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

[captainhooked]

Thanks again for all the advice guys, it's much appreciated.

Ok, noted on the long trips, we'll rule that out as a use case and just stick to going round the cap and maybe as far as Iles des Lerins (circa 10km each way)

Here's a street view of the port to give an idea of the kinds of boats there. Lots of hard board open top, some with cabins, some inline diesels, a few RIBS but not many: Street View of Port de la Salis · Google Maps I'd say the open boat with outboard seems to be most popular. Looks like some pretty big outboards on some of the boats also.

I have 10 weeks from today in which I need to have a boat in the port as per the rules. I'm going to Antibes for a week at the end of the month so would probably be good if I could get a boat delivered while I'm there.

I'm somewhat torn between Open/Hard Boat and RIB, as mentioned probably one of the biggest factors is a boat in which nobody feels seasick and I've found in the rental open boats they are often bouncing around when anchored. Now as I say I think I can counteract this by going out at calmer times of day but still stability would be good.

The problem as noted with the RIBs is I just can't find anything for sale that meets the size requirements and doesn't look really small internally. Something like this which is 5m x 2.15m only has seating for 2/3 people other than sitting on the edges which would not be great/I'd be worried about kids falling over: https://www.boat24.com/en/inflatabl...ider-500-strongan--kommission-/detail/565147/

So this brings me back to a hard open boat, probably the most common/easiest to sell later.

This one is available, 2 years old, probably about 30k new and 20k now (maybe I can get it cheaper): https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

It looks to tick most of the boxes in terms of space/seating and maxing out the dimensions.

What I'm wondering about is outboard size. It comes with a 40hp outboard from its days on an Italian lake which might be underpowered for the sea? Most of the rental boats of same size have 100hp outboards, should I upgrade to one here?

I like the idea of being able to go reasonably quickly if in calm seas or of pulling a kneeboard or similar minor watersports out the back. What kind of size engine would I need for this? I'm guessing 40hp would not be sufficient?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Grubble]

"I'm somewhat torn between Open/Hard Boat and RIB, as mentioned probably one of the biggest factors is a boat in which nobody feels seasick and I've found in the rental open boats they are often bouncing around when anchored. "

Any boat is going to bounce around when anchored, unless you have one big enough with a stabiliser, this is especially true of something in the tiny class of boat you are looking at.

I don't know if jet skis are allowed where you plan to anchor, but if they are, there is no such thing as a calm day, as jet skis can't exist unless being observed.

 

[markc]

This one is available, 2 years old, probably about 30k new and 20k now (maybe I can get it cheaper): https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

It looks to tick most of the boxes in terms of space/seating and maxing out the dimensions.

I agree, this is exactly the type of boat you need. However, I'd say that 40hp is going to be underpowered and you won't be doing any watersports! You could wait until someone with say 80hp comes along, see if the dealer will do you a bigger engine as part of the deal, or take this and px the engine over the winter. I guess doing a deal now, with winter coming, is a good time to have a motivated dealer.

 

[Bouba]

Thanks again for all the advice guys, it's much appreciated.

Ok, noted on the long trips, we'll rule that out as a use case and just stick to going round the cap and maybe as far as Iles des Lerins (circa 10km each way)

Here's a street view of the port to give an idea of the kinds of boats there. Lots of hard board open top, some with cabins, some inline diesels, a few RIBS but not many: Street View of Port de la Salis · Google Maps I'd say the open boat with outboard seems to be most popular. Looks like some pretty big outboards on some of the boats also.

I have 10 weeks from today in which I need to have a boat in the port as per the rules. I'm going to Antibes for a week at the end of the month so would probably be good if I could get a boat delivered while I'm there.

I'm somewhat torn between Open/Hard Boat and RIB, as mentioned probably one of the biggest factors is a boat in which nobody feels seasick and I've found in the rental open boats they are often bouncing around when anchored. Now as I say I think I can counteract this by going out at calmer times of day but still stability would be good.

The problem as noted with the RIBs is I just can't find anything for sale that meets the size requirements and doesn't look really small internally. Something like this which is 5m x 2.15m only has seating for 2/3 people other than sitting on the edges which would not be great/I'd be worried about kids falling over: https://www.boat24.com/en/inflatabl...ider-500-strongan--kommission-/detail/565147/

So this brings me back to a hard open boat, probably the most common/easiest to sell later.

