Getting back into boating!

Unfortunately, size and budget mostly rule out shafts. Did look at an old Freeman 30 yesterday, but a needs way too much work to be viable for me.

Still looking though!



Good luck!

It's not easy being a budget boater, really hope you find something suitable :)
 
Unfortunately, size and budget mostly rule out shafts. Did look at an old Freeman 30 yesterday, but a needs way too much work to be viable for me.

Still looking though!

Personally I would buy the Freeman, there are a couple on Ebay. They were built like a brick outhouse and with twin diesels and shafts (thick ones!). But heh that's my personal view.
 
Limited budget makes it even more important that you take your time finding the best boat for you. Don't think you've actually given us an idea of your price range but boats you've mentioned suggest needs to be under £20k and possibly even less. Any reasonable size (30feet up) boat at that price is going to be pretty long in the tooth but there are some well cared for boats around. Personally wouldn't go near petrol and I would do my damnedest to find a diesel (or twins) on shaft - servicing and maintaining an outdrive is as expensive (and more difficult) as maintaing an engine.
Take your time, look at the sort of boats peeps are using on your intended waters, and keep coming back here so we can continue to both help and confuse you ! :D
 
Don't forget you can offer what you value a boat at. Not the inflated price some owners have in mind based on prices before the recession. I have watched some splendid bargains go through this past year two of which shocked me the prices paid were so low.
 
My budget is up to about £15k, but that is to include getting any work done that is needed. I've looked at a couple of Princess 32's, the very tired Freeman 30, but I'm quite taken with a Senior 31. The boatyard is offering a good deal to include engine and outdrive servicing, plus anti-fowling, hull polishing etc. The boat has had a full interior refit to an extremely high standard. Boat does need to have a rear cockpit, as the "long haired manager" wishes to have the appropriate space to recline :D
Limited budget makes it even more important that you take your time finding the best boat for you. Don't think you've actually given us an idea of your price range but boats you've mentioned suggest needs to be under £20k and possibly even less. Any reasonable size (30feet up) boat at that price is going to be pretty long in the tooth but there are some well cared for boats around. Personally wouldn't go near petrol and I would do my damnedest to find a diesel (or twins) on shaft - servicing and maintaining an outdrive is as expensive (and more difficult) as maintaing an engine.
Take your time, look at the sort of boats peeps are using on your intended waters, and keep coming back here so we can continue to both help and confuse you ! :D
 
My budget is up to about £15k, .......... I'm quite taken with a Senior 31. The boatyard is offering a good deal to include engine and outdrive servicing, plus anti-fowling, hull polishing etc. The boat has had a full interior refit to an extremely high standard. Boat does need to have a rear cockpit, as the "long haired manager" wishes to have the appropriate space to recline :D
I had a Princess 32 - Senior is same hull I think. Cockpit is nice and large and the only thing that we really hated about the P32 was that the front V berth was quite difficult to get in and out of. Presume its outdrives but what engines?
 
A couple of Perkins 4107's with fresh water cooling (apparently better than raw water). They are mated to Enfield outdrives. As I said, the boatyard will service both engines and outdrives as part of the package.
 
My budget is up to about £15k, but that is to include getting any work done that is needed. I've looked at a couple of Princess 32's, the very tired Freeman 30, but I'm quite taken with a Senior 31. The boatyard is offering a good deal to include engine and outdrive servicing, plus anti-fowling, hull polishing etc. The boat has had a full interior refit to an extremely high standard. Boat does need to have a rear cockpit, as the "long haired manager" wishes to have the appropriate space to recline :D

Have you looked at this one Malc?
http://motorboats.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=369736

More photo's in this (now ended) ebay ad http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-F...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
 
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Oh Dear, I don't recall touching your post other than reading it. If something happened I assure you it was not intentional. I'm going to have to be extra careful in future. Abject apologies for whatever I did.
 
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Looks very tidy, but "long haired manager" wants aft cockpit. Something to do with cocktails and reclining in the sun ;)

Might still try to persuade the manager to take a look. Long drive though.... Live in North Wales!

Apparently, the owner has just taken a deposit. No pun intended when I say I missed the boat!
 
Apparently, the owner has just taken a deposit. No pun intended when I say I missed the boat!

You were lucky:)
Friend of mine was going to buy one of those until he had a trip on one,boy they can be noisy!you are basically sat on top of 2 1960's Bedford diesels,and he is hard of hearing!

Plenty of boats to choose from,this is the fun bit looking
and don't forget it's a buyers market out there,your the one holding the folding:)
 
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