First Boat Advice

Dunkirk sounds special :encouragement:

Hold thumbs for me I will be crossing Bardsey Sound for my annual trip down to the Aberdovey festival right smack in the middle of this approaching storm front. Last year it was during Gert and the boat took a pounding. At the moment I have a small window to get through on time as the front is 2 hours behind Bardsey slack and promises F7s. Tippy canvas top on outdrives btw.
 
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BruceK said:
Dunkirk sounds special :encouragement:

Hold thumbs for me I will be crossing Bardsey Sound for my annual trip down to the Aberdovey festival right smack in the middle of this approaching storm front. Last year it was during Gert and the boat took a pounding. At the moment I have a small window to get through on time as the front is 2 hours behind Bardsey slack and promises F7s. Tippy canvas top on outdrives btw.
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will you go between the island and lleyn or round the island Bruce?
 
between.

Cut inside the tripods and hug the cliffs through between Carreg Ddu and land then skirt inside Devils Ridge past Hells Mouth. If one goes outside the island and picks up swell from The Devil's Tail then you risk extending the rough seas for a much longer time. Unless of course you go wayyyy out, but then you dont make the bar crossing at Aberdovey and have to throw the hook out in a stretch of water that tends to get a bit bouncy for several hours.
 
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BruceK said:
Dunkirk sounds special :encouragement:

Hold thumbs for me I will be crossing Bardsey Sound for my annual trip down to the Aberdovey festival right smack in the middle of this approaching storm front. Last year it was during Gert and the boat took a pounding. At the moment I have a small window to get through on time as the front is 2 hours behind Bardsey slack and promises F7s. Tippy canvas top on outdrives btw.
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My P35 came from Conwy., old boy we bought it from was there for several years.
He skippered to the Solent and bought it back, before doing circuit of Scotland and NI.
Much respect. :)

Any more than F1 Moderating and we aint agoing......
 
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Following what your requirements are I realised that if I was looking for a boat which would sleep 4 adults I realised that a boat I had years ago would suit your requirements. It was a Conway 26. although the one I had in the late 1970's had twin volvo 130 petrols on outdrive legs I saw one today on the internet which was a late boat (1985) and it had a single 240 diesel and when I enquired about it had been sold at around £13000 . I would have considered buying it myself
The one I had I bought new and I particularly remember that the build quality was far higher that the Birchwoods or Cleopatras of the day. I also remember the excellent sea keeping qualities and I came back in very poor weather and I did it from Dunleary to Holyhead in 3 hours which apparently was faster than the ferry.
I wish they made them now.
 
That's a brilliant suggestion. There are still a few on the river in Conwy that prove their endurance despite their age
 
oldgit said:
A good question would be to ask, how many present shaft drive owners would go back to outdrives and vice versa ?
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Well me I guess. Broom 41 sold last year and a Sealine S34 just purchased. Loved the Broom for what it was good at and already loving the S34 for what we want to do now, which will include anything from dayboating on the river to crossing the North Sea to Holland. :)
 
Greg2 said:
Well me I guess. Broom 41 sold last year and a Sealine S34 just purchased. Loved the Broom for what it was good at and already loving the S34 for what we want to do now, which will include anything from dayboating on the river to crossing the North Sea to Holland. :)
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Thats one.........C,mon ..lets see if we can get it to two ? :):):)
 
oldgit said:
Thats one.........C,mon ..lets see if we can get it to two ? :):):)
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Yup, was brought up on shaft drives and owned them up to the 90's then have been outdrives ever since, only way to get modern engines in a boat around 32ft. Would I own them again? yes no problem although you have to be picky about which ones. Recent Volvo DPH's are probably best avoided due to the steering ram issues, but the 290/DPE is as robust as they come and so easy to work on.

