Boat Hunt

Greg2

Greg2

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Jun 2002
Messages
4,636
Visit site
Got the week off and clearance to spend next week looking for our next boat :-)

Thinking of going to the south coast, probably based in pompey and looking primarily at sail and trying not to get tempted to stay with power. Looking for the usual Jen/Ben/Bav type yachts, which will include Legends and have seen several options on the interweb.

Ay suggestions on where to go? I am thinking about the obvious such as Hamble Point and my parameters are probably Brighton to Poole.
 
Costa del canvey

Try the "Costa del canvey"
Bought my Jeanneau there couple of years back..:D:D:D
All jokes aside, look on small sailing club web sites.
You can sometimes pick a gem up at a good price,,.:eek:
 
millbeach said:
Try the "Costa del canvey"
Bought my Jeanneau there couple of years back..:D:D:D
All jokes aside, look on small sailing club web sites.
You can sometimes pick a gem up at a good price,,.:eek:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll have a bit of a trawl to see what I can find. Objective at the moment is to settle on a particular make/model and then look for the best deal.
 
Greg2 said:
Thanks, I'll have a bit of a trawl to see what I can find. Objective at the moment is to settle on a particular make/model and then look for the best deal.
Click to expand...

You could spend a whole week along that stretch with major marinas in Brighton, Eastbourne, Chichester, Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Hamble, Southampton, Lymington, Poole. How you do it depends on whether you are one of those who just wanders or you just want to focus on a specific narrow range.

If the latter, then a couple of hours on Yachtworld.com searching under your preferred makes and sizes will give you a starting point. Won't pick up every boat but will give you a good idea of whats available and where they are.
 
If the 'wander around looking' type, which can be very informative but time consuming, I should think a good solid day could be spent 'doing' Chichester Harbour;

Chichester Marina 01243 512731, Emsworth Marina 01243 377727, Thornham Marina ( S of Emsworth Marina ), onto Hayling Island - Northney Marina 02392 466321, Hayling Yacht Co , Wilsons Boatyard 02392 464869, Sparkes if they're trading ( ? ).

All these places have brokerages, sorry don't have up to date details for them.
 
I did something similar a few weeks back in Croatia and this is what worked for us as an approach. Wandering around yards is a great way to waste time, being prepared is much more efficient.

1. Use the internet to research the various types of boat on the market within your budget. Hunt down all the owner opinions, magazine articles and tests you can find for the ones you like and construct a shortlist.

2. Arrange viewings of geographically co-located boats from your shortlist - regardless of price or condition - so you can see them in the flesh - this was a real watershed for me as I rejected numerous boats due to them not feeling right, being too pokey, poor design details etc. You should end up with a favourite or a much shorter shortlist. Photograph everything you like and everything you don't like - it helps sort it all out in your head later.

3. Charter your favourite boat for a weekend or longer to see if you can live with it and give it a good sea trial. If OK go to step 4. If not OK go back to step 2.

4. Register with every broker you can find stating exactly what you are looking for and in parallel hunt online.

5. View the ones you think are worth it and be prepared to travel.

6. Sea trial and survey your chosen boat, hand over the cash and grin like a lunatic 'till the reality hits home.

We're now the proud owners of a scruffy '99 Bavaria 36, the keel was an optional extra ;)

Happy Hunting!
 
Wifey and I did similar last year. We arranged a week of touring,visiting friends and viewing. Do your research and arrange viewings at conveniant times places on your itinary to actually get a feel of the market. I found several of the web based adverts to somewhat removed from reality when viewed in the flesh. Finally, don´t be too focused on one type or builder. There are some good deals to be found if you go away from your parameters slightly. Good luck and enjoy. <<<You will know as soon as you step on board if a particular boat is for you!:)
 
Thanks guys, some helpful tips. We are open minded and being mobo types for the last 9 years or so we are probably at the wander around and have a look stage. We are using the interweb to identify boats we definitely want to look at but the main objective is to identify what we want. For example I think the Jeanneau deck saloons look great but I haven't been on one yet so don't now if they will live up to the pictures!!

Can't think of a better way to spend the week...!
 
Greg2 said:
Thanks guys, some helpful tips. We are open minded and being mobo types for the last 9 years or so we are probably at the wander around and have a look stage. We are using the interweb to identify boats we definitely want to look at but the main objective is to identify what we want. For example I think the Jeanneau deck saloons look great but I haven't been on one yet so don't now if they will live up to the pictures!!
Click to expand...

Have you had a look at the Boatshed website yet? They do lots and lots of pictures (normally 50 or 60) of each boat, and while some are very detailed, like "Batteries" you can get a lot more detail from them than from many other brokers.
 
Ubergeekian said:
Have you had a look at the Boatshed website yet? They do lots and lots of pictures (normally 50 or 60) of each boat, and while some are very detailed, like "Batteries" you can get a lot more detail from them than from many other brokers.
Click to expand...

Very familiar with Boatshed as we listed our boat with them. We have looked at a few yachts they have but to be fair not many so I think I'll have a bit of a trawl.
 
If you are anywhere near the east coast I have this in Ipswich and this nearby.

But for wandering around browsing you can't beat Hamble Point.

I have this there but there are hundreds to choose from with lots on walkways.

There's also the Ketch Rigger for a pleasant lunch between browsing.

Port Hamble is a short distance away and that has a good selection too-also with a decent restaurant. Nearby Hamble village has some iconic sailing pubs to help keep you going.


When you have finished there you can head over to Swanwick for more choice, some well stocked chandlers and finish off in the Jolly Sailor.
 
jonic said:
If you are anywhere near the east coast I have this in Ipswich and this nearby.

But for wandering around browsing you can't beat Hamble Point.

I have this there but there are hundreds to choose from with lots on walkways.

There's also the Ketch Rigger for a pleasant lunch between browsing.

Port Hamble is a short distance away and that has a good selection too-also with a decent restaurant. Nearby Hamble village has some iconic sailing pubs to help keep you going.


When you have finished there you can head over to Swanwick for more choice, some well stocked chandlers and finish off in the Jolly Sailor.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. We are on the east coast - the second link was fine but the first didn't work..?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top