Boat suggestions/thoughts required please

[paradave]

I used to be registered here many years back as seadave but that account appears to have locked!

Back then I was a single man with a Sea Ray 225 Weekender and loved zooming around the South coast and fishing. SInce then, I've accumulated a wife and two kids and sadly the 225 was sold off when the little ones came along as we weren't using it.

Fast forward to now. We're a family of 4 (9 and 7 yo kids) who love the Isle of Wight, exploring the SOuth coast, generally being outside, SUPs, seafishing etc and I'm after a new boat.

Criteria as follows:

4 berths.
A proper cabin/pilot house - I want to use this boat year round and don't want a camper cabin type thing.
Big enough to spend the occasional night or two on. I plan to go to IoW in her and stay there for a weekend say, or just go down for a night at the marina with a little mooch around thrown in.
Cost effective.

So far I like the look of the Merry Fisher 805, the Antares 8 but could really do with some suggestions and thoughts on the sort of boat I'm after. I've been told a 4s outbaord would be much cheaper to run overall than an inboard, plus be quieter but not sure how true this is?

Budgetwise, I suppose I'd like it to be around the £30k mark ideally....room for perhaps £5-10k wiggle for something perfect.

PLease help!

 

[ST840]

I’ve got one of these in Southampton.

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2002/starfisher-840-2136312/
It’s great for me the wife, an 8 year old boy and a Labrador !
better build quality than the MF and Antares versions.
built in the same factory as the rodman boats !

 

[jamie langstone]

I have the merry fisher 805 and it would fit your needs the only down side is that with 4 you have make up the berth by dropping the dining table.
me and the wife sleep very comfortably in the v berth with plenty on leg room.
It’s a very safe boat and great to fish from and cheap to run as long you don’t WOT all the time.
I have the Volvo TAMD41P and it is a reliable engine which gives me about 22-24knots clean bum.

Any other info just pm me and we can have a chat over the phone

 

[RichardS]

Just trying to test if any of these forums are actually working.

Richard

 

[russ]

I used to be registered here many years back as seadave but that account appears to have locked!

Back then I was a single man with a Sea Ray 225 Weekender and loved zooming around the South coast and fishing. SInce then, I've accumulated a wife and two kids and sadly the 225 was sold off when the little ones came along as we weren't using it.

Fast forward to now. We're a family of 4 (9 and 7 yo kids) who love the Isle of Wight, exploring the SOuth coast, generally being outside, SUPs, seafishing etc and I'm after a new boat.

Criteria as follows:

4 berths.
A proper cabin/pilot house - I want to use this boat year round and don't want a camper cabin type thing.
Big enough to spend the occasional night or two on. I plan to go to IoW in her and stay there for a weekend say, or just go down for a night at the marina with a little mooch around thrown in.
Cost effective.

So far I like the look of the Merry Fisher 805, the Antares 8 but could really do with some suggestions and thoughts on the sort of boat I'm after. I've been told a 4s outbaord would be much cheaper to run overall than an inboard, plus be quieter but not sure how true this is?

Budgetwise, I suppose I'd like it to be around the £30k mark ideally....room for perhaps £5-10k wiggle for something perfect.

PLease help!

Have you considered a small sports cruiser? Plenty of choice out there and ticks a lot of boxes for shelter, accommodation and economy. I can’t comment on inboard or outboard engine advantages as I have only owned with the former.

 

[paradave]

I’ve got one of these in Southampton.

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2002/starfisher-840-2136312/
It’s great for me the wife, an 8 year old boy and a Labrador !
better build quality than the MF and Antares versions.
built in the same factory as the rodman boats !

Great suggestion! That’s one to look Out for. You find it roomy enough?

 

[paradave]

Have you considered a small sports cruiser? Plenty of choice out there and ticks a lot of boxes for shelter, accommodation and economy. I can’t comment on inboard or outboard engine advantages as I have only owned with the former.

I really want an enclosEd wheel really.

 

[ST840]

Great suggestion! That’s one to look Out for. You find it roomy enough?

For me and my gang yes, indeed. If your local, your welcome to come have a look around !!

 

[QBhoy]

Sounds like aquador territory

 

[ST840]

Sounds like aquador territory

Aquadors are not a boat you can easily fish from ! I believe the OP is after a boat that can do all things ?

 

[QBhoy]

Aquadors are not a boat you can easily fish from ! I believe the OP is after a boat that can do all things ?

mmm. The aquador models I’m aware of have a very similar rear cockpit to the above boats suggested. They are really just a better finished version of the above. Same basic layout.

 

[ST840]

mmm. The aquador models I’m aware of have a very similar rear cockpit to the above boats suggested. They are really just a better finished version of the above. Same basic layout.

The 25c and 28c have a deck area and walk around which you could fish from but, the area is so slim it would not be classed as a serious fishing option. Doable yes, comfortable for a proper session.... no !
trust me, I’ve looked at most models in this class before I chose my Starfisher.

 

[Bigplumbs]

there are a few of these types of Boats with large Outboards . See if you can find one as Outboards are far less hassle and worry than inboards and the joys of Outdrives

 

[ST840]

there are a few of these types of Boats with large Outboards . See if you can find one as Outboards are far less hassle and worry than inboards and the joys of Outdrives

An inboard diesel on a shaft is no trouble at all !! Easy servicing, cheaper to run than an outboard and the fuel is cheaper (at the moment )!!!
if speed is a worry, mine cruises nicely at 20 knts !

 

[paradave]

The 25c and 28c have a deck area and walk around which you could fish from but, the area is so slim it would not be classed as a serious fishing option. Doable yes, comfortable for a proper session.... no !
trust me, I’ve looked at most models in this class before I chose my Starfisher.

The Aquador look fantastic and on the surface, exactly what I’d like. However the stern drive, rather than shaft or OB, puts me off in an older boat.

 

[paradave]

For me and my gang yes, indeed. If your local, your welcome to come have a look around !!

Many thanks indeed!