Advice on getting started

[Eagle00]

Hi,

New to this forum and after a bit of advice. Would really appreciate any thoughts.

Looking to buy my first boat in 2021. Have a budget up to £40k and would like something reasonable sporty that would also be comfortable to spend weekends on, or perhaps slightly longer. It would only be my girlfriend and I staying on the boat. A decent sized outside area would be good to have as we’d like to have friends along for day trips.

I realise I’ll be looking at something a fair few years old so reliability and reasonable servicing costs are important.

I’ve done a bit of research online and saw
a boat called a Jeanneau 805 Leader that seems to tick the boxes. Is that any good? What else should be considered? My research has been very limited.

Finally, debating where to keep it. I live in Croydon and would like to be able to get to it in under 2 hours. Would likely go west from the marina more often than not. Is Chichester a good option? Any others to consider?

Really appreciate any advice.

Thanks

 

[Oscar24]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
First thing to figure out is where you want to be based, Have a look round a few yards to get a feel of what there like.
When you have an idea where that might be, have a look at what other boats are there (the ones being used)
I have a Jeanneau MF and am very happy with it for what i use it for, but all boats are a compromise tbh.
Whatever you end up with, try to get some boating tuition on your own boat (included in the sale maybe?) as it will be worth it.
Best of luck in your search ;-)

 

[Eagle00]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
First thing to figure out is where you want to be based, Have a look round a few yards to get a feel of what there like.
When you have an idea where that might be, have a look at what other boats are there (the ones being used)
I have a Jeanneau MF and am very happy with it for what i use it for, but all boats are a compromise tbh.
Whatever you end up with, try to get some boating tuition on your own boat (included in the sale maybe?) as it will be worth it.
Best of luck in your search ;-)

Thanks for the advice. I’ll try to get down to a few marinas and have a look round.

 

[Reality61]

Welcome to our hobby.
There is not the perfect boat made sorry to disappoint you Compromises are on speed accommodation size and cost. Where you boat and what you want to do, will narrow the field as there are so many brands.
£40 K should see you with a good used boat. What ever you have, get the engines or engines surveyed as a minimum. Diesel will always have a better supply chain than Petrol as some marinas do not sell Petrol.
Although it is a bit further Poole has a great natural harbour which gives you lots of places to go even if it is windy. From here IOW is 16 Nm, Weymouth is 22Nm. So you can maybe have the best of both worlds. There is also dry stack berthing here as well.
A good smaller first cruiser is a Sealine S23 or S25 they are the same boat single diesel KAD 32. If you like this and go bigger you will not blow your brains out if you sell. A lot of the other small cruiser brands will be American and predomantly will be Petrol set ups. The other style is more pilot houses which are great boats with a high freeboard (High sides from the cockpit) but are the not the prettiest to look at.
Older bigger cruisers may fit the bill but have a full survey as some brands in the 90's had hull problems.
Half the fun is looking so get out there now and see what you like, then when you are ready you know what to be hunting down. The yacht market.com will give you a lot of pictures to go through

 

[lisilou]

Hi & welcome.
we spent about 7 years travelling from Croydon (Purley) to our boat on the Hamble. 1 hour 15 on a good day; 1 & 1/2 typically but fridays in the height of summer could take 3 if you don’t leave before 2pm. As I say, mostly it was a doddle. We now live 3 mins from Swanwick which is a massive win.
On the ‘which boat’ question...FWIW, our 2nd boat was a Monterey 250 CR. Single mercruiser engine. We happily spent extended times on her just the two of us plus days out with friends. We found it offered a lot for the money. Depends how old you’re prepared to go but food for thought.
Take a few trips, try out the journey for size at different times & just enjoy the search & learning curve along the way. This forum was invaluable to me when we were starting out.
L

 

[paradave]

Like others have said, there is no one boat that ticks all the boxes sadly. The Leader is a great boat however and a good size for first boat and how you see yourself using it.
Re Chi marina, my only complaint with it is that on a nice summer day the traffic can get pretty bad to get to your Boat. This was also a problem I had with Brighton. I’m at port Solent now and so far so good.

