Boats Owned and Future Plans

[MedDreamer]

Although I've already been out to the boat several times this year, our season is really starting next week when the wraps come off everything, boat all nicely serviced and antifouled ready to go.

When newbies come on the forum to ask advice about their first boat at least one answer is always along the lines of "you won't keep it long anyway".

I had my first boat two months before we put an offer in for our second and we took delivery two months later. Kept that one for three seasons (one UK and two in the Med) before changing to the current one which we have had for two and a half years now.

No plans to change because: 1) I love my S34 2) It's running costs suit our pockets 3) To much hassle trying to get a bigger mooring in Mallorca.

Interested to know your boat owning history (especially how long you kept the first) and your future plans/dreams

 

[Nick_H]

We've kept each boat longer than the last, so plan and expect to keep current one several years. Eventually, a similar size, maybe slightly bigger, go anywhere semi-d is on the cards.

 

[Whitelighter]

Ok, well I have had a few but not as many as some /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
All started when my parents sold their last boat and I lasted about 18 months befor succoming to temptation and getting my own. They (I) were sailors, but I had always been tempted by the shiney things with big horsepower so went that route and took the plunge.

Boat No.1 was a 1997 Chris Craft 260 Crowne. Nice enough, but bought with the wrong criteria but is was cheap as I imported from the states on the weak $ and got the CE work done. Took delivery in May 2004, she was sold (for a profit) in Febuary 2005...

...When boat No.2 was delivered. I succumed to the flash of LIBS that year and after some frustrating used boat issues SWMBO decided it was either new with full dealer support or no boat. To that end a new Bayliner 285 was purchased from Essex Boatyards and we were pleased. Probably the wost purcahse, not because the boat was bad, but because I did it on the wrong criteria and that was sold in March 2006 after just over a year. Didnt lose as much as I could have done, but it was still a bit painful...

...replaced by boat No.3 - the Bavaria 330. We all know about that one. Actually a good boat owned previuosly by an utter twat. Once she was sorted she was perfect for us, but still had the used boat issues that had annoyed both of us with the Chris Craft. She was sold after 14 months in May 2007 to start the business.

Current boat is our 4th, the Westline 24 though that really is just a company boat. Our next proper boat will be our 34, which I will consider to be ours and while it will be used for company leg work, she will once again be named Whitelighter as all our boats have been apart from the 24 (which is Go West)

Future ambitions are muted right now. 34 is a nice size for us, not to dear to run and has all the space we need. I'd love a big squaddie or similar but I also want to be able to comfortably run the boat without breaking the bank so it pretty much rules themout.

Long term, I'd like to spend my latter years on a Nordhavn 47, just pottering around the world...

 

[honeybee]

1st boat was a 16ft 1988 Mariner (Bright Orange) had her about 8 months then traded her in for a small profit agaist...

Boat number 2 & current boat - 2007 Bayliner 192, which is a great boat for nice family days out on the Loch. Had her out once this year already and she will be serviced and bottom cleaned next week ready to go.

 

[colingr]

1st - 1992 Maxum 1800, kept for about 9 months due to being unreliable when it counted (low speed in and around marinas and slipways)

Sold end of last year and bought the current Larson 180 so not had long.

Time will tell.

Before that we used club dive ribs and chartered raggie type things.

 

[mainshiptom]

First boat Albin 25 bought in 1988 sold in 1991.
Second boat Sail boat Mirage 29 Bought in 1994 sold in 1997
third boat Corenet 32 deepsea sedan bought in 1998 sold in 2000
Fourth boat Mainship 40 Bought in 2001 sold in 2005
New boat coming soon,.....Wtach this space.

 

[gjgm]

I think the response to newbies is a warning that when starting out, people often have an incorrect view of what their boating will be. Maybe its the flash advets, or they just got the wrong boat altogether. Otherwise, they should be able to keep the first boat successfully for a while.
Then maybe many people dont go full-hog on a first boat; they wont the see how boating is, learn a bit etc, before moving to something. different.
And of course, when one has "exhausted" the possibilities or opportunities of one boat, people then want to try something else.
Actually, I just love sportsboats.. and good fortune (rather than anything else) has meant I ve been able to get larger, faster and more competent ones.
At some point though, we know we ll be ready for something different.
7 ages of baoting, anyone ? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

I started off with a Searay 180 CB in 1999, thinking I'd keep it for two years. Loved it - small, cheap, simple, fun. Kept it on a hydrohoist so it was always ready to go and minimal maintenance.

