Advice on what boat and where

[First Boat]

Hi all,

I was wondering whether anyone had some answers to a few questions I have. I live near Hampton Court and spend a lot of time on bikes along the river and am really keen to get a boat and get involved. I would be looking to spend about GBP 8000 - 12000 (so not a huge budget) and am looking for a motor boat of some description. It would be me, the wife and two kids (7 and 9) using it mostly. I have been looking at magazines and the internet to get some idea of whats out there aswell as Walton Marina. I looked at a Hardy Pilot 20 which is about the right size but I am not sure that I necessarily need a cabin as large. The boating I intend to do would be largely day boating and maybe overnight in B and B's etc. A small cabin for kids to shelter from rain/spray would probably do

Looking for it to be powerful enough to travel from Hampton Court through London to the Thames estuary if possible. (how long does that take by the way?) Wanted something to be able to fish off maybe just out to sea (close to the coast) but I suppose most of its life will be spent in the river.

I have space at home to store a boat on a trailor so that may be an option if I can get something of a size that I can pull in and out of the water and not pay mooring fees - but I am also open to suggestions on boats that could be moored - suppose it depends on hassle factor of dragging it around against cost of mooring.

I have limited experience so would look to do a day or two course to learn the basics

Many thanks in advance

FB

 

[oldgit]

Sounds fun.....

The Hardy is an excellent boat,and you can NEVER have "to large a cabin" .Engine will be your problem a 10 Hp jobby could do just fine around HC but down below Teddington you will need something around 50hp to consider going anywhere distant or quickly in that boat.
Do not forget to factor in your river licence fee,insurance etc into your calculations and where are you going to keep boat or is it on a trailer ?

 

[Chris_d]

Hardy is a good little boat but there are many similar that might be better have a good look at loads of different boas first, you will need a cabin and a toilet if swmbo is going to come along

I'd also forget the "just poping down to the sea" bit though until you have bit more experience, it takes a whole day and the tides need to be right plus you need VHF for the barrier and lots more equipment a river boat might not have.

 

[No Regrets]

Have a chat with Ian or Dominic at Bray Marine Sales.

They have a cracking selection of 22-26 footers with enough space and power for your needs.

You'll almost certainly need a decent toilet, fridge and cooking facilities if you want to really enjoy yourselves, and four berths.

The likely £2500 mooring fees at the right Marina are good value if you want to hop on and off without the aggro of launching, and also offers a nice safe base to refuel with Water, Fuel and empty the toilet, or just stay overnight and enjoy a quiet evening before departing for a longer trip.

Better still, join a decent cruising club such as Bray or Windsor, and enjoy the knowledge base within them, and some decent cruises tailored to your preferences.

The Birchwood 22 or 25 and most sub 26 foot Freemans are known to provide good accommodation, easy handling and are very safe to walk around. Avoid Sportcruiser style boats, you'll soon tire of the straight line wandering, huge wash and lack of overnight space.

 

[Deefor]

As you've mentioned you can keep a trailer at home, what car do you have as this will limit what you can tow?

I tow my 18' Mayland weekender around the Thames and Norfolk Broads and thus save on moorings. Downside is that you can't just "pop down to the boat" but when it comes to looking after the boat (cleaning, maintenance etc..), it's on my drive 5m from my garage .

As others have said, a cabin and loo IMO are essential, if nothing else to shelter from the elements and somewhere to have a nap after a few drinks . Mine is basically camping on water which suits me and SWMBO just fine.

First time boats to have a look at - Vikings, Shetlands (some trailable), Seamasters, Freemans etc.. Your first and subsequent boats will never be big enough but boating on a budget can be done. I still get drunk on mine the same as someone does on a 50 footer .

Good selection of small boats at Boatsales 247 based at Windsor Racecourse marina run by Adam Straw.

 

[Gavi]

There is some spot on advice here. The Hardy is lovely but do not count out Birchwoods or Freemans. Do not buy an old sportsboat. Do get a toilet (holding tank is better than chemical but with your budget genuinely post on here to ask for opinions about the type/setup). Social space will be important. Walton is a very friendly marina and I can get you an introduction to users if one has not done so already via Private Message. I would not worry about tidal stuff right now, get settled with a boat and learn about what you really need. There is heaps of fun right where you want to moor.

 

[Portland Billy]

What boat ?

The Hardy is a great little boat, but with a growing family I doubt if it would last you more than a year before you decided you needed something with a little more space.- because once you start you WILL get bitten !

Forget about the tidal section - explore the upper reaches first, and look for a cheapish four berth with toilet and basic cooking.

The older Freemans offer great value - especially if they come with a bit of history or long term ownership. Go for diesel if you can find one. The Elysian is another to consider, and perhaps the older 27 ft Seamaster.

I think you may also be able to locate some 'relatively' cheap moorings at some of the boatyards (there are still a few) between Shepperton and Thames Ditton.

Spend a bit of time looking and asking around before you decide.

 

[Ramage]

For a 25 foot boat, you could try http://saxonmoorings.co.uk/

Saxon moorings is just before Old Windsor Lock on the left hand side as you go upriver.

 

[Mirror Painter]

Do it!

Others with much greater knowledge have already given good answers. I just want to tell you that I bought my first boat last year and would encourage you to get on with it! It's been great fun and my young son loves telling people we have a boat and that he is the assistant captain. Not sure how you'll sort the crew ranks with plural offspring...

I slept on mine last night with -2 degrees and no heater. You may not ever become that obsessed but do listen when the others say you can't have too large a cabin, (or anything else), and a toilet is essential. My toilet goes in a cupboard when not in use. My point is that your boat may well become a very prominent part of your leisure time so do consider a vessel which your family can all sleep on. Even if you wife does decide she hates it

 

[Deefor]

True grit boating Moxon @ -2 deg C, well done .

Like you, my loo lives in a cupboard and as I've said before, it's like camping on water. Not to everybody's taste but it proves you can boat on a very limited budget and still have a great time irrespective of the size or type of craft.

ps. I've just invested in a Bluecat heater but only to be used when the temperatures plummet to at least -10 lol.

 

[First Boat]

Thank you to everyone for your responses - it is really appreciated

I have made notes of recommendations on boats and will start looking on the net in Ernest.

My car is a new Honda CRV so I think it should be powerful enough to drag a circa 20 foot boat on trailer - (I think....)

Thanks again all - I will revert with progress

 

[Deefor]

Power on it's own is not the be all and end all, it's more about the weight of the tow car. For example, a 150bhp Corsa ain't gonna pull as much as a 110bhp Astra. IIRC, the CR-V will pull around 1500kg, so that's trailer AND boat. Even my little Mayland 18 (water, gas, batteries, outboard etc.) and single axle trailer comes in at 1350kg . Even pulling with a 2.0D Volvo V70, I sometimes struggle up motorway hills and Volvo say it will pull 1700kg. I also tow my rig with a Vectra 3.0 V6 diesel and journey's are so much more pleasant and less streesful.

But then when you start looking at what weights you can legally tow, some caravan sites/forums are indispensible so that you're not towing too much weight for your car.

 

[Lazy Days]

This site is rather splendid for towing capacities - http://www.uktow.com/towing capacity.asp

Looks Deefor was spot on with his 1500kg estimate for a CR-V

 

[Chris_d]

If your considering towing a largish boat and 20ft is large for towing then you will need a proper 4x4, none of the soft roader types are heavy enough and don't have a low range gear which you will need to get up a slipway.

 

[No Regrets]

The trouble is, a twenty footer on a trailer won't be a lot of fun to use, probably narrow in beam, so will lean whenever anybody sets foot on the other side, wobbly and unstable in locks and you'll need to park a thirty five foot long rig once unloaded!!

 

[SimonA]

Thank you to everyone for your responses - it is really appreciated

I have made notes of recommendations on boats and will start looking on the net in Ernest.

My car is a new Honda CRV so I think it should be powerful enough to drag a circa 20 foot boat on trailer - (I think....)

Thanks again all - I will revert with progress

I'd forget trailing unless you want a very small boat. I have a Jaguar estate (2.0 diesel) and trail a small sailing boat while keeping my mobo (27ft) in a marina. Trailing is a lot of hassle even with a small lightweight sailing boat.

I'd forget going to sea and instead get a proper river boat with wide side decks (makes locks much easier). Something around 22ft to 27ft should be in your budget and will be suited to the non tidal river.

Look at Seamaster's, Freeman's and Elysian/Maderia's. All will come in on budget and be great river boats.

 

[First Boat]

Okay thank you - it seems general consensus is that a good size boat for the family - is probably not worth towing - okay that narrows the search a bit - tried to look for marina prices online but battling a bit

Roughly should I be looking at around 2500 a year for a 20 - 25 footer?

If that is in a marina - are there cheaper options on some of the islands around Thames Ditton etc? - I see some limited access footbridges when cycling along the river sometimes

 

[oldgit]

It will be of some comfort to you,I feel sure,to know that you are hoping to play on the on the most expensive bit of water in the known universe.
However a search of bywaters and backwaters will probably provide some less expensive moorings.
Suspect you will be having to forgo a few luxuries only available in posh marinas but would definately suggest joining a Club of some sort,such as BCC who do all sorts of stuff at frequent intervals.
When I had a 23 footer it came home on a trailer for the winter and was launched in the spring.
Regulary sticking the blimming thing in the water every weekend was simply to much hard work.

 

[Deefor]

Okay thank you - it seems general consensus is that a good size boat for the family - is probably not worth towing - okay that narrows the search a bit - tried to look for marina prices online but battling a bit

Roughly should I be looking at around 2500 a year for a 20 - 25 footer?

If that is in a marina - are there cheaper options on some of the islands around Thames Ditton etc? - I see some limited access footbridges when cycling along the river sometimes

If you've got a spare £2500 kicking around, then go for it. If not, back to the trailing option.

Other option is to keep it in a marina or similar from say April to late October and then store it at home on a trailer.

 

[Ramage]

If you've got a spare £2500 kicking around, then go for it. If not, back to the trailing option.

Other option is to keep it in a marina or similar from say April to late October and then store it at home on a trailer.

Have a look at the price for Saxon Moorings... it is pretty cheap and not too far from Thames Ditton ( but a much prettier part of the river).