Decisions, decisions

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DJ55

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Hello All

This is probably one of those threads/topics that is beat to death but perhaps a few insights from the wealth of knowledge here will aid me.

I am moving to the coast (Bangor Northern Ireland) in the next few months and I have some boating experience (ribs, scuba diving, speedboats etc). However, I wish to purchase something that will let me harbor hop and spend the occasional weekend in another port. E,g Isle of Man, Scotland at a stretch or Portrush via the tidal run between Rathlin and Ballycastle which can be a monster.

There are just the two of us and maybe a visiting adult child on occasion. I have a budget of up to £70k and I am looking for something with good sea keeping, a pleasure to sleep in (not overly cramped) and not excessive fuel usage. I suspect this is what everyone wants!

Thoughts and insights are welcomed
 
Look at semi displacement
Look at a vessel that will cruise at 10 kts and make 16 flat out
Look at being able to forward easily and with safe side decks to negotiate
Look at shaft drive
Don’t look at sports boats none of the above
Don’t look at outdrives
Don,t look at boats with lots of tent/ canvas
Where you want to operate as you have mentioned
Strong currents some big tides and many overfalls
Semi displacement as mentioned cope better than planing hulled sports boats in the above
Make types to look at?
Channel Island 32
Nimbus 27 to 32
Just to point you in the direction I think you should go
Lots will tell you different no doubt!
Just to I have had an example of each boat I mentioned
Plus used them both in most parts of the Irish Sea inc places you mention
‘Google’ those I mentioned
Just see the ‘type’
Lots of Makes similar in your budget
Good hunting!
K
 
DJ55 said:
There are just the two of us and maybe a visiting adult child on occasion. I have a budget of up to £70k and I am looking for something with good sea keeping, a pleasure to sleep in (not overly cramped) and not excessive fuel usage. I suspect this is what everyone wants!

Thoughts and insights are welcomed
Click to expand...

With £70K and a wish for 'not excessive fuel useage' I'd be looking at a single diesel outdrive planing boat, but with a good hull. Windy Ghibli 28 would be in reach, great cockpit, fast enough to outrun bad weather, terrific seakeeping and very slippery through (or rather over) the water. Put a tonneau cover on it and you'll have it open or put away in minutes and be boating outdoors rather than frying in a wheelhouse on sunny days.

For a bit more cabin space if required then a Jeanneau Leader 8 would be within budget, or if you want twin engines and don't mind something a little older, a Fairline Targa 30 would be excellent.
 
Just_sayin' said:
Well that’s cleared things up :encouragement:
Click to expand...

Hear! Hear!

You always get opinion when you want advice.
My advice is you have enough budget to get a decent boat you fancy, and you know what? When all the bollux has been shed you'll find whatever you choose will be up to the job. Its the Irish Sea not an Atlantic crossing.
 
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Thanks for the advice and suggestions so far; while there are differences the various items and brand's mentioned is really helpful as I may not have considered them. Further advice and suggestions are welcomed.
 
FARSCO said:
http://www.bjmarine.net/boats-for-sale/2016-beneteau-barracuda-9-fly-united-kingdom-6979033/

I walked past that in Bangor a month ago. I like it.

http://www.bjmarine.net/boats-for-sale/2002-nimbus-320-coupe-united-kingdom-7120968/

Also in Bangor
Click to expand...

I have spent lots of hours on those, The Barracuda 9
I like the 200HP twin set up,extremely good on fuel
At 3500 to 4000 rpm, you get circa 25 kts no problem if trimmed properly
Easy to handle withe the two side door set up when berthing etc
Nice wide sidedecks and useable outside space
Not fond of the 'flybridge' set up, its a bit useless imho and not needed
Good engines those Suzukis, very quiet too
Clever use of space too inside the vessel
Although a Planing hull they perform pretty well in a chop
The hull has a clever innovative 'Airstep' type design, which helps seaworthyness and adds to the boats economical fuel usage
Taking one to Pwllheli from Conwy, next week probably
It will be available through the same Broker'
I have no connection by the way
From memory this one has lots of upgraded electronics in it and automatic trim tabs
I do remember it is absolutely Mint!
I mentioned I like shaft drives earlier
Modern outboards though, bloody great things

