Buying our first boat

[baffled]

we have decided to take the plunge and are now actively seeking our first vessel. There seems to be quite a difference in price of some used craft. I know you generally get what you pay for, and we will shop around, but we were wondering if there is there a "guide to used craft prices", similar to a Parkers guide for cars that we can access from somewhere?

Many thanks

 

[hlb]

Back copies of MBY/MBM have done enumerable used boat guides. But you could always just ask here.

What do you want the boat for, what has to to be capable of. Whats your bugdit.

Most folk dont keep their first boat for long. Either deciding boating is not for them, or there mad keen and want a bigger/better one. About the third boat and you may have got it about right.

 

[baffled]

Thanks for your quick response.

Looking to day cruise around north wales, odd night sleeping aboard, not over 28 foot, shared with a friend of mine so budget up to £50k (although anything lower would be preferable) diesel, child friendly (6 and 3). Also to be used for the odd bit of corporate entertainment so may need to take about 8 bodies.

Something nice. Would prefer to buy newish because totally hopeless at anything mechanical.

 

[hlb]

Hmm. Not sure newish goes with 50 grand or corperate entertainment for eight. Less dustbin men of course!
Boats and mechanical, go together. Theres always something breaking down. Quite normal. Theres loads of things to break.

Only really decent place in N Wales is Pwethelli. But usually full. Others mainly tidal. Though there is a new marina at Holly Head. Maybe ok for you. Nearest deap water harbours would be IOM, Strangford lough, or a couple of places round Dublin bay Ireland. I guess as a newbie, you would not feel happy dealing with drying areas, where you have to make sure your not going to hit sand banks to easily. Or maybe rocks!

 

[t7mby]

Hi baffled and welcome to the forum.
Not that I am telling you to buy a specific boat but you could do a lot worse than a Fairline Targa 27. There is one coming up for sale that has had new engines etc fitted last season and although I have not seen her she is in very good condition.
We returned to boats last year and after several months of searching and looking at all the dross we plumped for the Targa 27. I think you need to decide exactly what you intend to do with the boat, don’t forget insurance and the necessity for some formal training e.g. power boat level 2? When you think you know roughly what you want write it down and use a tick list and compare the boats you are interested in.
This was the only way we could narrow down the choice.
Do as much research as you can on the various web sites and forums and ask as many silly questions as you need as someone will always reply, might not be what you wanted to see but that’s folk!
May also help the forumites if you add a little more info to your profile?

 

[Kawasaki]

Where are you baffled? :confused I,m in NorthWales. Might be able to un baffle you a bit. Up to 28 foot won,t get you "newish for 8 bodies" for kipping. Might get you closer for a day boat. Reccomend three things to start with, 1 diesel 2 a roof 3 a shaft. Would also suggest a vessel capable of a minimum 16kts. there,s lots of swift water hearabouts you will need to negotiate .Why diesel? cos there aint many waterside places serving petrol so,s you,ve got tot tote it pain in the arse. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Roof cos you can use it year round and it rains a bit round here and dilutes the old g and t on yer corporates. Shaft a bit less maintenance,maybe a trade off in performance though. Boat type Semi Displacement,don,t know if you know but this kind ,sort of pushes through the water as opposed to skimming on top(planing boat) is a bit better in a short"choppy" sea which we also enjoy regularley. Makes that could be in your budget of the type I,m briefly trying to explain look at Nimbus (not cos Igot one!) Seaward ,Hardy, those sort of boats. Plus not to rule out the skimmers(planing hulls) Fairline(popular hearabouts Targa 27/28) Maxum, Windy, (there,s an old bloke in Potmadoc got one, he seems to do all right) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sealine,Beneteau and Jeanneau are also worth a look. Don,t worry you won,t get it right first time., or even the 21,st time that,s half the fun of it. Where are you thinking of parking said vessel ?cos thats got a big bearing on what you decide on. Gis abit more info then the Forum can advise. WELCOME to the Forum /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Major Catastrophe]

North Wales is home to many many Beneteau's because of Dickies in Bangor. Depends if you want a twin engined planing sports boat or planing single engined diesel sports fisher like a Beneteau Antares 760 or Series 9, which are plentiful at well under 50 g's. Their website seems to be offline right now, but this is what a 760 looks like.

See Fox's Yacht Sales for more.

You can get a nice used Semi-displacement Antares serie 9 for around £50,000 like this one, only cheaper.

But anyway, the reason I mention Beneteau is that their main dealer is on your doorstep, they are no-brainer boats and built like the proverbial brick outbuilding and much cheaper to run that a Fairline or other sports boat and Antares come with patio doors so that you can entertain in the rain.

 

[Kawasaki]

Fair play Major, that ticks all the boxes! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[baffled]

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

A few points to clarify. I may stay overnight on board once or twice for the kids benefit (big adventure) Corporate entertainment, not far off binmen. G and T's would not be the choice of drink, the odd lager maybe. Looking more to have a nice quiet day out with friends.

Newish would have been my choice because I assume they are less likely to break!

I have taken powerboat 2, my brother in law has a cranchi 27 which is where we got the bug. We may look to buy somewhere in Anglesey so accomodation would not be as issue.

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments re next and then next boat. The first boat will be a toe in the water, then all hell may break out. Really looking at sub 28ft from a practical point of view, would not like to three point turn a sixty footer yet. Or fill it up. I was aware of the need for diesel from a practical point of view, as well as cost.


Displacement and planing etc is beyond me at the moment, but we will get there.

I always imagined the Targa to be my Third boat, if practical I would happily elevate that to "starter"

Cannot wait!

