Fast express cruisers

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mateyboy

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Hi guys I'm new on here and newish to boating.
Apologies in advance this has probably been asked many times previously and I've pondered for ages at the risk of sounding daft, here goes.......
Been pretty much obsessed since being a boy some 30 odd years ago, did my RYA ICC 10m+ powered a couple of years ago, previously only rented out mobos, now on the brink of being able(ish) to afford any thing half decent!

I think my decision will be based on running costs; is going as fast as 20 -30 gals/hour at cruising speed a ball park figure? I look at what manufacturers claim but I thought I'd check out the real world before getting my leg in. What boat/speed could I expect for this burn rate?

What prices is red diesel at the marinas? I remember the big proposed duty hike stink up last year or so ago, but has it actually happened? Has anything changed? I have visions of filling out of one of my vans a 1000L IBC at 50-55p/litre from the plant depot. Is this acceptable etiquette at the mooring?

I've really fancied the Fountain express cruiser but they don't seem that popular, I've not seen one on the Humber yet anyway. Does anyone know anything about these 38 & 48'ers, or any other options that can be permanent 4 berths and move along a bit? Huntons? any views? I see early 90's Camargues now sub £100k but not sure if nearly 20years is a bit too old.

I'm in Yorkshire and unfortunately don't get to view the south coast offerings that often, any views on moorings locations and or costs for quick access to the sea, possibly Grimsby, Hull or the Trent?
Anything would be appreciated, I need to get the ball rolling as her indoors is now quite fancying the idea! (She commented on a minter 2002 F34 I think it was at Lincoln, lovely as it was with 170's, I think I need more under the hood for future proofing or on the chop)
Cheers,
Martyn
 
Not too many people chunder along at full speed, mainly bcz sea conditions rarely enable it, and apart from the initial thrill, most people find the ache from their wallet merits slightly slower cruising speeds. You need to come up with some boats and engines before people can indicate average fuel burn, but remember overall fuel bills can get very distorted by marina and fuel berth engine hours, where you might spend 15-30 minutes, use no fuel, and go almost nowhere. Also, even at 25-30 knots, you do cover ground quite quickly. As a guide, I m supposed to have a reasonably efficient hull, and with KAd300s we use about 2.25litre per mile underway. I m sure I can come up with some brilliant figures if I add in all the engine hours where the only thing changing is the time !
Fuel in the marina is between 85-100p p/l if you declare your usage as 60pct propulsion,40pct other. This is what most people declare (to HMRC if they look into it). I dont think marinas are going to allow you to start carting 100s of litres of fuel about their premises.
You might also like to think about the length of the boating season and the type of boat you decide on. Belting about in 25 degrees sunshine is one thing; maybe its not so funny in winter. Nor is rain/mist/fog etc ! So, just take some time to get the right boat, coz its alot easier to buy one than to sell it again !!
 
gjgm, thanks for that, the thought of buying the wrong boat and losing about 30 or 40 grand in px is a bit daunting does this happen to folk? Theres a lot to think about.

I'm now thinking 35-45' hard top 300's minimum ,nice heating 98-02 ish & is £70k a bit ambitious?
 
mateyboy said:
gjgm, thanks for that, the thought of buying the wrong boat and losing about 30 or 40 grand in px is a bit daunting does this happen to folk? Theres a lot to think about.

I'm now thinking 35-45' hard top 300's minimum ,nice heating 98-02 ish & is £70k a bit ambitious?
Click to expand...

Well, the storyline is that everyone's first boat turns out to be the wrong one. Just depends if its days,weeks,months or years before you realise. Often, months.
Its partly because people dont know quite what they want to do when they start. they think they want to race about,cruise,long w/ends,have 20 friends aboard, and later realise its something else. Also that every boat is a compromise. There is no point in having a fancy down-below, if you spend all your time in a too small cockpit. There is no point in having a big open boat if SWIMBO gets fed up being frozen every time, and a hardtop keeps her happy.
Cant answer these for you, but forget the brochures, and think of where you will be boating, the sea, the weather, all year or just a few summer months..good galley, or you eat out,will you really sleep aboard alot, or very rarely, is the boat easy to move about on and safe, and so on. Have a look at different types of boat and not just the sports ones, and have a think and what they are good,or not, at. You might find they tick more boxes than what you think you want, but there again, you might be exactly right in your first choice.
As regards price, just look through brokers pages and the internet, and go to look at lots of boats. There is no need to to get a poor one, bcz one day you will be selling it, so you may as well be selling a good example. How much below an asking price? No one knows;10pct wouldnt be abnormal,25pct does happen, but I ve been considering two boats this week, and both want full asking price (and they are overpriced too).So, you never know.
 
ooh a bit over my head that one, I'll stick with non flying boats!
Any other recommendations??
someone must know about Fountains or similar, what about surface drives tales?
 
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