Complete novice

L

LCC

New Member
Joined
20 Jul 2018
Messages
8
Visit site
I am slightly embarrassed to post this!
I started out looking for a small motor boat in the region of about £5000, for lesiure and fun. Living in Cornwall there are plenty of wonderful coastal beaches and coves to explore.
I find myself overwhelm and confused. It would appear that Bayliners are out and the lovely Shetland 4 plus 2 is more suited to the river. I am now looking for a boat of to 21 feet, newish and up to £25000.
Could anyone suggest a suitable first time, stable boat. I have looked on this site for tips and advice on first time buying, which was useful
 
Hi LCC, don't be embarrassed, everyone has to start somewhere and it's very sensible to ask for advice first. Only problem is you'll probably get lots of different answers as there's no right or wrong.

For a first timer I would recommend something outboard powered (rather than sterndrive) for reliability, ease and cost of maintenance and simplicity. There should be plenty of choice up to 25k. However it depends a bit on what you want to use it for. Do you want to be able stay onboard overnight? Is it just you or family? kids? Will you trailer it or moor it somewhere? watersports, fishing or just cruising?

Suggest you also do some courses if you don't have any experience such as Powerboat Level 2 and VHF and you'll need plenty of safety kit. I would also recommend reading Powerboat & Rib magazine (and to a lesser extent Motor Boat & Yachting) as there's lots of small boat reviews and useful articles about all sorts of things.
 
+1 A better idea on how you plan to use the boat would narrow the margin and give you better feedback advice.
 
wellf100 said:
Hi LCC, don't be embarrassed, everyone has to start somewhere and it's very sensible to ask for advice first. Only problem is you'll probably get lots of different answers as there's no right or wrong.

For a first timer I would recommend something outboard powered (rather than sterndrive) for reliability, ease and cost of maintenance and simplicity. There should be plenty of choice up to 25k. However it depends a bit on what you want to use it for. Do you want to be able stay onboard overnight? Is it just you or family? kids? Will you trailer it or moor it somewhere? watersports, fishing or just cruising?

Suggest you also do some courses if you don't have any experience such as Powerboat Level 2 and VHF and you'll need plenty of safety kit. I would also recommend reading Powerboat & Rib magazine (and to a lesser extent Motor Boat & Yachting) as there's lots of small boat reviews and useful articles about all sorts of things.
Click to expand...

Hello and thank you for your very comprehensive and useful reply, it was good of you to take the time to respond.
I have looked at the availably of the Powerboat level 2 course you suggested; there is one in St Austell, which is not far from me.
An update: I have discovered a Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser for £18K, which I like very much. This boat will enable us to sleep over and accommodate our family and Grandchildren.
Thank you once again
 
Hello and thank you for your very comprehensive and useful reply, it was good of you to take the time to respond.
I have looked at the availably of the Powerboat level 2 course you suggested; there is one in St Austell, which is not far from me.
An update: I have discovered a Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser for £18K, which I like very much. This boat will enable us to sleep over and accommodate our family and Grandchildren.
Thank you once again
 
That is neither outboard powered nor particularly good for accommodation unless it's just a day boat.
If you wish to sleep over and have headroom there are many more boats that you may find preferable if you have the time to look around.

Here is one example of a alternative that is of similar size, but has decent headroom and interior space and arguably better seakeeping characteristics. There will be many like this if you can give more info on your requirements

https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk...hunter-landau-20/224923#.W1HwaITzCZI.facebook
 
Just don't fall in love with anything too quickly! Look at lots of different types before committing and decide on your priorities as no boat is perfect. The sea ray is fast and looks good but don't underestimate the running costs of a 5ltr petrol v8 and outdrive!
 
LCC said:
I am slightly embarrassed to post this!
I started out looking for a small motor boat in the region of about £5000, for lesiure and fun. Living in Cornwall there are plenty of wonderful coastal beaches and coves to explore.
I find myself overwhelm and confused. It would appear that Bayliners are out and the lovely Shetland 4 plus 2 is more suited to the river. I am now looking for a boat of to 21 feet, newish and up to £25000.
Could anyone suggest a suitable first time, stable boat. I have looked on this site for tips and advice on first time buying, which was useful
Click to expand...

