Bought my first boat 800 miles away. Need advice!

ProDave said:
Ouch. You have just reminded me why I like sail boats.
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That is the issue, isn't it? We have had several friends with mobos of similar size and they seem to be primarily used to hop five or ten miles along the coast, anchor up for a swim followed by lunch and hop back to their home marina.

As far as the suggestion of coast hopping from Scotland to southern England is concerned, the OP will need to do some careful passage planning before trying it. There are long stretches of coast around the middle of Britain on both the east and west sides where harbours are rare and marinas even rarer.
 
Wow! You guys are awesome!

I think I should go to a two days helmsman course this week in Thames Motor Yacht Club since I have zero experience in boating. I just called them and they said will get back to me tomorrow.

The boat currently in Inverkip while I am in Shepperton, Surrey. So, the fuel cost will be VERY expensive! £5k-7k? Wow! But consider there are maybe not too many chances to bring her to the sea in the future once she gets home. So, want to have a try. How about I do a half way? Then hire a transport company to do the rest? Just a thought.

There is a transport company quoted me that they can deliver by a lorry at £2K if they can have a return load back to Scotland. They said maybe at the end of November. But it's just maybe.

The boat actually needs a lots works to bring it back to a good condition even now it's in serviceable condition. For example, the trim tabs and bilge pumps don't work, etc.

I am also thinking to find a skipper or experienced mate to do the first part of the journey. But I don't know anyone yet. I will keep an eye on it.

I am excited and stressful now! Will get to Inverkip to hand over the boat this weekend. OMG!
 
Lucas Gan said:
Wow! You guys are awesome!

....

The boat actually needs a lots works to bring it back to a good condition even now it's in serviceable condition. For example, the trim tabs and bilge pumps don't work, etc.

...
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I would put the bilge pumps pretty well up the list of things to do!

If you have "zero experience of boating", how confident are you that you will not get seasick? There is a world of difference between the upper Thames and either the North Sea or Irish Sea - and few places to run for where you can anchor up to recover! A 41 foot mobo will be a tough test of your sea legs in the North Sea any earlier in the year than May.
 
Lucas Gan said:
Wow! You guys are awesome!

I think I should go to a two days helmsman course this week in Thames Motor Yacht Club since I have zero experience in boating. I just called them and they said will get back to me tomorrow.

The boat currently in Inverkip while I am in Shepperton, Surrey. So, the fuel cost will be VERY expensive! £5k-7k? Wow! But consider there are maybe not too many chances to bring her to the sea in the future once she gets home. So, want to have a try. How about I do a half way? Then hire a transport company to do the rest? Just a thought.

There is a transport company quoted me that they can deliver by a lorry at £2K if they can have a return load back to Scotland. They said maybe at the end of November. But it's just maybe.

The boat actually needs a lots works to bring it back to a good condition even now it's in serviceable condition. For example, the trim tabs and bilge pumps don't work, etc.

I am also thinking to find a skipper or experienced mate to do the first part of the journey. But I don't know anyone yet. I will keep an eye on it.

I am excited and stressful now! Will get to Inverkip to hand over the boat this weekend. OMG!
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Every thing you say leads to bringing it down by road. Then you can get all the necessary work done over the winter where you can keep control over it. yhen start learning all about it at your leisure in better weather.

BTW have you found out why you can only get 15 knots at near maximum revs? Sounds all wrong to me.
 
A real note of caution here. You’re already aware of two systems on the boat which don’t work, one is critical to the handling of the boat (trim tabs) the other is an important safety item (bilge pump). If it was me looking to make a significant sea journey, I’d consider it essential to have both of those systems repaired before departure. And if those two items aren’t working it begs the question as to what other faults are lurking to be discovered.
You really don’t want to be a few miles offshore on and discover that the fuel tanks have got grot in the bottom of them, leading to blocked filters and hence dead engines.
For what it’s worth, I’d get the boat delivered by road and spend the money you save on getting her thoroughly checked over and systems repaired/replaced as required. Then get some experience on the Thames so that you’re completely happy with your boat handling skills before heading down river to the sea.
The basic helmsman course you’re seeking to do is well worthwhile and will teach you the basics of boat handling. Do it. However, it will not teach you how to navigate, plan passages or cope with adverse sea conditions. I’d consider doing the RYA Day Skipper course over the winter (theory and practical) before heading to sea; you’ll have a much better understanding of the things to consider before setting off on a trip as well being taught how to handle your boat at sea.
All that said, you may find someone on here who’d like to accompany you on some or all of a delivery trip, which will teach you what you need to know in a very hands in manner!
 
Tranona said:
Every thing you say leads to bringing it down by road. Then you can get all the necessary work done over the winter where you can keep control over it. yhen start learning all about it at your leisure in better weather.

BTW have you found out why you can only get 15 knots at near maximum revs? Sounds all wrong to me.
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Trim tabs aren’t working, that may be the reason behind the less than expected top speed.
 
I used Andy Brown to move my 26ft sailing yacht from Bowness to Lancaster.He lives near Bowness. The price was less than I expected to pay. His rig would be more than big enough to move your MOBO.Top guy.
 
awol said:
Probably cheaper for you to commute to the boat! Scenery is a bit nicer oop north and once Nicola gets the Irish border moved to Solway/Tweed, nae Brexit palaver either.
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I thought the plan was to put it through Dublin Port... I suggested that months ago.... give us a better chance at a bit of smuggling....
 
So the boat is in the Clyde at Inverkip. Which gives much more options than the North of Scotland.

Do you have a preferred location / mooring organised down South?

Kip does lots of boat movements by road, so will be easy to organise logistics if go that route.

Also plenty of boat engineering specialists there and nearby if want to get things fixed up for doing a journey by sea.
But based upon location and experience, it does again come back to either delivery by road now, or perhaps keep in the sheltered but stunning Clyde waters for a while to see new places and gain experience. Lots of on board instruction options also in Clyde.
 
Thanks mates. I will send request to all these transport company.

I will keep the boat just in my backyard mooring. I live by the Thames River.

All your inputs are really helpful. You guys are really awesome!
 
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Lucas Gan said:
Thanks mates. I will send request to all these transport company.

I will keep the boat just in my backyard mooring. I live by the Thames River.

All your inputs are really helpful. You guys are really awesome!
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You'd be mad to try and move this by sea. You have no experience, the boat is an unknown and it'll cost a fortune in fuel. Road is the way to go.

If you could find someone to go with you or meet up when you do the handover, a weekend in Scotland might be nice though.

Those Volvo engines won't thank you for making them pootle up and down the Thames though.
 
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