Does my ideal first boat exist?

[gr1mb0]

Hi all - after monitoring these board for a few months and several weekends wandering round brokers, it's time to buy my first boat before the sun starts shining and the prices start to rise... but does my ideal exist or do I really have to compromise? Based on advice seen here, I'd like:

A 'day' boat that seats 8 in the cockbit (4 adults, 4 kids), mainly for use in Poole harbour round to the Solent (at least for first year or so...);

with a cuddy/cabin that includes a sea toilet (understood to be critical for the ladies!)... and the kids love the idea of going 'inside' the boat for some reason!

22-25' long -- not starting too small (better stability etc.) but still small enough to be kept dry stacked to maximise time on water rather than launching etc. (also best compromise for keeping boat in good condition year round?).

...a purchase price of around £15k, and with smallest possible running costs (purchase price excludes diesel though - shame).


BUT -- does this boat exist? Nearest I've come so far is a 1990 Draco Crystal (advice taken that condition is more important than age, plus rep of good sea handling)... but these typically have twin petrols or 7.4l V8s -- surely costing several body parts to run/use?

SO -- is the Draco the way to go (grin and bear the running cost) -- or are there alternatives that my inexperience has caused me to miss (I don't know what I don't know!).

... or which of the above specs is the one to compromise on?

I'd really appreciate your thoughts... I'd like to think that I'm somewhat rare in that I can take advice and learn from others' mistakes!

Thanks










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[duncan]

I reckon you have got the definition pretty acurate. Most people take at least one previous boat in a particular area to realise the specific needs - the loo in Poole is vital because you can spend so much time at anchor drinking lemonade.
Additionally the size is spot on.
The issue will be matching all that for the budget you have set.
Typical craft are Searay 2250 and equivilents.
Going past a certain age/condition is a false economy - the repair bills will exceed the interest payments on borrowing to by newer unless (1) you are lucky and get a real good'un or (2) you are able to do a lot of work yourself. If the later it is vital you have easy access to the boats midweek (ie you live locally) or you will forever put of the work to use the boat during the summer.

Quite large boats can be put into racking
There are hundereds of boats out there that will fit the bill - but they will be older models at that price.

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[hlb]

Dear Mr Grimbo. I take thid opertunity to welcome you to the forum.. I am also pleased to see that you are going to take our advice seriously. At the price and budget you have in mind I think I would stick to one engine. Pity it cant be diesel as you say. Not sure the make matters to much. In your case I'd even concider a Bayliner. Though not my personal choice. Look round for something well cared for and serviced. It's no good us advising on personal preferences.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Certainly twin or even single V8 petrol engines are going to be eye wateringly expensive to run until you get used to the fact that boating costs loadsamoney whatever you have
An outboard powered boat should be more economical. How about the Hardy 20 or Landau 20 both of which have a cuddy and are robust enough to venture out on coastal passages in quiet weather

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[duncan]

Re:examples

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F26642 you are going to have to travel adn transport but it fit's the bill perfectly.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F26404>http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F26404</A> this is what you really should have - the ideal Poole boat IMHO. Small enough to be racked big enough to play at being a cruiser for a family holiday (assuming 2 2). You will also get to Weymouth or Yarmouth and back for about 10 quid in fuel Offer 47k and contact one of those firms offering cheap loans!

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[DavidJ]

Have a look at Sealine 230 and 240's and S24 (all the same). They were produced for about a decade until a couple of years ago (superceded by a new design S23) so a good choice of age/price should be available. One of the few examples of a large quality boat manufacturer who have extended their range to weekenders. Diesels options will be very rare though, but I guess you won't be doing that many miles and you will find petrols smoother, lighter and more powerful.
We had one for about six years. Also with a decent 4x4 is trailorable, we had many great holidays in the Med consequently.
hope this help
David


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[Jim44]

Look at http://www.nationwideboatsales.co.uk under MOTOR/SPORTS CRUISERS

They have a 1993 Maxum 2300 SCR @ £16,995 or a
2001 Fletcher 19 GTS for £18,250 which meet alot of what you are looking for at about your budget.





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[jhr]

Agree with Duncan's suggestion of small Sea Rays. We have a 215, which looks like this:

CE cat B and rated to take 8 adults; 5 litre efi Merc. will do about 25 knots @ 3,500 rpm, giving about 3 mpg (though will go a fair bit quicker if you're feeling extravagant). Deep V hull and extremely good sea boat - not a US "lake" boat. Sleeps me and SWMBO in the cuddy plus 2 kids in the cockpit, for which you will need a camper cover, which isn't standard. Bucket and chuck it loo down below in it's own (tiny) compartment, which is what sold SWMBO on the boat /forums/images/icons/wink.gif She's been a great starter family boat for us so far.

With some keen negotiation, I suspect you'd get a late 90's model for £15 - £16 K, especially if it's a bit scruffy.

Good luck!

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[whisper]

Wouldn't fancy 4 adults and 4 kids on either of these - especially out at sea.

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[itsonlymoney]

"Even consider a Bayliner" Wadya mean !!

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Well he said was'nt going to sea, only round Poole harbour. Anyway, the Hardy is a proper little seaboat and I'd rather go out in one of those than a Binliner or any other US bubble boat of the same length any day.

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[Artie]

Even if it does exist - and I hope it does - I think you will find in a year or two that the ideal becomes more definite but harder to obtain. Hence the constant quest to satisfy the needs of YOUR crew/family.
Trouble is that when you can afford the ideal boat the family have grown up and moved away.
Enjoy your boating whatever you do and continue to aspire to your goal.

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[whisper]

Think he says he's hoping to go from Poole to the Solent.
Yes I agree Hardys are good solid little boats, if a bit crude and old fashioned/forums/images/icons/smile.gif. Wouldn't go down too well with fashion conscious kids. Definitely not /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

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[DepSol]

Have a look at the Ocquteaus here <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.freeportmarine.net>http://www.freeportmarine.net</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[whisper]

Couldn't see any Oqueteaus there . Please help - been drinkin too much Solly /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[DepSol]

I found three under brokerage so whos been drinking the Solly now!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[DepSol]

I found three under brokerage so whos been drinking the Solly now!!!

http://www.yachtworld.com/privatelabel/listing/cache/pl_search_results.jsp?slim=pp232323&cit=true&sm=3&type=(Power)&man=Ocqueteau&fromLength=&toLength=&luom=127&fromYear=&toYear=&fromPrice=&toPrice=&currencyid=1005&hmid=&ftid=&enid=

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Take a look <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F27027>here</A>

Suspect it's probably a diesel, would make an excellent first boat. I had a Channel Islands 22 with a single Mermaid 140 hp diesel which is very similar to the Duver and well recommended if you can find one.

If you search further on the site there's also a Seaworker for not much money. Also consider a Coronet 24, excellent boats, well made, again Scandinavian quality, but mostly twin petrols.

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[hlb]

So My teaching has got results!! Even though I have never tried it. Suppose you will be all swanky now.!! Cant see him wanting this load of shit though. Not my opinion but I think his. We will see???

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[franktheseadog]

For a start you can look at boats in the £20-25 k bracket and then you should be able to beat the dealer down to 15k. Remember this - there are lots of secondhand boats for sale out there but not so many buyers! And you could try the Med. I looked at a Searay 280 sport in Greece a couple of years ago. It was marked up at equiv of £60k. With minimal haggling I got it down to £27k. Didn't buy it because it had huge petrol inboards and I found something else just as good value.

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