First timer

[wrighty]

Hi I just thought I’d introduce myself and gather some much needed advice and tips.

I’m Craig and looking to purchase my first boat. I’m looking for something to sleep 4 people comfortably and be able to spend the weekends on.

My parents used to have a few boats on Windermere when I was a little un, and I’ve decided now that I want to get into it. Having not been up to the lakes in years I’ve recently started going back up more. And fallen in love with the lakes again.

We’re about to sell our house and move and we’re going to use some of the money to buy our first boat hopefully in time for spring next year.

I don’t really know 2 much about boats at the present but I’m reading up each day and have found myself spending a lot of time reading others posts on this forum.

Ideally I want something with a trailer to be able to take it out of the water in winter and transport it home.

I’m looking to spend around 10k as a start and hopefully over time I’ll be able to upgrade etc.

Can anybody recommend any boats to look for? And what to avoid?


I’m sure they’ll be plenty more posts and questions from myself over the coming months.

Cheers

 

[DavidJ]

Hi I just thought I’d introduce myself and gather some much needed advice and tips.

I’m Craig and looking to purchase my first boat. I’m looking for something to sleep 4 people comfortably and be able to spend the weekends on.

My parents used to have a few boats on Windermere when I was a little un, and I’ve decided now that I want to get into it. Having not been up to the lakes in years I’ve recently started going back up more. And fallen in love with the lakes again.

We’re about to sell our house and move and we’re going to use some of the money to buy our first boat hopefully in time for spring next year.

I don’t really know 2 much about boats at the present but I’m reading up each day and have found myself spending a lot of time reading others posts on this forum.

Ideally I want something with a trailer to be able to take it out of the water in winter and transport it home.

I’m looking to spend around 10k as a start and hopefully over time I’ll be able to upgrade etc.

Can anybody recommend any boats to look for? And what to avoid?


I’m sure they’ll be plenty more posts and questions from myself over the coming months.

Cheers

Looks like you are after a bit of space and I'm assuming you want a sports type boat ie 25knots plus so my guidance would be towards a Sealine. A 195 would be in your price range but if you could up your budget an S230 or S240 is just towable and good for 4 people.

 

[Rocksteadee]

Do a Power Boat 2 course. It will be a good background course and if you are looking for something trailerable will be on a boat applicable to the size you are after.
The courses will answer most of the questions you have

 

[Bigplumbs]

Any of the towable boats ie up to 24-25 foot would be the way to go but owning a Sealine S24 I would not use the word 'Comfortably' sleeps 4. It will indeed sleep 4 but a bit cramped. They will very comfortable sleep 2 however. Your budget of £10K is too low however. You would get a displacement river boat for that sort of money that will more comfortable sleep 4. I would suggest looking at boats for sale on the Norfolk Broads to get an idea of what you can afford for that Budget

Dennis

 

[wrighty]

Yeh I’m going to book onto the powerboat course thanks,

The sealine 230 looks a great boat, but from what I’ve read there isn’t any Petrol pumps on Windermere. So would mean filling up by Jerry can each time. How much Petrol does a boat like this typically use for a days cruising?

 

[wrighty]

Any of the towable boats ie up to 24-25 foot would be the way to go but owning a Sealine S24 I would not use the word 'Comfortably' sleeps 4. It will indeed sleep 4 but a bit cramped. They will very comfortable sleep 2 however. Your budget of £10K is too low however. You would get a displacement river boat for that sort of money that will more comfortable sleep 4. I would suggest looking at boats for sale on the Norfolk Broads to get an idea of what you can afford for that Budget

Dennis

I did wonder how my budget would fair, I’ve been searching eBay and keeping a watch on what sort of boats maybe available for the budget we’ve set. The 4 people is 2 adults 1 child aged 5, and second child due in November. I would love to stretch my budget to 18-20k but that may not be possible with house plans, I originally thought of buying a speedboat just for day use but the thoughts of staying aboard has swung my thoughts. I’ve had a look at a few bayliners purely because the name stood out as that was 1 of the boats I can remember my parents owning.

 

[julians]

Windermere still has a 10knot speed limit doesnt it? In which case why bother with a boat that can go faster, youll get more space for your money if you look at slower river cruiser type of boats.

 

[wrighty]

I prefer the look of the sports boat, it isn’t solely for Windermere. That would just be my starting point to gain some experience etc.

 

[rafiki_]

On Windermere at say 10kn max in the Sealine you will be using a couple of gallons an hour, say 5 gals for a day on the water. In other words, next to nothing. On the sea at cruising speeds you will use 12-15 gals per hour.

 

[CLB]

The Sealine S24/230/240 will all be over your budget.

For a similar package at around your 10k budget, I would look at Bayliner 2450/2455 Ciera (from the late 80's, not the newer version wth the same name) Bayliner 2651 Ciera ( a slightly newer version of the previous boat), Sealine 215/218, Fairline carrera, fairline sun fury (not sure if the Fairlines are trailerable) Cruisers international 224 or Falcon 22/23. Some of these may be advertised above your budget, but close enough to possibly bag a deal from a motivated seller.

 

[wrighty]

The Sealine S24/230/240 will all be over your budget.

For a similar package at around your 10k budget, I would look at Bayliner 2450/2455 Ciera (from the late 80's, not the newer version wth the same name) Bayliner 2651 Ciera ( a slightly newer version of the previous boat), Sealine 215/218, Fairline carrera, fairline sun fury (not sure if the Fairlines are trailerable) Cruisers international 224 or Falcon 22/23. Some of these may be advertised above your budget, but close enough to possibly bag a deal from a motivated seller.

Thanks I’m going to look more in depth into these boats,

 

[wrighty]

The Sealine S24/230/240 will all be over your budget.

For a similar package at around your 10k budget, I would look at Bayliner 2450/2455 Ciera (from the late 80's, not the newer version wth the same name) Bayliner 2651 Ciera ( a slightly newer version of the previous boat), Sealine 215/218, Fairline carrera, fairline sun fury (not sure if the Fairlines are trailerable) Cruisers international 224 or Falcon 22/23. Some of these may be advertised above your budget, but close enough to possibly bag a deal from a motivated seller.

Thanks I’m going to look more in depth into these boats,

Having had a quick look at these and other boats it’s got me wondering, is it possible to alter the interior and bring them up to a more modern look? Ie replacing all the units from a dark wood to say a more modern light oak? Is this something I could achieve myself as a tradesman? Or would it have to be carried out by a qualified boat builder?

 

[CLB]

Having had a quick look at these and other boats it’s got me wondering, is it possible to alter the interior and bring them up to a more modern look? Ie replacing all the units from a dark wood to say a more modern light oak? Is this something I could achieve myself as a tradesman? Or would it have to be carried out by a qualified boat builder?

You could do it yourself if you know what you are doing. Look at Wayne's world project (click on link below when you have a whole evening spare) to see what is achievable. On the other hand, time and cost may make it a non-starter.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?461446-Buckingham-20-restoration-formerly-Plant-Pot