Advice

[Daz1966]

Hi folks,
i hope i'me posting in the right place as this is my first one.
I am looking for a bit of getting started advice, i've been fancying a boat for years but what with work and babies you know how it is. I live in Nottingham about ten miles from the Trent so i know there must be a few boatyards around.
I've been looking on various sites and it looks as though 5k would buy me a nice starter boat is this realistic figure?
What would be the things to consider before buying?
I work in the furniture industry so would buying a boat with a good shell but in need of a refit be an option, and if so where would i have to work on the boat?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Kind Regards,

Darren

 

[Norman_E]

Welcome. It would be a good idea to tell us what kind of boat you have in mind. £5K will certainly get you a sailing dinghy (great fun) or a small second hand motor boat, though I advise avoiding anything needing repair or replacement to engine or gearbox, as these things are potent budget busters. A bit of interior refit is not beyond any competent handyman, but as regards costs you need to factor in the cost of safety gear including lifejackets for everyone, particularly children. If you are thinking of sailing I suggest you seek out your local club for advice, encouragement, and the priceless opportunity to learn with other members.

 

[Slow_boat]

Hi, yes, you should easily get a decent little (around 20 foot) sailing cruiser, with a decent inventory, for that money.

I second the idea of intruducing yourself to local sailing clubs.

Try www.boatsandoutboards.com for an idea of what's around.

For info on marine ply boats try the Eventide Owners Group website on google.

 

[1107]

Wow, How long have you got ! Sooooo many things to consider. Firstly size is important ! I live just outside of nottingham, but my interest is the sea, this limits me to a trailable vessel as its no good keeping something moored in Devon that I may onlysee three times a year if i'm lucky. But my sailing ground in theory is N,E,S or W. As its on a trailer, storage is cheap, As it's on a trailer, its not very big, ie 24'.
Fixer uppers are ok, but if you dont have a lot of time, a weeks worth of work can turn into a year " not joking" if you dont live with your boat in your garden that is. I will be happy to share my local knowledge with you, if you need some contacts, send me a private message.

 

[snowleopard]

If you want to use the boat near home it will have to be a sailing dinghy or smallish motor cruiser.

Here's one suggestion: go to a sailing school and do the RYA dinghy level 2 so you know basically what to do and don't end up drifting sideways into the nearest weir. Then pick up a secondhand Mirror dinghy. Your skills will make maintenance easy and they are very forgiving for beginners.

Sail the dinghy for a year and meanwhile read PBO so you get to know what sorts of boat are out there. After that you should be in a position to choose the sort of boat that suits you. In your budget for example you should be able to get a half-decent Hunter Sonata which can sleep 4 at a pinch and goes pretty well. There are quite a few boats in the 16-21 ft range that will give a lot of fun and if you get something smallish you'll be able to afford a trailer as well so you can try other areas.

 

[Daz1966]

Cheers guys, great advice. As regards the boat i was thinking about a small cruiser, like the small 4 birth ones you hire on the broads.
I think the learn first buy after route is gong to be favourite, the thought of drifting sideways into a weir with my daugters on board sold it for me.
Cheers Sandlefoot i will PM you later to pick your brains if thats ok.

Thank you all, i will let you know how i get on.

Regards

Darren

 

[colvic987]

you will need to decide if you are going to sail or motorboat, inland on lake/broads type or sea, you mentioned a cruiser is that sail or motorboat, once you have decided on these factors, you can then draw up a list of your pros and cons, being new the list might be small at moment, (you might be 6ft tall and need a boat with headroom, or just be daysailing in an open boat).
if going to sea you will need to understand navigation and the tides, evening classes to day skipper standard would give you the basics, if sailing then learn to sail a dinghy first, it makes all the difference.
as its nearly christmas and auntie doesn't know what to get you then there are plenty of good books to muse over whilst eating those mince pies and swilling back the whiskies, (thats all inbetween getting the kids new computer/ ps/xbox working..)
also go visiting all those boatyards and get a list of boats you think would be suitable for you and visit a couple, it took me three years to find my suitable first boat, and dont be too hasty, a quick purchase of wrong boat, could be very hard to sell on, try to get a popular model...look thru the boat for sale on this forum, it should keep you occupied for hours...good luck...

 

[Daz1966]

More great advice , cheers mate. I don't think sails are for me, it will be a motor boat used inland for 3 to 4 day weekends would be nice. As for headroom hmm, 6ft 2 last count so would need headroom but would i be restricted on inland waterways by low bridges with a high boat, i know there are some on the broads.