advise on a first boat

[timv]

I am looking to buy my first proper motor boat. I have about 50k budget and have looked at a few princess 385 that appears to be a nice boat if a bit retro .I want to try and avoid huge engine cost and like the idea of Volvo 61s that seem to be in most of these boats - 305hp I think .Volvo paul made a comment on another thread about very poor access to water pump on the 385 - is this bad enough to advise avoiding them? worst case would anyone have an idea of cost to rebuild or replace two tamd61 into a princess 385 ? fuel consumption is also a factor and can't work out if a planning boat or semi displacement boat works out cheaper in gallons per mile. Someone has offered a Succes Atlantic 43 with Iveco 370 but I am concerned about parts etc. Any advise or comments would be appreciated plus things I should look for when looking at these boats.

many thanks for any help

timv

 

[rafiki_]

Tim, a warm welcome to the forum.

Exciting times for you, looking for a new Mobo. Any largish planing boat will consume a lot of fuel on the plane. When at displacement mode, fuel consumption is much reduced, for a displacement boat, or planing, although the D boat will probably use a bit less than the P boat.
The key for you is to decide what sort of boating you want to do, where you are going to use your boat, and then buy the boat with the very best condition engines that you can. You are probably talking at least £20k to re-engine a boat. VolvoPaul will have more accurate numbers, as he has done this several times for clients.

 

[cryan]

I am looking to buy my first proper motor boat. I have about 50k budget and have looked at a few princess 385 that appears to be a nice boat if a bit retro .I want to try and avoid huge engine cost and like the idea of Volvo 61s that seem to be in most of these boats - 305hp I think .Volvo paul made a comment on another thread about very poor access to water pump on the 385 - is this bad enough to advise avoiding them? worst case would anyone have an idea of cost to rebuild or replace two tamd61 into a princess 385 ? fuel consumption is also a factor and can't work out if a planning boat or semi displacement boat works out cheaper in gallons per mile. Someone has offered a Succes Atlantic 43 with Iveco 370 but I am concerned about parts etc. Any advise or comments would be appreciated plus things I should look for when looking at these boats.

many thanks for any help

timv

Iveco parts should not be too much of a problem. They are a huge company with good support network.

 

[Greg2]

Whilst it is sensible to have an eye on potential worst case scenario costs when considering engines it shouldn't really come to re-builds or re-engining if you choose carefully. Leisure boat engines don't tend to wear out and if they have been used and properly maintained then they should be fine. A mechanical survey including oil analysis should give some piece of mind.

In terms of fuel costs if you work on 1mpg at planing speeds for a flybridge boat you won't be far out and if you go for a sports cruiser with outdrives it will be nearer 1.5 to 2 mpg. Newer boats with common rail diesels will do better but it doesn't look as though you are thinking in those terms. Obviously the figures are a lot better at slower speeds.

 

[NoviceRod]

Welcome to the Forum. I am fairly new myself, and my advice echoes Rafiki - key first step is to determine where you are going to use your boat, and what you want to do.

Will it be inland waterways, coast/estuaries, or off-shore cruising? What sleeping accommodation - occasional nights or longer cruises? How many people - 2 or larger family? What are berthing costs? (these increase significantly with length).

With this you can outline spec your requirements, and go from there. There are many experts on here who will give you good advice once you have narrowed down your spec.

Hope this helps

 

[timv]

I am looking to keep the boat in Plymouth with trips to Dartmouth, Fowey, Salcombe and possibly the channel islands when I feel a bit more confident. A good Friend owned a squadron 50 for 12 months about twenty years ago and I loved it so much I have itched to have my own boat ever since- not quite the same level though I am afraid. Sounds as if a round trip from Plymouth to Dartmouth will cost about £300 in fuel in a planning boat equivalent to Princess 385- does that sound about right ? I would expect to use the boat with my wife and the couple who had the Squadron. Opinions on a suitable boat or indeed on a 385 would be appreciated, both planning and semi displacement .

thanks for the advise so far especially a private message I got from someone who took a lot of trouble to help me out.

Tim

 

[Jurgen]

Sounds as if a round trip from Plymouth to Dartmouth will cost about £300 in fuel in a planning boat equivalent

Hi Tim, SWMBO and I went from Brixham to Plymouth last summer in a Sealine S37 (2X254hp Mercruisers), dont think we put more than a 100 ltrs in but we did use the tides etc in our favour.

Agree with the previous quoted points about use, you will be mightily peed off after spending 50k to find your new pride and joy is not what you want.

Good luck with your search

 

[Sneds]

I think you will very lucky if your first boat is your last, it may take two or three boats until you find the one that is right.
Take a look around your local marinas and see what you see the most of, there will be a reason for that.
Bilge keelers are common in the Bristol Channel because of all the drying harbours, me? just like it it white shinny and pointy!
Good luck and keep us informed.