First proper boat

charlumax said:
Thanks all for the replies, all very helpful. Particularly re a more enclosed boat, I think you’re right.
We viewed the Merry Fisher range today, love ’em, We’re now thinking around berthing at Poole and staying onboard for a few nights every other week throughout the summer. The 795 is perfect bar the berth which is just too small for me and Mrs H to sleep on comfortably. So, 895 is perfect bar the price ?. Only saw one on the hard and did feel huge but as I mentioned I’m not used to this size boat and in the water they shrink and provide stability so with a bit of training I’m sure would be fine.
Cobbs Quay is about £5k for annual berthing so all in all a bit of man maths required at this point. You only live once vs pension needs to last a fairly long time ( hopefully) type thoughts
Click to expand...
Seriously, if you like the MF take a look at the equivalent Parker boat. Ive had a MF755 and a Parker 660ph, the Parker is such a better built boat for the money. The finish is second to none. If the MF855 is your size, look at the Parker 800 weekend. You won't be disappointed.
 
If you want a pontoon berth (step on and off) and not wanting to join a waiting list, Cobbs will be the cheapest. MDL used to charge F pontoon at a slightly lower rate and Davis, next-door to MDL were also a bit cheaper.
 
When you are dividing the cost of your mooring by the number of times you think you will use your boat and doing the man maths.

Remember most new boaters think they will use their boat way more than they actually end up doing.

A friend of mine who was very keen borrowed one of my boats and paid for a marina for 5 months over the summer telling me he would use it about 10 times in that period. The truth was he turned up once with family in tow only to find the battery was flat despite me telling him to disconnect it. He never went out that day. His total use in the 5 months was the short trip after launching it and one evening with his mate.

I am not trying to put you off just trying to encourage you to be realistic. If you can easily afford £5000 then go for it if you can’t then look for cheaper options.
 
ST840 said:
Seriously, if you like the MF take a look at the equivalent Parker boat. Ive had a MF755 and a Parker 660ph, the Parker is such a better built boat for the money. The finish is second to none. If the MF855 is your size, look at the Parker 800 weekend. You won't be disappointed.
Click to expand...

I was not too aware of Parker boats but just had a look they do seem very good for the money. Some here to browse

Parker for sale | Boatshop24 UK
 
Bigplumbs said:
1) along the Frome river or one of the boatyards on the Frome

2) a swing mooring in the area or even better a fairways mooring
Click to expand...


There's a waiting list for walkashore along the Frome, in fact last year Ridge Wharf had no availability on their fore and aft moorings.
I'd be uncomfortable having a boat like the OP is looking at on a swinging mooring in Poole.
 
Bigplumbs said:
When you are dividing the cost of your mooring by the number of times you think you will use your boat and doing the man maths.

Remember most new boaters think they will use their boat way more than they actually end up doing.

A friend of mine who was very keen borrowed one of my boats and paid for a marina for 5 months over the summer telling me he would use it about 10 times in that period. The truth was he turned up once with family in tow only to find the battery was flat despite me telling him to disconnect it. He never went out that day. His total use in the 5 months was the short trip after launching it and one evening with his mate.

I am not trying to put you off just trying to encourage you to be realistic. If you can easily afford £5000 then go for it if you can’t then look for cheaper options.
Click to expand...

Thing is though a swing mooring is such a pain in the ass you’ll use the boat even less.

We used our boat almost every evening when it was moored in a Marina easy to step on and off.
When it’s on a swinging mooring with a tedious tender trip and no easy way to clean it, we use it a hell of a lot less.
 
jakew009 said:
Thing is though a swing mooring is such a pain in the ass you’ll use the boat even less.

We used our boat almost every evening when it was moored in a Marina easy to step on and off.
When it’s on a swinging mooring with a tedious tender trip and no easy way to clean it, we use it a hell of a lot less.
Click to expand...