Five years on I traded up to a Regal 2450 LSC. Fast but unreliable, and I realised pretty quickly that I didn't need to go everywhere at 50kts, but instead wanted more social space. Sold it after a year.

Then the Fairline Targa 37. Fantastic boat, bit tight for access round the engines but otherwise perfect. Sold it at the beginning of the 2007 season because of work commitments. There is still a bit of me that regrets selling that boat.

And now a shiny new Princess 42, which is being handed over next Friday. Can't wait.

At this stage, the P42 is the limit of my ambition. Rather than changing boats, I'm more interested in changing locations and so it would be great to try a season in the med maybe in a couple of years time, all things being equal.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[Kipper]

Our first was a Fletcher Arrowstreak bought second hand just(11) hours wich we loved but wanted bigger so sold her at the end of 2000 season. Then bought a 98 Chaparral 260 with a 5.7efi merc on a b3. That was a great boat and we had some great fun in her but it showed us we wanted to do longer cruises and some of our new boating friends were upgrading to cruisers. So PXed her for a new Chaparral 280/90 in 2002 and we have kept her since.

Future plans are more likely to be shaped by finances and health so we will prob go back to a sports boat.
A px will prob be taken in seeling our current boat so that will be our next boat.

Gary

 

[BartW]

Boating history is on my profile,
but what really intrigues me is that while I am waiting for my brand new boat to be delivered within 3 weeks,
I am already dreaming, considering and specifiing the next one....
And I believe I am not the only one on here,

 

[Argonautical]

Our first boat purchased last summer is a Fairline Targa 37, having missed out on Jimmy The Builders one we took the plunge on Pipedream. Had a few teething issues and poured some money into her, basically had the biggest eye opener / wallet opener, we have ever had and quickly wondered if boating was fo us?!?!

Got everything sorted, had some great weekends with the kids and friends, realised why we loved it, and cant wait till this afternoon when the re-launch happens!

I have always loved the Targa's, and ownership of the 37 was a long time dream. We all love it, and assuming the sun shines its pretty much a fantastic allrounder. The only problem as always, you fancy something bigger, and a Sunseeker Portofino would be top of my wish list now!

Seriously though I doubt if Pipedream will be changed for a couple of years, and really only because I would love a garage for the tender.

Jas.

 

[Nautorius]

Boats owned by me (not family)
1996-1997 GP14 Sailing Dinghy
1997-1999 Leisure 17 Sailing Yacht 2Hp Mercury
1999-2000 Glastron SX175 BR, 3.0l Mercruiser (New)
2000-2001 Chaparral 205SSE Cuddy 4.3l Mercruiser (New)
2001-2002 Maxum 2165 aft 4.3l Mercruiser (New)
2002-2004 Chaparral 240 Signature 5.0 EFI Mercruiser
2002-2004 Global Sabre Ski Boat, 75Hp Suzuki
2002-2004 Kawasaki 550 Stand Up Jet Ski
2004-2006 Regal 2760 Commodore Twin 4.3GL Volvo
2006-2008 Aquador 23HT, Volvo Kad 32
2008-Present Breluga 550 Centre Console 90HP Etec Evinrude

.....and whatch this space! Big un on it's way later on! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[LAMBADA]

Boat No.1) Tremlett 16: Great Sea keeping.
2) Avenger 21: As above but a little hairy.
3) One off : Called Redskin built by the late
Frank Johnson from Altringham (would love to track
that down)
4) Formula 206LS: Fantastic! can't get that boat from
under my skin.
5) Four Winns 268: Not bad but nothing special(only
kept it 1 season.
6) Princess V42: Now wer'e cooking
7) Princess V45: Love it, can't see me changing for
a while (said that before).