 

[Eagle00]

Welcome to our hobby.
There is not the perfect boat made sorry to disappoint you Compromises are on speed accommodation size and cost. Where you boat and what you want to do, will narrow the field as there are so many brands.
£40 K should see you with a good used boat. What ever you have, get the engines or engines surveyed as a minimum. Diesel will always have a better supply chain than Petrol as some marinas do not sell Petrol.
Although it is a bit further Poole has a great natural harbour which gives you lots of places to go even if it is windy. From here IOW is 16 Nm, Weymouth is 22Nm. So you can maybe have the best of both worlds. There is also dry stack berthing here as well.
A good smaller first cruiser is a Sealine S23 or S25 they are the same boat single diesel KAD 32. If you like this and go bigger you will not blow your brains out if you sell. A lot of the other small cruiser brands will be American and predomantly will be Petrol set ups. The other style is more pilot houses which are great boats with a high freeboard (High sides from the cockpit) but are the not the prettiest to look at.
Older bigger cruisers may fit the bill but have a full survey as some brands in the 90's had hull problems.
Half the fun is looking so get out there now and see what you like, then when you are ready you know what to be hunting down. The yacht market.com will give you a lot of pictures to go through

Thanks for the advice!

Had a look at the S23 and S25 and they certainly fit the bill. Thanks. They look like good options.

I do prefer Poole as a base as love the Jurassic coast. It does seem to offer more in terms of interesting boating. Just need to weigh up that in relation to the extra travel time.
Any idea on what annual berthing costs would be in Poole for a boat like this?

Thanks

 

[Eagle00]

Hi & welcome.
we spent about 7 years travelling from Croydon (Purley) to our boat on the Hamble. 1 hour 15 on a good day; 1 & 1/2 typically but fridays in the height of summer could take 3 if you don’t leave before 2pm. As I say, mostly it was a doddle. We now live 3 mins from Swanwick which is a massive win.
On the ‘which boat’ question...FWIW, our 2nd boat was a Monterey 250 CR. Single mercruiser engine. We happily spent extended times on her just the two of us plus days out with friends. We found it offered a lot for the money. Depends how old you’re prepared to go but food for thought.
Take a few trips, try out the journey for size at different times & just enjoy the search & learning curve along the way. This forum was invaluable to me when we were starting out.
L

Thanks for the reply.

I’m actually also in Purley now so good access to the M25. Moved from more central Croydon about 8 months ago.

I did notice some Monterey boats when browsing online. Will check that out.

Any thoughts on petrol vs diesel?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Eagle00]

Hi & welcome.
we spent about 7 years travelling from Croydon (Purley) to our boat on the Hamble. 1 hour 15 on a good day; 1 & 1/2 typically but fridays in the height of summer could take 3 if you don’t leave before 2pm. As I say, mostly it was a doddle. We now live 3 mins from Swanwick which is a massive win.
On the ‘which boat’ question...FWIW, our 2nd boat was a Monterey 250 CR. Single mercruiser engine. We happily spent extended times on her just the two of us plus days out with friends. We found it offered a lot for the money. Depends how old you’re prepared to go but food for thought.
Take a few trips, try out the journey for size at different times & just enjoy the search & learning curve along the way. This forum was invaluable to me when we were starting out.
L

Also, meant to ask..would you recommend Hamble?
Thanks

 

[DazzyWoo]

Welcome, you want to follow Aquaholic Nick on Youtube He does boat reviews and own this boat.

A couple of videos that you need to watch

NB: Other boats are available. I am a fan of twin engines. The running costs are higher, but are offset by manoeuvrability and stability. I would be tempted to look at a Fairline Targa 33 (twin engines) - but it a much older boat. Here is a 95 model advertised for £50k (see comments re: sellers market below)

Final words: - generally boat prices are negotiable, though post-lock-down its definitely a sellers market at this moment in time. Prices are generally weaker in the middle of winter.

There is no perfect boat, you need to get the boat that best meets your needs, which you wont properly know until you have bought one.

Whatever tempts you, make sure you get it surveyed and sea trialled by a professional.

