Finally might be able to look at getting afloat again.

[ontheplane]

Hi all.

Have been boatless for a couple of years now, and a condition of me getting a new job with less hours that I intend to negotiate with SWMBO is that I can have a boat again...

The problems we have are as follows....

1) Budget. - We'll have ABSOLUTE MAX £5,000 to spend, probably more like £3000 really
2) Babies - one child under 2 and one under 1


So I think we are going to be limited to sportsboat fodder, something not too old, (2000 or so) that looks moderately modern perhaps that has deep enough sides to keep inquisitive kids under control (although they'll be in car seats underway).


I really like these :- http://www.yamarin.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1562 however they are massively over our budget.

I have looked at small cuddy cabin / bowrider boats from all the usual suspects (bayliner/maxum/searay etc) but they have 2 issues for me:-

a) The cabin is a bit too small to sit in and use to sleep, but take up a lot of the overall length so making the cockpit smaller and with our weather I think we need some weather cover which you don't really get with a Bowrider.

b) The more modern models seem by and large to be out of budget.

I have looked at these as well http://www.ranieri.co.uk/boats.asp?sec=6&boat=37&action=boat - still way out of budget - but a good combo of sunbathing area and some cabin space.


So - here's the question ("Oh about time I hear you all cry") - does anyone know of other small boats (up to 20') that we could buy that would cost around £3000 - £5000 (eBay or private or broker) that would give weather protection, a decent ride, look ok (don't have to be ultra modern, but I don't want it looking like it would win "Ugly Boat competition" that would be quick enough to ski off, and would be a nice ownership prospect.

Currently on my list is:--

Shetland 536 Seasport (ultra rare - not many about anywhere) - http://www.shetlandboats.co.uk/range/20.php

Shetland 570 or perhaps family 4

Fletcher 18/19 GTS (Don't think I'll get one for the money in decent nick)

Bella 560 HT - http://www.tlharveymarine.com/p/145/bella-560ht-bella-560-ht - again will almost certainly be way over budget


OR

Bayliner / Maxum / Sea Ray / Monterey / Chris Craft / etc 20 ft cuddy

But if anyone could add to this list I'd be appreciative.

Ta
Ta

 

[macnorton]

I know of a clean Mayland with a honda 4 stroke that is for sale and within budget, or would that be to small?

 

[rafiki_]

We started with a Sea Ray 22ft cuddy, but in reality the cabin was useless for us, so we never stopped over on it. We only kept her for a few months before trading up to a 25ft sports cruiser with a convertible dinette for SWMBO and I and a small mid berth for our daughter. It had a small galley area and heads/shower. This we used for 3/4 night trips. However, our cuddy was £7500 and the Sunbird cruiser was £14,000 so a bit more than your budget.

In reality, it depends on your cruising destination. I think a small Shetland would be fine for rivers and estuaries, and you might be able to "camp" on board. A small sports boat (Fletcher) would be better for coastal use, but you will be more at the mercy of the weather. Any of the US sports boats will give similar performance and experience. With your budget, you will probably need to do a bit of tidying and fixing before you are ready to go too.

 

[rbcoomer]

I think you might struggle a bit budget-wise on the newer sportscruisers, but if you looked a little older I'd think certainly find something like a Fletcher Faro within budget? A bit of a compromise between the sportscruiser and the Shetland.

 

[ontheplane]

Just seen this on the net - a pain in some ways as I am not ready to do anything just yet - but what do people think of one of these - any feedback +ve OR -ve?

http://www.boatshed.com/dell_quay_marlin_cruisette_485-boat-133322.html

Not familiar with the make at all - any comments?

 

[landlockedpirate]

Just seen this on the net - a pain in some ways as I am not ready to do anything just yet - but what do people think of one of these - any feedback +ve OR -ve?

http://www.boatshed.com/dell_quay_marlin_cruisette_485-boat-133322.html

Not familiar with the make at all - any comments?

Thats an excellent find in your budget, a very rare boat but with a lot of positives for this country.

They were associated with Fletcher for a while in the 90's, if you have the cash, go and see it and make an offer.

 

[[2068]]

Fletcher Arrowstreak 17 GTS with an inboard?

