ST 760 in Devon, South West | Boats and Outboards

 

[gordmac]

What about the perenial favourite, CI 22?

 

[BruceK]

What about the perenial favourite, CI 22?

That'll have Kwakkers waxing lyrical on what he believes is the epitome of boating.

 

[Kawasaki]

Now
A Channel Island 22
Der have 8 hours to Spare?
If so fair enough
Then after The Introduction
Another 5 for the Induction
A mere 4 for the Explanation
And the seas yer Ocean!

 

[chortle]

So I did actually go and see several boats yesterday including a MF655, a S220 and a Sprint. The Sprint needed a lot of work cosmetically and the S220 maybe a little less. They were both well used and showed their years. With the S220, it feels a little claustraphobic in the aft part of the cockpit - hemmed in under the arch and behind the high set helm seat. I can imagine it being quite sickening underway as the sightline is very restricted. I actually preferred the Sprint layout. Better access to the engine actually and an easier canopy but it does feel a bit older still and, as I said, the one that I looked at was a bit of a project.

The MF655 was obviously newer and clearly well cared for. Very tempting actually. The glass wheelhouse with the glass rear doors means that the whole thing is a lot airier and even though the cockpit is not bigger, it feels a lot more open (because of the glass doors). Very easy going forward because of the wide side decks (quite challenging with the S220 actually).

One thing is the engine. I get it now. It is literally right under your backside. Actually not bad at tickover for a diesel but obviously there will be a good bit of noise and vibration. Also I am not sure that at cruise it would actually be that comfortable for our use. It is obviously going to sit more in the water, feel a bit more exposed and I guess be a bit wetter than a planing boat at similar (or probably slightly higher speeds).

So, I cam away feeling that for a cruiser we would need something bigger - probably at least 8m. At c. 7m the sports fisher format actually is really good and now I am thinking maybe an MF645 or the equivalent under the other brand names might be the way to go. Basically you lose the (small) enclosed heads. That's a shame, but on the other hand you gain a seated table for 3 in the wheelhouse, a planing hull with a quieter 4-stroke outboard and an easy fit for auxiliary engine. I think that might actually be the better compromise.

Also, I had a look at a Sea Ray 215 and actually it was much more interesting than I thought it would be. More deck space but still a decent protective cuddy and heads. Could be fished from although not ideal. So basically a trade off between interior and exterior space (obviously with a much, larger and thirstier sterndrive). There are others that I see like this - Karnic 2250/2260 is one (not sure about these). I think a fully open boat would just be too restrictive but these walkarounds are another possible compromise I guess. Bayliner Trophy's also although they tend to have nothing much by way of seating.

Thoughts most welcome!

Regards to all

Thoughts welcome

 

[ST840]

So I did actually go and see several boats yesterday including a MF655, a S220 and a Sprint. The Sprint needed a lot of work cosmetically and the S220 maybe a little less. They were both well used and showed their years. With the S220, it feels a little claustraphobic in the aft part of the cockpit - hemmed in under the arch and behind the high set helm seat. I can imagine it being quite sickening underway as the sightline is very restricted. I actually preferred the Sprint layout. Better access to the engine actually and an easier canopy but it does feel a bit older still and, as I said, the one that I looked at was a bit of a project.

The MF655 was obviously newer and clearly well cared for. Very tempting actually. The glass wheelhouse with the glass rear doors means that the whole thing is a lot airier and even though the cockpit is not bigger, it feels a lot more open (because of the glass doors). Very easy going forward because of the wide side decks (quite challenging with the S220 actually).

One thing is the engine. I get it now. It is literally right under your backside. Actually not bad at tickover for a diesel but obviously there will be a good bit of noise and vibration. Also I am not sure that at cruise it would actually be that comfortable for our use. It is obviously going to sit more in the water, feel a bit more exposed and I guess be a bit wetter than a planing boat at similar (or probably slightly higher speeds).

So, I cam away feeling that for a cruiser we would need something bigger - probably at least 8m. At c. 7m the sports fisher format actually is really good and now I am thinking maybe an MF645 or the equivalent under the other brand names might be the way to go. Basically you lose the (small) enclosed heads. That's a shame, but on the other hand you gain a seated table for 3 in the wheelhouse, a planing hull with a quieter 4-stroke outboard and an easy fit for auxiliary engine. I think that might actually be the better compromise.

Also, I had a look at a Sea Ray 215 and actually it was much more interesting than I thought it would be. More deck space but still a decent protective cuddy and heads. Could be fished from although not ideal. So basically a trade off between interior and exterior space (obviously with a much, larger and thirstier sterndrive). There are others that I see like this - Karnic 2250/2260 is one (not sure about these). I think a fully open boat would just be too restrictive but these walkarounds are another possible compromise I guess. Bayliner Trophy's also although they tend to have nothing much by way of seating.

Thoughts most welcome!

Regards to all

Thoughts welcome

Did you look at the starfisher ?

 

[chortle]

Yes - looks good actually but slightly too long for our berth and not a day trip that we can manage for a viewing. One question on these wheelhouse boats? How hot does it get there in summer - I see the side windows and hatch of course but I am just wondering how it works out on a nice summer day...

 

[Hot Property]

If you are planning on doing most of your boating on the Solent then I wouldn't recommend a "walk around".

I had a Cap Camerat 625WA and sold it within a season. It was actually a good seakeeping hull but the exposed helm and passenger seating area was not for me. I bought what is a bit like a big Fletcher (Saver 690) - see link below, this has a large cockpit, good windscreen and reasonable accommodation including enclosed head, sink, fridge..

Mine doesn't have the rear cabin but if you can get one of those it would provide great accommodation. Top speed with 200 verado is around33-35 knots which is quite respectable for its size and weight.

