Advice on getting a cruiser

[Fenlander]

My wife suddenly announced that we should get a boat after 20 years of staying at home whilst I was out on mine, after looking around several different types we have decided on something with an aft cabin around 30ft After looking at a Freeman30 I decided that it was no good as the props just stick out the bottom with no protection, we must have something with a keel to protect the prop as we will be in shallow water for some of the time and I also want something that will take the ground without fear of damaging the sterngear. Trouble is its a bit difficult to know exactly what to go for as when buying a boat that is in the water its difficult to see the underwater profile and very often the people who are showing you the boat don't even know themselves. Any ideas on which boats to look for would be appreciated.

 

[Tidnock]

If you have enjoyed many years (20) of boating on your own, may I suggest you take your wife to see some good films, The perfect Storm, Jaws 1 2 3, the poseidon adventure, Dead Calm and Adrift

 

[AndieMac]

Fenlander


Just to think outside the square a little, would you consider a power cat with outboards that tilt up clear. Shallow drafted and will sit on any bottom, incredibly stable for swmbo.
A smaller cat (30 - 32 feet) is not too wide (12') for locks and marina berths.

To get full prop protection, you will need a displacement hull, and it will still lay on its side when it dries out, unless its in mud.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

If you have enjoyed many years (20) of boating on your own, may I suggest you take your wife to see some good films, The perfect Storm, Jaws 1 2 3, the poseidon adventure, Dead Calm and Adrift

Jaws is a good plan, "you are going to need a bigger boat"

 

[PCUK]

Fenlander

To get full prop protection, you will need a displacement hull, and it will still lay on its side when it dries out, unless its in mud.

Unless it has bilge keels like many do!

 

[Fenlander]

I would consider a cat yes although wifes main ambition is to potter up and down the river I intend to introduce her to the sea gently, and she's seen all the films. Displacement boat almost certainly as price of diesel is now more than petrol, thats another consideration don't want to be constrained by fuel consumption issues as we intend to keep the boat into our retirement.

 

[tinkicker0]

My wife suddenly announced that we should get a boat after 20 years of staying at home whilst I was out on mine, after looking around several different types we have decided on something with an aft cabin around 30ft After looking at a Freeman30 I decided that it was no good as the props just stick out the bottom with no protection, we must have something with a keel to protect the prop as we will be in shallow water for some of the time and I also want something that will take the ground without fear of damaging the sterngear. Trouble is its a bit difficult to know exactly what to go for as when buying a boat that is in the water its difficult to see the underwater profile and very often the people who are showing you the boat don't even know themselves. Any ideas on which boats to look for would be appreciated.

Looks like you need a (shakes with revulsion) Narrowboat!

They have a nice steel plate under the prop, do a zillion miles to the gallon, do shallow canals and slow running rivers with ease and are made for lots of banging and crashing about.
They will even sit upright on the mud as they have a wide flat bottom.

Just choose your days and location very carefully before venturing into any kind of estuary.

 

[barfly4657]

What boat?

A Mitchell 31 would enable you to carry on fishing AND take SWMBO cruising occasionally. Originally a popular sea angler now selling for about £22k, later versions incorporated better accommodation and ultimately, in the Mk III, an aft cabin - but expect to pay £40-45k .
This combination of semi-displacement hull and single shaft is very economical on fuel and ideal for cruising rivers and canals from the Medway to Marseilles including cross-Channel too - think about it!
A substantial skeg protects both prop and rudder, and it would be worth enlarging the bilge 'runners' to achieve comfortable drying out.
Similar features are embodied in the 28ft Newhaven Sea Warrior.

 

[whisper]

A Mitchell 31 would enable you to carry on fishing AND take SWMBO cruising occasionally. Originally a popular sea angler now selling for about £22k, later versions incorporated better accommodation and ultimately, in the Mk III, an aft cabin - but expect to pay £40-45k .
This combination of semi-displacement hull and single shaft is very economical on fuel and ideal for cruising rivers and canals from the Medway to Marseilles including cross-Channel too - think about it!
A substantial skeg protects both prop and rudder, and it would be worth enlarging the bilge 'runners' to achieve comfortable drying out.
Similar features are embodied in the 28ft Newhaven Sea Warrior.

Good suggestion - both really look the part as well.

 

[Black_Pearl]

Another Mitchell 31 recommendation - ours has been used extensively on rivers & driven up sandbanks ;-) Thank god for bilge keels!, tough as old boots and very capable at sea - If you're not in a rush!

A bit dated but cheap to run, easy handling & low(ish) maintenance, cheap ford spares.

1 gallon/hour @ 8 Knots
8 GPH @ 14 Kts
212 HP Mermaid

 

[Kawasaki]

If you have enjoyed many years (20) of boating on your own, may I suggest you take your wife to see some good films, The perfect Storm, Jaws 1 2 3, the poseidon adventure, Dead Calm and Adrift

Tw&t
And that andy fanner fella!
Can I say twats?

 

[Kawasaki]

Oh!-- it seems I can.
That has added to My vocabulary on ere!

 

[oldgit]

You need.

Something from Holland and made out of steel is what you need.Well protected prop and loads of room inside,unlike Mitchells which are built for hobbits who only like days out. IMHO.

 

[Cliveshep]

Something from Holland and made out of steel is what you need.Well protected prop and loads of room inside,unlike Mitchells which are built for hobbits who only like days out. IMHO.

And failing that, look at older boats with stern-drives, dependant on your budget these might well be a more attractive proposition. The older RLM 31/32ft on the Senior hull, tried and tested at sea and inland, loads of space, drives kick up out of the way. Various engine/drive options out there on older Project/Senior 31's, such as Perkins with Enfield 130 Z drives, still a reliable setup and loads about cheaply, some had Mercruisers, some had Volvos, petrol and diesel installations, moving up slightly on the same hull the Princess 32's, higher windage, a little more glamorous for an older boat, still sea-capable as well as river, and dependant on power options 14 knots plus with planing hulls on all of these so you don't spend all day at full chat with the tide pushing you backwards.

Then there's the wide beam Brooms, Ocean 30, Broom 30, the Volvos of the sea going on for ever, 10 knots perhaps with twin screws, not bad for a displacement hull, Seamaster 30 likewise, all in single or twin screw options. How about a Fairline 30, 25knots flat out with twin petrol 4-cyl; engines and drives? Moonraker 350 at 36ft, fast but juicy when flat out but loads of fun and very much a head turner still.

 

[Tidnock]

Tw&t
And that andy fanner fella!
Can I say twats?

I will consider myself told off then