Boats which are easy to singlehand with a walk around double bed

[Ferris]

All,

My Father is struggling to singlehand his Broom 37 Continental. He has had and will have more ankle surgery which means his balance is poor and hopping down onto a pontoon from 4 feet up is a challenge.

In addition the Broom is past its best and needs to go to someone who can do the work required to it.

He hasn't made the mind jump to new boat yet but I would like to help him with a few suggestions. In my view the requirements would be:

- Wide decks. Either walk around or mixed with an aft cockpit

- Island double bed. At the insistence of my Mother

- Under ~37ft

- For inland waterway use but capable on reasonably open water - the Shannon navigation has some large lakes. A single shaft drive engine is preferred.

- Flybridge would be a disadvantage due to access.

- I think access onto direct access from the helm to the side decks would be ideal.

- Budget is modest ~£45k

The best I can come up with is a Corvette 32 if we could find one under budget - its a boat he likes - but I would like to hear some other suggestions - specifically any aft cockpit boats which are easy to singlehand. I would like to solve this for him as the alternative is to let the boat go an not to replace it which would break his heart.

 

[Whitelighter]

Problem with smaller boats and wide side decks is you lose the option for things like walk around island berths.
And the budget means should you find one it’s gong to be older and have similar issues to the broom

 

[CLB]

The best boats to single hand are those with proper walkaround decks and side access door. Think Botnia Targa and the like. The trouble is, they don't have island berths and are way over budget. £45k is going to get you a newish small boat (no island berth) or a larger older boat (maintenance issues as with the Broom). Chuck in single shaft as a requirement and I am struggling to think of any boat that fits the bill. Maybe something Dutch and steel?

 

[[165042]]

Corvette 32 is a lovely boat but you'll struggle to get one for £45k unless it has a river-spec engine and a bit tired.

ACM Elite 31 can be had for that money but doesn't have side access and may be a bit on the small side and is a foreward berth.

 

[CLB]

Corvette 32 is a lovely boat but you'll struggle to get one for £45k unless it has a river-spec engine and a bit tired.

ACM Elite 31 can be had for that money but doesn't have side access and may be a bit on the small side and is a foreward berth.

ACM wouldn't be a bad choice but no side door, twin engines and no island berth so falls down on few of the criteria. I think the OP's father is going to have to compromise somewhere.

 

[Ferris]

Something that requires work would be okay as he is actually quite handy, particularly with joinery, the broom is just too much boat really. River spec is good. Twin engines would be fine as long as there is a keel to protect the prop - we were interested in a nice Corvette wit twin Perks 4236 which was lovely and close to budget but it sold. He's not a major fan of steel but if the right layout was there that would be a consideration.

Really open to any ideas. I actually like the ACM 31's, is there anything in the Ben/Jen stables with a walk around double?

 

[BruceK]

Albin 36 trawler comes to mind but it is a twin. Saw one for sale on the south coast a short while ago.
Also Trader 41 if you can squeeze in a extra meter and a bit more money.

 

[[165042]]

Fairline Targa 34 has two singles in an aft cabin.

Nelson 34 had an aft cabin option but bloody ugly.

 

[Ferris]

My concern with a Trader would be the height of the side decks. Albin 36 looks nice but the quality of exterior wood would be a pain, do wooden window frames leak for example?

Thanks for all the responses folks.

 

[Montemar]

Corvette just come onto the market at £58k in Weymouth Marina through Seakers.
I know it is over budget and also has twin engines but looks good with very nice teak decks.

 

[Dino]

Ferris,
Would it not be worth looking at a few upgrades to make the boat more suited to his requirements. My dad is 75 and has a 40ft Dutch Steel boat. It has great wide decks and last year we got him to upgrade the bowthruster. I wanted him to fit bow and stern thrusters with the remote control but he settled for a better bowthruster that worked and was very reliable. It has given him great confidence and he is a lot happier manoeuvring the boat.
You could get him to fit bow and stern thrusters with a remote control.
Another help would be an extra step on the side decks. There was a design for this in a recent Broom Owners Club Magazine. I can send it to you.
You could also look at an electric anchor winch and a few gadgets like the boat hook for passing a rope through an eye.
There's not much available in budget with an island bed unless you find a cheap Broom Crown.

 

[Ferris]

Hi Dino, have had the conversation and it will remain the option as he like his boat. I just think that he would get better use out of something more manageable. The end decision could be between his current boat with upgrades Vs. something else. He won't be doing something he doesn't want to do - put it that way

Also please send me the article, thanks.

 

[BruceK]

My concern with a Trader would be the height of the side decks. Albin 36 looks nice but the quality of exterior wood would be a pain, do wooden window frames leak for example?

Thanks for all the responses folks.

w.r.t. height of side decks. My wife is short and not as nimble as she was a couple decades ago, plus we have 2 kids under 12. We have a set of metal stairs with handrails bolted to our pontoon so no climb up or down is more than a step.

\w.r.t wooden windows. Depends. In the greater scheme of things this is easier to remedy than any other window frame type.

 

[[165042]]

That's a lovely example - though not keen on the blue trim and looks more like Flexiteak than teak? Link here:

http://www.seakers.co.uk/show-boats-for-sale.php?stock_id=SEKW%202312&type=0&boat=Corvette-Corvette%2032

 

[Whitelighter]

looks more like Flexiteak than teak

So that’s one bonus then

 

[Ferris]

Big time, I'm a fan of less work / things to be covered in moss - its freshwater after all.

 

[superheat6k]

That's a lovely example - though not keen on the blue trim and looks more like Flexiteak than teak? Link here:

http://www.seakers.co.uk/show-boats-for-sale.php?stock_id=SEKW 2312&type=0&boat=Corvette-Corvette 32

This one has just had a bucket load of cash poured all over by the current owner, and with a very genuine reason to sell.

I also know know of a River spec boat on the Thames near Marlowe that would be a lower cost / smaller engine option and better for river use.

If you do like the Corvette you would be welcome to join the Corvette Motorboat Association as an associate. Plenty of info on the website - PM me for details or try www.corvettemotorboat.wordpress.com

 

[equinoxuk]

There is a Corvette 32 classique at TBS boats Penton Hook for 53k.

 

[[165042]]

So that’s one bonus then

If you like that sort of thing :disgust:.

 

[Ferris]

Thanks for all the replies. My uncle actually had a Corvette so my dad knows them well, my uncles was twin VP 150's IIRC and was more than quick enough for the river, although he used it at sea also. The examples listed look fantastic too.

Unfortunately I doubt he will be buying in the near future, he still has his boat to sell, but I want to put a couple of options to him and the Corvette is certainly one of them.

Another option I thought was an Aquastar 33 with an aft cockpit. This example is nice (Thornycroft 6BT's?) https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1632931/?searchid=17846500&page=2
It has the island double, an aft cockpit, deep keel etc. Does anyone know if some of these had a side door? I've always been a fan of the type. Would be concerned that the engines are too large and that the min speed would be too fast for river work.