Help me choose a boat

[George_Holmer]

I am moving from Belgium to a small island off the coast of the Shetlands. I want a boat to travel over to the mainland with and also down to Belgium and my native Sweden. It would need to sleep 6-8 people. I know very little about boats, any advice is very welcome. Also, any good ideas on where to get training?

 

[hlb]

How much money you got???

Err. Welcome.. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[powerskipper]

what you want from a boat , means you need to spend a lot of money for a power boat that can do what you want, a sailing boat would be cheaper.

 

[powerskipper]

by the way welcome to the forum or as some say the mad house. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[George_Holmer]

I have as much money as needed, really. How much would a suitable boat in reasonable nick cost and what are running costs like? Thanks for welcoming me.

 

[BrendanS]

How often a year would you want to go to Belgium or Sweden? Are you able to choose weather windows to get there, and maybe more importantly back ? (you might have to fly back and leave it there if the weather is unfavourable, then return to retrieve it)

Not many powerboats can do that crossing in any comfort when it gets rough, as it undoubtedly will, unless you go for large displacement type. As Powerskipper says, a sailing yacht might be a very viable alternative

Even the trips locally from Shetland to Mainland will challenge many powerboats if the weather kicks up. If you go the powerboat route, you may be looking at something like a displacement, or if going for planing, one of the big Botnia Targas, though sleeping 8 will be an issue with many of these

 

[hlb]

Well. Give us a clue. You might get something for £100 grand or could pay a couple of million or more. We need some sort of buggit or we will be here all week!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[George_Holmer]

Ok, I suppose I would feel uncomfortable spending more than 75k. I would always be very flexible in when I go and come back so, yes, I could pick windows. I guess I would go once or twice a year.

 

[BrendanS]

75k is going to seriously limit you if you want a boat that can take North Sea conditions and also sleep 8

I'd concentrate more on the North Sea conditions, and accept limitations on the number it can sleep, given the area you will be boating in. Why and when will you need to sleep 8, and how often will you need to cross to mainland from your Island.

As a matter of interest, which Island, and why are you moving there? Sounds idyllic in some ways, but will mean living a very different lifestyle to most.

 

[BarryH]

I'd go a the RIB route for Island hoping and a cruising yacht for the trips across the north sea etc.

 

[BrendanS]

Agree on both. Rib ideal for island to shore, and yacht for crossing to Europe. Neither manages the 75k budget and sleeping 8, so compromises to be made

 

[hlb]

You need a Nelson 38ft or above. Bit hard pressed to get one for yer budgit though. Maybe a very old one. But built like a submarine and feels like one as well. Do the job though a bit expencive to run. Not sure about sleeping 8, less very friendly!

 

[George_Holmer]

I thank you all and I have to say that I never realised quite how expensive boats can be. 75k would buy me a seriously nice car but only a half-decent old boat. Still, I can dream about it....

 

[duncan]

you are getting the idea George!

fortunately (or unfortunately if you want to buy one) boats do not depreciate in value the same way cars do so if it's a good functioning well maintained craft it will hold it's value - and you would want one of these in those waters.

 

[Wiggo]

Thought about an ex-fishing boat? Can be cheap, certainly take the weather and could easily be converted. See Find a Fishing Boat for some ideas. Try MFV Lady Evelyn in the 'over 15m' section - £12k, 'good for coversion, with 8 berths', or this one for 50k, already in Scotland and sleeps 8...