Boat Search Advice...

[Sheppy]

Wondering if anyone can help with some suggestions and recommendations please? We’re looking at buying a slightly larger boat to spend weekends away on the water, comprising of coastal and river runs in the South West region and possibly further afield. I’m not new to boating but this boat will be 2 to 5’ larger than any of my previous boats which have been more typical open day cabin boats.

A good example of something that would work is the Nimbus 27 Coupe. While I’m budgeting around 30k I feel the better Nimbus 28 Coupe is really too unachievable price wise. I’m not against a stern drive or outboard but I do feel shaft offers more reliability. Speed isn’t such an issue either, and while I won’t totally discount a DS boat, cruising at 12 to 15+ knts with a top speed of 15 to 20+ knts is better. A single 120-150hp diesel is fine, twins is probably unlikely, and from a reliability point of view I’d like some backup but I’m not entirely sure how practical or useful an aux outboard would be on something like 27 to 30’ boat but it’s something I’ll need to consider.

To help aid my thinking, I also like the Bayliner 2858 or 288 but most seem to be dressed with petrol engines. And while I’m not totally against petrol, the resale and overall availability of fuel worries me a little.

So I’m after recommendations on boats around the 30k mark, enclosed cabin with cooking, dining and leisure space, cabin up front for two, separate decent heads and enough external deck space for a couple of seats and a table – a floating 2 berth caravan if you will... As I say, the layout of the Nimbus 27 Coupe is good but looking for the gems I might have missed.

 

[rafiki_]

Sealine S28 if you can find one for the money.

 

[Sheppy]

Sealine S28 if you can find one for the money.

Thanks Rafiki but the Sealine doesn't offer an enclosed cabin, well apart form the forward section. I might not have explained that too well, so just just to clarify, one of the prerequisites from swmbo is a fully enclosed cabin/cockpit area for when it rains, and let's face it, it will...

 

[Divemaster1]

Norwegian Built Saga 26 HT should fit your requirement with solid hulls and good seakeeping ...

Here's one ... very optimistically priced

http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2002/Saga-Sea-Saga-26HT-3171543/United-Kingdom#.WstTIS7wapo

 

[rafiki_]

There are lots of Peche Promenade fisher type boats, with an enclosed wheelhouse, and a large cockpit. These will be more utilitarian than the Scandinavian hardtop, but much cheaper.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Long time no see!

Not sure of availability or price, but a Marex Holiday looks to be a good choice.

 

[Sheppy]

Long time no see!

Not sure of availability or price, but a Marex Holiday looks to be a good choice.

Thanks John. Yes sorry about that . Just looked and nice boat but again not totally enclosed. We did look at a larger C-Kip trawler in Totnes earlier this year with a longer term view. We both really liked it!!! Not a nice as yours obviously... I drop you an email and maybe pop over say hi.
John

 

[oldgit]

Wanting a particular version of a particular boat, and especially a rather rare beast to boot with not quite enough to be able to buy any of the examples on the market could be long and frustrating search ?
Why not cast the net a bit further .
The Princess 30DS would do everything you want within your price bracket,.
Considerable number built, in just about every engine combination under the sun.

Forget delicate fragile outdrives and worse outdrives with petrols and even worse all that in a certain American boat.
Diesels Diesels Diesels.Shafts Shafts
The 30 DS came with everything from a single 80HP diesel and twin 80HP diesel to a single or twin 165 HP six cylinder version and every variant between , that VP produced.
A genuine 30ft boat, not 25ft of boat, 2ft of fibreglass knob covering the anchor and 3ft of swim platform, are you listening Sealine owners
900 built with the Olesinski hull and 25 knots for the quick versions and saloon sunroof.
Worth a look at least and, know of mint one with big engines, owners have just bought a Princess 330.
Priced well under your budget, a tad more than half the price of that SAGE and 5 feet more boat for your money.

We have half dozen in the club.
One particular boat has taken its crew everywhere from The "MED"* right up to the Baltic.

* The "Med" at the end of an expensive flight. !


https://www.princess.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/1980/05/1980_-_Princess_30DS_420x260-645x339.jpg

 

[rbcoomer]

Wanting a particular version of a particular boat, and especially a rather rare beast to boot with not quite enough to be able to buy any of the examples on the market could be long and frustrating search ?
Why not cast the net a bit further .
The Princess 30DS would do everything you want within your price bracket,.
Considerable number built, in just about every engine combination under the sun.

Forget delicate fragile outdrives and worse outdrives with petrols and even worse all that in a certain American boat.
Diesels Diesels Diesels.Shafts Shafts
The 30 DS came with everything from a single 80HP diesel and twin 80HP diesel to a single or twin 165 HP six cylinder version and every variant between , that VP produced.
A genuine 30ft boat, not 25ft of boat, 2ft of fibreglass knob covering the anchor and 3ft of swim platform, are you listening Sealine owners
900 built with the Olesinski hull and 25 knots for the quick versions and saloon sunroof.
Worth a look at least and, know of mint one with big engines, owners have just bought a Princess 330.
Priced well under your budget, a tad more than half the price of that SAGE and 5 feet more boat for your money.

We have half dozen in the club.
One particular boat has taken its crew everywhere from The "MED"* right up to the Baltic.

* The "Med" at the end of an expensive flight. !


https://www.princess.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/1980/05/1980_-_Princess_30DS_420x260-645x339.jpg

I have to say (even though I'm not anti-sterndrive like O/G ) given your use John I'd say that's a good call. The Princess is very well made and would likely keep value well. Looked at a few when we were searching, but too big for our use and we wanted an open sportsboat really anyway. Don't forget lift costs - with shafts you won't get on a trailer...

