Any advice for a beginner?

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DanMcNulty

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By 'beginner', I mean I don't know the first thing about boats, costs involved or even legislation (licenses, insurance etc.) - but I know I want one, and willing to do the research to make it happen.

I've seen the likes of the Bayliner Capri (https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kayaks-jet-skis/bayliner-capri-4.3-v6-very-fast-/1183662665) which looks like it's exactly the type I'm after.

I can keep it in my back garden (have a garage with doors on both sides).

My questions really are around what can I do with a boat like this in/out of the UK? And how much does it cost?

The ideal would be that I buy a trailor and take it to my local marina (Liverpool) so that I can travel out somewhere, but not sure what my options are. There will be weekends when I'd like to take it to London, for example, to visit family - but then some days I was hoping for something further afield outside of the UK - even to France/Spain. Is this not feasible in such a small boat?

I've read a bit about the ICC - what's involved in getting this?

Sorry my question is so broad, very very much appreciate any advice given.
 
If you want a better idea of what type of boating you want then consider a course with a reputable sea school. They will teach you the basic safety issues, because the sea viewed from the shore as a placid inviting place, can sometimes become a real nasty nasty place, and it hides it nasty side until you suddenly find yourself out in it, wishing you had taken up golf !

I suppose the sea is a bit like electricity - perfectly safe until you forget it is dangerous.

Many folk get very bored very quickly with towing so whereas keeping it for free on your drive might appeal, launching and recovery can be a total PIA, and why so many trailer boats simply sit unused for years. Even a 20 - 30 mile drive at 50MPH can get very tedious. If you did do the London run once I bet you wouldn't do it twice, and then you have to find somewhere to launch on a muddy river, that is very tidal.

What ever boat you buy, if you do catch the incurable (no matter how rough the sea cuts up !) virus, that's it you've got it for life. So make sure you buy something you can sell on easily, so you can get your next boat more swiftly, and do not ever ever become a two boat family. Many will find they make 3, 4 or even 5 purchases before they get close to their ideal (and within budget !) boat.

I have owned 7 now and I'm finally getting close !

For qualifications below 80' you do not need any. However, a voluntary system to achieve the necessary training that common sense dictates avoids folk achieving Darwin award status. ICC is not required in the UK, but is a qualification that essentially proves you have learnt port & stbd from fwd & aft (IMHO).
 
So your training first as you are tasting the sea strait away and then you are ready to buy and go so the best neat you is seawake based in Conwy top guy there is really ch if you want his number pm me ,ps we have trailed boats all over Europe for me you get to see a lot of boating areas but you have to be a reasonable age .good luck
 
The major part of the value/cost of a boat like that will be in its engine; in the one advertised both the boat and engine need work. If you're planning on going to sea you'll want 100% confidence in the engine so unless you're good with a spanner, it will be expensive. Fuel costs will also be high as the mpg will be well into single figures.
Trailer bearings don’t last long if they get immersed in water when launching; they’ll need checking and probably replacing to avoid a disaster towing. Check your insurance about what is covered when towing, and check your driving licences categories to ensure you can tow.
You'll also need to budget for safety gear such as life jackets, flares, fire extinguisher, spares, anchor, navigation gear, etc. RNLI offer a free check and advice about what to carry and how a boat is set up.
The only licence you need for UK coastal waters is one to operate the VHF radio. Most places that have launch facilities will insist on you having boat insurance; even if they don’t it’s a sensible precaution just in case you damage someone else’s boat.
Regulations are tighter abroad and you’ll need to be conversant with the local reg’s. Getting your boat there by ferry is doable, attempting it in the boat you link to, with no idea of what’s involved would be mad.
If you get the boat, gear and engine sorted, you’ll have a fast boat suitable for calm waters. Ideal for water skiing and occasional fishing trips.
 
Start off with some training before you commit to buying something, that way you're starting off with a decent baseline, rather than finding you've spent all your budget (and some!) and have none left for training.

Powerboat Level 2 is a good introduction to powerboats, it'll give you a basic idea of what you're doing, and how to be reasonably safe. It's a good laugh too. Usually a weekend, and around £250. I'd recommend a couple of you doing it, whether it be your other half, or children, or mates who're going to be sharing the boat or whatever, if for any reason you become incapacitated (injured, unwell etc) you want someone else you can trust to bring you home.

Good lifejackets are a must, you want at least a crotch strap and hood, ideally a light too in case you're out with failing light. As lifejackets get more expensive they generally get more comfortable, which in turn means you're more likely to wear them.

Beyond that enjoy, and remember it's always better to be at home wishing you were at sea than at sea wishing you were at home.
 
mm42 said:
Start off with some training before you commit to buying something, that way you're starting off with a decent baseline, rather than finding you've spent all your budget (and some!) and have none left for training.

Powerboat Level 2 is a good introduction to powerboats, it'll give you a basic idea of what you're doing, and how to be reasonably safe. It's a good laugh too. Usually a weekend, and around £250. I'd recommend a couple of you doing it, whether it be your other half, or children, or mates who're going to be sharing the boat or whatever, if for any reason you become incapacitated (injured, unwell etc) you want someone else you can trust to bring you home.