The Nimbus is a slightly different animal but a cracking vessel too
Although a single shaft, they are no problem to manouver in a tight spot once You get used to them and with a bowthruster they are fine
Much better accomodation inside as pictured
I like the Yanmars too
Not as quick obviously as The Barracuda but very very good sea boats for their size
I have owned 2 'Nimbys' and cannot knock the build quality
Pros and cons ref the two FARSCO posted?
The Barracudas are very new and will be reletively maintenace free
Servicing the outboards and washing down with a hosepipe and TLC is all they need!
The Nimbus is obviously older and will be better at sea if it cuts up rough
Although older the build quality will show through
The engine hours on the Yanmar is no worry
You can see from FARSCO's pictures the the 'Prop' and rudder etc are protected by a 'Skeg' and She has a keel running aft which aids stability and helps with close quarter 'stuff'
Bit more maitenace to consider over an outboard vessel in the long term
Shaft seal etc and anodes (more needed than an outboard type) to consider
Another thing to factor in
Not as many Marinas or places to top up with a petrol boat than a diesel in your proposed area of usage
This is just an inconvenience sometimes, the running costs vis a vee the two boats, ref fuel consumption will be minimal

Good shout FARSCO!
 
ari said:
With £70K and a wish for 'not excessive fuel useage' I'd be looking at a single diesel outdrive planing boat, but with a good hull. Windy Ghibli 28 would be in reach, great cockpit, fast enough to outrun bad weather, terrific seakeeping and very slippery through (or rather over) the water. Put a tonneau cover on it and you'll have it open or put away in minutes and be boating outdoors rather than frying in a wheelhouse on sunny days.
Click to expand...


an excellent choice......for the two sunny days in August, not quite so sensible for the other 363 days of the Welsh year.
:)
 
BruceK said:
Hear! Hear!

You always get opinion when you want advice.
My advice is you have enough budget to get a decent boat you fancy, and you know what? When all the bollux has been shed you'll find whatever you choose will be up to the job. Its the Irish Sea not an Atlantic crossing.
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth!

Lord alone knows how we get any pleasure at all from our outdrive powered, planing hulled tent! :)

To the OP I would say that some good options have been suggested already and you will probably have already picked up that any boat is a compromise. It is probably worth thinking very carefully about what you want to do - seakeeping is a factor but often a leisure boat spends more time in the marina or on the hook than under way so accommodation can also be important.

Outdrives bring better fuel economy than shafts but require more maintenance and sometimes they do need repairs. They are typically found on sportscruisers, where the engines being at the back of the boat help with improved accomodation space. Our Sealine S34 is a good example (some examples would be within your budget) with great accomodation and with heating in the very comfortable cockpit (where we spend most of our time) it is usable all year round. We did look at boats like the Nimbus but for me it was cramped (I am 6'5") and the cockpit space wasnt at all comfortable. Would I like the simplicity of a single shaft on a well-built boat like a Nimbus? Absolutley - but the accomodation attributes of a sportcruiser won out for us. Just what suited us - not saying it is the best.

All boats bring running costs and maintenance will vary depending upn the number of engines, what drive configuration etc. Also need to think about mooring fees and insurance.

I would suggest looking at a range of boats and seeing what you think would suit you before settling on a particular option.
 
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Kwackers had a conniption when I bought my twin outdrive Formula sports cruiser with a tent top :p Said it was a "Formula for disaster". Stuck in his ways he is. But ask him what weather I havent been out in, or when weather has stopped me going out. Meanwhile I never see his favourites out unless the weather is damn near perfect. I want to query him on this but he can be quite evasive :p :D
 
Again thanks for the advice, suggestions and humor :) so far; the discussion is shaping my thinking processes and thanks for all of the very useful insights!

In terms of maintenance I do want to keep it to a minimum but have the tools and skills sets to tear down a Cummins or stick a set of bellows in if pushed!
 
I was in Bangor (NI) marina the other day and I noticed that Barracuda. Had no idea it was for sale but I thought it was brand new, it was immaculate. Absolutely no idea if it’s a decent boat but it certainly looks like it’s been designed for sport fishing.
 
Yes
Comfortable sport fishing kinda
More ‘sport fishing’ in the American style than the Irish Sea
I think the flybridge option is more a ? out than a serious entertaining place or Helm
Dunno what use it would be spying mackerel or Plaice!
A good sea angling boat though even for these waters
As I posted earlier
Have done quite a lot of hours on them
Fishing cruising and instructing
in their genre and size
Hard to beat
 
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