First Boat - Help Needed - I Think I Want This....

|Argonaughty said:
Thanks Oldgit - was hoping to look at both Gillingham and Chatham as they're only 40 min drive for us - lots of lovely seals to photo down your way. Seeing them play in the SS Richard Montgomery always brings a smile to my face...
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You will probably feel quite at home at Chatham, there are several nice fast ribs moored in there.
One might dare to suggest there is rather more of interest within the range of your 500 litre tank around the Thames esturary ranging from the many rivers up the East coast or round to Ramsgate and au-delà or perhaps braving a trip up through the Capital City.
The Medway also can provide sheltered boating in the various little creeks close by during the winter months.
............................and no strange urge to buy a kilt either.

Not that long ago spent some time on one of the Scottish Isles , it appeared to be mostly closed while we were there and could you not see much through the rain and mist anyway............and this was August, probably.
Did catch a glimpse of the sea immediately below the window on the ferry at one point.
 
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I was in Chatham last month for three weeks (by car not boat)…and I do like it a lot. Of course it’s not the only ‘Med’…there’s the Welsh Med…and the one I’m on right now😎😎😎




 
That looks like a proper bit of kit!

On balance I reckon that those petrol outboards are the right engines for that type of boat and with decent sized tanks range shouldn’t be an issue.

The basic facilities probably wouldn’t pass muster for SWMBO, particularly the heads situation, but if that isn’t an issue for the OP then happy days!
 
Kawasaki said:
That’s a ‘Proper Boat’ for the use intended
Those Suzuki outboards are ( in my experience) super engines too
The petrol v diesel question?
OK petrol is less available sometimes agreed
A diesel powered equivalent would probably have outdrives
Then you are into higher maintenance costs
All in all a good choice Argonaughty
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Thanks so much Kawasaki. I was hoping to know a bit more about the reliability of the engines/maintanence but what you've said is reassuring.
 
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It looks a very capable boat, but rather commercial and lacking on creature comforts. Whale watching can mean spending a good time on-board so comfort might become more of a priority.
But if could throw in a little negative vibes? - Your first boat will (almost guaranteed) not be the right one for you. Looking at it from that perspective, how easy would this boat be to sell?
 
robmchugh said:
It looks a very capable boat, but rather commercial and lacking on creature comforts. Whale watching can mean spending a good time on-board so comfort might become more of a priority.
But if could throw in a little negative vibes? - Your first boat will (almost guaranteed) not be the right one for you. Looking at it from that perspective, how easy would this boat be to sell?
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It is a worry robmchugh - she's been on the market a long time and with various brokers. The only affordable Paragon I saw was sold the minute it hit YW & we'd already set off for Guernsey to buy her. I know you always have to make compromises with a boat and The Dash seems to offer the fewest whilst satisfying what we want from her. I will immediately retrofit a couple of better seats mind - there's only so much an aging back can take.
 
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oldgit said:
You will probably feel quite at home at Chatham, there are several nice fast ribs moored in there.
One might dare to suggest there is rather more of interest within the range of your 500 litre tank around the Thames esturary ranging from the many rivers up the East coast or round to Ramsgate and au-delà or perhaps braving a trip up through the Capital City.
The Medway also can provide sheltered boating in the various little creeks close by during the winter months.
............................and no strange urge to buy a kilt either.

Not that long ago spent some time on one of the Scottish Isles , it appeared to mostly closed while we were there and could you not see much through the rain and mist anyway............and this was August, probably.
Did catch a glimpse of the sea immediately below the window on the ferry at one point.
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Ah...one of the better summer days then Oldgit..

Going to take a look at Gillingham & Chatham next week - whatever we end up buying I think it has to be one of the two for now. If we do buy The Dash I guess the best bathrooms will win it..
 
Just read your OP again and had a good look at the link and boat description. If I'm understanding right you're wanting to cruise the west coast (Cetacean watching / survey)?

The more I look at this one and how you're going to use it, the more I think that something like this Seaward would be a potential alternative, and possibly better? At least it has an enclosed cabin with heating - does get kinda wet on the west coast!
Just an idea but might be worth having a look at a cruising type boat b4 finally deciding - the fact that the Dash has been on the market for a while indicates it has a narrow appeal.. especially at for a petrol boat with a 6 figure asking price.
 
robmchugh said:
Just read your OP again and had a good look at the link and boat description. If I'm understanding right you're wanting to cruise the west coast (Cetacean watching / survey)?

The more I look at this one and how you're going to use it, the more I think that something like this Seaward would be a potential alternative, and possibly better? At least it has an enclosed cabin with heating - does get kinda wet on the west coast!
Just an idea but might be worth having a look at a cruising type boat b4 finally deciding - the fact that the Dash has been on the market for a while indicates it has a narrow appeal.. especially at for a petrol boat with a 6 figure asking price.
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Thanks Rob - will have a look at the Seaward. We'll be based much further south for now - probably Medway- but I'm very grateful to hear from you as obviously as it's a first boat there's things I will probably not consider and it's very helpful to have the input of those considerably more experienced.
 
You should also find out what the owner of the Dash really wants for it…then make an offer that reflects that you are taking a punt and you must consider it’s resale
 
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One million pounds wasn't it Bouba? It's a deal breaker if they won't throw in at least two flashing blue lights..

TBS I do think it's a bit of a punt and I've certainly seen nothing like it (outside of Border Control etc.)
 
I am fairly familiar with Redbay - at work we bought a cancelled order from them and a year or so later had a new one built - both the Stormforce cabin RIBS. I have visited their yard numerous times and my wife hails from that part of the world so it was quite handy tying in family visits.

When we bought the first boat we went for a sea trial on their demonstrator. As we drove up the coast road from Carrickfergus it was blowing old boots and the sea looked a bit lively so we thought it would be cancelled because they launch from a slipway. Not a bit of it - when it gets rough out they go to to put their boats through their paces.

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Greg2 said:
I am fairly familiar with Redbay - at work we bought a cancelled order from them and a year or so later had a new one built - both the Stormforce cabin RIBS. I have visited their yard numerous times and my wife hails from that part of the world so it was quite handy tying in family visits.

When we bought the first boat we went for a sea trial on their demonstrator. As we drove up the coast road from Carrickfergus it was blowing old boots and the sea looked a bit lively so we thought it would be cancelled because they launch from a slipway. Not a bit of it - when it gets rough out they go to to put their boats through their paces.

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That looks like mighty craic Greg2 - must say the glens are exerting a terrible pull... as are Redbay, though I wonder if the two currently for sale might be a bit too old? They really ate exactly my sort of thing,
 
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