First motor boat

[Little yogi]

Hi everyone.

Looking for advice and confirmation I'm doing the right thing.

I'm looking at getting my first cruiser, have been chatting to other boat owners and searching the Internet for information, the boat would be used for river and canal cruisering, with the occasional few nights away, there's the two of us and our Labrador so thinking something like a 25ft to 30ft would be big enough,Looking at glass fibre boat with a good diesel engine, shaft drive for reliability and simplicity, heard stern drives are complex and expensive to repair , no idea which Hull type advice needed there, budget would be up to 30k max ,lees if possible would we get a really good one for that price that would be reliable

Thanks

 

[CLB]

When you say "river and canal", are you including the narrow beam canals? If so, that will restrict your boat choice considerably. In that case you would probably be better of with a tin slug (narrowboat) rather than GRP.

 

[sogood]

Some boats may also have height restrictions on canals, with bridges possibly causing problems.

 

[QBhoy]

Would heavily depend on the budget, I’d think. Wouldn’t rule out outboard power either. Lots of suitable boats with moderate modern outboards up and down river ways.

 

[Little yogi]

When you say "river and canal", are you including the narrow beam canals? If so, that will restrict your boat choice considerably. In that case you would probably be better of with a tin slug (narrowboat) rather than GRP.

We're in the Republic of Ireland nearly all the rivers and canals are very wide, lots of space , unlighty to see any narrow boats here.

 

[CLB]

We're in the Republic of Ireland nearly all the rivers and canals are very wide, lots of space , unlighty to see any narrow boats here.

OK, vital bit of missing info there

 

[CLB]

I can't help but thinking something like this might fit the bill, but you may have other ideas:

Broom 30 Used Boat for Sale 1975 | TheYachtMarket

 

[ashtead]

I can't help but thinking something like this might fit the bill, but you may have other ideas:

Broom 30 Used Boat for Sale 1975 | TheYachtMarket

Just love the name whatever the appeal maybe for the OP in Ireland

 

[ontheplane]

Outboards are fine inland - we had a Buckingham 20 with an 8hp on it for 20 years - cruised canals and Norfolk Broads

 

[Little yogi]

The Buckingham 20 would be a bit to small for our needs, the Broom would be a better size but a bit newer 18k for a 1975 seems pricey to me, perhaps cruisers are more expensive in the UK.

 

[ashtead]

Broom have a loyal following -might be an owners association who can steer you in right direction . Some look quite good around 445 if dated by current designs such a Bav but still in demand.

 

[Ferris]

Broom 30’s, Ocean 30’s, Seamaster 30’s are all very popular on Irish inland waterways. They will fit all major and I think all minor navigations (Grand, Royal canals and Barrow are the most restricted). I also always liked a boat called a profile 33 - you can get a aft cockpit model which would’ve good for the dog. Stick to single engine if you want to do canals and I would avoid steel boats at your budget. Diesel is pretty much the only fuel available on the water so I rule would rule out petrol.

But, all these boats are getting on a bit, all built in the 70’s and 80’s. Well built as they are they may need considerable work. Old engines, osmosis etc. As an alternative I viewed one of these with my dad and thought it was great, perfect for what you are looking for, modern and great engine:
Shetland 27 for sale UK, Shetland boats for sale, Shetland used boat sales, Shetland Motor Boats For Sale Shetland 27 shaft drive diesel river cruiser - Apollo Duck

 

[Little yogi]

Thanks very helpful, the Shetland 27 ticks all the boxes and a good looking boat, just need to find one here in ireland not much about at the moment, and probably cost a fortune to get it delivered from Norwich ?

 

[Ferris]

I would say they’re rare in Ireland. I have only seen one and it was sold recently. I’d say buying from UK would be better, better choice too. Ring Kennedy transport for a quote.

Incidentally I would go for one with a hardtop over the helm position, to keep the sun off obviously ?

 

[Little yogi]

Incidentally I would go for one with a hardtop over the helm position, to keep the sun off obviously ?
[/QUOTE]

Hahaha actually last spring and summer weren't to bad.

Not sure if importing from the uk is viable now the UK has left the Eu, despite Brois negotiating such a wonderful deal, we now have to pay import duty and vat on anything we import from UK thanks Boris , God nows how much it would be on a 30k boat, if live isn't financially difficult enough, but I'll contact Kennedys to see if they can give me a rough idea on cost and logistics, thanks for the suggestion

 

[Ferris]

Yes, it’s a pain, actually it now looks like it will be just the VAT rate but still that’s 21%. Another option is to look in Europe. Also Isn’t there an exclusion for NI on VAT? I’ve heard so for cars so possibly boats too, that would open up boats on the Erne?