 

[Sheppy]

Thanks og. Perhaps not a bad call. I'm note sure they're genuinely SD? But perhaps D, SD or planing depending on the engine spec? But they do tick most boxes. Size is probably ok, but the general age does open up more worries. I guess they're around another 10 years older but will certainly investigate. The idea was to make sure I wasn't missing any gems... Perhaps pm me with the details of the one you mentioned?

 

[Sheppy]

Thanks Rob. Yes, gone through most of the thought process and feel a SD with shaft(s) and fully enclosed cabin/cockpit is the way to go. I would like to trailer to different locations but anything over an open 25' sports boat starts to get impractical... I think when you're committing to going away for two to four days one really needs to know they can be comfortable when the weather changes and being under an awning is just too much like camping for 'certain people...', well and me... There's a few small fly bridges out there too but feel they're just too expensive for this venture. 'Certain people...' may hate it, or love it, and we may change as we go. The Nimbis is still a great bet and will do the job but are harder to find. Was looking at one in France which was much cheaper than expected too but have just had confirmation that a sale went through

 

[superheat6k]

Aquastar 33 ticks many of your boxes and for a proper little ship. Several asking around £36k so not so far from your budget. Weymouth 32 also worth a look if you want inside displacement cruising. I also know of a couple of Corvettes that went for less than your budget, but they did require a lot of work.

 

[CLB]

Wanting a particular version of a particular boat, and especially a rather rare beast to boot with not quite enough to be able to buy any of the examples on the market could be long and frustrating search ?
Why not cast the net a bit further .
The Princess 30DS would do everything you want within your price bracket,.
Considerable number built, in just about every engine combination under the sun.

Forget delicate fragile outdrives and worse outdrives with petrols and even worse all that in a certain American boat.
Diesels Diesels Diesels.Shafts Shafts
The 30 DS came with everything from a single 80HP diesel and twin 80HP diesel to a single or twin 165 HP six cylinder version and every variant between , that VP produced.
A genuine 30ft boat, not 25ft of boat, 2ft of fibreglass knob covering the anchor and 3ft of swim platform, are you listening Sealine owners
900 built with the Olesinski hull and 25 knots for the quick versions and saloon sunroof.
Worth a look at least and, know of mint one with big engines, owners have just bought a Princess 330.
Priced well under your budget, a tad more than half the price of that SAGE and 5 feet more boat for your money.

We have half dozen in the club.
One particular boat has taken its crew everywhere from The "MED"* right up to the Baltic.

* The "Med" at the end of an expensive flight. !


https://www.princess.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/1980/05/1980_-_Princess_30DS_420x260-645x339.jpg

Just be careful when buying an older boat that the mild steel fuel tanks are not rotten. Are you listening Princess owners

 

[Greg2]

Just looked at several Princess 30DS out of curiosity as we are looking for a modest sized mobo and was surprised to see that they have outdrives. Thought they were shaft boats based on oldgit’s comments

 

[petem]

Aquador 23ht?

 

[oldgit]

Thanks og. Size is probably ok, but the general age does open up more worries. I guess they're around another 10 years older but will certainly investigate. The idea was to make sure I wasn't missing any gems... Perhaps pm me with the details of the one you mentioned?

Not a problem...but unless you are talking new or virtually new its all down to condition and how the previous owners have looked after the boat.
Suspect the Princess 30DS appeals to a section of the more mature boating world not impressed by Decals and image and who wish to expand their horizons and time afloat but on a practical budget.
A little like Brooms perhaps, but want a boat for long term ownership able to be used for most of the year.

"Just looked at several Princess 30DS out of curiosity as we are looking for a modest sized mobo and was surprised to see that they have outdrives. Thought they were shaft boats based on oldgit’s comments"

O yes, did come with outdrives and petrols, always wondered why some of the 30DS we went to look at were so immaculate,such low hours and such bargains until you discovered they were petrol, many languishing on the Thames.
One example sported a pair of 175HP V6s and in virtually new condition !
A few flybridges but generally considered not a successful modification.

 

[Sheppy]

Thanks SH. All good recommendations and definitely agree on the Aquastar but 30' is probably the largest I want to go. I did look at Weymouth 32 long ago as joint venture but the other party decided not to move forward, but again good call However I think OG has put a spanner in the works as after lots of late night research last night I think I really like the 30 DS...

 

[Sheppy]

I have to say that after spending quite a lot of time last night searching and looking I think the Princess 30 DS would be almost perfect. Not sure what 'perfect' is, free fuel perhaps , but they tick pretty much every box. I certainly wouldn't want larger, but as OG says the wide choice if engine and drive combos means we could end up with what I want - they even did a fly bridge. So this was perhaps the 'gem' I was referring to in my OP...

Looking around at the 30 DS's available, and yes there are certainly more choice, does give me ideas. There are a few cheaper petrol ones and I wonder if two smaller diesels would work. Most that have a diesels are twins but I did find one single Ford diesel 80hp. I guess for river use or SD cruising. Makes me wonder if a conversion to two lower cost 60/80hp diesels might work... In an ideal world I've have one central engine and one side wing engine but that seems to be an ideal combo that non the boat builders ever bothered with. I might fire off a thread on the issue of one plus outboard v twins but I'm sure it's been discussed to death.

Thanks for the all the info everyone