GL
DW

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Also, meant to ask..would you recommend Hamble?
Thanks

It's busy and expensive but very handy. I kept my boat in Chichester for some time, gorgeous you don't want to leave, but it's a long way to the Solent (relatively speaking). Arguably a bit easier than Poole as you don't have the Needles / North channel to deal with. Chi and Poole both large areas of water and have a lot to interest you. I'd pick Chichester to start.

 

[Hooligan]

I think worth considering Northney Marina at the top of Hayling Island. The key is ease of access and this is an easy access off the A27. It will take 20 mins to get to the Solent but at least you are on the water as opposed to in your car if you choose say Sparkes Marina at the bottom of Hayling. From where you are the Hamble is a longer schlepp and again if you go to Hamble point and the marinas there you will find a lot of congestion between the main road and the marinas.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

That’s a good idea. Less to explore in Langstone. But the Royal Oak is or will be, some compensation. ?

 

[Eagle00]

Like others have said, there is no one boat that ticks all the boxes sadly. The Leader is a great boat however and a good size for first boat and how you see yourself using it.
Re Chi marina, my only complaint with it is that on a nice summer day the traffic can get pretty bad to get to your Boat. This was also a problem I had with Brighton. I’m at port Solent now and so far so good.

Thanks for the advice. Really useful.

 

[Eagle00]

It's busy and expensive but very handy. I kept my boat in Chichester for some time, gorgeous you don't want to leave, but it's a long way to the Solent (relatively speaking). Arguably a bit easier than Poole as you don't have the Needles / North channel to deal with. Chi and Poole both large areas of water and have a lot to interest you. I'd pick Chichester to start.

Thanks

 

[Eagle00]

Welcome, you want to follow Aquaholic Nick on Youtube He does boat reviews and own this boat.

A couple of videos that you need to watch

NB: Other boats are available. I am a fan of twin engines. The running costs are higher, but are offset by manoeuvrability and stability. I would be tempted to look at a Fairline Targa 33 (twin engines) - but it a much older boat. Here is a 95 model advertised for £50k (see comments re: sellers market below)

Final words: - generally boat prices are negotiable, though post-lock-down its definitely a sellers market at this moment in time. Prices are generally weaker in the middle of winter.

There is no perfect boat, you need to get the boat that best meets your needs, which you wont properly know until you have bought one.

Whatever tempts you, make sure you get it surveyed and sea trialled by a professional.

GL
DW

Really useful stuff. I’ll try to find time to watch these videos tomorrow. Seem like exactly what I need! Thank you

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Best of luck

 

[Oscar24]

Thanks for the advice!

Had a look at the S23 and S25 and they certainly fit the bill. Thanks. They look like good options.

I do prefer Poole as a base as love the Jurassic coast. It does seem to offer more in terms of interesting boating. Just need to weigh up that in relation to the extra travel time.
Any idea on what annual berthing costs would be in Poole for a boat like this?

Thanks

Im based in Holes Bay Poole,
Cheapest walk on mooring in Poole is about 4k a year for an 8mtr boat. For one of the premium marinas double it.
Poole Harbour is a very nice place for a boat, the main issue for you (imo) would be the traffic getting down from London, it is the best part of 2.5 hours on a good day but bank holiday weekends forget it!
M3 M27 and then the dreaded A31
The A31 is a real bottleneck now and there's no way round it sadly.

 

[Eagle00]

Im based in Holes Bay Poole,
Cheapest walk on mooring in Poole is about 4k a year for an 8mtr boat. For one of the premium marinas double it.
Poole Harbour is a very nice place for a boat, the main issue for you (imo) would be the traffic getting down from London, it is the best part of 2.5 hours on a good day but bank holiday weekends forget it!
M3 M27 and then the dreaded A31
The A31 is a real bottleneck now and there's no way round it sadly.

Thank you again for the advice.

Probably a naive question, but what is the difference between a berthing you mention at around £4K compared to one at double that? Seems quite a bit of difference!

Thanks

 

[BruceK]

The difference would be inner city ghetto vs outskirts slums. I know, neither is particularly appealing. Find yourself a nice mooring at even less with better views and some privacy