As an aside just fixed the steering on a P35, there is a peice of wood glassed in behind the transom that the steering gear is bolted to, wood had gone soft and the power steering ram ends pulled out the rotton wood! Not a failure that is even possible on an OD boat. I'd advise you have a look, same boat and age as yours :encouragement:
 
CLB said:
Must have me on ignore. See post 34
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Beware drowning men, he will pull you under with him. He's just throwing his last card in hope after reading the Pearl thread. Right about now his belief system has been completely undermined and he's thanking his good fortunes that his boat was not another p-bracket sinking statistic. Not so Oldgit? :p
 
Apologies, completely out of budget but how about a Nimbus 2600?

https://www.rightboat.com/gb/boats-...0a705881-f365-40c6-9b71-02d9222aca1b/rb229851

These can come up a bit cheaper but realistically you're looking at 20k. However if you are looking to accommodate 2 adults and 2 kids in a small package, and not p1ss of your beloved, I think its on the money. These have superb build, reliable engines (single protected shaftdrive), safe wheelhouse / cockpit for kids and good handling.
 
Chris_d said:
Yup, was brought up on shaft drives and owned them up to the 90's then have been outdrives ever since, only way to get modern engines in a boat around 32ft. Would I own them again? yes no problem although you have to be picky about which ones. Recent Volvo DPH's are probably best avoided due to the steering ram issues, but the 290/DPE is as robust as they come and so easy to work on.

As an aside just fixed the steering on a P35, there is a peice of wood glassed in behind the transom that the steering gear is bolted to, wood had gone soft and the power steering ram ends pulled out the rotton wood! Not a failure that is even possible on an OD boat. I'd advise you have a look, same boat and age as yours :encouragement:
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Your right .....cos its the complete transom that rots out on old outdrive boats.........
The sealant around the aluminum casting of the transom assembly hardens and allows water to soak into the transom core especially if wood or cork.
This means replacing the entire stern of boat, possibly rendering the boat beyond economical repair.

To put your mind at rest, the entire lazerette on the olde gits boat was stripped shortly after purchase and totally repainted a fetching shade of off white. All the somewhat brick outhouse steering ironmongery was given a nice coat of Hammerite.

Boat still whiffs of paint :)
 
Note to self: don't try to edit a post, it gets deleted.

Ferris said:
Apologies, completely out of budget but how about a Nimbus 2600?
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I actually keep tripping over this boat on my search, reminds me a bit of the broads cruisers of my childhood. It would stretch the pocket a bit too much though I'm afraid, I want to try and keep a wedge available for surprises and maintenance etc.

I think it's going to have to be petrols on legs although I'm not sure what availability is like in South Wales, I shall have to research that some more.

I keep coming across Sealine Ambassador 285s in or around my budget, they look nice enough to please SWMBO, good accommodation for the kids and the price is generally pretty good on them. They're British too right? Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks all for the great suggestions.
 
If its to be petrol and outdrive this Sealine 240 looks nice. Road trailer and dinghy too. Depending on your circumstances a trailer may allow you to keep it at home during the winter which could reduce mooring costs. 4.3 mercruiser is generally a good engine, one of the more efficient petrol's. Its been for sale for ages too so an offer could work.
 
Or this?

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/...Kingdom?refSource=browse listing#.W4L1uehKj-g

kbFkDp.png
 
BruceK said:
That's a brilliant suggestion. There are still a few on the river in Conwy that prove their endurance despite their age
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i worked next door to the conway factory in my home town use to dream of owning one they looked so big back then
 
oldgit said:
30Ds is a great boat for what the OP is looking for, avoid at all costs the sports tent boats tippy horrible only usable on flat fine days boasting hobbit accomodation, impractical showboats.Sunny days only otherwise , just camping on water.
Many first timers go down this route a mirage not practicality. :)

The little Hardy is comfortable coastal happy boat but even the Hardy 25 is probably only a 2 person boat for anything other than a day out. Bought one back from the Thames to the Medway not long ago, owner quickly sold it on as too small for a couple and P/Xd for a Broom .

Loads of 30DS around and definately worth investigation.The 2 x 80HP version should still give you 10 knots under most conditions.
Just remember under NO circumstances Petrol and if at all possible avoid outdrives.
It can actually be an advantage to have a pair of outdrives......one of the them might still work long enough to get you back home to face the bills.
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To the OP ignor all of that advice
 
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