first boat

[tooki]

Hi we are looking to buy our first boat but are looking more at one of the many sports crusiers . as it is our first boat we are in need of some tech help and advice on which and what !
the boat will be moored on the thames (abingdon ) but will be used all over the country

many thanks Paul Claire

 

[Flashheart]

Hmm, you have plenty of choice out there at the moment.
Is it just for river use, or do you plan on taking it coastal/estuary?
I suppose the best advice is to ignore Twin petrol engined boats if you can.

 

[No Regrets]

I may be in for some flaming here, but anyway:

Don't buy a sport cruiser for Thames use. You'll never go above 5mph, and everything about them is wrong for River use.

Ever wondered why the more traditional cruisers are so popular? Things like Freemans, Fairlines and Birchwoods, for example?

It's because they work.

They steer well at low speeds, have more space in the Cockpit and cabin, for a given hull length, as they don't have huge pointy fronts which waste space (And cost you extra to moor up!) and locks are easier as you can walk down the gunwhale walkways instead of the wibbly-wobbly walk of death along a (Wet?) cabin roof to the bows.

We had a lovely little sports cruiser last year, and while she was very pretty, and the cockpit was capacious, the cabin had limited headroom, berths were compromised, and storage limited too.
She wandered like a drunken shopping trolley, so constant effort and vigilance was required at the helm, and when it rained, there was no roof, and no wipers (Some have them, but many don't!)

So we accepted the fact that looks are not everything, and traded her in for a far cheaper trad cruiser of the same size, but with lots more space, storage, better steering and which is far more user friendly.

Boy, did we look at some boats before choosing THIS time!


Tidal use is different by the way, but bear in mind the sub-planing speed limit on a lot of the tidal section, my argument stands.....

What budget are you aiming for?

 

[Flashheart]

My thoughts exactly.

Was feeling abit of a wimp and didn't fancy the shooting down in a ball of flames either.

 

[tooki]

many thanks for your comments. My head is saying trad , but my heart is with the crusiers. its good to get some first hand thoughts

cheers paul

 

[Geoffs]

Agree with No_Regrets all the way.

I recently brought a sports cruiser up the Thames from the sea. Whilst she did the trip, it meant going along with the engine at tickover, and was not at home. If I kept a boat on the Thames, mine would not be the one.

She's much happier like this.

 

[Gavi]

[ QUOTE ]
many thanks for your comments. My head is saying trad , but my heart is with the crusiers. its good to get some first hand thoughts

cheers paul

[/ QUOTE ]

Fully agree with the others. I started out looking at sports boats, then did an inland helmsman course. My boat looks as at home as Geoffs's in her own territory

 

[Chris_d]

I notice you say your going to use the boat all over the country, does that mean your going to tow? If so and your looking at 22-25ft sports cruisers, that is a serious bit of kit to tow, you'll need a full size 4x4 and a proper slipway, there is one in Abingdon marina. But I hasten to add towing 3 tonnes is not a trival thing.