Thanks again

 

[Whitelighter]

Hi Baffled,

I have been in the same position as you a few years ago, and am also living proof that if you get the bug it's adictive. I'm on boat no.3 in just over 2 years. That said, the previous two boats were bought and used to show what I really wanted - and both befor I found this forum.

In the 28ft range I genuinely beleive that it is very hard to beat the Bayliner 285. Now, I had one of these as my second boat and it was superb apart from one thing - I bought the petrol version and it would be much better with a diesel. The boat is very modern, has a cockpit which will take 8 (although 6 is more comfortable), has a very good 'sea' hull and generally comes with a good level of equiptment. It is fair to say that Bayliner are a mass produced brand, but my experience was that the fixtures were all solid, and the boat was generally well built.

For overnighting they actually have 6 berths, a mid berth in a seperate cabin, and permanent V berth forward AND a convertible dinette (althought the Dinette is really only for Kids, but it is nice to sleep 4 and not have to change a bed to eat brekky!)

It should be possible to buy a 2002 white hulled Diesel 285 for less than £50k, you may even get a 2003 boat, which benefited from a blue hull (tarty) and Corian/Wood floor interior which just looks a bit more modern. Pre-2003 boats are badged as a 2855, but it is the same boat. Pre-2001 2855 are a different boat, as the model changed significantly in this year and the newer model is much better in every way.

I sold mine earlier this year, and despite the fact it was a petrol, still acheived £55k, against a purchase price of £60k - which I don't consider to be bad depreciation, it's not quite the VAT.

Here is a picture of my 2005 boat with the Blue hull.

And an earlier white hulled 2855

These really are fantastic value boats that do a lot and offer loads in a 28ft hull. Well worth considering IMHO.

Jez

 

[baffled]

Ive noticed Florida boats stock a lot of these. I must admit I have liked the look of them for some time. I take it there would be no problem buying away from the Anglesey area with regard to delivery etc.

Another daft question is it possible, or indeed considered bad luck to change a boats name?

 

[Whitelighter]

Hi,

There should be no problem buying from further afield regarding delivery - I bought mine from Essex Boatyards and they delivered plus any warranty niggles were still sorted with ease.

Florida boats do deal with imports. While not a nightmare, it is unlikely US boats will have a diesel engine, and should be significantly cheaper than a UK boat. If you find a boat you like (and this applies to any boat really) check that it has a Builders Certificate and is CE approved/marked.

I have changed the name on two of my boats (including the current one) and I don't think it is bad luck at all.

Jez

 

[Nautorius]

Hi Baffled,

You are best to look all over for the right boat. The cost of Transport for a 28ft back to Anglesey will be less than £1000 on the back of a flat bed and most probably less. There are several dealers of the boats you are looking at as these are mid range 2/3 boats. All of the American boats would tick the box except on the diesel Issue. If you want diesel you are looking at a Sealine S28, Sealine 270s, Fairline 29, Fairline Targa 27, and then the 'fish promenade' style boats like the Merry Fischer. At the end of the day it is personal preference. Sports boats are a lot sexier but will cost more with a diesel as most come with Petrol. The 'Fisherman types' offer less pose but more practicality, and you will get one with a diesel.

One last thing to consider is that in the 28ft market you can get a great deal on Petrols. Yes I know they are twice as much to run but you will save 8k/12k on Purchase price and unless you do more than 150 hrs a year I never thought diesel worthwhile in the 'Sports Boat Market'. Jez's idea of a bayliner 2855 would fit in well and there is always a second hand market for single petrol (and lots for sale off Windermere). If you go twin petrol then beware they are very hard to sell second-hand, unless you are willing to give them away. They are however great fun!

As always, boats are about compromise, decide what your other half is willing to compromise on (I bet it is a petrol engine for sexy boat with fancy interior) and go find it! Lots of boats out there and just check History with lots of Receipts!

Cheers

Paul

 

[baffled]

Didnt want to metaphorically "shoot an Albatross" with a quick name change and have all the harbour scattering for cover to get away from us!

Ive read your blog, you do seem to have caught the bug well and truly.

 

[ajt]

Dont forget to find a mooring! as they can be hard to find

 

[Whitelighter]

Well, good luck with the search and don't forget to keep us updated - the forum is almost as addictive as the boats themselves.

Don't forget that looking is sometimes half the fun. Do your research, ask a load of questions and don't be afraid to visit dealers and have a look at a wide range of boats.

If you buy right, you can comfortably run a boat for a season or two and change up without loosing your shirt.

Enjoy.

 

[baffled]

We are going to Anglesey on Friday for a good look around. I have no doubt I shall ask again for ideas and advice. I shall keep you updated.

 

[Nautorius]

Got to second ajt's comment.

It might be easier to compromidse on the boat to get one in your preferred marina but make sure you can keep the berth (not always possible)

The looking is all of the fun for me at the moment!

Paul

 

[baffled]

We would sort the berth out first. Would it be worth considering the Abersoch land and sea option of having the boat tractored into the water when we needed it. Stored in a boat yard.

Anglesey is first choice due to cost of Abersoch property but also travelling distance from home.

Petrol would be an option but is it easy to source around North Wales?

 

[Kawasaki]

When you go to Anglesey have a look at Holyhead Marina, Trearddur Bay,park and launch, Menai Bridge,park and launch and moorings. Port Dinorwic Marina,Caernarfon Marina. Boat sales always boats for sale in said marinas + Deva Marine,Dulas boat sales Both on the Island + Dickies of Bangor.Nice boaty places to look at Traeth Bychan, Red Wharf bay,Cemaes bay,Llanddwyn Island,Beaumaris, castle,boatyard,tourists,trips round the bay,yotties,nice views of The Straits. Have a nice time! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif