Expert Advice

[solent_sailor]

I want to buy a sportsboat about 18-20 foot in length. I want peoples opinions on the different boats around. I'm looking to trailer the boat with a saloon car, so I can't go bigger than 20ft.

Any advice people can give about the different aspects of the boats will be much appreciated.



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[jfm]

Re: inExpert Advice

There's masses of choice, depends what you want to use boat for. imho get
(i) a centre-console open boat with massive outboard. Eg boston whaler, white shark, robalo, jeanneau cap camarat or suchlike; or
(ii) a big RIB with massive outboard

Either way, get a rollercoaster trailer and merc or yamaha outboard

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[Solitaire]

Firstly, what boating have you done in the past - if any? Visit <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.pathfinderpowerboatclub.org.uk>http://www.pathfinderpowerboatclub.org.uk</A> Have a look under the "Boats" section or ask to "hot seat" on some of the trips, that way you can experience different sorts of boats within your specification.

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[solent_sailor]

My cousin owns an old Sea Ray 180, which I am quite impressed with. I would like a similar boat, but I would prefer a new one and am willing to consider all manufacturers. Sorry, but RIB's aren't quite my cup of tea....

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[Solitaire]

Not everybody uses ribs in Pathfinder - in fact most are standard boats. The subject is so far ranging that you'll get confused. Go and look at as many boats as you can. Make a short list of those that seem "nice" and then come back and ask the forum views.

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[jon_bailey]

I agree with Solitaire.

Do plenty of research then ask specific questions about your choices. If you are looking for new then plenty of information on www so just surf until you go into information overload. With Sportsboats then widest choice will be American although European are available. If buying new you would have to be really unlucky to buy a dog and probably more important to find a reliable dealer even though with trailering you do have more options.

Remember that engine is just as important as hull so remember to go more than skin deep.

Finally, take all advice with a pinch of salt and make your own choice based on what you want out of it.

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[studgies]

I started with a Sealing 195, it is about the 20 foot mark and we towed it without too much trouble. We had a great time with it, from plodding about in the river when we lived in Northampton, to a fortnight blasting round Loch Lomond and more recently bouncing across the Solent. We liked it soo much we sold it and got a Sealine 285 to replace it!

We do know where there is a very nice one for sale, not ours one of our neighbours.

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[solent_sailor]

Well, the manufacturers I have seen and am interested in are;

Sea Ray
Bayliner
Regal
Monteray

So if people could give me advice on these manufacturers, I would be grateful.

I know at the end of the day, the decision will be mine which boat I choose, but I accept that many people who use this forum are experienced saliers and have had experience with a lot of boats, so I value the advice and comments people give about the different manufacturers and boats. So if people could give me specific advice about the manufacturers and boats, I would be grateful!!!

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[wakeup]

Also Check out Maxum, in between Searay and Bayliner in terms of quality and cost, all owned by Brunswick Holidngs so all stablemates as is Sealine now.

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[Solitaire]

There's nothing wrong with any of these. I'd tend to look at Searay at top of list, but I've had a two Bayliners, the last being a 2052 cuddy - Nice boat and well finished. By your "handle" I assume you Solent based. Go to Marina Marbella and crawl all over their SeaRays. As I said earlier, look at as many as you can. Have a seatrial - go to the Southampton boat show and look at the different hull shapes - talk to as many dealers as you can. Any advice on here will be personal and not deffinative.

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[jon_bailey]

Certainly recommend Maxum.

Bayliner are IMHO slightly behind the others in terms of quality but also tend to be cheaper although the newish 'metric' series of Bayliners are built in Europe and look interesting.

Depending on car do not forget gross towing weight limit that will have to include trailer, boat, fuel, safety equipment, fenders, warps anchor etc etc.

Are you considering an outboard engine rather than inboard?

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[TwoStroke]

When I was looking for my first boat, went down to the Southampton boat and got the dealers to take me out on them. You certainly get a feel for what you do like - plus the deals that were going on ex-demo's would certainly change your mind about buying new! Plus the kit they would throw in too! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

It's well worth getting a list of the internet as to the dealers and manufacturers at the boat show and pre-book your trial runs with them.

Above all - enjoy yourself! /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

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[solent_sailor]

Can i ask what IMHO means please?

And reading through the forum, I have noticed an aticle on Regal and the fastrac hull. What do people think about Regals compared to searay and maxum (these seem quite popular makes!)

Keep the info coming people, its extremely helpful, and thanks to those who have already commented!!!

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[hlb]

In My Humble Opinon I would buy second hand. Theres an old saying. Which ever boat you buy first. It will be the wrong one. So just get anything cheap and start from there.

<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

 

[jhr]

I think BrendanS is yer man on Regals - he's taken his all over the place and speaks highly of their build quality, though not so highly about one of their dealers.

I agree with Solitaire - any opinions you get on here will be subjective (personally, I think Sea Rays are wonderful ;o) .....). Most of the small US and European sports boats on the market at the moment will fit your purpose and are of at least adequate construction so long as you bear in mind the purpose for which they were built (inshore waters, usually). So, have a look around, decide what you like the look of, what you can manage to tow, and go for it. Like Haydn, I'd recommend buying second hand, but if you do, spend some money on a proper survey in case you end up with a dog.

Good luck!

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[duncan]

Sea Ray, Maxum and Bayliner can be compared to Audi, Volks and Skoda to a very great degree - shared expertise and members of the same group. You will find some completely new models in each of their ranges that differ quite markedly from the rest as they reflect new techniques.

I find it interesting that you are focusing on manufacturer rather than type of boat or power plant for your intended use - we can help with the later far more constructively than the former; especially if you are buying new 'cos you will fundamentally get what you are paying for in that market.

20 ft - open/dory, walkround, cuddy, bowrider
power - IB, OB (2stroke/DPI, HPDI/4 stroke), petrol, diesel, DP or not
Trailer - bunks or all roller

Thats a lot of very important variables before you go shopping!

What do you want to do with it, where, how often, how big's the family and what else is important ie you haven't got a family and you need a beer cooler and want to pull Pamela Anderson.................?

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[wakeup]

Yep Regals are driven and owned by Crusty Grumpy Old Chemists, Sea Rays are driven by 'loads of monies, bish bash bosh, loadsa dosher' and Maxum's are driven the by up n coming and intelligencia!!!

Errrr I have a Maxum so must be the exception to the rule!!

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[lanason]

and Fairlines ???

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>More Pics of Kelisha</A> /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[DavidJ]

The Sealine 195 was my first also (the Sealings were good too!). Shame they don't make them any more and that the starter is the 23 which is too big to tow by car (4x4 no problem...well very little!)
I think they are getting a bit long in the tooth now for solent sailor.

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[sailbadthesinner]

Re: is this happy1\'s dream thread

speak to happy one
he has done alot of research
in fact if what i hear is true he may be willing to flog his boat

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>if guinness is good for you. i must be very very good</font color=red>