The Solent chop is not particularly friendly to smaller boats so don't buy one that is exposed in the first place....

Saver Imbarcazioni - Produttori di barche dal 1986

Cap Camarat 625 WA | Jeanneau Boats

 

[chortle]

Yes, we will be boating out of Lymington, so we have the choice of west if conditions allow or eastwards. Yes concerned that the more open boats will be too exposed and limited to a relatively few days in the summer.

I have been steering towards the MF645 type and picked up on some threads on that from people based in the Solent. It's a relatively light boat with a relatively light outboard. Also quite a shallow v-hull especially to the aft section. I am wondering how useable that will be over the available cruising grounds for day trips and especially how prevalent trickier conditions will be over the season. The eastern stretch towards Portsmouth harbour before the forts is I guess going to be calmer on average. Towards Hurst castle depending on tide and wind direction I guess is the more challenging. I am just not sure how limiting the 645 would be. In the end, I think we would be looking at F3 or lower anyway but not sure how much the tide will further limit us.

Is it a big factor in your view?

 

[ST840]

Yes - looks good actually but slightly too long for our berth and not a day trip that we can manage for a viewing. One question on these wheelhouse boats? How hot does it get there in summer - I see the side windows and hatch of course but I am just wondering how it works out on a nice summer day...

I have a starfisher 840 , it’s basically the same boat just longer. In the summer with the two wheelhouse sliding g windows open, forward hatch and port holes open it’s not hot. obviously when under way you would close the hatch and port holes but with the sliding door and wheel house windows there is more than enough breeze.
I disagree with the comments about a walk around, especially on this boat because the helm is not exposed. Devon is not too far to go for a viewing and to be fair for the right boat a trip over the channel is not too far. Don’t make the mistake of buying a boat because it’s local !
I’m in Hamble if you want a look round mine !

 

[Canopy Locked]

Could I throw in my H'appence worth? Family boat to my mind = comfort. Have had a number of motor boats and the last one was a modern Merry Fisher 755 Marlin - nice boat - but not a patch on my older Mitchell 31 Mk2.

Can I suggest that if you're looking around the 8m, then perhaps something like the Seaward 25 should be something to consider? Speed is not the end all and be all and certainly while the 755 could bat along at 20+ kts, it was horribly uncomfortable in anything other than a calm sea. - The Mitchell on the other hand plodded along at 14 -15 kts quite serenely though chop and bigger waves, all the while allowing the passenger to enjoy their tea or whatever.

 

[Oscar24]

I wouldnt bother putting an aux engine on the back of a MF645. Just get Sea Start.
Its a light boat and great in light conditions. You want to avoid loading one up too much.
And i totally agree with robmchugh above regards speed. Its not that important.
A force 4 + and you have to wind the speed right back in the MF

 

[ST840]

Agree with the above! I had an MF755 and it looked lovely but was the worst riding boat I’ve ever had !

 

[chortle]

Hi all

So, after much thought, we went a slightly different way. For cost reasons (berthing) we are restricted on length somewhat, and, as a used purchase, the MF755s are significantly up on the older inboard MF model that we have looked at. In the end, we have plumped for a Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser. I was impressed with it in every way (for what it is) and it ticks many of our boxes at a reasonable cost (offset a little on running costs, but I still think a good trade off). Overall, a good compromise I hope for our day tripping plans!

With some time under our belts as a family, we will have a clearer idea of whether we need something more in the future. I still like the look of the MF series at the c. 8m size (e.g. the new 795) although I note the comments above on the earlier (similar) 755. In any event, is a much bigger investment, as you know, and something to take time over.

Anyway, I want to thank everyone for their assistance - it was (is) much appreciated and I will definitely keep an eye on the forum in the future and try to contribute.

Regards to all

 

[Canopy Locked]

Excited for you and I wish you every happiness with it.

remember the old adage for all new boat owners. The 2 happiest days of boat ownership... "when you buy your first boat..... and when you sell it! "

 

[BruceK]

Hi all

So, after much thought, we went a slightly different way. For cost reasons (berthing) we are restricted on length somewhat, and, as a used purchase, the MF755s are significantly up on the older inboard MF model that we have looked at. In the end, we have plumped for a Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser. I was impressed with it in every way (for what it is) and it ticks many of our boxes at a reasonable cost (offset a little on running costs, but I still think a good trade off). Overall, a good compromise I hope for our day tripping plans!

With some time under our belts as a family, we will have a clearer idea of whether we need something more in the future. I still like the look of the MF series at the c. 8m size (e.g. the new 795) although I note the comments above on the earlier (similar) 755. In any event, is a much bigger investment, as you know, and something to take time over.

Anyway, I want to thank everyone for their assistance - it was (is) much appreciated and I will definitely keep an eye on the forum in the future and try to contribute.

Regards to all

I had it's earlier incarnation and it proved to be a good boat at sea. Congratulations.

 

[Ross G]

I have the Starfisher 840wa would agree it would make an excellent family boat. There is plenty of room inside and outside the high sides would keep your children safe. If you want any particular photos let me know.

 

[Westymarlow]

Unless you want to put her on a trailer, I'd go for 8m.

Here's our first season (last year) with our 8m Fairline Sunfury. 2 adults, 2 little kids and 2 big kids. However only have 2+2 really at any one time.

First season

We have a swing mooring for the summer and keep her ashore for the winter (6months). I doubt the UK winter would be too much fun in an 8m boat.
That keeps costs down ?

LB, really enjoyed seeing what you’d done with your Sunfury. I have the same boat and have done many upgrades. I think they’re great boats for a family weekend. I’m particularly interested in the upgrade you did to the dash and instrumentation as it’s the final upgrade I want to do. Any recommendations on where to get this done ?