This one is available, 2 years old, probably about 30k new and 20k now (maybe I can get it cheaper): https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

It looks to tick most of the boxes in terms of space/seating and maxing out the dimensions.

What I'm wondering about is outboard size. It comes with a 40hp outboard from its days on an Italian lake which might be underpowered for the sea? Most of the rental boats of same size have 100hp outboards, should I upgrade to one here?

I like the idea of being able to go reasonably quickly if in calm seas or of pulling a kneeboard or similar minor watersports out the back. What kind of size engine would I need for this? I'm guessing 40hp would not be sufficient?

Thanks again for all the help!

I would just walk around the port....look at each boat in your size...and image yourself and family aboard...and think what could you do if you owned that boat?....then slowly eliminate each boat until you find your ideal compromise. Also remember, and this is true of everybody, your actual use won’t be exactly like your imagined use. So don’t get too attached to your new boat...you might find yourself upgrading it sooner than you thought

 

[julians]

Thanks again for all the advice guys, it's much appreciated.

Ok, noted on the long trips, we'll rule that out as a use case and just stick to going round the cap and maybe as far as Iles des Lerins (circa 10km each way)

Here's a street view of the port to give an idea of the kinds of boats there. Lots of hard board open top, some with cabins, some inline diesels, a few RIBS but not many: Street View of Port de la Salis · Google Maps I'd say the open boat with outboard seems to be most popular. Looks like some pretty big outboards on some of the boats also.

I have 10 weeks from today in which I need to have a boat in the port as per the rules. I'm going to Antibes for a week at the end of the month so would probably be good if I could get a boat delivered while I'm there.

I'm somewhat torn between Open/Hard Boat and RIB, as mentioned probably one of the biggest factors is a boat in which nobody feels seasick and I've found in the rental open boats they are often bouncing around when anchored. Now as I say I think I can counteract this by going out at calmer times of day but still stability would be good.

The problem as noted with the RIBs is I just can't find anything for sale that meets the size requirements and doesn't look really small internally. Something like this which is 5m x 2.15m only has seating for 2/3 people other than sitting on the edges which would not be great/I'd be worried about kids falling over: https://www.boat24.com/en/inflatabl...ider-500-strongan--kommission-/detail/565147/

So this brings me back to a hard open boat, probably the most common/easiest to sell later.

This one is available, 2 years old, probably about 30k new and 20k now (maybe I can get it cheaper): https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

It looks to tick most of the boxes in terms of space/seating and maxing out the dimensions.

What I'm wondering about is outboard size. It comes with a 40hp outboard from its days on an Italian lake which might be underpowered for the sea? Most of the rental boats of same size have 100hp outboards, should I upgrade to one here?

I like the idea of being able to go reasonably quickly if in calm seas or of pulling a kneeboard or similar minor watersports out the back. What kind of size engine would I need for this? I'm guessing 40hp would not be sufficient?

Thanks again for all the help!

The comment about sea sickness concerns me a bit, it's often not the type of boat (within any given size range) that causes sea sickness, but whether the person is susceptible to sea sickness on that size of boat in any given sea state.

So if you /your family get sea sick on a 5m hire boat, you're probably going to get sea sick on any 5m boat in the same sea state as the hire boat.

Obviously the calmer the sea, the less likely anyone is to be seasick, but I've know some people who could get seasick in the flatest of sea.

Travel sickness pills do seem to work in my experience with friends who get sea sick. Take one the night before any planned trip.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I agree, this is exactly the type of boat you need. However, I'd say that 40hp is going to be underpowered and you won't be doing any watersports! You could wait until someone with say 80hp comes along, see if the dealer will do you a bigger engine as part of the deal, or take this and px the engine over the winter. I guess doing a deal now, with winter coming, is a good time to have a motivated dealer.

Agree with this; benefit of taking this boat as is means that the Op can take up the berth, get used to the boat and then upgrade the engine later if wanted.

 

[julians]

Thanks again for all the advice guys, it's much appreciated.

