First boat

[Guest]

Can anyone tell me how to start?! We are thinking about buying our first boat, for use on the Thames initially, although we would like to maybe do some coastal trips in the future. There are so many manufacturers and models, that we don't really know where to begin!

 

[DavidJ]

This is really a huge question, the biggest problem is knowing what sort of boating you are going to enjoy best. So let's take a guess.
Need for exitement=planing boat not displacement ie 25+knots not 9
Need to sleep on it with family with some comfort=min 24ft
Easy to handle=Twin Engine
Economy=Diesel not Petrol
Channel crossings with security=35+ft
Reliability/good sell on price=known big uk brands, Princess, Fairline, Sunseeker, Sealine less than 10yrs old

You will hopefully get more advice (hopefully not conflicting too much) from this friendly site
Do have the potential boat properly surveyed.
best of luck
David

 

[KevB]

Agree with all the above apart from the bit about Brit boats as they are generally boring, drab and overpriced.

My next boat is going to be a Princess V42 though. One day....

Politically incorrect and proud of it.

 

[matt_lake]

I agree with David's comments above. What I would add is that a Boat Safety Certificate will be required if you intend to keep your boat on the Thames. I'm assuming you are looking to buy used rather than new so you may want to bear this in mind. Also, if you don't fancy lugging chemical toilets around at locks you should also look for a boat with a holding tank. Retro fitting these can be expensive on some boats. My last point is look as at many boats as you can before parting with your hard earned cash and try to be objective. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[tcm]

Re: how much?

any idea of how much you plan to spend annie? DJ is kindly helping you towards the £40-80k department secondhand. Is this about right? Would yoiu prefer a nice new one (double the higher figure) or are you a compact and happy camper and think hot water is for wimps, so half the lower figure?

You should plan to get something that will last you a while if you can, otherwise money spent getting it into a useable shape etc is wasted.

 

[peterg]

Firstly, you need to establish what your budget is...not just to buy the boat but the purchasing/ running costs as well ie. Survey (very important especially if you don't know much about boats!) Mooring charges, annual engine servicing including new anodes/antifouling, VHF licence, Boat Safety Certificate and Usage? licence (if on the Thames), lifting out/in for winter etc. etc. oh, and fuel especially if it's got a petrol engine!

Once you have worked out what you can afford (and be generous, it will ALWAYS be more than you think where a boat is concerned) then start looking at all boats in that price range plus 10% as that's what you can reckon to get off the price....try www.boats-for-sale.com and the one on the YBW site (OK, Kim?)

Now, having found some boats that fit your budget, start visiting marinas (where some are for sale) and look them over to see what you think would suit you - try and be practical on things like berths (ie. are you really going to have eight people sleeping on it regularly or will it just be 'you and yours')

After looking at some boats then come back here and get people's opinions in case there's someyhing to worry about (you could also search the forum history as the question may have been asked before, particularly if it's about Bayliners!)

 

[Guest]

Key thing is to get on board and try as many boats as you can. Also, make sure you have someone with you who knows what they're doing when you eventually do buy.

 

[muchy_]

You should look for a big, very reliable and extremely cheap to run boat, GOOD LUCK!

 

[ToMo]

...and if you find it, don't mention it on here or you will be consumed in the flames of jealous rage - cos that is what we are all looking for!
TôMö

 

[oldgit]

Get one of the motor boaty mags.Make a list of brokers/marinas and go and have loads and loads of cheap almost free weekend fun, nosing around other peoples boats.You will soon decide what you can afford by just looking at the selection available in any marina get on board and try for size.all marinas are worth looking in just for selection of boats all in one place you may decide to buy privately afterwards.When you have narrowed it down a bit come back here and then have some more free enertainment by asking this lot for their opinions.
Just one quick comment if you have just won the lottery you really do not need this advice, but the marinas are full of unsold overpriced boats the asking price is never the selling price, be ready to haggle.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

When we first saw All Gold she said "buy me" in that way that seeing the "right" house does for you. However, we weren't that interested until I started price haggling to find that the asking price was nearly 25% more than the price at which the vendor was prepared to start sensible haggling and we settled at about 30% less than the advertised price on the net.

I found that looking at boats via the web was an excellent way to weed out stuff not worth the bother of seeing, especially if travelling was a nuisance. IMO its not worth travelling too far because you will want to make more than one trip to see the shortlist and if you live on the South Coast (as I do) a journey to Lincolnshire is a tidy investment in time.

Whether saving money by buying a petrol boat and then retrofitting a diesel is financially viable I don't yet know. Ask again in a few months.

 

[Guest]

Agree with all the looking and reading, but its well worth while trying if you can - and different sorts of boats - those that look flash/sexy are not always what you will have most fun in.

Concentrate on those which you think will help you enjoy the sort of boating you fancy, and then have an eye on resale price/ease of sale.... if you like boating, you'll learn lots with the first and want to do more which (usually) means bigger..... so's youll want to move up. Easy resale usually means Brit and diesel.

Good luck

John

 

[h4nym]

Whatever it is, make it a diesel! Not just for cost, reliability, safety etc, but critically - availability! I would be surprised if there was quayside petrol at more than 3 locations along the whole length of the Thames - I can only think of Shepperton, Bray and RYB... if u go for a petrol boat, availability will end up dominating your cruising patterns.

And good idea on the Boat Safety... can cost a fortune to get an old sea boat through the BSS!

And one other thing - never forget what BOAT stands for - Break Out Another Thousand!