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/speed-boats/fletcher-arrowstreak-17-gts-PAA23343

 

[markcw]

What ever you go for make sure you can trailer it easy, and your vehicle can tow the weight and the trailer is braked and all working if over 700kg.

we decided to look into sellering our 21 sports cuddy and go up to a maxium sports cruiser, but the cost of mooring a 25/26 boat is incredible expensive, the cost to pull it out of the water is a rip off, the cost of electricity is daylight robbery, Im sorry to say people who have these sub 25 boats leave them on the water/bontoon all year round are not short of money, the overal cost of upgradeing the boat was £19.000 plus £ 5.000 for a trailer to move the boat we wanted, then add the a yearly storage on the bontoon was £2500 a year.

We decided very quickly that in todays climate this is a risky move, at least my boat at the mo stays home here under the car port, nice and dry, i can work on it any time i want, and we had some realy good times at torquay last year.

Dont be pressuried into getting a status symbol, you will never buy a boat that will fully suit the great british weather, our cuddy is great and worth every peny, dry when its raining but to hot when the sun is full on, im just on the net buying a binimi cover as last year we could of realy done with one just to get out the sun on those rare hot days, plus the safty of our 4 and 5 year son.

I think if you get the money in your hand and go and visit some brockers you will end up with a cracking bargain as they need what business thay can get.

good luck in your search

 

[whisper]

Another Scandinavian?

Just seen this on the net - a pain in some ways as I am not ready to do anything just yet - but what do people think of one of these - any feedback +ve OR -ve?

http://www.boatshed.com/dell_quay_marlin_cruisette_485-boat-133322.html

Not familiar with the make at all - any comments?

Looks like a nice little boat.
Have a look around for second hand models from the KMV range - Norwegian IIRC and solid little boats.

 

[rbcoomer]

Just seen this on the net - a pain in some ways as I am not ready to do anything just yet - but what do people think of one of these - any feedback +ve OR -ve?

http://www.boatshed.com/dell_quay_marlin_cruisette_485-boat-133322.html

Not familiar with the make at all - any comments?

Well worth a look as others have said. Fletcher still make a limited range of Dell Quays. However, I actually think you'll find it a bit small given your initial spec. We love out little Fletcher 14', but space is a big issue and it can also mean you need to choose your outings/sea state carefully. We're in the process of upgrading ourselves and similarly limited by budget. I opted for an early 80's Arrowbolt with a cuddy as a project, but did look at other Fletchers from this era.

Have you seen this one:- http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/motor-boats-for-sale/fletcher-faroe-19-GOM025 ? The Faro (Not Faroe) is a little bigger than the Dell Quay you linked to (and a little more cost), but very much a forerunner of the Fletcher Sportscruisers...

 

[Spi D]

Scandinavian

All depending on your planned use, but as suggested I'd have concerns regarding the running costs too. Inbord, I/O or outboard, berth or trailer (if car is allowed and able to handle the load).

Bargains that just need a wash & polish to look a million often takes more than just that, as the seller would otherwise have done it before putting it up for sale.

I think you'll find that boat designs in general match their home markets. UK, Scandinavian or European boats from the Atlantic coast are more for unstable weather and changing conditions than the boats on 'cocktail & babe' brochure images from sunny California or Florida. As also pointed out, features that are not practically useable does not count. A cuddy cabin that takes acrobatics to get into isn't of much use to a family.

Brunswick, the US mother of a large number of brands, own plants all over and keep localized models in production (Arvor, Bella, Flipper, Quicksilver aka Ornvik aka Flamingo, Uttern and Ryds).


Although getting a boat from abroad sounds impossible on your budget, you may get inspired from pics:

The so called Hardtop models offers a lot, here found on a Swedish site (don't mind language )
http://www.blocket.se/hela_sverige?q=ht&cg=1060&w=3&st=s&ps=3&pe=7&c=1061&ca=5&l=0&md=th

and a bunch in Norway (non-EU - plus VAT etc.)
http://www.finn.no/finn/boat/used/r...O_OF_SLEEPERS_FROM=&NO_OF_SLEEPERS_TO=&sort=1

Edit: If looking for KMV also search Bonwitco or With as these are rebadged versions of the same Norwegian (originally named With after the designer). The patented "Dromedille" hull is found on later versions.

