First motorboat purchase questions - mid cabin cruiser

[backwaters]

Hello all,

First time poster here. I have a series of questions about choosing our first motorboat. We are selling our Westerly Centaur and transitioning to a mid-cabin cruiser. I won’t go into all the reasons other to say we are middle age, mid-career, commute to London, and time is at a premium so we would like to maximize our speed and roaming range.

We particularly like the Regal 2665 and Bayliner 285. My partner doesn’t like anything older than about early 2000’s as far as interior design is concerned, and my size preference as far as space and budget is concerned is around 26 to 30 feet. Edit - budget is around mid-30's £££.

Our ‘mission’ is a combination of weekend trips and possibly across the channel to France/Holland for a week exploring the rivers and canals.

My questions as a newbie are:

Is there any reason, assuming reasonable weather, that one couldn’t take a boat in this size/equipment category across the channel? Please excuse my complete ignorance in this respect.

Diesel or petrol? Any reason why one would be more preferable than the other as far as availability of fuel along a river in France or Holland? Also any comments about cruising range on a full tank re: diesel vs petrol?

I note some of these boats have a microwave and a single hob. Any issues feeding four at anchor overnight with this configuration? Will the microwave run on a 12v domestic battery, or do you need shore-power for that to work?

Thank you for the advice.

-Jason

 

[rafiki_]

Hello all,

First time poster here. I have a series of questions about choosing our first motorboat. We are selling our Westerly Centaur and transitioning to a mid-cabin cruiser. I won’t go into all the reasons other to say we are middle age, mid-career, commute to London, and time is at a premium so we would like to maximize our speed and roaming range.

We particularly like the Regal 2665 and Bayliner 285. My partner doesn’t like anything older than about early 2000’s as far as interior design is concerned, and my size preference as far as space and budget is concerned is around 26 to 30 feet.

Our ‘mission’ is a combination of weekend trips and possibly across the channel to France/Holland for a week exploring the rivers and canals.

My questions as a newbie are:

Is there any reason, assuming reasonable weather, that one couldn’t take a boat in this size/equipment category across the channel? Please excuse my complete ignorance in this respect.

Diesel or petrol? Any reason why one would be more preferable than the other as far as availability of fuel along a river in France or Holland? Also any comments about cruising range on a full tank re: diesel vs petrol?

I note some of these boats have a microwave and a single hob. Any issues feeding four at anchor overnight with this configuration? Will the microwave run on a 12v domestic battery, or do you need shore-power for that to work?

Thank you for the advice.

-Jason

A warm welcome to the forum ��

You have mentioned 2 US built boats, and these are great starter boats, mainly designed for inland and coastal use. Of course this type of. boat will cross the channel, however will need a really benign weather window. You will probably do better looking at either a Sealine 28 or Sunline 31, both twin diesel and economical. You will still need a careful watch of the weather, but will give you better capability than the US sports boats. I am not decrying these as I started my motor boating in a 22' then 25' US mobi, and great fun we had too.
Diesel is always easier to find on the coast and on most rivers, and is also much safer on board in my opinion. Others might differ, and I look forward to hearing other views.

 

[BruceK]

Hi Jason

Welcome to the forum.

Not advice, just opinion but no reason you couldn't make cross channel crossings in that class boat given good weather. My preference is diesel and it was almost a religious stance. These days and in that size boat I'm not so sure. The main decider will be petrol availability, filling from cans soon loses it's appeal. It's a scarce commodity where I am so diesel is a no brainer. We have two hobs and a microwave but tend to use a portable gas stove more. Whether you can use that configuration is entirely up to your menu. But it sounds like Pot Noodles will be a staple. I'd recommend if you do plan to cook much on the boat to look at a portable gas stove if not replace the existing hob setup. You will need an inverter or genny (make sure it's pure sinewave or microwave may not work) to run them when not on shore power, hence my preference for gas or alcohol units.

 

[Momac]

Diesel is the fuel of choice .
Sealine S28 came to my mind too .

 

[CLB]

If you are serious about going across the Channel to France and Holland then I would suggest you look for a twin diesel boat. The size of the boat is not a problem, 26 ft and upwards can easily cross the Channel, but getting petrol is not always easy on these types of trips, and the security of having a second engine is very worthwhile.

