Advice on Small (5-5.5m) Simple Boat for South of France

[captainhooked]

Hello,

I'm hoping to finally get a space at a port in Antibes (I've been waiting a while for one to come up) for a small (it has to be 5-5.5 metre) boat in the next month or two.

We have a holiday house locally there and spend the summer there as well as a weeks at Easter, mid terms etc throughout the year so the boat will be used a lot at some times of year but still go several months without use at a time also.

What I'm looking to get is a simple boating setup that will be reliable/easy to use/easy to maintain (I hire boats there sometimes but have minimal boating experience). Mainly this will be for just doing short trips out from the port for fishing, relaxation, swimming etc, I'm unlikely to go more than a few km up and down the coast from there and always pretty close to land. I'll mostly be going out with 1-4 people but would like to be able to bring 6-8 people out in summer when we have lots of visitors. It might be nice to have a powerful enough outboard for pulling people around on rings etc though this is probably not a priority.

I was thinking about a "plastic" boat such as a Whaly 500 as these seem to require next to no maintenance, are fairly bulletproof if I bump into anything and unsinkable. They are very basic and probably not the most comfortable for passengers, though I'm sure I could get some cushions for the seats on it.

The alternative might be a more traditional 5m motorboat which might be more comfortable/look nicer but need more maintenance?

Another thing that appealed to me (which I have a feeling you guys will not think is a great idea) is having the boat powered by an electric outboard. I'm a big fan of EVs and have driven them for years, our house runs mainly on a large solar setup with big batteries and so I like the idea of the electric boat also. Now I realise most electric boats are very expensive/niche products. But batteries are cheap as is an outboard like this: Electric Outboard Boat Motors | Elco Motor Yachts Like I say my boating range is likely to be fairly minimal so the downsides of an electric boat (range) would probably not affect me.

I like the idea of having the boat running on electricity but I'm probably not competent to rig up a Whaly 500 or similar with one of those outboards/suitable batteries and not sure where I could find someone to do it so possibly the petrol outboard might be the simpler solution?

I'm guessing the simplest solution might just be to buy a lightly used boat with outboard etc, maybe somthing like this: https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/nautisme/2860678396 to get me up and running. I'm guessing buying used is the smarter option as opposed to new.

Anyway if anyone could offer me any advice I'd appreciate it. Is there a wonderful plastic boat that is slightly more luxurious than the Whaly? That also comes with the option of an electric outboard/batteries?

Would I be better off with a traditional boat/outboard? I'm fairly open in terms of how much I spend but ideally would prefer to keep it under €20,000 total, I might upgrade in years to come if I get lots of use out of the boat but would prefer to keep things basic to begin with.

Any help/suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Portofino]

Which marina , Salis or port du Crouton ( Juan Les Pins ) ?

Was thinking similar ourselves as we too have a place In Antibes .

Thinking seasonal berth and winter hanger storage if possible erring on port du Crouton as the cruising ground is more sheltered and the Lerins are opposite.
Rounding Cap d Antibes from Salis can get challenging in all but pancake flat seas and the wind changes hourly some days .

I would dismiss solar . Just accept boating is planet burning none eco thing. Forget any nods to Greta Thunbergs agenda .A stroll around port Vauban and you get the idea .

Inboard diesel is the way to go a 10-30 Hp on a straight shaft .

Here are some typical examples .
Mimi do a range plenty of used available.



A pop trad diesel inboard pechers ^


Salis tariffs ^

What sort of qualifications do you have btw ? Unlike the U.K. in France boatings wrapped up in bureaucracy, you will need insurance too .

These guys Blakeney Marine Services | Brokerage will “ new build “ one of there crab boats for the Med with a Yanmar 1 GM .
Or alternatively buy a brokerage used circa £10-11 K ( enough left to Med adapt and transport to Antibes )

 

[julians]

What about a rib rather than one of those plastic boats?

Would be more sea worthy than the plastic boat, and would be just as tough /hard to damage,and possibly easier to sell on when the time comes.

Also, These pontoon style boats (example below) are popular in majorca, they're ugly (imo) but you get a lot of space for any given length, plus more comfy than the plastic boat. They'd easily meet your requirements for comfort and the number of people.

