general costs, a trade off query..

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symondo

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I dont wish to bombard here with a milllion threads so i'll try and combine my cost queries to here...

Ive been looking around the websites at various boats that fit my shortlist, but noticed a lot wont come with a trailer, which i want.

In terms of 2nd hand trailers, for a 23ft boat, i see there are a handful about the country available, would a broker/marina know of or even have other trailers on sale which would'nt necessarily be listed?

Or is it a case of locate a trailer... then locate a boat?

Second query...

The boats i have seen on a trailer understandably a bit more than without, however some could do with a new canopy.

I have a rough idea on trailer costs but ive no idea what kind of costs involved in a new canopy for that size of craft.

The models i have looked at are
The bayliner 2355 ciera and the falcon 23spc

Im assuming the advantage of a new canopy over a trailer is you get to pick the colour/design with the knowledge its new. But would such a canopy cost more than a trailer?
 
Between 1 and 2k on the canopy depending on its complexity.

We looked at a falcon 23spc 4 years ago, was quite roomy for its size, engine was a state so walked away.
Fairline sprint a decent starter boat and some do come with trailers.
 
i have trailed all over europe and trust me your trailer is most important ,hitch, brakes bearings and a trailer with rollers is a big bonus
 
seastoke said:
i have trailed all over europe and trust me your trailer is most important ,hitch, brakes bearings and a trailer with rollers is a big bonus
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Ive currently got a 16ft craft on a trailer and a folding camper, brakes and bearings are definately high on the list however they can be replaced with little hassle in the grand scheme of things.

I would of figured anything of that size would have rollers

Looked at the fairline sprint, however all the adverts ive seen say it would only sleep 3, but im a family of 4. I do like the look of the layout of the falcon, and also keen on the style n layout of the bayliner
 
I reckon the bayliner looks much newer style wise, which has got to help with its resale value in the future.
The sprint has drop in panels that make the v settee a v bed plus the bunk underneath.
Problem is with all small boats it may sleep 3/4/5/6 but where does all their clobber go?
Sprint is a tough little sod, I know I have abused ours terribly!

Also worth noting what extras come with the boat.
Ours came with eberspacher heater, volvo penta anti corrosion widget for the stern drive, volvo penta neutra salt system, electric windlass, 3 year old engine and stern drive (this swung it for me) also all new dash gauges etc to go with the new engine, bennett auto trim tab controller.
 
lynall said:
I reckon the bayliner looks much newer style wise, which has got to help with its resale value in the future.
The sprint has drop in panels that make the v settee a v bed plus the bunk underneath.
Problem is with all small boats it may sleep 3/4/5/6 but where does all their clobber go?
Sprint is a tough little sod, I know I have abused ours terribly!

Also worth noting what extras come with the boat.
Ours came with eberspacher heater, volvo penta anti corrosion widget for the stern drive, volvo penta neutra salt system, electric windlass, 3 year old engine and stern drive (this swung it for me) also all new dash gauges etc to go with the new engine, bennett auto trim tab controller.
Click to expand...


Totally understand your point on space and extras. Value for money is definitely something i always look for in terms of extras
 
seastoke said:
The leg is always the big issue on small sports boats imho
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In what way? Do they get more abuse than a larger craft?

I have some knowledge of the vp 280s albeit limited.

My understanding with any leg was, keep the fluids good, keep the bellows flexible with an annual service plan, 2 for bellows, and try not to smack it into the floor.

Id hope unless there was anything catastrophic needing a complete rebuild ive enough contacts locally to do any maintenance that i cant manage.
 
symondo said:
in what way? Do they get more abuse than a larger craft?

I have some knowledge of the vp 280s albeit limited.

My understanding with any leg was, keep the fluids good, keep the bellows flexible with an annual service plan, 2 for bellows, and try not to smack it into the floor.

