byron
RIP
Listen to No Regrets everything he says makes sense.
Boat recommendation for a newbie.
- Thread starter SteveDH
- Start date
apollo
...
Agreed good advice!!
boatingdave
New member
I agree too! Good advice, comprehensive.
SteveDH
Member
Any comments on the Falcon Capriole? These seem to be classified as river cruisers, have a diesel inboard with shaft drive, yet have more of a sports cruiser type appearance?
24ft example:
http://www.thamesboatsales.co.uk/bo...esc=4741788 - Falcon Capriole 24#.U_GcTvldXy0
byron
RIP
Nice all round boat and certainly a great starter boat. You could do a lot worse. Steam in with a bid of around £22,500 and take it from there. I value the craft at about £24k but others may well see it differently.
apollo
...
If you go to look at it, ask your crew to walk from the cockpit to the front deck as if they were in a lock and had to do the ropes.
Do they feel safe walking along the side decks, imagine that front sloping deck wet and slippery?
I am not trying to put you off but do a proper viewing plus and minus.
Do they feel safe walking along the side decks, imagine that front sloping deck wet and slippery?
I am not trying to put you off but do a proper viewing plus and minus.
macnorton
Active member
I agree except Enfield/VP 270-90 legs don't cost a fortune to maintain and you should not dismiss a boat because it is fitted with them.
Wavey
Well-known member
Apollo is 100% correct. The ability to move safely around any boat should always be a top priority.
For me it comes above anything else. I might love the boat to bits but if it doesn't have wide flat deck surfaces you'd be sure-footed on in any weathers I simply wouldn't buy it. (And never have).
Sulley
New member
All good advice, especially walking on the side decks and front deck.
NR points out some good boats!
NR points out some good boats!
Wavey
Well-known member
I do sometimes wonder if sports boats would be quite so popular on the Thames if roles were reversed and it was men that had to do the often death-defying act of scrambling from the cockpit up the side decks to do the balancing act on the bow while SWMBO stayed safe and snug at the helm 
SteveDH
Member
Thanks - and your comments all make sense.
My aim here is to find a boat that's going to work well for us, but the appearance is also important. Whilst I've ruled-out American sports cruisers with huge petrol engines, the Falcon seems to offer a 'sportier' appearance whilst still being classified as a "river cruiser".
The practicalities that you mention are important (I don't really want to lose crew at every lock!), so I'll bear these in mind.
Remember, this will largely be used as a day boat so the practicalities of the layout below deck is not quite so important for us ... more as somewhere to get out of unexpected rain!
Is the Falcon truly a river cruiser (suitably shaped hull for good river handling etc), or is it essentially just a sports cruiser that's been given a smaller diesel engine to make it more appropriate for river use? I understand that the shape might make a trip from the aft to the bow trickier, but are there any other reasons why the Falcon wouldn't handle well on the Thames?
TIA
Steve
No Regrets
Active member
I'm not sure about the Falcon, but was wondering exactly the same myself!
Talk to Simon Allum at Bray boat sales, he openly gives sound accurate advice in my experience....
I really don't understand why you want a Sporty looking boat though!? This is the Thames, where traditional boats get WAAAAAY more respect the Bayliners.
You want a Training shoe, at a Ballroom dance.....
You will suffer if you continue this :encouragement:
I only say that because I did the same. Huge mistake....
Talk to Simon Allum at Bray boat sales, he openly gives sound accurate advice in my experience....
I really don't understand why you want a Sporty looking boat though!? This is the Thames, where traditional boats get WAAAAAY more respect the Bayliners.
You want a Training shoe, at a Ballroom dance.....
You will suffer if you continue this :encouragement:
I only say that because I did the same. Huge mistake....
AuntyRinum
Well-known member
Good boats are functional, practical creatures. If appearance is too high up your list you will buy a turkey and regret it very quickly.
sturmvogel190a
Member
Agree with No Regrets we had a sports shoe at the same time as him same pontoon in fact and although great for day seating space taking folks for a jolly and blasting around at Sea they are hard work on the river esp if someone sneezes on the far bank .
You need to be a contortionist to use there showers horrible slow speed handling in the wind continual corections as there tracking is rubbish at slow speeds and just all round tiring to helm on the river imo ,get it out to sea for a blast around much fun though .
We changed coz it just didn't suit our needs or the river or taking great big Jerry cans full of petrol to the boat whilst causing panic buying at the forcourt whilst filling them lol.
Speak to brokers go and try a few boats to get a feel for them don`t buy a sports cruiser would be my advice Steve
oldgit
Well-known member
We all start off with this sort of boat and suspect nothing that anybody can say or do will persuade you not to buy a sports type boat.
At some point you will realise that the unstable ill handling glorified soap dish you intend spending your money on is totally unsuitable for the Thames are for that matter anywhere else.
We will be patiently waiting to try and help you with that second boat.
At some point you will realise that the unstable ill handling glorified soap dish you intend spending your money on is totally unsuitable for the Thames are for that matter anywhere else.
We will be patiently waiting to try and help you with that second boat.
SteveDH
Member
Thanks guys - I'm not jumping to a sports cruiser just yet ... what would be the point in me coming here to ask you experienced folks for advice, and then ignoring it? :encouragement:
The Princess 30DS is at the top of my list at the moment.
Thanks again ... I've got some really good advice here.
BW
Steve
The Princess 30DS is at the top of my list at the moment.
Thanks again ... I've got some really good advice here.
BW
Steve
bendyone
Well-known member
No Regrets
Active member
The Princess is fine, but do you want to helm from indoors all the time? It's no fun on a Hot day, despite sunroofs or open doors!!
Canopies are not without issues of course, but usually worth a bit of pain for the hot weather...Your choice here, there is no 'Best Boat' to be honest, even the much revered Brooms with aft cabin and Flybridge, possibly the best configuration (Hence highest prices and best resale) will not go under certain bridges, and due to high draft can get blown around a bit compared with a naked low slung boat.
Canopies are not without issues of course, but usually worth a bit of pain for the hot weather...Your choice here, there is no 'Best Boat' to be honest, even the much revered Brooms with aft cabin and Flybridge, possibly the best configuration (Hence highest prices and best resale) will not go under certain bridges, and due to high draft can get blown around a bit compared with a naked low slung boat.
Alpha22
Active member
SteveDH
Member
Thanks - slowly finding my feet here!
