Hi - just bought a boat!

[Paul-F]

Just bought a 24ft Cruiser with a Mercruiser 5.7l engine ... all ready to go. Once up to speed (a few fishing trips will help bed me in ) I will use it for family days out to france and the other islands ...

I used to fish quite a bit from a boat locally 25 years ago but that had a speed of 7 knots flat out and was quite a rough and ready piece of kit that got well abused in all sorts of dodgey conditions and I am very grateful that my boating time was free of any serious consequences!

Don't really know what this one is capable of so will take things easy to start and up the ante over time as I get to know it. The family is looking forward to the summer with this boat specially as the season is just starting off and the weather is picking up ...

 

[BosnBill]

I used to have a boat, slightly bigger than yours with a OMC Cobra 5.7 litre engine. I moved right along at about 23 kts and could go faster given the right conditions and # of passengers. It wasn't real good in seas over 3 ft (1 meter), especially in a following sea, but we had a lot of fun with it and did a lot of overnighters. That size boat is very versatile and easy to handle.

 

[AndieMac]

G'day Paul and welcome..............I think you'll find the ability to move through those strong tidal races (on a calm day) at good speed, a real bonus.

 

[lisilou]

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum...a great place to be part of. Congrats on your new boat...enjoy.
Lisa

 

[andy59]

Hi Paul , congratulations and welcome to the madhouse , you are based in one of the best boating areas IMHO so you are bound to have fun , enjoy .

 

[BartW]

hi there, welcome to the forum, and congratulations with your boat,
can you tell us what make / type it is ?

perhaps you could try to post some pictures, thats what we all like on here,

wish you good luck with your new toy !

 

[Paul-F]

Its a 1992 Regal Valanti 240 with a 5.7L Volvo V8 engine ... had it out last weekend both days for a few hours each day and a couple of evenings before to get the hang of taking it in/out etc ... wind was was usually F3 - F4 with a bit of F5 and varying seas. On Saturday, sea was good and went out with a couple of mates and managed to keep wot for about 5 miles out of port (and back) and was pushing 32 kts with tide and 27 kts against ... later that day I went out for some more familiarisation, the wind was against the tide now though and it was quite choppy with about 2ft waves and once on the plane and accelerating it leant hard to port and scared the **** out of us (family on board that time!). It did it consistantly and no end of trimming engine or tabs seemed to resolve it. It actually felt like it would tip tbh as it happened once the speed picker up but I don't believe it would, I was not gonna see how far it would go so throttling back to run at 20kts or so kept the boat stable .. have subsequently found that around 20 kts is a good comfortable (and not too expensive!) speed for the choppy conditions.

I have even done some fishing with minor success and overall I am well happy with it so far - first time I have ever kicked back with a leather sofa under me rear when feathering off a boat. The draft is small enough to get me to some good spots for plugging over local reefs as well ...

The kids got bored though whilst drifting and spent some time in the amply spaced cabin to play linked DS. The family love it and are looking forward to weekends away when I am ready for that and every evening this week they have asked about getting out on it ... must get some piccies sorted as well.

Got a course lined up to get RYA Level 2 powerboating and the ICC ..

This weekend is looking good again : http://www.portofjersey.je/Pages/weather.aspx#5day

Already put £200 into the tank lol ...

 

[Paul-F]

Also managed to take some video on Sunday morning but the mount was noisy - turn the sound down Will process some more when the mood takes me ..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hM9slDmWb4&feature=BFa&list=UUsnIM5hiTZM3aTvA6pQk98Q&lf=plcp


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-RvVnQKJDg&list=UUsnIM5hiTZM3aTvA6pQk98Q&index=1&feature=plcp

 

[lisilou]

Paul...good steady video. Out of interest, which camera do you use?
L

 

[Bathdave]

About to join you

Hi Paul ... I've just moved back to jersey and am hoping to buy something similar over teh next week or so. My first boat too! Did you buy through a broker, and if so who?

Did you get it surveyed?

 

[Paul-F]

Paul...good steady video. Out of interest, which camera do you use?
L

That is a Go-Pro HD-Hero (been using it on trackdays for a couple of years). I have 2 of them so can even play with making 3D movies! Was mounted on the bars for the canvas top.

 

[Paul-F]

Hi Paul ... I've just moved back to jersey and am hoping to buy something similar over teh next week or so. My first boat too! Did you buy through a broker, and if so who?

Did you get it surveyed?

Bought privately and relied on my own and some friends opinion as to condition/value, so far so good after about 20 hours on it now ... there are a few around for sale right now that seem to be good starter boats to get the hang of things and cost less than my motorbike did but with this the whole family get something from it! Steep learning curve though lol.

Bagged a load of Mackeral this weekend too so coming along nicely

Took some more video this weekend, still loads to learn .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrJupoX80kA&list=UUsnIM5hiTZM3aTvA6pQk98Q&index=1&feature=plcp

 

[Bathdave]

Soon joining you...

I am in middle of process now, sea trialling and survey in progress today and tomorrow, boat badly clogged with weed having not been out for 9 months as far as I can tell. Been cleaned up this afternoon.

May even be owner by the weekend!!!!

We'll probably see you on the RYA course!!!