Boat recommendation for a newbie.

[SteveDH]

Hi All,

A couple of years back I completed a practical boat handling course and gained my Inland Waterways Helmsman's cert at Bisham Abbey Sailing School.

We've since hired a couple of cruisers on a day hire basis, but I'm now keen to buy a boat and moor it locally to us here in Reading (I'm looking at the T&K marina) to give us better flexibility on usage.

I'd be really grateful of some recommendations for boats under £30k please. I do like the look of Sports Cruisers, but I'm a bit concerned about the impact on their sizeable engines when they're barely ticking-over on the Thames.

We're a family of 6, and whilst I've written off the idea of getting a 6 berth cruiser for £30k, the boat would need enough seating for the 6 of us to sit (and eat!) comfortably.

 

[macnorton]

6 berth and ideal for Thames, not sports jobbie though.


http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/rlm-entice-aft-cabin-boat-for-sale-6236.html

 

[apollo]

I agree, much more suitable but I bet he buys a bay liner!

 

[landlockedpirate]

You could do a lot worse than a Bayliner !

Bayliner 2855 with a 5.7l V8, 6 double berths and big enough, just, for a family of 6. You can get a nice one for your 30k.

Surprisingly good as a river boat, petrol much nicer sound and smell than diesel and no issues with running at low revs. It will wander a bit but easily corrected and you can always fit a extra leg rudder if you want. Big bow makes rope handling in locks a breeze and covers can be customised for most weather conditions.

But best of all, if it doesnt suit, its a popular boat and it will sell on easily with little loss.

 

[oldgit]

You can get a nice one for your 30k.

You could also get a Princess 30Ds with diesels .Would not be surprised if is not sold for sub 30K money ?

1985 Princess 30 DS GBP 32,950
Contact
Norfolk Yacht Agency
Brundall Bay Marina
Brundall
NR13 5PN
UK

Another one here with twin diesels on shafts
1982 Princess 30D GBP 28,485
Windermere Aquatic Ltd
Windermere Quays, Glebe Road
Bowness
LA23 3HE
UK

Both these boats sleep 6 and will get you beyond the Thames considerably cheaper than the £1.60 a LITRE that marinas will charge for petrol(IF.. you can find one that actually stocks petrol.
If you berth at an MDL marina diesel works out at just over £1.00 a litre

 

[boatingdave]

Nooo. Lets not open this thread again. Big petrol engines running at tick over just don't survive on the river, I have the scars..... ;-)

You could do a lot worse than a Bayliner !

Bayliner 2855 with a 5.7l V8, 6 double berths and big enough, just, for a family of 6. You can get a nice one for your 30k.

Surprisingly good as a river boat, petrol much nicer sound and smell than diesel and no issues with running at low revs. It will wander a bit but easily corrected and you can always fit a extra leg rudder if you want. Big bow makes rope handling in locks a breeze and covers can be customised for most weather conditions.

But best of all, if it doesnt suit, its a popular boat and it will sell on easily with little loss.

 

[boatingdave]

Hmm - not sure I should comment here.... ;-)

I agree, much more suitable but I bet he buys a bay liner!

 

[SteveDH]

Hmm - not sure I should comment here.... ;-)

Ok - thanks all.

So here's the wish list:

Less than 30ft
Less than £30k
A single robust Diesel engine
Enough room at the aft for up to 6 ppl
4 berths, although boat will be mostly used as a day boat
Low enough to fit under the bridges on the Thames
Reliable and low maintenance
As sporty looking as possible

It's a big wish-list I know, but any recommendations?

Regards to all

Steve

 

[boatingdave]

Bay liners are like marmite...... Not as easy to sell as implied. That was my reference.

 

[SteveDH]

Bay liners are like marmite...... Not as easy to sell as implied. That was my reference.

Yes - seems so.
Love the look, but a large petrol engine for cruising the Thames, just doesn't seem right to me.
If it was easier to move the boat to the south coast then perhaps a larger petrol lump could be justified, but need something robust and economical for the Thames!

