Cross Channel, Single Engine, Recommended Boats

[Stoshak]

Further to the previous thread, I would like to explore the Forum's recommendations as to suitable craft.
Basic parameters are something reasonably quick, for fairish weather use (no more than force 4 to 5), with a 30K ish price

 

[Whitelighter]

For 30k (ish /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) then you are looking at a petrol boat, probably a few years old. I guess you would like some half decent accomodation to sleep in when you get over there and would also like the option to have a mate or two along for the ride?

Something like a Sealine S24 would be a good start. Well respected make, fairly well built and while you wouldnt want to be out in heavey weather, a F4 would be fine.

 

[duncan]

The channel bit's misleading - you are basically looking for a seaworthy planning cruiser with sufficent range to cross the channel (which most diesel powered craft will have).

There's the seaworthy bit - there are differences between the best and worst but a whole load in the middle.

the cruiser bit - how long are you planning to be away and how self sufficent do you intend to be.

the financial bit - 30k is going to limit your choices significantly as you will be looking for quite an old boat if you wish to fit the above criteria and have a reliable engine and geartrain.

Finally F4/5 is not the forecast I would head out in to cross the channel in a smallish planning powerboat. Whilst I may end up in these conditions it will only be when the tides are neap, running with the wind and the winds behind me!

 

[longjohnsilver]

I wouldn't want to be mid channel in a 24' boat in a F4 with wind against tide, or even with it not against the tide, it can get pretty bumpy out there!

 

[Whitelighter]

No, but if you went in a F2 or F3 and it became an F4 it would be safe.

 

[duncan]

true but you can never really tell absolutely what it will be - you can however read an absolute forecast.

I therefore assumed the OP was for 'forecasted' - as I suspect ljs.

 

[Whitelighter]

Alright, what would you suggest for £30k then?

 

[jhr]

As someone defecting from sail, I wonder if you'd feel happier with something more conventional, like this?

Wrong end of the country, I guess, but she will look after you.

 

[RobWales]

[ QUOTE ]
Alright, what would you suggest for £30k then?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hows about one of these.......................

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F149875/

Available now 5.5k under budget(at advertised price)in superb condition and needs for nothing at all!

OH Should add that its mine !

Yup any opportunity for a blatant plug.

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Alistairr]

The first boat pictured in this thread is actually mine!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Oh and she is for sale, spent a lot of its time on the clyde in fairly challengable conditions, and then we bought her and moved her too Loch Lomond.
For Sale at £29,950, but happy to accept £27k.
A shameless plug here, if you want more info or pics of her, feel free to contact me or get more details HERE

Cheers, for the plug, JezBanks.

Al. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[itsonlymoney]

Shame /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifless indeed

 

[duncan]

I wouldn't disagree with the S24, and the one being mentioned here is as good as any and I couldn;t find any threads suggesting it has experienced any incidents - better than a service history!!

Sealine will deliver good accomadation for the length and the newer petrol for the money is probably going to leave less overall boat maintenance over the early years of ownership.

Overall as I said at the beginning you are going to be restricted to what's out there at that price point - you need 50 to be able to decide what you want and realistically find it!

maybe

http://ybw.yachtworld.com/core/uk/listin...p;&ybw=true

 

[Genie]

I have to say for the money, I'm pretty happy with my Lema Clon 2 - she's only little (22ft) but has a hardtop (and therefore good weather protection) 4 berth (albeit a bit tight!)
Galley, separate electric loo with holding tank and a gusty V8 duo prop producing 225hp and a top speed of 38 knots.
Nice size comfy cockpit to sunbathe or catch fish from, and even a sunpad for the front. Easy walk-around makes fendering etc a doddle too.
Rides well, and has good sea-qualities when it turns a bit rough - the chap who sold it to us took us out in a F5/6 just offshore of Eastbourne to demonstrate how it handled bad weather and it coped fine (not that I would venture out myself beyond a F4 though!).
I did have a problem with the Volvo engine, but was sorted out very well by Volvo and Lema and now she's going again, I'm as pleased as punch with her. Cracking value, starting at £30k brand for a basic one with lower power engine up to £40k for mine with all the toys and options.
Just my penneth'worth! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[oldgit]

My suggestion would be one of these with the single 165Hp diesel outdrive option.Bit long in the tooth now as most were built during 1980s.
However built like brick wotsit and with sensible size accommodation as opposed to the lighter fuel powered rabbit hutch paper cup boats previously mentioned /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.(Not the Hardy)
Went to look at a very clean one in Holland,when searching for my present boat priced around 29K.

 

[duncan]

remarkably similar to the listing I selected!

 

[oldgit]

Great minds etc.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

Yep Dunc/ Stosh,
I,ve got one of those.
Called a Nimbus 27 but in fact it's the same hull as the 26.
Will bob along at 12/14 kts ok.
Will stand F4 ok.OK I've had a few glitches (She's 23 years old) but generally the build quall is good.
Tiss running gear and eng I have had to sort out.
Plus I,ve hit a few things in the water, Doh!
You could do worse.
Nice to weekend in and feel safe too.

 

[Alistairr]

Whats that, a 30DS?

Al.

 

[oldgit]

Its a Princess innit!.The DS stands for deck saloon.Some of them had a sliding roof which more or less uncovered the entire cabin.This has recently been reinvented as the hard top in some sports boats.Built between 1980 and 1989 as a sort of replacement for the Princess 33.Came with all sorts of engines ranging from twin 200hp jobbies to a weedy 85hp single for ditch crawling.A very few not very popular fly versions were built.Interiors tended to be of the basic but comfortable type.More details Ancient Princess History

 

[kevinw]

Hi,
Ancasta at Poole have a Fairline Targa 27 with New Yanmar Deisel going cheap. More than capable of channel crossing in reasonable weather.