There is some truth in that but sometimes the tender trip is fun. My swing mooring is only 200m from the boat park and costs me £125 a year and £18 a year to store the tender. I am happy with that. I dont think cleaning is a big issue depending on the size
 
hey, appreciate all the comments as I’m learning my way around this stuff, so thank you all.

re Parker doesn’t look as polished from the pics as a MF and I dont like the inward sloping windscreens, really ugly imo (and that includes the MF sport series that have adopted these).

re moorings, for a first timer I just like the idea of rocking up, parking the car, and walking along the pontoon to my boat. I know such facility costs… also, I will need to work from the boat every Friday I’m there so absolutely need good Wi-Fi access. testing this onsite would be a must before signing up to any marina, If anyone can suggest cheaper marinas do please let me know.
 
charlumax said:
Parker doesn’t look as polished from the pics as a MF and
Click to expand...
Well you can't see much from a photo. Step on board one and take a close look at the finished edges etc and the quality of the wood finishes. They are just so much better than the MF, also the sea keeping is far superior. But, if it's all about looks then, well...
 
Antares and MF are brilliant boats but having looked at both, we opted for a Quicksilver 855 Weekend. Could not be happier. We also looked at the Parkers, but unless their range has expanded, their equivalent boats tended to be smaller (or with extended rear cockpits - i.e the saloon size was the same) and didn’t have a stand up heads. We’re on a dry stack and love it.
 
Hi all, there seems to be (much cheaper) availability for a 9mt span head and stern buoy on the River Frome just upstream of Ridge Wharf.
Not sure it’s quite right for us but I assume this is one of those where you tie up bow and stern to prevent swinging, is that correct?
Also, obviously no shorepower, so how long between decent runs can you go before batteries start to risk playing up ?
 
charlumax said:
Hi all, there seems to be (much cheaper) availability for a 9mt span head and stern buoy on the River Frome just upstream of Ridge Wharf.
Not sure it’s quite right for us but I assume this is one of those where you tie up bow and stern to prevent swinging, is that correct?
Also, obviously no shorepower, so how long between decent runs can you go before batteries start to risk playing up ?
Click to expand...
If no shore power, you could always fit a solar power battery charger.
 
ST840 said:
If no shore power, you could always fit a solar power battery charger.
Click to expand...
Hi all, been busy researching this and that with a (lot of) man maths and have to thank @ChromeDome.
Offer accepted today on great spec. MF895.. very excited with a bit of trepidaton.… I think the enclosed wheel house makes so much sense for UK boating and shoud be a great purchase. Got a mooring at Weymouth until end of March included, then arranging a mooring at Cobbs Quay for my first full season.
Am going to get a survey and Yamaha engine report to be safe as vs buy price it’s a small sum.
Wife next to me choosing marine bedding as I type:)
 
charlumax said:
Hi all, been busy researching this and that with a (lot of) man maths and have to thank @ChromeDome.
Offer accepted today on great spec. MF895.. very excited with a bit of trepidaton.… I think the enclosed wheel house makes so much sense for UK boating and shoud be a great purchase. Got a mooring at Weymouth until end of March included, then arranging a mooring at Cobbs Quay for my first full season.
Am going to get a survey and Yamaha engine report to be safe as vs buy price it’s a small sum.
Wife next to me choosing marine bedding as I type:)
Click to expand...
Google PBSBAC, a great club to join and loads of knowledge of the area to be had!
 
Congratulations. Jon Eade my neighbour runs Weymouth marina and used to run Cobbs so can tell you anything you want. We are on A pontoon at Cobbs Quicksilver 905 similar to what you have bought. You will enjoy her and Cobbs. Are you inboard or outboard? I have sailed all my life and have most of the usual qualifications but was surprised at windage issues at Cobbs when berthing aft to with single engine and bow thruster. Got Power Boat Training based at Cobbs to give me half a days training on my boat practicing berthing for my wife and I . Best money I spent.
 
ChromeDome said:
Congrats!

A bit of video for interested people - speed and consumption figures at 27:20 [2 x Yam 200 hp]

Playing with the GW and trim might give you different comsuption figures, but just over tickover and the lowest speed still on stable plane usually returns best mpg.

Click to expand...
Yes have seen this a few times! Quite thirsty vs diesels, Tbh running costs was one of the key decisions 795 vs 895, the former being half the servicing and fuel burn vs 2x200s, but I’ve figured that the much larger accommodation will be so much better (as we plan to weekend on it very regularly) so I’ll just need to be watchful how much we’re getting through. As I recall others saying, we’ll probably use it moving less than we think so hopefully be OK !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top