 

[BosnBill]

I was fine with a bowrider when the kids were young. Your's are a bit younger than mine were when I started, but I made sure they were slathered in sunscreen during the day. We rarely stayed overnight so sleeping wasn't a problem. The bowrider gave us extra room in the bow during the day and it was the kids favorite spot on the boat when we were afloat - plenty of room and wind in their faces - they loved it!

You're kids are not always going to be 2 and 1 and having a boat that you pay for now and one they can grow into is something to think about, ie you can spend less now for later. Personally, I would buy as much boat as you can afford, given a good appraisal and boat inspection. One that will last for years when your kids can enjoy boating as much as you do!

 

[ontheplane]

Towing isn't a problem - have a 3500kg tow capacity - but I don't want to be towing something that heavy on each weekend - hence want to keep under approx 20-21ft and under 2000kg all up weight.

Love the Hard Top boats on the Finnish site - sadly as you say, shipping will be a large chunk of the budget gone so perhaps not possible - but have noted some of the makes I was not familiar with.

If I went for this Dell Quay - what sort of money do people think it's worth - I always like to get a good deal so wouldn't want to pay over the odds for it....

 

[Deefor]

It's already been mentioned but if you like the "hardtop" look, do consider the Mayland Maestro. Not many (if any) on the market at the moment but here's an example http://motorboats.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=212548.

Six months ago I paid £5k for my 1996 Maestro with a 15hp engine and Snipe trailer, all in weight of around 1400kg. There was one available that I just missed out on with a 70hp on the back for £5500, again with trailer.

A lot of boat for the money but the only downside is the lack of headroom inside - I have to kneel to wash up .

 

[Spi D]

As a note on the side I'd like to mention my previous boat as an example of how a lot of features squeezed into a limited lenght will make things very compact -hence acrobatic.It's a Salpa 20.5 and although the factory photographer is very good 20' isn't much for cabin, midcabin, separate toilet, cooking facility, cockpit with sunlounge etc. Toilet useable only if you're shorter than 5' 3" and fairly slim! Go figure..

Sold now but feel free to check my gallery at http://salpa-laver.spidybot.com/

Several of the Scandinavian types have been marketed in the UK so you might see one on offer. Else, as you can tow any weight, getting one from another EU country wouldn't cost you anything but the boat price + the trip.

Depending on your planned use hull design and seakeeping should be considered, too. To make a boat perform as designed to, it should not have less than 75-80% of max. recommended hp.

For fun have a look at eBay.de (Germany). Paste the url into Google Translate like this to get a translation (sort of):
http://translate.google.com/transla...c0.m1539&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=3.000&_udhi=6.000

 

[ontheplane]

That Salpa looks nice - just way out of our budget.

I am also concious that with fuel prices where they are now - anything about 20ft will need a lot of horsepower to shift it - which means fuel....

I do like the boats with a little weather protection though - much better for our climes

 

[Sneds]

Can't help I'm afraid but welcome back!

 

[Spi D]

That Salpa looks nice - just way out of our budget.

I am also concious that with fuel prices where they are now - anything about 20ft will need a lot of horsepower to shift it - which means fuel....

I do like the boats with a little weather protection though - much better for our climes

Fuel consumption relates to the work done. Moving a heavy boat at high speed takes a lot of power. As power comes from fuel, this means a lot of fuel.

Depending on how much you use it different engine designs may affect your total cost, but no modern engine will save enough to pay for itself if you consider replacing an older.


My Salpa had a Suzuki 140 4-stroke outboard. Very economical, extremely nice to be around and cheap to keep.

If interested check Youtube:

 

[Rum_Pirate]

http://motorboats.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=229693

 

[ontheplane]

That's ok - however wifey wants more outdoor space and isn't worried about a cabin.

She's also kyboshed the Dell Quay saying it's too small... in fairness there wasn't a lot of room between the back of the front seats and the rear seats - so it might be too small...

Found a couple of Bowriders a 1992 Sea Ray with a 4.3 that looks to be in ok nick for about £6k (over budget but they may take an offer) and a 1997 Bayliner with a 4.3 that looks tidy enough but has some problems including no covers and trailer that needs bearings and brakes.

How on earth can I work out what a boat is worth - I know they say knock the vat + 10% off for the first year and then about 10% each year after that, but once they get to about 20 years old - how on earth do you value a boat...? Best I can seem to do is just look at what everyone else is asking for similar...