Good lifejackets are a must, you want at least a crotch strap and hood, ideally a light too in case you're out with failing light. As lifejackets get more expensive they generally get more comfortable, which in turn means you're more likely to wear them.

Beyond that enjoy, and remember it's always better to be at home wishing you were at sea than at sea wishing you were at home.
Click to expand...

I fear I am beginning to sound like a stuck record (for those of you who remember those) on threads like this, but I am very doubtful that, irrespective of where you store it, you wont find an insurance company that will cover you without PB2 as a minimum qualification. Part of that course will (or should) talk to you through the basic and minimum safety requirements - PFDs VHF etc. That said, as it stands today, you can buy and launch any water craft - but if you smash it into the side of another boat that's when it gets "interesting".

I am in no way connected to the RYA but for our first boat (18 foot bowrider), we were simply not insured to take her from Paignton (where we bought her) to Torquay until we qualified with PB2 as a minimum. 3 of us did - and passed the course - and from memory the insurance requirement was "RYA PB2 PLUS one competent crew" Competent crew being defined as "RYA PB2 qualified or a minimum of 1 years boating experience"

As said above, if you have confidence in your ability to handle and manoeuvre the boat in all situations - and know who / how to call if you cant - you will enjoy life at sea more confidently .... and that confidence will undoubtedly bring your man maths into play to be able to afford / justify the next boat !

I really hope that you and your nearest and dearest enjoy boating as, from our perspective, we caught the virus and never looked back...
 
DanMcNulty said:
By 'beginner', I mean I don't know the first thing about boats, costs involved or even legislation (licenses, insurance etc.) - but I know I want one, and willing to do the research to make it happen.

I've seen the likes of the Bayliner Capri (https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kayaks-jet-skis/bayliner-capri-4.3-v6-very-fast-/1183662665) which looks like it's exactly the type I'm after.

I can keep it in my back garden (have a garage with doors on both sides).

My questions really are around what can I do with a boat like this in/out of the UK? And how much does it cost?

The ideal would be that I buy a trailor and take it to my local marina (Liverpool) so that I can travel out somewhere, but not sure what my options are. There will be weekends when I'd like to take it to London, for example, to visit family - but then some days I was hoping for something further afield outside of the UK - even to France/Spain. Is this not feasible in such a small boat?

I've read a bit about the ICC - what's involved in getting this?

Sorry my question is so broad, very very much appreciate any advice given.
Click to expand...

I had the very same model as our first and put out to sea without any training and can say I got lucky in that the forum members took me under their wing and showed me the ropes until I was ready for some serious training (boat handling and navigation) as the boats got a little bigger. We kept the Capri for 9 months I think before chainging to a cuddy cabin as the bow rider wasn't great for UK whether. The engine was very easy to work on after I blew a head gasket, the head was easier to take off than a cars.. it's not very refined, rather basic mechanically so needs tuning to ensure it starts and runs relatively smoothly, not hard if you're familiar with the mechanics of old cars. check out the exhaust risers as they are steel and prone to corrosion if the engine has not be flushed with fresh water religiously after use. access to the engine is a pig so you may need the engine out to work on it depending on what issues it has and I would pay special attention to the leg (the gearbox and prop on the outside of the boat).. if you do go for it, I would put a call out to experienced forum folk that live in your area with a plea to pop along to give it the once over with you, a bottle of something nice to say thank you usually does the trick :) I got insurance no problem at the time without any training.

Here's our Capri, that started the rather expensive boating bug:


All the best, good luck with your search
 
Just been through the same thing this year! So my diary of events was:

Mid 2015: decided I wanted a boat and decided I wanted it moored in Mallorca.
Late 2015: went to Southampton boat show
Jan 2016: went to London boat show and ordered first boat
Feb 2016: bought mooring in Mallorca.
Feb 2016: completed day skipper theory
Mar 2016: did the practical side in Barcelona and received ICC certificate
May 2016: picked boat up.
June 2016: first holiday on boat. Loved it and been out a fair amount since
Aug 2016: thinking about my next boat as is always the case want a bigger boat and the extras that naturally comes with it. Hope to place an order within the next month or so, in time for next year.

Have to say loved my first year. Always help from other boaters and amazing how quickly you get to know your neighbours.
 
Research what services are available in your area. A marina in our harbour offers a drive off drive on service, basically the boat is kept in their yard on its trailer and you turn up and get in and their tractor launches you off the slip, you motor off and then when finished you give them a call or radio contact and the tractor and trailer are waiting for you and you just drive straight onto it and go back to the yard. Makes life very easy as the novelty of launching wheres off very quickly. I bought my bigger boat because I got sick of launching. You can still take the boat away on further afield trips though. Have a look around and see what's available in your area.
 
Wanted boat
Bought boat
Got it home and then had to ring owner to find out how to start it!
4 yrs later we still have it
No licence/qualifications apart from VHF
Never had issues with full comp insurance company in fact Ive never been asked for anything
 
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