Sunchaser Pontoon Boats

 

[markc]

There are loads of Jeanneau Cap Camarats in SoF. a 5.5 with a decent outboard will do what you want. Option with or without a tiny cuddy cabin (i.e. big storage cupboard) Easy to maintain, and easy to sell on. I'm sure there are lots for sale, - buy one with a bimini

 

[Boathook]

What sort of qualifications do you have btw ? Unlike the U.K. in France boatings wrapped up in bureaucracy, you will need insurance too .

These guys Blakeney Marine Services | Brokerage will “ new build “ one of there crab boats for the Med with a Yanmar 1 GM .
Or alternatively buy a brokerage used circa £10-11 K ( enough left to Med adapt and transport to Antibes )

If the OP is normally UK based and with an UK address, he could register the boat on the SSR and get an ICC plus insurance.

 

[captainhooked]

Which marina , Salis or port du Crouton ( Juan Les Pins ) ?

Was thinking similar ourselves as we too have a place In Antibes .

Thinking seasonal berth and winter hanger storage if possible erring on port du Crouton as the cruising ground is more sheltered and the Lerins are opposite.
Rounding Cap d Antibes from Salis can get challenging in all but pancake flat seas and the wind changes hourly some days .

I would dismiss solar . Just accept boating is planet burning none eco thing. Forget any nods to Greta Thunbergs agenda .A stroll around port Vauban and you get the idea .

Inboard diesel is the way to go a 10-30 Hp on a straight shaft .

Here are some typical examples .
Mimi do a range plenty of used available.



A pop trad diesel inboard pechers ^


Salis tariffs ^

What sort of qualifications do you have btw ? Unlike the U.K. in France boatings wrapped up in bureaucracy, you will need insurance too .

These guys Blakeney Marine Services | Brokerage will “ new build “ one of there crab boats for the Med with a Yanmar 1 GM .
Or alternatively buy a brokerage used circa £10-11 K ( enough left to Med adapt and transport to Antibes )

Thanks very much for your detailed reply!

It's Port Salis, the Juan Les Pins ones are probably nicer in that it's calmer on that side of Cap but I'm about 200m from Port Salis so it's right beside us so I think I'll get a lot more use out of it than if I have to drive there.

That's funny you say about the rounding the Cap being a bit challenging, it's often very choppy on the boats I've gone there in, I'd assumed it was down to the boats being very small and to me being a crappy captain!

I've noticed that while it's a bit rough during the day it often looks lovely and calm around 6-9pm in the bright evenings in summer so I figured that might be a good time to head out and the rental guys don't want you out in their boats that late.

Thanks for the suggestion re inboard diesel, I was not really familiar with them.

One of the issues I've just realised is that I'm quite limited with the dimensions of the boats in the category I've picked (and now can't change without going to the back of the queue which is several years!). Apparently they measure the boat to the cm and won't make any exceptions.

So my max dimensions are 5.5m x 2.15m, and I think the later is going to be an issue as most 5-5.5m long boats are >2.15 m wide. Certainly the ones you'd suggested are all too wide. That was one of the pluses of the Whaly 500, it fits the dimensions and is meant to have a good bit of internal space for the boat size.

In terms of boating qualifications I did a weekend course here in Ireland to get a licence for renting and have some sort of EU licence for "Coastal Waters, Motorised Crafts Only, Not exceeding 80gr tonnes or 24m in length".

As mentioned I'm a complete novice and relatively risk averse (especially with my kids on board) so am likely to stay close to shore till I build up more experience. I've gone to Lerin islands on a rental boat from Juan les Pins before but that's probably about the limit of how far I'd be going and mostly just around the Cap.

Noted re insurance, the French love a bit of bureaucracy so I'm expecting some here also. I think there is boat tax also but I think I might be ok for that as it's a very small boat and I'm not French resident.

 

[captainhooked]

What about a rib rather than one of those plastic boats?

Would be more sea worthy than the plastic boat, and would be just as tough /hard to damage,and possibly easier to sell on when the time comes.

Also, These pontoon style boats (example below) are popular in majorca, they're ugly (imo) but you get a lot of space for any given length, plus more comfy than the plastic boat. They'd easily meet your requirements for comfort and the number of people.

Sunchaser Pontoon Boats

Thanks for your reply.

My max dimensions are 5.5m x 2.15m, and I think the later is going to be an issue as most 5-5.5m long boats are >2.15 m wide.