This is coming from someone who has crossed the Channel in a 25ft single engine petrol boat

An all electric US boat will almost certainly need access to shore power to make full use of its facilities. Some may frown upon it, but I would chose a gas equipped boat for more independent cruising. If you like the look and style of the Bayliner and Regal, I would suggest you look at something like a Fairline Targa 28 or 29 or a Sealine S28. Not sure what your budget is, but you can get these boats in the right configuration for around £40 - £45k. They may be late 90's, rather than 2000 onwards, but the design didn't change at the turn of the century so they should meet with your partner's approval. Alternatively spend around £50k or more and get one from around 2002-2004

 

[BruceK]

A warm welcome to the forum ��

You have mentioned 2 US built boats, and these are great starter boats, mainly designed for inland and coastal use. Of course this type of. boat will cross the channel, however will need a really benign weather window. You will probably do better looking at either a Sealine 28 or Sunline 31, both twin diesel and economical. You will still need a careful watch of the weather, but will give you better capability than the US sports boats. I am not decrying these as I started my motor boating in a 22' then 25' US mobi, and great fun we had too.
Diesel is always easier to find on the coast and on most rivers, and is also much safer on board in my opinion. Others might differ, and I look forward to hearing other views.

Not being contentious just an observation which I am happy to get clarification on.

Sometimes I wonder how much of this becomes lore because everyone repeats it. Confusing local desirability with actual performance. Certainly the Regal does seem to have a narrow beam for it's class but the blurb and report is it handles chop rather well and is dry. The Bayliner mentioned has a healthy beam for it's size. Dead rise angles are similar etc. It's undeniable that both are built to a budget and their price reflects this as does their fit and finishings. One could have a good argument then for resale, market desirability and longevity. But does this make performance worse? I'm not entirely convinced and had a look around for negative reviews. tbh I couldn't find any substantiated. Certainly the waters of The Great Lakes can become just as uninviting as our coastal waters but that's held up in what to me appears to be a form of snobbery. I cant think of many sub 30 foot sports boats that are designated anything other than coastal / inland use.

 

[Whitelighter]

Actually the Bayliner 285 has one of the most capable 30ft hulls - or at least the boats made up to 2011 did. I dont know about the completely new 285.

I had a 2005 boat new and it would go anywhere an S28 would go. Interestingly I looked at the Sunline 31 at the same time but couldn't quite stretch to one (£60k vs £90k) but they are a good boat. A Bayliner 285 will cross channel easily, and will be more than capable of cruising the south coast. Petrol may be an issue in some part though.

I think what we are all forgetting is budget and SWMBO. The OP has already said SWMBO has an opinion on boats and that a more modern interior is demanded, so manky mid 90s diesel boats are out. You are going to struggle to get a nice S28 for £35k, certainly not a late one. A 2005 B285 can easily be had for this money, and despite what people might think they are popular and you'll always sell it. It also has the advantage of a fixed forward berth and dinette rather than the convertible V - the reason why I bought one back in 2005.

That said if you can find a diesel boat in your budget then youll probably find it last you a bit longer before trading up. Ive had a quick search and if it were me id start looking at these:

Bayliner 3055
The 285s bigger (and less popular) sibling. Many of these were twin petrol (ouch) but a few came with twin diesel.
This one is in essex, quite early (2000) but still have a modern look. Interior could do with some plain fabrics but thats a £1000 job. The plus points are two seperate berths and a dintte, twin diesel power and a good spec including bow thruster and heating.

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1352792/?searchid=12598390&page=1


Bayliner 2858
Great pocket fly bridge boats and quite a few around with Diesel power.
This one is on windemere but there are a couple of others on the south coast for similar money. Givesyou the option of winter boating thought the layout is more open plan with the mid cabin berth located under the saloon seating.

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1025141/?searchid=12598390&page=1


Regal 2665
You already know about these but this one has Diesel power

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1367067/?searchid=12598390&page=5


Sealine S28
A good boat but with the only option of a convertible V. This is a 2000 boat for sensible money with twin diesels.

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1220091/?searchid=12598390&page=7

 

[RobWales]

Loved my Bayliner 2858 ok it was re-engined with a 315 yanmar which was superb, 2858 model changed to 288 some time ago but still the exact same boat with subltle upgrades, would have another tomorrow if I could.

 

[backwaters]

Wow! Thank you everyone for the very informative replies. Especially other boats to consider. I have added to my list.

Regards, -Jason

 

[Bouba]

Welcome, we started with an American SeaRay, American boats are not built cheap, instead they come from a land where you get a load of boat for your dollars, and in those wonderful times gone by when the pound was strong, we get to have a lot of American boat for our money.
Don't discount outboard powered boats

 

[andrew humphries]

hi Jason, welcome to my world. we have just bought our first cruiser and had the same criteria as you both, i looked at lots of boats and like you had the same dilemma, newer petrol or older diesel and bigger, we have just bought a hardy seawings 9.4m, went to look at her on sunday and handed over the money. when i looked at the 25footers they were a bit cramped and a friend advised me to look at a 30ft to see how much bigger they are and i was really surprised. we are in torquay and so we want to pop down to dartmouth and salcombe to stay over night, i looked and really liked the crownlike 270cr until i talked to a guy on the dock who has a regal 28 express with the same petrol engine and he said it costs him approx £100 to get to dartmouth and back which is approx 35min each way, thats scary.
i have a friend who had the 2665 but they found with the Myanmar diesel it was very underpowered but go with petrol and same running costs as the 28 express pretty much. Talk to darren at boats.co.uk they turn around loads of boats and he has been so helpful with the purchase of ours i can't recommend him enough.
best of luck with your hunting
andrew

 

[RobWales]

I have to disagree with those quoted fuel burn costs!
And think you mean Yanmar not Myanmar!

