First Boat - Recommendations?

[TonyGerrard]

I'm steeling myself to part with up to £60k for my first boat and would appreciate any ideas from more experienced people. I've seen a Fairline Targa 33 which seems ideal for me but it has a petrol/LPG config which I'm not so happy about. So, 2 questions -
1. in the 30-40 foot range what's best for a novice in my price range
2. is diesel the only way forward or can I consider petrol/LPG
Looking forward to your advice
Cheers
Tony

<hr width=100% size=1>TonyG

 

[oldgit]

Re: Recommendations? diesel deisel diesel.

Under no circumstances should you consider buying a boat of that size with out diesels.IMHO.Might just be acceptable for upper river use ie.5 knots everywhere but for anywhere else it will cost a fortune to run or you will be stuck with going to places where you can refuel.Whats more just wait and see what happens when you try to sell.
There are boats around that you could buy with diesel power for that sort of money you just need to find a seller who really needs some dosh urgently.
All in my humble opinion of course./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Two boats please one here n one in the Med

 

[martynwhiteley]

The fuel options depends largely upon location.

It would be best for you to advise where you intend to keep it, and how you intend to use it, and for approx how many hours per year.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Real boaters do it on the Humber </font color=blue>

 

[trev]

Definitely go for diesels - not only cheaper to fuel but much safer.
You really need to ask yourself what you want your boat to do. What kind of boating you enjoy and where - then talk to people with similar interests who have done it, and learn from their experiences. A couple of visits to where you wish to keep the boat, and a few pints in the clubhouse will open your eyes to the expense and a few of the do's and dont's.
The targa is a good boat and IMHO much more sociable than a flybridge (been there, done that!).
Best of luck.

<hr width=100% size=1>Trev

 

[DavidJ]

Hi Tony
Welcome to the forum
The fact that you are impressed with the Targa implies that you are after a fast planing boat without a flybridge. Perhaps I'm reading too much into this but I say follow your insticts (you have to follow something!)
The British made boats Princess Fairline Sealine Sunseeker are some of the best in the world so you need look no further really and on this forum you will get plenty of experience of all these makes. We all have our preferences (mines Sealine) but if any of the others were going at the right price I would switch (brand loyalty is fickle!)
Check out if you can get a marina berth before you do anything though.
For £60k I recon you are looking at a 10yr plus boat so make sure you get a survey (the hull at least)
For that year and that size there should be some shaft drives about which I believe is a plus. (less complex and easier to handle)
Ref your Petrol/LPG I'm sure it works fine but my advice would be to stick with standard configurations which for the size boat you are looking for would be twin diesels in the main.
Most people would have worked their way up to a 30-40 footer but I think there is some wisdom in going straight there. A larger boat is easier to handle and very dry for the wife (who needs to be looked after)
best of luck
David


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[Deleted User YDKXO]

With that kind of budget, I would definitely be looking at diesel powered boats not only for economy and safety reasons but also resale - doubtless you'll want to trade up fairly quickly after you've found what you really want out of a boat
The Targa 33 is a good choice but definitely try to stretch for a diesel engined version. Maybe look at the Sealine 328, Princess 36, Sunseeker Portofino 31 or maybe Martinique 36 and for a different slant look at Nimbus as well

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[TonyGerrard]

Martyn - good point. I have a beach place in Pevensey Bay so Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne makes sense. Problem is I'm not sure where you can easily get to from Eastbourne...
In any event a south coast location between Eastbourne and maybe Poole looks like a favourite. No longhaul ambtions at this stage but Isle of Wight etc. should be doable even as a beginner (?)
Thanks
Tony

<hr width=100% size=1>TonyG

 

[TonyGerrard]

Michael - I've seen a few Sealines on the web but few in my price range. What I liked about the Targa 33 was the amount of space for entertaining in the back (cockpit?). Is the Sealine comparable in this regard?
I looked at a Martinique 36 in Southampton over the weekend but it was really tired, and - though obviously a different style of craft - did not compare to the Targa for my "pottering about" kind of requirement.
Cheers
TG

<hr width=100% size=1>TonyG

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Tony, the Targa 33 is a fine boat, no question. The Sealine is very similar in size and layout. A quick trawl through the Boats and Yachts website turned up quite a few Targa 33's with Volvo AQAD41 200hp diesels in the £60 - 70k range so I would be surprised if you could'nt get close to your budget especially as you are in a cash position (ie. no trade-in) and can drive a good deal
Take your time, look at loads of boats and make a considered choice

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[DavidJ]

Tony
As you look around you will see Volvo engined and Mercruiser engined boats. For no real logical reason Volvos are more popular than Mercs in Europe. They are difficult to sell and therefore expect in your price range to buy at up to £10k cheaper if fitted with Mercs. Of course when you come to sell you will have the reverse problem.

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[tripleace]

don't forget to look at sealine 365, much bigger than the 328 (inside) but about same overall length.

should get one around your price.

make sure you at least see one, not a picture. the accomodation is great.

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[TonyGerrard]

Simon - thanks for the tip on the Sealine 365. Quick scan on the web didn't throw anything up so I'll have to keep my eyes open. I know pics don't tell the full story but so far I haven't seen anything more attractive in layout terms than the Fairline Targa 33........
Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>TonyG

 

[Xenopus]

Re: Recommendations? diesel deisel diesel.

Just a lone voice I guess but we have a 36 foot Petrol/LPG boat, our second and cannot fault it (despite previous diesel ones)- we're based on the South Coast so there's plenty of fuel available and the economy is good whilst not as good as diesel (£32 to cruise at 30+ knots for one hour). Upon investigation I could find no evidence of any additional fire hazard on LPG boats apart from a percieved one - the LPG conversion adds a load of safety features. For example, if the installation has been carried out properly the engines will not start on LPG/change to petrol if there is any gas detected - the sensors are very sensitive. The overall advantages of LPG include: one of the major causes of engine failure is a fuel fault - the dual fuel system gives you an alternate, less pollution, lower servicing costs and better performance. Final reason is purely emotive, the V8s sound gorgeous. That said, cruising to France is limitted unless you use petrol. Also try a v. low offer on a petrol boat - 60K seems silly for a fairly old one even converted IMHO, we got ours for almost 20K less than asking. The saving would probably cover all the extras that, if you're new to boating, you may not have considered yet.

Good luck,

Matt

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[TonyGerrard]

Re: Recommendations? diesel deisel diesel.

Matt - thanks for your comments: dual fuel=more reliability is something I had not thought of. One thing strikes me in favour of LPG and that is the potential future increase in diesel prices (having said that, the rumour in the LPG world is that their prices will be moving up shortly).
Since you've been a diesel user in the past, how do you think engine life and maintenance costs will compare between the two?
Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>TonyG