There seems to be very few RIBS that fit these dimensions. I'm also (probably completely unjustified) more worried about bursting the walls of a RIB, the Whaly is meant to be more indestructible which might be a good feature till I increase by boating skills!

The pontoon boat looks interesting, and might help max out the space requirements. Would it need very flat seas I wonder?

 

[julians]

Thanks for your reply.

My max dimensions are 5.5m x 2.15m, and I think the later is going to be an issue as most 5-5.5m long boats are >2.15 m wide.

There seems to be very few RIBS that fit these dimensions. I'm also (probably completely unjustified) more worried about bursting the walls of a RIB, the Whaly is meant to be more indestructible which might be a good feature till I increase by boating skills!

The pontoon boat looks interesting, and might help max out the space requirements. Would it need very flat seas I wonder?

Ribs are tougher than you think, it's pretty hard to puncture them, and even if you do, theyre constructed of separate chambers so will still float, plus theyre easily repaired.

Re the pontoon boats, I've never driven one, but I see them out in the typical mid afternoon chop in majorca and they look fine, I'd say they'd handle a bigger sea than that whaly

 

[Sticky Fingers]

There are loads of Jeanneau Cap Camarats in SoF. a 5.5 with a decent outboard will do what you want. Option with or without a tiny cuddy cabin (i.e. big storage cupboard) Easy to maintain, and easy to sell on. I'm sure there are lots for sale, - buy one with a bimini

Yup. Or the ’peche promenade’ style of day fisher, almost all outboard powered.

 

[captainhooked]

There are loads of Jeanneau Cap Camarats in SoF. a 5.5 with a decent outboard will do what you want. Option with or without a tiny cuddy cabin (i.e. big storage cupboard) Easy to maintain, and easy to sell on. I'm sure there are lots for sale, - buy one with a bimini

Thanks Mark,

I think I've had one of them as a rental before and it was nice

The problem seems to be dimensions again, My max dimensions are 5.5m x 2.15m, and I think the later is going to be an issue as most 5-5.5m long boats are >2.15 m wide (the Jeanneau Cap Camarats 5.5 is 2.36m wide it seems)

I tried doing some searches for boats that fit in the dimensions and there are not lots.

Something like this might work but it's only for 5 people: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/quicksilver/quicksilver-activ-505-open/detail/576152/

My less pretty plastic boat fits the dimensions and I think you can have up to 8 people. It's also half the price: https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/nautisme/2764576112

 

[captainhooked]

If the OP is normally UK based and with an UK address, he could register the boat on the SSR and get an ICC plus insurance.

Thanks, I'm in Ireland so guessing I'll need to get some sort of insurance in France

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Thanks, I'm in Ireland so guessing I'll need to get some sort of insurance in France

The boat will need insurance, not necessarily French but you must be covered for the area you boat in. Not hard to find or arrange

 

[Seastoke]

If you are taking 8 people out to sea, you need to be confident of your boat and your competence , as they are your responsibility .

 

[Bouba]

You don’t want eight people on a 5.5m boat...even when it’s tied up in port. Ribs allow more people on them because they have more flotation....but not more comfort.
A small Merry Fisher style wheelhouse boat (and there are many manufacturers and many on the market) is probably the best...the wheelhouse even allows you to use it year round....if you have a choice, don’t skimp on the horses....75 or 90 would be great. But forget about having so many people onboard....rent a boat when you have extra friends in town...and raft up.....it’s a lot more fun

 

[captainhooked]

You don’t want eight people on a 5.5m boat...even when it’s tied up in port. Ribs allow more people on them because they have more flotation....but not more comfort.
A small Merry Fisher style wheelhouse boat (and there are many manufacturers and many on the market) is probably the best...the wheelhouse even allows you to use it year round....if you have a choice, don’t skimp on the horses....75 or 90 would be great. But forget about having so many people onboard....rent a boat when you have extra friends in town...and raft up.....it’s a lot more fun

Thanks for the advice re not having 8 people on boat, I won't do it.

I think I'd struggle to get a Merry Fisher style boat in the dimensions I need to stay within, they seem to be on the bigger end of things.

