How to move a boat?? :)

[Refueler]

The suggestion of joining a club BEFORE buying is actually one I support as well. Even if a club local to the area you want to sail only allows Social Membership for person without a boat - that's good enough. A note on the club board saying you wish to learn ... to crew - usually brings forth enough to get started.
Membership can then be upgraded when needed to that of boat owner etc.

Of course if boat is going to go to a Marina ... then that basically cancels the above !! Most people don't know Adam from Eve in the average Marina and social aspect is maybe recognise a face in the 3rd party Bar.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Might suggest two things, unlss you have acctually sailer /motored a similar size boat to that you are seeking you are into unknown waters, literally.

If have seen newbies buy a small boat, about 20ft, progress to 35ft as its gota proper toilets and bedrooms plus a kitchen, all the family rejoices and visits, then the day of casting off takes place and venturing out into the Harbour, the owner /skipper tries his hand at manouvering it, reversing, turning, comming alongside etc etc, as he is making quite a mess of it they reach safety of Harbour, never to take it out again; appears on the Ebay lists quite soon afterwards.

Taking a RYA course is one way of getting experience but suggest that a friend is the very best way to get experience before worrying about RYA certificates , as in my experience, on a RYA course time is of an essence in order to get the official training course done, so the exam passed .

When or if you want a boat transported best to apply on a 'Shiply' website, they are a sort of agency, they have delivery companies on their books who access your delivery requirements and so can quote accordindgly and double up on a lift both ways of journey so cheaper

 

[Laysula]

Or. Spend a season sailing it where you bought it, and then sail it to your home port when you feel that you have enough experience.

 

[25931]

Hi all. This is my first post, so be gentle.

I have done a search of past threads and cant seem to find the answer (or more accurately i am probably not asking the right question.. )

Very similar position to a few threads i have read on here -

We are total newbies, looking at buying a boat circa 26 - 32 foot.
RYA courses once this pesky virus relents and things get back to some kind of normality
Looking at Liverpool or Fleetwood to store
Weekends and overnights as experience is gained.

So the real question is if we buy the boat, how the devil do we move to Liverpool/Fleetwood without the experience necessary to sail her there?? ?

I would think our options would be - Road or hiring a crew to sail it???

Any advice would be gratefully received

Where do you live ? You say Liverpool or Fleetwood which are totally different sailing grounds.My home in my younger days was Lytham St.Annes and I kept my boat in the Wyre and did the shore based up to Yachtmaster at Fleetwood Nautical College. I had many happy hours of sailing my own boat and crewing for fellow members of Blackpool and Fleetwood Y.C. Having said all that Morecambe Bay is not the first place that I would suggest for beginners. Before buying a boat join a club and learn something about local conditions.I don't suppose that things have changed much in the last forty years, you'll find that yachties are a good bunch (on the whole) and will go out of their way to help.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Another advantage of buying a boat where you want to sail is that you can join a local club first before buying the boat, and friends you make there will help you in many ways. They may know the boat your are interested in, be willing to spend an hour looking her over with you before you buy or taking her for a test sail, etc.,

+1

There were some boats advertised on the noticeboard at Hardway Sailing Club last summer that I thought very suitable.

 

[michael_w]

Have a chat with the people at Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club. They are a very welcoming bunch. At the moment, I'm drinking my coffee from one of their mugs!

 

[BigVtwin]

Where do you live ? You say Liverpool or Fleetwood which are totally different sailing grounds.My home in my younger days was Lytham St.Annes and I kept my boat in the Wyre and did the shore based up to Yachtmaster at Fleetwood Nautical College. I had many happy hours of sailing my own boat and crewing for fellow members of Blackpool and Fleetwood Y.C. Having said all that Morecambe Bay is not the first place that I would suggest for beginners. Before buying a boat join a club and learn something about local conditions.I don't suppose that things have changed much in the last forty years, you'll find that yachties are a good bunch (on the whole) and will go out of their way to help.

Hi - i live between Liverpool and Warrington, so Liverpool Marina is 30 mins and Fleetwod is an hour

 

[Refueler]

Boat licences are like Driving Licence - the START of the real learning curve.

Personally I hold to the world of sail with others as crew ... helper ... pick up experience the practical way and without the pressure of an exam at the end of so many days.

I knew a few when I lived in UK who used to wave their Yachtmasters as though it was a flag of brilliance !! The fact they were bloody useless seemed lost on them.

The other aspect of sailing with others BEFORE committing to a boat - is as others have said - a way of confirming what it is you want from boating. Some get a sailboat and then find all those ropes and things - not what they want and end up selling and buying a MoBo. Happens V a V as well ..
Some want a nice medium sized boat of 35ft + .... but reality of ownership then hits home ... they find a more modest boat more suitable.

I am married second time ... both wives are not boaters ... they 'suffered' it because I wanted them on the boat. My two boys were 50-50 about it as well .... even though I bought a boat more suited to cruising - it made no difference. I have ended up basically a lone sailor in the 'family' unless its on the river / sheltered waters.

Dreams of cruising can be shattered by the reality that hits once money has been paid out, the maintenance, yard / club fees etc.
We can all look at those photos where its such a world away from the street ... till the wind gets up and spray starts flying around !!

Crossing Baltic ...

Solent ....



Crewing for others will soon show up whether the above applies .....

