Grunter
New member
ok, so following the decision to get myself a 'proper' boat, I have been reading and searching and reading some more, I thought I had decided what I wanted but as it turns out I am no closer to knowing. Having a very limited budget I thought I would have very little choice but as i am not bothered about doing some graft with repairs or updating there are a number of options available at around 4k to 5k. ( I know its not a lot - but they be the cards I got to play with).
I currently have a very sad solar corsair that some scumbag tried to take but did not notice the trailer was secured and broke the axle, so they just took the engine (75 mariner) and left me with a stranded hull.
After looking at a local Tod tornado, my eyes were opened as to how much more there could be to boat ownership other than nipping out for a few hours to dangle a rod over the side, get wet and cold and be the one getting everything sorted shoreside afterwards.
So I now want something that I can invite some family/friends along for some fishing trips, but would like the option to travel a bit too. maybe even use it for accommodation for myself alongside somewhere for holiday. After reading the posts on here about fuel consumption I have been put off the old 25 -28ft motor boats I have been looking at so far, not too many available in my price bracket but they are out there if you are prepared to take on the work. I had started to look at sail but trouble with them is that it is not a case of take the wheel and max the throttle(s), you have to do stuff to make them go, its something I have very little idea about. it was then mentioned to me to look at motor sailers, and trying to read up on those has led to me needing to dump my cranial contents here..(subject specific of course)
now what is the truth to this type? it seems given that if its good sail its poor motor, good motor poor sail, or poor at both? then thrown into the mix is the type, motor sailer, pilot sailer, bilge keel, fin keel and something about plates..? not knowing the jargon can make reading and understanding the ads a long winded affair, especially if it is a tired old project, sellers dont go to the effort of saying very much more than project x is this long and there is some stuff to come with it.
Now I know some would say to start with something smaller as I have a small budget but I dont want to waste time sorting out a boat that I am going to be passing on for something bigger and starting all over again, add to that the waiting times for a berth around swansea and then having to wait again if i upsized for over 26ft, it makes sense to go for as big as I can afford from the off. I had set my mind on something that had a wheelhouse so I could still use in wet weather without getting soaked through, but seems that may be asking too much?
my current thinking is leaning towards the kent28, the claimed 6'3" headroom being a plus there, but there are so many different configurations its hard to know what is what,
any pointers / advice on what to look for or more importantly what to avoid most appreciated.
I currently have a very sad solar corsair that some scumbag tried to take but did not notice the trailer was secured and broke the axle, so they just took the engine (75 mariner) and left me with a stranded hull.
After looking at a local Tod tornado, my eyes were opened as to how much more there could be to boat ownership other than nipping out for a few hours to dangle a rod over the side, get wet and cold and be the one getting everything sorted shoreside afterwards.
So I now want something that I can invite some family/friends along for some fishing trips, but would like the option to travel a bit too. maybe even use it for accommodation for myself alongside somewhere for holiday. After reading the posts on here about fuel consumption I have been put off the old 25 -28ft motor boats I have been looking at so far, not too many available in my price bracket but they are out there if you are prepared to take on the work. I had started to look at sail but trouble with them is that it is not a case of take the wheel and max the throttle(s), you have to do stuff to make them go, its something I have very little idea about. it was then mentioned to me to look at motor sailers, and trying to read up on those has led to me needing to dump my cranial contents here..(subject specific of course)
now what is the truth to this type? it seems given that if its good sail its poor motor, good motor poor sail, or poor at both? then thrown into the mix is the type, motor sailer, pilot sailer, bilge keel, fin keel and something about plates..? not knowing the jargon can make reading and understanding the ads a long winded affair, especially if it is a tired old project, sellers dont go to the effort of saying very much more than project x is this long and there is some stuff to come with it.
Now I know some would say to start with something smaller as I have a small budget but I dont want to waste time sorting out a boat that I am going to be passing on for something bigger and starting all over again, add to that the waiting times for a berth around swansea and then having to wait again if i upsized for over 26ft, it makes sense to go for as big as I can afford from the off. I had set my mind on something that had a wheelhouse so I could still use in wet weather without getting soaked through, but seems that may be asking too much?
my current thinking is leaning towards the kent28, the claimed 6'3" headroom being a plus there, but there are so many different configurations its hard to know what is what,
any pointers / advice on what to look for or more importantly what to avoid most appreciated.