 

[TheBishop]

First boat raggie Gibsea 312 - lovely little French built sea boat. went everywhere both sides of the Channel in her in weather I wouldn't even contemplate going out in now. Made every mistake in the book but she was just the right size to handle when starting out. Hairiest moment - settting off for Brighton from Portsmouth with gales all down the Channel. Blew out the main sheet traveller and gooseneck off Chichester and only just regained control of the boat as Boulder bouy hove into view. Turned her successfully and motored back to pompey terrified out of our wits. Parked in firts spot in Campers....guy came down to tell us to move, took one look at us and turned round and walked away. We slept all day and then drove to Brighton !

Second boat another raggie. Legend 40.5. As above for cruising area, but better more comfortable boat. However, virtually no hull grip forward of amidships and a violent kick to port when going astern , made for some very interesting parking. Hairiest moment - in thick fog off Alderney at 0200 with no wind and a failing engine. Tide just slack so one shot to con her into Braye without radar but with GPS. Finally fetched up in Braye using a course set from current position to middle of harbour and zero cross track error allowed. First thing we saw was a moored boat at point blank range! Moored up and broke out the drinks locker big style!!!

third boat - over to the dark side for a Trader 50. Wife and young kids demand greater comfort and safety, and increasing old age means creature comforts become a major priority. Twin engines and a bow thruster - us Mobo boys have it easy!! Hairiest moment so far - deciding which video to watch!

The Bishop

 

[laser_jock99]

My boat history:

1) Hardy 25- great little fishing boat that never let us down. Too big to trailor when we moved away from Plymouth so we bought:
2) Todd Marine 17' open day boat- good for fine/calm days and fast with the 25hp Mariner but the lack of shelter is a problem in choppy water. Keeping this boat as it's a doodle to launch anywhere.
3) Fairline Targa 38- for reasons previously discussed this boat has to go- though I'm thinking of getting a better boat to replace #2 or even a river cruiser/canal barge?

Looks like I'm the only here actually trying to downsize!

 

[MedDreamer]

[ QUOTE ]
Looks like I'm the only here actually trying to downsize!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well much as I love my S34, I'll happily do you a straight swap for the T38 /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

1) we owned a small wooden boat about 10 feet with a 2hp Evinrude, until it was stolen in 1985
2) Gobbi 27 Sport from 1994 till today - a boat that never let us down thanks also to 2 x Volvo 41 200 Diesels, bought practically new only 4 months old with 2 months of use in water and 45 engine hours

 

[itsonlymoney]

Not counting canoes and dingys......

Arriva 2250 bowrider bought Nov 01 (sold Jun 02 made profit of 2K)
Bayliner 1952 cuddy bought brand new Jun 02 (sold nov 03 lost 2K)
Bayliner 2655 bought Nov 03. (currently worth what I paid for it)
As you can see I have done allright so far (financially)

Would like slightly bigger hard top but dont know what and cant afford it and dont want to lose my berth which wouldnt take anything much bigger and is IMO one of the best berths on the marina if not the lake. Dont intend to boat anywere else for the forceeable future cos we love it here and its only an hour away. Spose I would in an ideal world like to be SoF Antibes or Villefraunch (spellin) but couldnt even if I could afford because of business but hey ho were happy with our life all round so what the heck.

 

[AdeOlly]

My story so far...

2004 - 2005 Sealine 215. Bought cheaply knowing it had problems, never realised the full cost of fixing them, and it was broken most of the time. Traded in to Sealine after an engineer nearly blew it up and SWMBO refused to step foot on it ever again.

2005 - 2006 Sealine S24. Brilliant little boat that never let us down, but with a second sprog on the way plus the fact it was a rolly thing at anchor, we decided to go bigger. Sold it privately very easily.

2006 - today. Hardy Seawings 305 HT. Suits us perfectly and we'll be keeping her for another couple of years, he says with no conviction. By then I think we'll be wanting to step up in size again as the children grow. Windy Grand Mistral 37HT (my choice) or Sealine SC38 (SWMBO's choice) on the shortlist, but tbh, it could be something completely different.

 

[timbad]

Falcon 23 SPC
Regal 245
Targa 30
Princess V42
Presently Princess V45 hardtop, no future plans to change her yet but never say never............