Ok, noted on the long trips, we'll rule that out as a use case and just stick to going round the cap and maybe as far as Iles des Lerins (circa 10km each way)

Here's a street view of the port to give an idea of the kinds of boats there. Lots of hard board open top, some with cabins, some inline diesels, a few RIBS but not many: Street View of Port de la Salis · Google Maps I'd say the open boat with outboard seems to be most popular. Looks like some pretty big outboards on some of the boats also.

I have 10 weeks from today in which I need to have a boat in the port as per the rules. I'm going to Antibes for a week at the end of the month so would probably be good if I could get a boat delivered while I'm there.

I'm somewhat torn between Open/Hard Boat and RIB, as mentioned probably one of the biggest factors is a boat in which nobody feels seasick and I've found in the rental open boats they are often bouncing around when anchored. Now as I say I think I can counteract this by going out at calmer times of day but still stability would be good.

The problem as noted with the RIBs is I just can't find anything for sale that meets the size requirements and doesn't look really small internally. Something like this which is 5m x 2.15m only has seating for 2/3 people other than sitting on the edges which would not be great/I'd be worried about kids falling over: https://www.boat24.com/en/inflatabl...ider-500-strongan--kommission-/detail/565147/

So this brings me back to a hard open boat, probably the most common/easiest to sell later.

This one is available, 2 years old, probably about 30k new and 20k now (maybe I can get it cheaper): https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

It looks to tick most of the boxes in terms of space/seating and maxing out the dimensions.

What I'm wondering about is outboard size. It comes with a 40hp outboard from its days on an Italian lake which might be underpowered for the sea? Most of the rental boats of same size have 100hp outboards, should I upgrade to one here?

I like the idea of being able to go reasonably quickly if in calm seas or of pulling a kneeboard or similar minor watersports out the back. What kind of size engine would I need for this? I'm guessing 40hp would not be sufficient?

Thanks again for all the help!

That ranieri looks nice, but 40hp is not going to be enough for going fast, it would be fine for plodding about at displacement speed though, and maybe it might just get the boat on the plane with one person and good conditions.

A quick Google suggests that boat would normally have 115hp-150hp, which sounds about right to me.

 

[Bouba]

Don’t skimp on horsepower

 

[captainhooked]

Thanks again for the advice!

So what would your suggestion be for the ideal hp on this boat: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

Manufacturer suggests 30hp min and 130hp max so the 40 on it is clearly on the lowest end.

Would 100hp likely be sufficient for going reasonably fast in calm waters/theoretically dragging people out the back?

I see your comments on not skimping on horsepower but I probably don't need to be overpowered either. I don't think I've ever got anywhere near full throttle on the 100-110hp rental boats I've had.

Also one other thing I see on the boat is that is has a Yamaha outboard and Yamaha digital displays. Does this mean I should swap to another Yamaha outboard so these instruments still work?






This looks to be the 100hp version of same motor from the same seller: 100cv | Motore Fuoribordo | Motore Marino | Motore Per Barca | Yamaha Motor

Will see if they'd swap out for me. My french is so poor I'd probably prefer to just get the more powerful motor from new as opposed to having to swap the lower powered one later.

Thanks again

 

[Bouba]

Thanks again for the advice!

So what would your suggestion be for the ideal hp on this boat: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

Manufacturer suggests 30hp min and 130hp max so the 40 on it is clearly on the lowest end.

Would 100hp likely be sufficient for going reasonably fast in calm waters/theoretically dragging people out the back?

I see your comments on not skimping on horsepower but I probably don't need to be overpowered either. I don't think I've ever got anywhere near full throttle on the 100-110hp rental boats I've had.

Also one other thing I see on the boat is that is has a Yamaha outboard and Yamaha digital displays. Does this mean I should swap to another Yamaha outboard so these instruments still work?

View attachment 184250

View attachment 184251


This looks to be the 100hp version of same motor from the same seller: 100cv | Motore Fuoribordo | Motore Marino | Motore Per Barca | Yamaha Motor

Will see if they'd swap out for me. My french is so poor I'd probably prefer to just get the more powerful motor from new as opposed to having to swap the lower powered one later.

Thanks again

Make sure that they give you a trailer to put the boat on.....you can have some great holidays in France towing a boat....for example you could take it to Lac du Bourget....or the Calanques.....or Porquerolle.....etc etc

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Make sure that they give you a trailer to put the boat on.....you can have some great holidays in France towing a boat....for example you could take it to Lac du Bourget....or the Calanques.....or Porquerolle.....etc etc

That’s not a terrible idea.

