Choice of Boat for Thames

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snapper

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I've been moored on the Tidal Thames with a speed boat and prior to that a RIB for many years. With 2 young children now, and the Tidal Thames speed limit coming in to force soon, I am starting out on a long term plan in aquiring a new boat and a new mooring which is more suitable to a different tage of my life!. I'm in no rush, but I'd like to start thinking about it now. The non-tidal Thames is ideal.

Living in Barnes, I'd like to keep the boat as close to where I live as possible like Thames Ditton or Walton. I am going to research Marina's soon but want to be quite close to the Tideway as well.

As to the boat, I'd like a boat that has a single diesel engine, is powerful enough to get onto the Tideway, and has a bow thruster. Draft and air draft suitable for non-tidal Thames cruising.

I'd like maybe 5 or 6 berth. Don't want anything ugly like an ex-hireboat or anything that looks too dated. Modern and classic lines if that's possible?!

Not much spare time for too much maintenance, so nothing that needs a huge amont of maintenance.

Budget of £30k to £40k used.

Is that possible? Any suggestions welcome on makes and models

Many thanks!
Snapper
 
A decent 6 berth is a bit difficult to find with your budget, but 4-5 berth:

Sealine S29
Fairline 29, 30,...
and various models of Bayliner (Ciera Flybridge type).

The above selection is only good if you plan to stay on a boat overnight? if not buy a decent rib and put it on the trailer and take it with you wherever you find a decent whether for ribbing!

and don't underestimate the hassle and cost of maintaining a 5-6berth boat. No way you can compare it with a speedboat or rib!
 
If you want something that spends most of its life on the upper Thames with the occassional trip down, go semi displacement rather than displacement.

I used to have a Fjord which I think is quite hard to beat in terms of quality and accommodation per foot and per buck. Mine was a 27' with an AD41 which gave it the coastal power, and a small after cabin - perfect if you have little 'uns on board, but with your budget take a look at the 930, a quick google reveals this on Apollo duck, twin diesels rather than singles, but not massively overpowered for the river with enough grunt for the tidal... actually I could be tempted by that...:eek:

Or go classic and get a Freeman!
 
Or a Viking 26 widebeam? Sleeps 6 (just) and this one, just as an example, has a 40hp outboard which would let you do a bit of estuary work as well as non tidal. http://search.boatshop24.co.uk/fullspec.asp?btsrefno=28090164 And change from £40k ;)

Or older but bigger? http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/U0VBK1JFQUNIfnd5YnMwNA==-STOREBRO_32_BISCAY.html,

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/TllBWTAxLU5ZQjEzMDYyfk5ZQVkwMQ==-Scand_32.html

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/cGhrbTAxMTU2Mn5waGttMDE=-Fjord_930AC_Tourer.html

Buy on the river or from other inland waterways and it'll come with a BSS.
 
Last edited:
rr_123 said:
If you want something that spends most of its life on the upper Thames with the occassional trip down, go semi displacement rather than displacement.
Click to expand...

My current Searay with a planning hull does kick up a lot of wake at low speed so I am thinking of going for semi displacement. I was going to avoid the Sealines, Searays, Bayliners etc for that reason.

Thanks for the reply's so far...food for thought indeed.

Snapper
 
Boat for Thames

In a similar situation to Snapper and with similar aspirations. I have been offered a rather nice Merry Fisher 925 at a decent price and would welcome Thames users views as to how suitable she would be based at Shepporton or such with occasional forays down stream.
 
snapper said:
My current Searay with a planning hull does kick up a lot of wake at low speed so I am thinking of going for semi displacement. I was going to avoid the Sealines, Searays, Bayliners etc for that reason.
Snapper
Click to expand...

None of these boats will kick up a wake on the non-tidal Thames if you keep to the speed limit :D
 
petie said:
In a similar situation to Snapper and with similar aspirations. I have been offered a rather nice Merry Fisher 925 at a decent price and would welcome Thames users views as to how suitable she would be based at Shepporton or such with occasional forays down stream.
Click to expand...

Merry fisher is a good little boat that will be fine on the river but as the name suggests it is a fishing boat with a huge cockpit for fishing out of, very limited accommodation, depends what you want it for really.
 
Boat for Thames

Thanks for input. Agree on large cockpit but had in mind loafing in a couple of deck chairs?
Quite like the teak finish.
 
My choice in your price range would be a Broom 30: a classic, preferrably with twin steering, so you can be away from engine noise. If you have to pay for your moorings you will not find another boat with as much accomodation packed into 30 ft. Even a has toilet and sink for'ard with another toilet and useful shower adjacent to the very comfortable aft cabin.
I don't have one for sale but I have always rated them for what they offer in 30 ft. Best of luck. :)
 
Just changing flavours, it's time for something we can quickly get to the coast in, once past the speed limit's anyway!

I'll change that in another three years... :D
 
GJC_3646.jpg


Broom 30 at speed!:D
 
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