Advice please on first boat

[Tarsus]

Hi guys. Complete newbie here, hoping for some advice to point me in the right direction. The time has come to buy a boat - which I intend to do in the spring. After a few weeks of research, I've narrowed the list down to a Shetland 610, 640 or 4 + 2. The boat will be kept on the driveway and trailered to Rye for launching on the slipway there. I've spoken to this chap Henk, who says he can help launch and recover with his tractor, which is a bonus because I'm thinking a 22 footer could be challenging, especially if you're trying to do it yourself. The boat needs to be at least 21 feet as I want to take the family coastal cruising - initially between Rye and Eastbourne.

Anyway my budget is 6-9 K. I know on the face of it that's not enough for such a boat. But, but, but, and this is where I would really like some advice - I've seen these boats being sold for more reasonable prices as river boats i.e. with 15 hp engines etc. Looking on eBay it's possible to by a 75 hp Yamaha for around £1200 or less. I'm thinking I could buy one of these river boats, and replace the outboard with something suitable for coastal cruising. The only possibly snag that I can think of is if these river boats are built with weaker transoms. If so, that would obviously put a different light on the whole idea. Any advice here would be much appreciated.

Incidentally, am I right in opting for an outboard over an inboard for a trailer sailor? That's what I've read anyway.

Thanks guys.

 

[Prima]

Wouldn't you be better off looking at something more like this?

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1385856/?searchid=13824050&page=3

Just needs a bit of TLC

 

[DavidJ]

or this
http://www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/print.asp?id=312

.....which was my first boat. A lot more modern looking than the Shetland

...for some reason I've got "print" in the link, hope it works for you

ps There is a very active Sealine forum who will give you lots of specific advice

 

[Prima]

or this
http://www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/print.asp?id=312

.....which was my first boat. A lot more modern looking than the Shetland

Agreed. Tougher looking too. They look like they mean business

 

[Tarsus]

Interesting. Thanks for that. The only thing is I am really looking for an outboard to keep down maintenance costs etc. I would think an outboard would be a better option for a trailer sailor too no?

 

[Tarsus]

I'll have a look cheers.

 

[superheat6k]

Whatever you buy as first boat it is likely you will want to sell it within 1 or 2 seasons, so perhaps buy something popular, rather than 'cheap'. If you are taking your family to sea then a decent inventory of safety equipment is essential - life jackets for everyone (worn), flares, VHF, bilge pump, anchor and fire extinguishers.

21' is small for 2 persons, and quickly a real turn off for 3 or 4. Also such a boat is going to become uncomfortable in anything above a force 3 or 4 wind, less in wind over tide conditions.

Also so be aware that trailer launching and recovery can very rapidly lose its appeal, especially if you are likely to rely on your loved ones for assistance. Many many boats end up dusty at the end of the driveway because the chore of using them becomes so arduous.

 

[Tarsus]

Thanks for the advice. The guy at Rye harbour marine will launch and recover for for I think £7 each way. The attraction of the trailer idea is that a) We've got plenty of space on the driveway, and b) it's infinitely cheaper than paying for a mooring in say Eastbourne. Obviously having a trailer limits somewhat the size of the boat, but realistically it'll just be me and my son most of the time, with occasional days out (possibly overnighting at Eastbourne). In any case my budget somewhat limits the boat I can buy! The older, larger Shetlands seem like a good option bearing in mind budget and what the the boat will be used for. And from what I understand, they are very stable boats with excellent hull designs - presumably one of the reasons they hold their value?