 

[BruceK]

I have to disagree with those quoted fuel burn costs!
And think you mean Yanmar not Myanmar!

Steady old boy. The Regal 28 Express with the 350Mag does ~87 lph WoT so I'd say it's close enough if not spot on

 

[RobWales]

Ah ok at wot then all petrol lumps drink it...but come on it's how we drive them...
Old boy!

 

[BruceK]

It's a sport boat. If he's doing Dartmouth to Salcombe in 35 minutes and its roughly 20 miles then I'd imagine he's giving it a bit of welly. That's good time for any cruiser

 

[gjgm]

I think the first question is where will you be based?
Solent to Cherbourg is not far, so stomaching the fuel bill on petrol might be possible..Solent to Holland...
I would do some sums...someone here can give some sensible figures on burn, or boattest might have some. I might be way out, but on petrol I'd guess £50-75 per hour at 20+ knots. £400-500 to Cherbourg and back , and god knows how much to Holland and back!! Get a lorry

 

[superheat6k]

Welcome to the dark side of stinkpots. Nothing wrong with leaving your sails behind, many on here are ex raggies, and a few have feet regularly in both camps.

Whatever you buy in the 26-30' range it is likely you will want to move to something a bit more roomy within a short period, so consider buying something you can sell on reasonably easily, so avoid anything rare. Diesels will have stronger residuals. Be aware that although more economic on fuel consumption, below 100 hours per annum the cost of additional maintenance will mean the outdrive is likely more expensive that a shaft. For offshore use then without a stick and rags to blow you along, having two engines becomes a far higher consideration.

Worth looking at Nimbus or other similar boats around the 28' range, especially if comfort is your key requirement. As a raggie you will be quite used to 4 or 5 knots, so even a non displacement 8 knots will be getting you there in half the time.

Good luck in your search.

 

[lambohill]

Petrol or diesel? Below 28 feet and single engine, I'd say petrol. The single engine diesel is likely lower powered (220hp v 300hp)and the savings in fuel cost fairly immaterial when balance against the costs. Also the petrol, say mag 350 is cheap to maintain, whilst the diesel will have turbo and injectors to look after. If it goes wrong the petrol will be a cheaper fix.
Above 28 feet, its two engines and then diesel all the way, below, forget diesel and get petrol.
Take a look at sea ray too, I bought a 275 a few years back and it has proved to be a very sound and reliable boat and has the benefit of a generator and aircon, vac flush loo, and I believe a nicer spec than the diesel options mentioned, for probably less money. IMHO

 

[oldgit]

Cat and Pigeons ?

As an ex sailor am going to guess that like most sailors you do tend to not be bothered by extended journies over decent distances and have probably been out in bit of "weather" as result.
Am also going to assume that like most ladies,your beloved being bounced around like a cork in a storm is not going to win you any brownie points.
The action of your ex yacht is going to be totally the opposite of those sports boats,the only way they are stable is on the plane,if you can call bang bang crash over the waves and 20 knots stable.Just climb aboard one aand watch it roll, your yacht would hardly budge.
As for petrol,
if you are on the Thames or going around the bay fine , but for crossing the channel .
For serious going anywhere you need diesel,never mind any posh cabin interiors.
Your buying a boat not a fashion statement.

 

[backwaters]

Re: Cat and Pigeons ?

Thank you all for the continued replies. We looked at a Regal 2665 Commodore this weekend at our home marina and really liked it. I’m amazed at the excellent and clever use of space. I’m also impressed with the quality of the Regal interior. It looks proper mini-super yacht! LOL
This particular boat has a Yanmar diesel and I think we have decided diesel is the best fit for our cruising needs. We hope to look at some other makes and models over the coming weeks.

Quick question: I don’t have any experience running a 220 appliance off of a 12V inverter. How quickly will using a 220V microwave or hob at anchor on an inverter run a battery down? I’m not sure of the battery size/capacity on the boat we looked at Saturday but it has two domestic batteries in addition to the engine starting battery.
-Jason