I m confused - 1st boat recommendations

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dpapaharisis

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Hi,

I am just considering my first boat and I seem to be going around in circles. I want something that can be used to cruise over in the UK (East/South/West) with the odd crossing over to France/Channel Islands. I want the boat to be able to sleep 2/4 for a week or 2 if possible, a galley and enclosed heads. Finally, I would like it to be reasonably economical to run

The budget is £50 (but preferably less) and I am happy to buy second hand (I think I will have to buy second hand!)

First question is, is it possible for a complete novice to on a boat of these spec to cruise over to France. I d be getting some training/experience I guess, but how easy would it be to start, and how far would it be safe to go as a novice?

On the actual boats, I have looked at some of the American builders (Regal/Searay etc) and they seem like good options, although the big petrol engines seem to drink alot of petrol and I am not sure about their internal sizes if I was to use them for more than a weekend. Other boats I looked are some of the smaller Sealines but some forum posts seem to say that they are underpowered...

To complicate things even further, some of the posting here seem to suggest that for longer cruising (even to France?) two engines are a must for security

Please help! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif What would you choose? What would be a good start for us? Any recommendations are very welcome!

Thanks!!!
 
UK (East/South/West) with the odd crossing over to France/Channel Islands. I want the boat to be able to sleep 2/4 for a week or 2 if possible, a galley and enclosed heads.

..............................................................................

35/40 ft. 100 grand plus. Might get away with a bit less.

fifty quid sounds a bit on the light side.
 
I assume you mean £50,000 rather than just £50 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

In answer to your questions, yes it is possible to buy a boat that will fulfill your requirements, though I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important it is to get proper training and familiarise yourself with the boat before attempting a long trip.

For four people to be comfortable for one or two weeks you need to be looking at a boat around 33/35ft with a decent two cabins and galley space. Other wise you run the risk of getting on each other nerves over that time. Generally if it says it sleeps 6, then it is very comfortable for 2, fine for 4 and 6 should only be considered for the odd overnight.

The extra length and weight will also give you good seakeeping- useful on cross channel trips as the weather can be changable. Dont be put of by older boats from well respected manufacturers. A proper survey is a must, but you get quite a bit more boat for your money which will suit you better and mean you ultimately keep it longer.

Something like a Fairline Targa 33 Tri Cab or this Sunseeker San Remo 33 would be ideal. Link to this one for sale in poole here

1565382b.jpg


Another newer option, though perhaps a little more light weight would be this 1999 Maxum 3000SCR mored inSouth Wales. Advert here

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or for ultimate cruising prowess, how about this Princess 35. Ok, so 1986 she is a bit older, but fully refurbished in 2004/2005 I reckon she would make a great channel hopper, and probably wont depreciat much further either. On for just over £50k, advert is here

1771425_1.jpg


All three boats offer twin diesel engines and two seperate sleeping areas plus saloon. You are asking the right questions, and this forum is excellent for giving solid, well thought advice /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Enjoy the search for a boat, it is one of the best bits.
 
Only my opinion,

Bayliner would be a safe bet. If your looking for a budget 50K boat,then a 2nd hand 265, probably only a couple of years old would probably suffice.
Comfortable 4 berth with single petrol,at least 5.7 ltr needed.
Depends where in France you want to cross too. Dover to Calais is only 20miles or so,so a single engine if looked after would probably be ok and buy yourself a chart plotter.
I'd suggest you get used to the boat first before attempting a crossing.
Take a look on boatsandoutboards,loads of boats there and i'm sure you'll find what your looking for.

Si
 
I have to argue with you Gilly. Not because I dislike Bayliners, but because I have owned one (a 285). The 265 is fine for four over a weekend, but one or two weeks would make you very good friends. Very light, shallow V hull designed to cope with lake in the US is not the ideal boat for the needs posted in the previuos question.

A good boat for sure, but not for this guy. I had four on my 285 a few times and it was fine as an overnighter but not much more - a long weekend perhaps. For two weeks forget it and the 265 is a lot smaller.

If he went this route it would only mean selling it 6 months later when he realised its not what he wants.
 
Then i stand corrected Jez.

I'm thinking then, an older boat it will have to be as you wont be able to buy a large heavy 4 berth new boat for 50K.