 

[boatingdave]

Yes - seems so.
Love the look, but a large petrol engine for cruising the Thames, just doesn't seem right to me.
If it was easier to move the boat to the south coast then perhaps a larger petrol lump could be justified, but need something robust and economical for the Thames!

And petrol engines at tick over coke up regularly. I have a twin diesel on the Thames that rarely gets out of tick over but don't have the same problems with it. However, purring petrol engines on the coast accelerates well! There are some good boats out there for the money. Fairline and Princess both have a reputation for good build quality.

 

[bumperdump]

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/advert/princess-30-ds-hamble-river-boat-yard/41961073

 

[oldgit]

Options only for the Brave or Skint

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/advert/princess-30-ds-hamble-river-boat-yard/41961073

Loads about and wrong end of season, probably some marina fees due soon....If you are confident to buy it as seen and lying bid em
£ 22.500 and leave your phone number.
If you want it surveyed bid em £25.000 and tell them you will argue the final price later.
Tell them not to leave it too long as you will buy as soon as the right boat turns up. It will cost you 1K to get it back by lorry to the Thames or a small fortune by water.

 

[byron]

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/advert/princess-30-ds-hamble-river-boat-yard/41961073

A non flybridge single engine DS on an outdrive. I would say £20k pushing it. A 30 year old boat as near is dammit.

 

[byron]

And petrol engines at tick over coke up regularly.
.

The answer is small props which require higher revs.

 

[boatingdave]

The answer is small props which require higher revs.

I agree but additional cost in fuel and materials? Just makes the boat even less efficient and requires a prop change if you are near the coast and have a need to go that bit faster. . My own preference would be to find something that is appropriate rather than have to modify something to fit. Although with a limited budget it may be a really good way to 'get on the ladder' so to speak .

 

[macnorton]

The answer is small props which require higher revs.

The engine needs to work to keep itself clear, a small prop will make it work less and use even more fuel.

 

[byron]

The engine needs to work to keep itself clear, a small prop will make it work less and use even more fuel.

To provide motive power equivalent to the correct prop it will have to rotate faster thus causing the engine to rev higher but yes more fuel will be consumed.

 

[SteveDH]

To provide motive power equivalent to the correct prop it will have to rotate faster thus causing the engine to rev higher but yes more fuel will be consumed.

Thanks for all your help guys - I've got some good direction to start looking now.

Regards

Steve

 

[No Regrets]

Been there, Done that with the Sports cruiser.

There are a few issues, although good points include good Summer accommodation, Pretty looks, and there are plenty for sale.

Sadly, the river manners are miles worse than proper River boats, they wander, don't like many people on the bows, and are pants when it's windy, due to the outdrives and lack of a keel.

Additionally, many are not great in locks, due to restricted access to the bow area.

A proper River boat, such as a Freeman, Birchwood etc has better indoors accommodation, easy all round access and they steer as straight as a die, making helping much less of a chore.

Don't be scared of modest twin Diesels on Shafts, you can always run on one engine between locks, and then enjoy the fantastic manoeuvrability that this configuration offers. A Single Sterndrive costs as much as two small Diesels to maintain too...

Avoid Sterndrives, bi-annual servicing on just the drive itself will be as much as your fuel bill over a similar period!!

This is pretty close, and will sleep 6. http://www.thamesboatsales.co.uk/bo...c=4703565 - Birchwood 33 Classic#.U_CtflbobEU

This one is a nice layout with economy engine-wise http://www.thamesboatsales.co.uk/bo...&desc=4554018 - Freeman 33 Sport#.U_Ct4lbobEU

And of course, the lovely Fairline Mirage, with aft cabin and single Diesel: http://www.thamesboatsales.co.uk/bo...2 - Fairline Mirage 29 Aft Cabin#.U_CuOFbobEU