 

[Quandary]

Good points. And do remember most boats under 30 feet (maybe even 35 feet now) are essentially valueless after 10 years. It’s just a few hobbyists swapping great example between each other for more than they are worth - with the rest getting mouldy in a marina and near impossible to sell.

So pay little and do the boat up as you learn unless your pockets are deep.

Thats ballix, show me where you can get a ten year old boat for nothing or anywhere close to it? I await your response with interest?

 

[oldmanofthehills]

It doesnt cost that much in yachting terms to get boat on trailer and towed by truck. Maybe £1000. I reckon it costs £1000 min p/a to keep boat what with moorings, club membership insurance and minor repairs.

So depends on relative value of boat, your time etc etc. If you want a very specific boat its worth it too.

26ft good for small family, 28ft might be better, but if you are effectively single handed due to family members other duties then as it gets bigger then there are manoeuvring issues in marina or mooring. You need to be at both ends of boat in short order and if its longer..

Dont whatever you do try and deliver boat on your own and maybe not even with family aboard.

As others have said if you buy locally maybe owner will help you move it or members of your new yacht club. Join Yacht Club the moment you work out which harbour for your boat!!! As others have also said a very shallow draft boat as for east coast wont suit deep water and the irish sea, bilge keelers no point if never drying out but some are fine in big seas. etc

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thats ballix, show me where you can get a ten year old boat for nothing or anywhere close to it? I await your response with interest?

I agree, and as for nothing selling, two boats here have just sold within a few weeks, during the lockdown. The owner of one of them has also purchased his next boat, all three over 10 years old.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

Good points. And do remember most boats under 30 feet (maybe even 35 feet now) are essentially valueless after 10 years. It’s just a few hobbyists swapping great example between each other for more than they are worth - with the rest getting mouldy in a marina and near impossible to sell.

So pay little and do the boat up as you learn unless your pockets are deep.

I respectfully disagree and those kind of comments will put people off buying smaller boats. At the start of this year, I sold my 30 foot, 1970s Albin Ballad, a much loved and trusted friend who looked after us through many adventures (Home - Triola - Albin Ballad #50 this one - must mark as sold now!). I had two buyers fighting over her.

A boat is worth what she is worth. A well kept and upgraded smaller boat is worth ten poorly maintained, neglected larger boats. If you left anything to go mouldy and neglected it, it would lose its value. If I put my car in a ditch and let it rust, I daresay I'd get fewer offers to buy it from me...

 

[roaringgirl]

If you don't know how to sail, navigate and manoevre; how do you know how to choose a boat to buy?

 

[BigVtwin]

If you don't know how to sail, navigate and manoevre; how do you know how to choose a boat to buy?

The same way you buy anything I would guess. Take advice, have personal preferences, who is going to use, basic requirements and go and see plenty of boats before you buy one.

My question was more around my ability to not be able to sail the boat back from wherever I buy it, the price per foot/metre/mile people have paid by road; or a price for crew to deliver - this way I could factor in buying price. If I saw 2 boats a distant apart but the transfer cost made the further one more viable then It opens up more options.

I am not thinking for a minute, not am I implying that I have a level of knowledge that I don't. I have bought enough cars bikes and motorhomes to know that you only really know what you want when you live what what you've bought.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

If you don't know how to sail, navigate and manoevre; how do you know how to choose a boat to buy?

If you don't choose a boat to buy, you will never know how to sail, navigate or manoeuvre? It all starts somewhere... if you wait to know everything, you'll never do anything. Lots of boat lover friends of mine have done just that, they have RYA courses coming out of their ears, lots of theory stuff, and the dosh to do it, but their mind wins out over their heart and they can't build up the courage to buy, and with every year that passes without owning a boat (the right, or wrong boat) is another season of sailing lost to them, and that is a tragedy. Dive into boat ownership - it'll never be sensible, but it'll always be the best money you ever spent.

 

[roaringgirl]

And that is always my advice to my friends: don't buy a boat!

 

[Refueler]

If you don't choose a boat to buy, you will never know how to sail, navigate or manoeuvre? It all starts somewhere... if you wait to know everything, you'll never do anything. Lots of boat lover friends of mine have done just that, they have RYA courses coming out of their ears, lots of theory stuff, and the dosh to do it, but their mind wins out over their heart and they can't build up the courage to buy, and with every year that passes without owning a boat (the right, or wrong boat) is another season of sailing lost to them, and that is a tragedy. Dive into boat ownership - it'll never be sensible, but it'll always be the best money you ever spent.

I reckon boats are in my blood ... so have to agree.

So many people worry about doing something - they miss the joys and the aches of doing it.

 

[Brooksie89]

I reckon boats are in my blood ... so have to agree.

So many people worry about doing something - they miss the joys and the aches of doing it.

I echo that. I've been sat on the sidelines for years worrying about how to do things. Took the plunge last year and haven't looked back.

 

[Refueler]

I echo that. I've been sat on the sidelines for years worrying about how to do things. Took the plunge last year and haven't looked back.

I always say - If you don't do it - you will always ask yourself : What-if ? So you make a mistake ... choose the wrong boat ... find the family doesn't enjoy it like you ... AT LEAST YOU KNOW now ...

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Hi - i live between Liverpool and Warrington, so Liverpool Marina is 30 mins and Fleetwod is an hour

I’d think about keeping the boat in Whitehaven, I had a couple of yachts there years ago. Good access to Scotland, Isle of Man and Ireland and a decent marina. Not too far from you in the great scheme of things.