Stemar
Well-known member
Big +1 to the idea of getting out on as many different boats as you can, and to the idea of spending no more than £30-35K on the purchase, because the boat that won't need fettling doesn't exist. Even if everything works, there'll still be things you want to do to make it Your Boat, not just another boat.
Also think about where you're going to keep her. A drying mooring will be relatively cheap and may be a nice place just to laze aboard, but you'll need a dinghy to get there (where are you going to keep the dinghy? How easy if it's windy or wet, etc.), while a fancy marina is convenient, but you want to be sitting down when they tell you the cost, and it wouldn't be my idea of a nice place just to be aboard. Our sweet spot is the cheap drying mooring, yours may be different.
Also think about where you're going to keep her. A drying mooring will be relatively cheap and may be a nice place just to laze aboard, but you'll need a dinghy to get there (where are you going to keep the dinghy? How easy if it's windy or wet, etc.), while a fancy marina is convenient, but you want to be sitting down when they tell you the cost, and it wouldn't be my idea of a nice place just to be aboard. Our sweet spot is the cheap drying mooring, yours may be different.