I'd also prefer not to have a constantly covered area on the boat. This will exclusively be used in Mediterranean in sunny months of the year, it very rarely rains then. I definitely need sun protection though (we're pale and it's very hot where we are) but I reckon a bimini and going out later in the day will help with this.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Bimini 100%.
You might want to consider an enclosed WC (eg cuddy cabin) especially if you are expecting female guests.

 

[DavidJ]

What is the 2,15m constraint?
My mooring had posts so a clear physical constraint, (I could just squeak in) but more typical med moorings are more flexible by definition. Is it something you can chat to the marina about.
Does the dimension include fenders?

 

[captainhooked]

Thanks again for all the advice guys.

In terms of trying to find boats to fit the max dimensions I have (5.5m x 2.15m wide) and max out the space I have the main options I can find are these:

(1) Karel Ithica 550: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/karel/karel-ithaca-550/detail/507912/
This is of a similar style to the Jeanneau Cap Camarat mentioned earlier but fits within my narrower width requirements. They seem to be Greek made (not sure if the Greeks have a good reputation for boat building)
Seems to be about €40k new and equipped (maybe I can get it cheaper from the Greece and not from Switzerland) Can't see any 2nd hand ones

(2) Whaly 500R: Plastic boat as mentioned previously: Whaly 500R dark grey for sale and in stock available to view Probably more like €25,000 new and closer to 1/2 price second hand, here's one up the coast: https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/nautisme/2764576112

Downsides of this is that it's more spartan/rustic than the fibreglass boat though I suspect if you put cushions everywhere on it it would not be a million miles away. As mentioned previously the ruggedness of this appeals to me, I would not be worried about damaging it, if my kids are driving it when they are older I'd be less worried also. It looks good for being able to jump in and out of sea at front of it which is somthing we'd be doing a lot of. It probably needs a lot less maintenance than the other boat also so cheaper in that regard.

Not sure how much less comfortable it's likely to be than a fibreglass boat. There's mention of people getting wet in it in choppy seas which would not be great. But overall it's likely to be by far the cheaper option and appeals a bit in terms of that, ie if it turns out I don't use it much I'm more comfortable with a €12k 2nd hand boat than a €40k new one.

(3) Other options: The pontoon boat looked good but can't find anything in the correct size range. Likewise with RIBs they tend to be too wide for the most part. Something like this fits the dimensions but the interior space looks rubbish: https://www.boat24.com/en/inflatabl...ider-500-strongan--kommission-/detail/565147/

I could not find anything suitable in the inboard diesel range either. This looks ok dimensions wise: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/maya/maya-gozzo-55/detail/606100/ But it does not look suitable for jumping in and out of.

Anyway thanks again and any further advice would be much appreciated. Probably leaning towards option 1 or 2 above. If the fibreglass boat is likely to be way better than the plastic one I'd consider it, if they are going to be not a million miles apart I might lean towards the plastic one and upgrade later if I'm getting lots of use out of it.

 

[captainhooked]

What is the 2,15m constraint?
My mooring had posts so a clear physical constraint, (I could just squeak in) but more typical med moorings are more flexible by definition. Is it something you can chat to the marina about.
Does the dimension include fenders?

They just seem to be really fussy about it. They say that even if your boat's dimensions are listed by the manufacturer as x they will measure it when the boat arrives and if it's 1cm over they won't allow it.

Seems a bit harsh, I'm guessing it's to stop people bringing in bigger boats than advertised as the port is tiny. I've gone back to them to see if they will allow me a slightly wider boat, I'm happy to pay more for it but they seem to be tricky enough. I've been waiting a few years for any space to come up and said I'd get a boat to fit with whatever dimensions they wanted. Here are the categories, all look quite narrow for their lengths:

 

[julians]

They just seem to be really fussy about it. They say that even if your boat's dimensions are listed by the manufacturer as x they will measure it when the boat arrives and if it's 1cm over they won't allow it.

Seems a bit harsh, I'm guessing it's to stop people bringing in bigger boats than advertised as the port is tiny. I've gone back to them to see if they will allow me a slightly wider boat, I'm happy to pay more for it but they seem to be tricky enough. I've been waiting a few years for any space to come up and said I'd get a boat to fit with whatever dimensions they wanted. Here are the categories, all look quite narrow for their lengths:

View attachment 184059

My marina is also very rigid on not exceeding the width limits by even a small amount, they're OK being flexible on length, but not width