Any other options ?

[NeilT]

Evening all,
After the spectacular survey failure of our last potential purchase we're off to see another boat tomorrow.
We've looked at a couple this week and after seeing one tomorrow we're going to sit down and decide if an offer on one of them is in order.
We have seen about 15 or so in the past few months but after the first couple have only looked at Fairline Sunfurys or Carreras as they seem perfect for us.
My question is this, am I being very "blinkered" in my search ?
Its got to look right for SWMBO, sporty but classy as she says! (best not to ask I find, I'm not about to push my luck after getting a green light to have a boat)
We love the layout and the solid feel of them, the berth under the cockpit is perfect for the grandkids.
We're only going to potter about on the Thames for now as I've not had a boat for 20yrs but I do have it in mind to get over to France when I get myself back upto scratch.
I'm ok with petrols and budget is max £18k not including moorings etc.
Are there any other boats I should look at to widen my choice of boats ?
I'm not looking to start a "my sealine is better than you fairline" thread just some ideas from those with experience of different older boats.
Thanks again for reading
N

 

[carlton]

It seems you've just about decided which boat to go for, and having looked at 15 boats you should have a fair idea of what you're looking for by now.

Sounds as though you've reached the stage where you should just buy one and see how it goes. I think most people change their first boat within the first couple of years or so. Suck it and see. Good luck with whatever you eventually buy.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Might be a few Binliners on that budget too.

 

[emjay]

Hi Neil,
I don't know if you take the MBM magazine, but they've run some good articles over the past year or so on buying secondhand boats of around your budget. I have to say I think the boats you're looking at will be as good as any, better than most as far as I can see, except that I always think that the smaller Sealines S23/5's etc must also be in there somewhere.

Sorry to hear you had bad luck, I wish you better this time!

Mike.

 

[Mymobo]

Hi Neil,
I don't know if you take the MBM magazine, but they've run some good articles over the past year or so on buying secondhand boats of around your budget. I have to say I think the boats you're looking at will be as good as any, better than most as far as I can see, except that I always think that the smaller Sealines S23/5's etc must also be in there somewhere.

Sorry to hear you had bad luck, I wish you better this time!

Mike.

Depends on how many engines etc but you can pick up a good searay for that cash. You might bend a seller of 250 for that money. Also look at sealine or 255 285 270 but make sure you get a survey on hull and engines on any boat you buy.

 

[mateyboy]

I've got my eye on a 9.5m' fast 45 kt + rib with 300hp Honda o/b for £ 22k with proper road trailer sporty & very classy with blue tubes , if that's any use? No, thought not........

 

[NeilT]

Thanks for the replies - I've arranged to see a sea ray 270 while we're out.
If only a Princess 30ds was a little cheaper !
I wish I could work out how brokers value boats as it seems to have more to do with astrological charts and tea leaves than facts.
Mind you isn't looking half the fun?
Cheers again all
N

 

[mateyboy]

I reckon the brokers base their prices on how far they can pull your pants down!

 

[Nautibusiness]

Neil

At £18K you will certainly find a boat that does everything you wish.
But, do expect that a boat the size of a Sunfury or similar is going to have some jobs that need doing and a bit of maintenance required on an ongoing basis here and there.

You are unlikely to find a boat of that size that is in truly very good condition for that budget. You will certainly get something passable and with gaping holes or rusted and seized engines, but you may need to look towards doing some tidying to make the boat your own.

 

[oldgit]

Despair ye not !

Couple of things....

Why not just forget for half a day that boat you "want" and go and look at everything and anything within your budget....go on I dare you. even that dull old persons unfashionable
thing in the corner that shouts "so uncool dude" . :0

Two.... look out of area,everything on the Thames is overpriced,too many people with too much money in too small an area ,the boat of your budget dreams may be in some godforsaken hole in some totally inappropiate location,a petrol boat on the coast,none of the locals would touch it with a barge pole,but move it onto Thames and you have a viable prospect ? IMHO.

 

[whisper]

Couple of things....

Why not just forget for half a day that boat you "want" and go and look at everything and anything within your budget....go on I dare you. even that dull old persons unfashionable
thing in the corner that shouts "so uncool dude" . :0

Two.... look out of area,everything on the Thames is overpriced,too many people with too much money in too small an area ,the boat of your budget dreams may be in some godforsaken hole in some totally inappropiate location,a petrol boat on the coast,none of the locals would touch it with a barge pole,but move it onto Thames and you have a viable prospect ? IMHO.

Excellent Advice IMHO

 

[GSL]

Top advice from Oldgit I reckon.....