LCC, you have had some great advice already on here
Such is the 'Power' of the Forum
The RYA Powerboat Level 2 is a Great introduction to where and what you want to do
As per what type of boat to start your learning curve on
I would suggest the following
Stay clear of 'outdrives' they are a begger to mantain and can be costly too, plus hard to learn about boat handling
As you say 'Living in Cornwall' ,yes there are great places to explore
Consider the layout of a sports cruiser, like the Searay type you mentioned
Boats like that are hard to move around
IE, on lots of the smaller ones (ie 25 footers etc) the only way to go on the foredeck is through the forward window when the forecabin door is shut to enable you to mount said area
Consider there is no side deck to go forward to access, should you be need to pick up a mooring or go alongside a pontoon etc
Which makes a boat a daunting task to handle in these kind of situations for an Expert never mind a 'Complete Novice' as you have announced yourself
I would suggest you looknat the 'Merry Fisher' range
A 625 is within the budgett you mention
Trailable
'Walk around Decks' and with an outboard engine
A lot easier and more fuss free than an outdrive to maintain
Less canvas to mess with than an equivalent sized 'sportsboat' and still a decent cockpit to pour the 'G@T's whence the boaty day is being discussed at Harbour or on a mooring
When learning this brilliant hobby it is crucial that you can use all the areas of your boat safely and confidently
OK, the 'Bayliner' type American sports boats might look 'sexy' in adverts but are not the way forward to begin with
Please do the RYA PB2 course
I aint no RYA promoter by the way , although I have taught the Course a few times!
It's a great grounding and you will benefit from it
With the 'Merry Fisher' type of boat you can cope with British Climate too
IE a roof over your head when it pisses down!
You mentioned being embarrassed to post
F Me Mate, I dithered for ages!!
Even when I had been boating for 10 years or more!
You will find more advice will follow
Good luck with your boaty stuff
K
 
Merry Fisher Kwackers? Good call I thought they were more expensive but I'm surprised at your forward thinking. I was expecting the usual Channel Island 22 or similar hey day offerings you tried to pawn off on me :p
 
Kawasaki said:
LCC, you have had some great advice already on here
Such is the 'Power' of the Forum
The RYA Powerboat Level 2 is a Great introduction to where and what you want to do
As per what type of boat to start your learning curve on
I would suggest the following
Stay clear of 'outdrives' they are a begger to mantain and can be costly too, plus hard to learn about boat handling
As you say 'Living in Cornwall' ,yes there are great places to explore
Consider the layout of a sports cruiser, like the Searay type you mentioned
Boats like that are hard to move around
IE, on lots of the smaller ones (ie 25 footers etc) the only way to go on the foredeck is through the forward window when the forecabin door is shut to enable you to mount said area
Consider there is no side deck to go forward to access, should you be need to pick up a mooring or go alongside a pontoon etc
Which makes a boat a daunting task to handle in these kind of situations for an Expert never mind a 'Complete Novice' as you have announced yourself
I would suggest you looknat the 'Merry Fisher' range
A 625 is within the budgett you mention
Trailable
'Walk around Decks' and with an outboard engine
A lot easier and more fuss free than an outdrive to maintain
Less canvas to mess with than an equivalent sized 'sportsboat' and still a decent cockpit to pour the 'G@T's whence the boaty day is being discussed at Harbour or on a mooring
When learning this brilliant hobby it is crucial that you can use all the areas of your boat safely and confidently
OK, the 'Bayliner' type American sports boats might look 'sexy' in adverts but are not the way forward to begin with
Please do the RYA PB2 course
I aint no RYA promoter by the way , although I have taught the Course a few times!
It's a great grounding and you will benefit from it
With the 'Merry Fisher' type of boat you can cope with British Climate too
IE a roof over your head when it pisses down!
You mentioned being embarrassed to post
F Me Mate, I dithered for ages!!
Even when I had been boating for 10 years or more!
You will find more advice will follow
Good luck with your boaty stuff
K
Click to expand...

What he said.
I would also add to the list Anteres
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Fishing-Boats-for-sale/beneteau-antares-700p/223648
But one with an outboard
 
BruceK said:
That is neither outboard powered nor particularly good for accommodation unless it's just a day boat.
If you wish to sleep over and have headroom there are many more boats that you may find preferable if you have the time to look around.

Here is one example of a alternative that is of similar size, but has decent headroom and interior space and arguably better seakeeping characteristics. There will be many like this if you can give more info on your requirements

https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk...hunter-landau-20/224923#.W1HwaITzCZI.facebook
Click to expand...

That's an excellent suggestion, I remember the boating press raving about Landaus at the time, in particularly their sea keeping that punches above their length. Looks to be in good condition too, the outboard should be cheap to service and the accommodation looks OK for its size. And you can stick it on a trailer and store it in a barn for the winter.

What's not to like?
 
Thank you K,
I will reflect on your post. Thank you for taking the time to help ,much appreciated
LCC
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

B
Chartplotter at the binnacle
4 5 6
Replies
104
Views
2K
DownWest
D
Refueler
Bow winch eye ...
2
Replies
20
Views
436
Refueler
Refueler
S
LED Steaming Light on Mast
Replies
17
Views
362
Dellquay13
Dellquay13
boatmike
Merry Fisher 695
Replies
3
Views
233
Bouba
Bouba

Share this page

Top