Boat search

[Paulboat]

Hi
New to the site and boating I'm looking for a river/estuary cruiser in the 25to30ft would like any advice on makes models what to and what not to look for diesel petrol shaft or out drives been looking seems to be plenty out there in the £15000 to £20000 range some with new and some with old engines is a 1970s engine on its last legs or is there still plenty of life left in them been looking at new engines and they seem to be very exspensive in some cases more than you would pay for the boat please any advice would be appreciated thanks

 

[superheat6k]

Welcome to the forum.

For most there 1st, 2nd or even 3rd buy won't be the right boat, either that or you will rapidly outgrow it.

You rightly recognise you are buying an engine with a boat throw in, especially in the 20 - 30' range. My suggestions would be ...

1 Go for a well known Make & model that can be easily sold on if you want to move up. Having a boat you are not happy with and unable to sell can be very frustrating.

2 If you are going to trailer the boat be aware launching is a 2 person task, and others may rapidly go off boating all together after just a few launches and recoveries.

3 Many including me abhor stern drives, but in your range they are almost universal. Most will require full overhaul by 15 years old. Annual maintenance outweighs improved fuel economy unless you clock > 200 hours. Diesel is easier to obtain and a lot cheaper to use.

4 When looking remove the rose tinted specs. If you see a boat you like think long and hard about it and thoroughly research the market to establish a sensible price, taking into account any defects. Avoid any notion that the sale price will be some % off the asking. A boat is only worth what someone is prepared to pay.

5 When making an offer remember you are the buyer so you can dictate your own terms, e.g. The right to walk away with your deposit refunded if you find something you do not like e.g. during the sea trial, discovery of undisclosed defects, mis description. Make sure the sale will include decent supporting paperwork, especially proof of ownership.

Good luck in your search. If you do find a particular boat and have questions then here is likely the best place for answers, although not all will be helpful or what you may want to hear. Many questions will have been asked before so remember to use the search facility too.

 

[rafiki_]

Welcome to the forum.
All sage words from Trevor. In your price range you will find lots of 25 ft ish American sports cruisers, and some older British ones. Similar layouts, mid berth cabin, with dinette converting to another double.
As Trevor says, the key issue is how well the engine and sterndrives have been se are the expensive bits to replace. Easy check is service history, receipts should be kept, no oils in both. Check for anodes too. If dissolved away, then this could infer problems ahead.
Upholstery and canopy are easy to replace, and make a world of difference.
Check the electrics, to see if you can find any bodges.
Good luck and enjoy.
You might find some more help over on the Thames forum, which focuses on the rivers.

 

[Paulboat]

Hi
Thanks for your help seen a fjord 27 fitted with a Bmc on shaft seems to be a solidly built