Buying a boat..Is this what I should expect?

[No Regrets]

A few things to remember when buying a boat at that sort of price range:

Canopies are expensive, and don't last that long. Big canopies are not always desirable!

Volvo engines are not as reliable as their Cars, and the parts are even more expensive. Old technology engines too have issues, but can be repaired for less per se.

Osmosis is unlikely to be a real problem whatever the brokers etc tell you. Get a boat surveyed anyway, even just a hull survey!

Make sure the beds are comfy and large enough, or SWMBO won't sleep on it a second time.

Shaft drive is cheaper to own than outdrive in almost all cases.

Buy the largest boat you can, within your Marina budget! Big boats are nicer to use.
Beamier (Wider) boats are better too, as they offer more space and stability.

Don't be impressed by toys. They usually break down, and a toy-less boat can always be thus equipped.

A boat which shows signs of being lavishly cared for is usually a good example which can be kept that way, a poor example can cost horrendous amounts to make nice again!

And finally, expect to spend a lot more than you ever have once you get the bug! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I trust my advice will be ripped to shreds by the old timers, but it works for me /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[zt260]

Sorry to hear about your experiance at york marina,i have a boat that is moored there and is for sale at the moment through the marina, i cant comment on how you were treated all i can say is they are normally pretty good and they have quite a few boats for sale circa £20k.
Dont be put off keep looking
regds ash

 

[Philiz]

We're in exactly the same position as you with a similar budget. We've also come across the pompous, full of sh#t types. But we have also been made very welcome by others. When we first started looking one broker in North Wales spent a good 4 hours showing us around various types of boats although he knew we weren't ready to buy yet. Put it down to experience and move on, there are decent brokers out there. Better still, put your requirements on the forum and somebody might know where there is something available which might suit you. Good hunting! We think we've found ours and hope to be seeing some of the forumites around North Wales soon!

 

[alt]

Don't mind the 4sshole brokers, the majority of ones i've dealt with were t0ssers too (not all, mind). The majority of the time when I approached a broker, I simply wasn't taken serious because of my age. They reckoned I was either bored or just chancing my arm. After dealing with brokers on 2 seperate occasions, I have vowed to only ever buy private (Now on 3rd boat) - Leave them be, go privately, cut out the middle-man and chances are you'll get a more honest boat buying privately. I'm now on my 3rd diesel boat )) - all bought privately and i've have always been happy, currently have a Sealine S23 and let me tell you the savings of buying privately rather than via broker are huge - Remember, you're the one with the cash, you're the boss!

 

[headrowe]

Typical of York Marina! They seem to have the monopoly on this area. They are agents for Rodman but don't appear to move many. The boat sales don't seem that important as they make a fortune out of moorings and repair work (not recommended). The actual place is like going back in time, however the new owners are supposed to be upgrading everthing but it will cost everyone dearly no doubt! Diesel is always top dollar when they can be bothered to serve you! As you can probably guess, have not enjoyed dealings with York Marina. Would take my cash and look around the area, Acaster Malbis, Boroughbridge, Ripon (racecourse marina, Ripon Motor Boat Club) all good sources of boats in your price range.

 

[ruselhobs]

Unfortunately guys that's my name.....and that really is the first time I've heard the kettle joke.

But thank you very much for all of your advice, thought it was just me. But great stuff for a first time buyer with little experince.

 

[No Regrets]

It could have been Armitage Shanks, look on the bright side /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[oceanfroggie]

Everybody is a sales person! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Sales pays for every salary, every wage, every pension, it's what makes the world go round. No excuse for a tosser, every customer is a customer, look after the littles ones and one day they will be big ones. In some businesses a customer can become a customer for life if you look after them.