First river cruiser, no real experience, asking for trouble?

Phill said:
Not sure whether this fits your requirements, but it might be worth a look.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Freeman-2...3525550?pt=UK_Power_Boats&hash=item232588012e

No connection, just saw it on the net.
Click to expand...

That boat is for sale at Thames Boat sales, I did mention it in an earlier post!!

The pre-crossflow Ford Cortina engine should be cheap to run, with a brilliant parts availability from Sheridan Marine, and absolutely classic lines which look at home on the Thames.

I would go and make an offer via the broker, who will ensure all the paperwork is perfect...;)

Freemans like this are easy to handle, and resale is going to be a lot easier than most...
 
Phill said:
Not sure whether this fits your requirements, but it might be worth a look.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Freeman-2...3525550?pt=UK_Power_Boats&hash=item232588012e

No connection, just saw it on the net.
Click to expand...

That looks a very good deal and could even get better with a bit of negotiation. The 26 is a nice size. I had the 23 version many years back and it is still going today. As NR says the backup from Sheridan Marine is first class and you will have a classic thames boat which in all probability will not lose a penny on resale.
To my mind on these boats the petrol version is the better option to the diesel on noise grounds.Go have a look and make an offer.
 
Dad had a Freeman 26 and that boat probably gave us more fun on the river than any other he owned.

Ok, it did have twins but it also took us from the Thames up the Medway and round to Ramsgate.

That one looks stunning.
 
Didn't the OP reject Freemans as being too small / not wide enough?

One thing that has not been established is what his cruising area will be; fr'instance if he's in Kent the Thames is not a convenient option.
Secondly does he intend to use it as a day boat or do more serious longer term cruising.
Given a tight budget it seems better to focus on the above "needs" rather than vague aspirations??
 
Only guessing here,but as the OP lives in Sittingbourne on the banks of the Merdeway would assume it is going to end up round here.
Knowing the prices charged for mooring on the Thames and cost of river licence,in a year or two the cost of keeping up there would exceed value of boat.
 
Thanks all, the Freeman does indeed look very nice.
We did reject a freeman earlier as the beam was too narrow, however, the one above (from what I remember) is wider.

We actually have bought a boat now :)
We sat down and tried to make a list of what we wanted from a boat but it proved an impossible task because we just have no idea what we want to do with it.
I imagine it will probably be another Year before we do know what we want from a boat.

So, what we've gone for is a bit of a jack of all trades.
Much as I love the upper Medway, as pointed put above I am fortunate enough to live very close to water, albeit the Swale and mouth of the Medway.
So, it seems silly not to at least explore those areas and see how we get on.
And, therein lies the problem.
It seems to be that the perfect river boat would be a large, roomy plodder that is happy to chug up and down at the 5 knot speed limit whilst sipping diesel.
But, that same frugal diesel may not be quite as much fun when negotiating a heavy swell and a fierce tide after a spot of fishing off of the coast.
Will it be used more regularly for inshore coastal or upper river cruising? I have absolutely no idea...

So, long story short, we've bought a Fairline holiday.
She has a 2.5 TDI inboard on Volve 270 leg (both recently serviced) as well as eberspacher, fridge, oven, hot/cold water, sea toilet as well as the usual electronics.
She is also the first boat that I've been on that I can actually stand up in whilst inside.

I imagine she's probably too small for extended river trips, and probably not "man enough" for serious coastal work but she should be reasonably competent at both.
We also got her for a very good price so resale in the middle of Summer shouldn't be a problem if/when we do want to get a boat more suited to our needs, once we know what they are!

Huge thanks to everyone for all the advice, it's been extremely enlightening as well as a huge thanks to the member here who originally put me onto her.
Also to the members who've given invaluable advice and help by pm.

Well, our journey begins here, can't wait :D

kelly.jpg
 
Good choice.Boat is probably ideal for your local area in having a bit of power available for tidal work but able to get up above Allington and the fresh water bit of the Medway.We went all sorts of places in a similar boat even up to Tonbridge and going round the Island on a nice summer day or out to the forts was always fun.
Size does matter.. but boat is more than OK for four "VERY GOOD" friends for a weekend away.
My advice would be to get to know the boat and what all the knobs/buttons/levers/switches and mysterious warning lights do.
If it is like most boats,many will do naff all,having been disconnected years ago. :)
But no real boat owner ever removes any old wiring and always enjoys tracing old bits of wire that disappear into dark wet smelly bilges.
Remember the forum is always useful for info on getting stuff fixed by the right man and getting your bits at the right price.
Now just get out and use it,if you need someone to go along and take the mick while tut tutting at you mistakes,you know where to look.
 
Not a bad choice of boat on the budget and you will be surprised how comfy and cosy a small boat can be even for longer trips away. You can also trail it home of you need to with the right vehicle.

Surprised at Oldgit, an outdrive powered soap dish with canopies has been endorsed;)
 
boatone said:
Looks to me as if its moored on the RCC pontoon - bit of buddy bartering involved?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately Murv will have to vacate that space on the pontoon ASAP,5-7 year wait for moorings with some extremely important people well down the list at moment .
However RCC is always looking for new members who are prepared to put something into the club collective of talents and knowledge and who could be rewarded with amuch coveted berth in the dim and distant future.
Yours truly has already embarked on the long complicated journey regards whos jokes to laugh at and who drinks what ! :):):)
 
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Indeed. Our temporary position was extremely temporary and we moved her out today accompanied by angry mutterings and lots of Paddington stares at our outrageous cheek being moored at RCC.

Actually I jest, the only people we even saw were a really lovely couple who wished us well and couldn't recommend the club highly enough.

I'm down on the boat right now actually, on my own in the dark like some sort of weirdo. Waiting for the tide to drop I'm supposed to be sorting out what actually works (very little) and getting on with odd jobs. However, I've found myself captivated by the twinkling lights across the river and the graceful beauty of the dark swirling water so I think I'll just sit and stare at that instead.
 
Welcome to Cuxton. Saw the boat had arrived earlier and recognised it whilst browsing on here this evening. Look forward to meeting you in person, I'll say hello next time I wander past, Rory :)
 
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