GL

 

[NeilT]

Hi,
Thanks for all the wise words, we had a look at 2 today and have 1 planned for Monday.
I might well have a day out tomorrow looking at "everything" in budget - you never know.
So far we've been to Southampton and the broads as you're so right about Thames prices being fantasy.
And as you say my dream boat is probably sitting in the corner of a yard forgotten - but how do we find it as there are so many yards ?
I keep an eye on all the usual sites - boatshed, apolloduck, boats and outboards etc etc
I'm fine with doing some work on it as I'll end up with more boat for my money and to me it's a plus point to do some updating and maint during the winter as I get to learn about the boat and make it ours. The only bit that scares me is fibreglass as I've spent my whole life with machinery and electrics.
Thanks again for all the comments and taking the time to reply
N

 

[Fenlander]

Think yourself lucky you're not looking for a proper boat - very few and far between.

 

[NeilT]

Think yourself lucky you're not looking for a proper boat - very few and far between.

Please define proper for me ?

 

[Nautibusiness]

Neil

When you say you've looked at all the sites you mentioned Boatshed.
Just for the record, they are nothing more than a franchised brokerage.

Also look at The Yachtmarket, Boatshop24, Rightboat etc etc.

...just from an interest point of view (I am a broker so beware as I am clearly trying to sell you something!!!!) check out four separate boats on my website to give you an idea of what else is out there.

Click on Parkstone Bay Yachts and then the used boats section at http://www.parkstonebay.com

Look at the Sea Ray Sundancer 240.
It needs a spruce up down in the cabin and is about to have fitted a set of new canvas. There is nothing particularly wrong with the boat apart from wanting a damn good cut and polish and that "lived in" feel.
The asking price shown includes the berth for the year (was first advertised at the early part of the season). This berth is obviously not so appealing so there may well be some room to negotiate quite hard.
Look at the Crownline 242.
A lot of boat for the money. Can't see anything wrong apart from a crack in the grp on the cockpit sole as you step down into the saloon area. This is repairable and I think probably the only proper problem the boat has.
Look at the Fourwinns 238 Vista.
Again, a proper clean up required and making her yours with a good tidy, but I think she is quite a lot of boat for the money. On a trailer too.
Finally, I would guess, just a fraction out of your price range, even after negotiating, but look at the Aquador 22HT. This is a stunning boat in great condition and complete with a great Kad32Dp diesel engine. Very different layout to anything else, but the more I look at it the more practical it is. Vast amounts of open plan space.

As with all used boats, each one should have a survey.

OK, I'd love you to view and offer on any of those, but more to the point is it is a selection of sensibly sized, entry level cruisers at the general price range you are looking.
There are so many other boats out there that need a glance. You have to look even if you choose to rule them out.

Best of luck in your boat hunt.

 

[NeilT]

Neil

When you say you've looked at all the sites you mentioned Boatshed.
Just for the record, they are nothing more than a franchised brokerage.

Also look at The Yachtmarket, Boatshop24, Rightboat etc etc.

...just from an interest point of view (I am a broker so beware as I am clearly trying to sell you something!!!!) check out four separate boats on my website to give you an idea of what else is out there.

Click on Parkstone Bay Yachts and then the used boats section at http://www.parkstonebay.com

Look at the Sea Ray Sundancer 240.
It needs a spruce up down in the cabin and is about to have fitted a set of new canvas. There is nothing particularly wrong with the boat apart from wanting a damn good cut and polish and that "lived in" feel.
The asking price shown includes the berth for the year (was first advertised at the early part of the season). This berth is obviously not so appealing so there may well be some room to negotiate quite hard.
Look at the Crownline 242.
A lot of boat for the money. Can't see anything wrong apart from a crack in the grp on the cockpit sole as you step down into the saloon area. This is repairable and I think probably the only proper problem the boat has.
Look at the Fourwinns 238 Vista.
Again, a proper clean up required and making her yours with a good tidy, but I think she is quite a lot of boat for the money. On a trailer too.
Finally, I would guess, just a fraction out of your price range, even after negotiating, but look at the Aquador 22HT. This is a stunning boat in great condition and complete with a great Kad32Dp diesel engine. Very different layout to anything else, but the more I look at it the more practical it is. Vast amounts of open plan space.

As with all used boats, each one should have a survey.

OK, I'd love you to view and offer on any of those, but more to the point is it is a selection of sensibly sized, entry level cruisers at the general price range you are looking.
There are so many other boats out there that need a glance. You have to look even if you choose to rule them out.

Best of luck in your boat hunt.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
I have looked at your site and I'm sure they are perfect for someone like us returning to boating after so long and are all much newer than what we have been looking at, the Aquador is stunning but as you say over budget.
The rest dont have the cockpit space I would like and all look a bit "too modern"
I realise I'm probably discounting a lot of boats that would suit us as well as making life harder because of this but the styling of older things like a carrera, sunfury or old targa 27(in my dreams) and some older sealines just appeal more plus they feel so big and solid. Also I'm planning on doing all my own mechanical work so older means less complex.
Please don't think Im not grateful for the help and it's my mistake not to have explained better what we are looking for.
Thanks again for your help
N