 

[markc]

Thanks again for the advice!

So what would your suggestion be for the ideal hp on this boat: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

Manufacturer suggests 30hp min and 130hp max so the 40 on it is clearly on the lowest end.

Would 100hp likely be sufficient for going reasonably fast in calm waters/theoretically dragging people out the back?

I see your comments on not skimping on horsepower but I probably don't need to be overpowered either. I don't think I've ever got anywhere near full throttle on the 100-110hp rental boats I've had.

Also one other thing I see on the boat is that is has a Yamaha outboard and Yamaha digital displays. Does this mean I should swap to another Yamaha outboard so these instruments still work?

View attachment 184250

View attachment 184251


This looks to be the 100hp version of same motor from the same seller: 100cv | Motore Fuoribordo | Motore Marino | Motore Per Barca | Yamaha Motor

Will see if they'd swap out for me. My french is so poor I'd probably prefer to just get the more powerful motor from new as opposed to having to swap the lower powered one later.

Thanks again

I'd say that 100hp would be fine. You might be able to get some performance specs from the boat manufacturer

Also, would stick with Yam to save swapping out the gauges etc.

 

[captainhooked]

Hello,

Just coming back to this again.

I've gone ahead and bought this boat and have them upgrading it to a 100hp Yam engine: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

There's been a bit of messing about as with the rubber bumper it's 1cm too wide so I have to get this cut down to fit the port size guidelines, then I'm allowed add bumpers of any dimensions which seems a bit confusing!

In any case I'm wondering, as the boat has only been on a lake in Italy and is about to be sitting in salt water all year round, should I get them to paint it in antifoul paint or somthing else to ready it for the sea? Guessing it makes more sense to do this now before it goes in the water.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Bouba]

Yes….if the boat is going to stay in the water then it needs some form of anti fouling…or it will grow a beard so heavy that even 100 horses can’t budge it

 

[julians]

Hello,

Just coming back to this again.

I've gone ahead and bought this boat and have them upgrading it to a 100hp Yam engine: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

There's been a bit of messing about as with the rubber bumper it's 1cm too wide so I have to get this cut down to fit the port size guidelines, then I'm allowed add bumpers of any dimensions which seems a bit confusing!

In any case I'm wondering, as the boat has only been on a lake in Italy and is about to be sitting in salt water all year round, should I get them to paint it in antifoul paint or somthing else to ready it for the sea? Guessing it makes more sense to do this now before it goes in the water.

Thanks again for all the help!

Good news. Yes, definitely anti foul the hull, if you don't it will have growth on it within weeks that will seriously impact how well the boat runs.

People in your marina should know a type of antifoul that works well in your local area.

 

[Canopy Locked]

The dimensions are a bit tight - I wondered if a boat like mine might suit but according to the manufacturers spec the beam is 2.20m, but the length is good @ 5.20m.

Westport Pilot 6

Good little sea boat, ideal for fishing, not sure about water sports but re pax - I think you'll strugle to find something @ 5.5m that can (safely) take 6-8px

 

[Hot Property]

Hello,

Just coming back to this again.

I've gone ahead and bought this boat and have them upgrading it to a 100hp Yam engine: https://www.boat24.com/en/powerboats/ranieri-boat/ranieri-boat-soverato-545-grey/detail/616182/

There's been a bit of messing about as with the rubber bumper it's 1cm too wide so I have to get this cut down to fit the port size guidelines, then I'm allowed add bumpers of any dimensions which seems a bit confusing!

In any case I'm wondering, as the boat has only been on a lake in Italy and is about to be sitting in salt water all year round, should I get them to paint it in antifoul paint or somthing else to ready it for the sea? Guessing it makes more sense to do this now before it goes in the water.

Thanks again for all the help!

If that was my boat I'd be applying Silic One which isn't an antifoul but a fouling release paint.

Your hull looks very clean and after a few years of antifoul coatings it will start to roughen

I've applied this to 3 planing boats so far and as yours will top 30+ knots it will self clean.

You'll also go faster!!!

 

[paradave]

.