Id hope unless there was anything catastrophic needing a complete rebuild ive enough contacts locally to do any maintenance that i cant manage.
Click to expand...

no sorry you seem to have it covered its just personel ,i would rather go for outboard ,i did have a leg and had no probs ,just dont like them. Hope all goes well and enjoy
 
Finding a good second hand trailer for a boat that size will be difficult, and expensive. You could try SBS trailers as they sometimes have demo ones, but I could imagine £3k+
 
The OP's question about trailers is similar to the dilemma that I faced a few months ago. Couldn't find the boat I wanted that came complete with a trailer and canopy and didn't want to limit myself to a boat that came complete with both. So I chose and secured the boat and then went in search of a trailer and canopy. My boat is a Merry Fisher 645 and so needed a trailer with equivalent spec to SBS R4/2600 (twin axle and fully braked roller trailer). I contacted lots of brokers, yards and trailer manufacturers only to find that these trailers are diificult to find at all second hand even if you are 'open minded' about the condition! I only needed one for 6 months and was going to buy it new, use it and then sell second hand in the spring - this was going to cost less than buying a used trailer and getting it refurbished. But I was lucky that a trailer came for sale locally - 4 years old but had never been in salt water and is virtually 'as new' - which saved me some money against new. BTW I will be selling this trailer in April, when my boat goes into the local marina, with the benefit of a full service and inspection by Compass Trailers.

As regards a canopy, an OEM bimini for my boat is about £800 (supply only) and full cover £2000 wheras Jim at JB Yacht Services on the Hamble (who did some excellent work for me some years ago) has offered to supply and fit a bimini for £400!
 
Cbjroms said:
The OP's question about trailers is similar to the dilemma that I faced a few months ago. Couldn't find the boat I wanted that came complete with a trailer and canopy and didn't want to limit myself to a boat that came complete with both. So I chose and secured the boat and then went in search of a trailer and canopy. My boat is a Merry Fisher 645 and so needed a trailer with equivalent spec to SBS R4/2600 (twin axle and fully braked roller trailer). I contacted lots of brokers, yards and trailer manufacturers only to find that these trailers are diificult to find at all second hand even if you are 'open minded' about the condition! I only needed one for 6 months and was going to buy it new, use it and then sell second hand in the spring - this was going to cost less than buying a used trailer and getting it refurbished. But I was lucky that a trailer came for sale locally - 4 years old but had never been in salt water and is virtually 'as new' - which saved me some money against new. BTW I will be selling this trailer in April, when my boat goes into the local marina, with the benefit of a full service and inspection by Compass Trailers.

As regards a canopy, an OEM bimini for my boat is about £800 (supply only) and full cover £2000 wheras Jim at JB Yacht Services on the Hamble (who did some excellent work for me some years ago) has offered to supply and fit a bimini for £400!
Click to expand...

i guess this sums up my original query in a nutshell!
 
I suspect you will need to budget for a new trailer if you need one and if you find a boat that comes with one that would be a bonus. If you buy a boat without one you will put yourself under pressure to find a secondhand one quickly maybe without the budget for a new one. Even poor canvas is probably ok for a while and less urgent than a trailer.
 
Trailers and their cost is an interesting subject. If you can get a boat complete with a trailer then that is usually the best way as the trailer is often undervalued when combined rather than purchased as a separate item. Even very scruffy, used trailers command high prices at the moment. You may find a broker that has a trailer to offer as they do sometimes acquire them as part of a deal, this is particularly true where a broker is combined with the marina operation so may have sold a berth/drystack to the owner. however some marina trailers are little more than launching trailers so are not fit for the road.

As has been said, if it is for road use then trailer maintenance is key. Ours goes in for maintenance annually in January (next Tuesday!) as some trailer specialists offer cheaper servicing during the quiet month of January.

The other thing to watch is the weight. A Bayliner Cierra 2355 is 2.5 ton and a twin axle trailer is probably 750kg. So you are going to need a vehicle rated at the maximum of 3500 in order to tow it safely.
 
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