What would i know,i only have a small Rinker 212 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
If £50K is your budget,then might be best to see what boats you can buy for that amount and then find out what that type of boat it is capable of doing with YOU at the helm.
IMHO,you either will buy small and fast at that price and it will be a squeeze for two and a nightmare for four if used for more than a weekend.Prob with single petrol or just an outside chance of a diesel.On the move it will be bouncy and stationary will be on the move all the time.Prob about 20ft ish long and fairly new 5-10 years old..?.Some sort of Avor or Beneateu perhaps.
If petrol you will not have sufficient reserves to go any real distances and you will have trouble refuelling.

Or it will be older,slower and heavier and therefore a bit less reliable because of its age(20 + years ish).About 30 -35 feet long with twin diesels,much more accomodation and more comfortable on the move and at anchor.Will have big tanks and much better range.Thinking about Corniche or some such.

Honest opinion.
Go for your small fast option,mess about locally,learn some stuff,scare youself silly once or twice with help not too far away ,then review the situation and see if the continent still attracts in a year or two.Then buy a boat to do the job!
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I've just done a search on yachtworld.com for boats around £50k in the UK.

There is soooo much choice. You could get a Nelson, a Sunseeker, a Broom, Sealine, Fairline the list goes on.

For what you want to use it for, I would go for something bigger and older rather than small and new. A 25ft Sportscruiser is going to feel small crossing the Channel and staying on for two weeks with four people. I know, I've got one and done it.

If it were my money I would be looking at an old but well maintained boat. If you like Sportscruisers you can get a Sunseeker Tomohawk, San Remo or Martinique. If you like Flybridge boats then a Fairline Corniche, Sealine 310 or an older Princess such as a 37 would be ideal. If you want a 'go anywhere built like a brick outhouse' kind of boat you could get a classic Nelson 40 for £50k.

Pick up next months MBM, (out 21st Feb), as the team went out with exactly this budget to see what we could get. We found some cracking boats of all shapes and sizes.
 
Gilly, I wasnt having a dig, but I have been in exactly that position. I wanted a boat for long weekends and weeks away. I initially had a 26ft Chris Craft which was frankly rubbish. I got seduced by the new 285 at a boat show, 6 berths, all the kit and brand new so I bought it but it never did what I wanted, so a changed again for an older, bigger 33 footer which was perfect.

With hindsight, I should have used the £65k I spent on the new Bayliner on an older Fairline 33 or similar. if I had, I probably would still have had it and saved a load of money and done more boating in the last few years. Of course I was green and didnt ask anyones opinion.

Where this guy is I was 4 years ago so I hope he can have the benefit of my mistakes.

Oh, and the size and make of your boat is irrelevent. It doent make your post more or less valuable in my eyes. As I said, for some people the 265 will be a great boat, it just doesnt do what this guys wants. Thats all.
 
I agree with Jez, our Bayliner 275, while ideal for the two of us for extended cruising, is only an overnighter when four on board.

We cruise at 20 kts burning 20 ltr/hr.

So I do not think this is what Dimi is looking for.

Tom
 
I know Jez, dont worry my friend. You have better and more experience at this size of boat than i do and your more than qualified to to explain why my suggestion is probablt pants. No offence taken Jez,honesty /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Other boats I looked are some of the smaller Sealines but some forum posts seem to say that they are underpowered...


[/ QUOTE ]
Sealines tend to be a bit beamier than others and hence are very popular for family cruising. The effect is a couple of knots off top end but not to the extent of being 'underpowered' If you can push your budget a bit the the S34 comes into range, cracking boat, loads made, so loads available so loads of competition so a good environment for a haggle.
For what you want to do, don't look at anything smaller
 
Or if you're a bit more brave, an refurbished 36 foot ItalCraft for about £33K

Twin diesel 25 knot cruising, 32 top, two cabins bathroom Galley & convertible dinette upstairs.... but you have to get her from Italy to here which will set you back about £5 - 7K

122705.jpg
 
Not sure you have enough lights in your forward cabin DV! Just what do you get up to in there that means you need to see so clearly??????

Anyway, wot you replacing her with?

Oh, and that would be a good buy if a little over budget /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Not sure you have enough lights in your forward cabin DV! Just what do you get up to in there that means you need to see so clearly??????




[/ QUOTE ]
Been doing alot of reading moboaty mags Jez. Need the light at my age to see clearly--after all what else would I do in there apart from sleep??

Not sure what we are going top get next. I still miss the performance of my old M39 with the Kad300`s. I want 40knots ish with an island double forward, sports boat along the SS lines (sexy) and twin diesel, under 100K
Any suggestions guys??????/ /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
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