in need of Idiot proof guidence on getting my first boat.

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terriegym

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Hello. i should really introduce myself. my names Terrie, i'm a 41yr old mum of 3 boys, (2 small ones). I've had this nagging want for many years of getting a small boat to go off exploring in. I am in desperate need of a life style change and am in the process of planning a part time life in southern Spain and in part do some exploring round the Med. (next to moving to the Caribbean its my plan B ;)).

I have absolutely no experience (bar 3 years in the sea cadets as a teenager) I'm booking onto a RYA power boat level 2 and VHF course in june. with a veiw to getting a ICC. And i have a friend who works at Ribcraft who can teach me how to look after an engine and such.

I'm looking to get a 21-25 ft cabin boat, cant be expensive and i dont mind doing some work on it. am ok with woodwork and I have restored a 12 ft Skipper dinghy that was full of holes in the hull, first time fiber glassing, quite proud of myself :) and its been on the river a few times, haven't used it much, but it was good fun to do.. and have refurbed a 1980's caravan inside and out.

My trouble is i don't have a clue what would be a good boat for me and the boys. Obviously i need something thats going to be robust enough but not to heavy that i cannot cope with it. nothing luxurious just cheap and practical.

Can anyone suggest what makes/ models i should be looking out for please.

kind regards
Terrie
 
terriegym said:
Hello. i should really introduce myself. my names Terrie, i'm a 41yr old mum of 3 boys, (2 small ones). I've had this nagging want for many years of getting a small boat to go off exploring in. I am in desperate need of a life style change and am in the process of planning a part time life in southern Spain and in part do some exploring round the Med. (next to moving to the Caribbean its my plan B ;)).

I have absolutely no experience (bar 3 years in the sea cadets as a teenager) I'm booking onto a RYA power boat level 2 and VHF course in june. with a veiw to getting a ICC. And i have a friend who works at Ribcraft who can teach me how to look after an engine and such.

I'm looking to get a 21-25 ft cabin boat, cant be expensive and i dont mind doing some work on it. am ok with woodwork and I have restored a 12 ft Skipper dinghy that was full of holes in the hull, first time fiber glassing, quite proud of myself :) and its been on the river a few times, haven't used it much, but it was good fun to do.. and have refurbed a 1980's caravan inside and out.

My trouble is i don't have a clue what would be a good boat for me and the boys. Obviously i need something thats going to be robust enough but not to heavy that i cannot cope with it. nothing luxurious just cheap and practical.

Can anyone suggest what makes/ models i should be looking out for please.

kind regards
Terrie
Click to expand...

OK as a start so we can help:

Do you want to live on it, camp on it or do day trips?

And what do you call "expensive"
 
Hi Terrie and welcome to the forum. You'll get a load of great advice here for sure but one thing they'll need to know is what kind of budget are you working with? Looking forward to following your progress. Good luck.
Lisa
:)
 
Hi, and welcome :)

Firstly, a general point - when you buy a boat you are buying two things:
- A lump of fibreglass with electrics, plumbing, soft furnishings etc.
- One or more engines and drives.
This might seem obvious, but the point is that the value of the engines and drivetrain can be half of the boat, so it's important to get both right. You might be happy stripping down marine engines in your spare evenings, you might not.

In terms of "which boat", an approximate budget would help.

Also, you'll need to figure out where you will keep this boat as you Explore around the med, e.g. which country to start in. Marinas in some obvious places (e.g. south of france) are very expensive.
 
FlowerPower said:
Hi, and welcome :)

Firstly, a general point - when you buy a boat you are buying two things:
- A lump of fibreglass with electrics, plumbing, soft furnishings etc.
- One or more engines and drives.
This might seem obvious, but the point is that the value of the engines and drivetrain can be half of the boat, so it's important to get both right. You might be happy stripping down marine engines in your spare evenings, you might not.

In terms of "which boat", an approximate budget would help.

Also, you'll need to figure out where you will keep this boat as you Explore around the med, e.g. which country to start in. Marinas in some obvious places (e.g. south of france) are very expensive.
Click to expand...

thank you for your response. I can see my list of things to do/learn growing by the minute.

I do not have alot of money to start with, as i have recently seperated, but on a month to month basis my business is doing well so can fix/ add on/ renew parts as i go along. with a view to having our first trip out in early summer 2014. after learning more and getting more practice. i was thinking a few small trips between Weymouth and Brixham to get experience and also to pick my Fathers brains. (ex Naval aircraft engineer who likes to teach his daughter things!! :D)

Please let me know if things that i'm planning are totally pie in the sky :confused:
 
lisilou said:
Hi Terrie and welcome to the forum. You'll get a load of great advice here for sure but one thing they'll need to know is what kind of budget are you working with? Looking forward to following your progress. Good luck.
Lisa
:)
Click to expand...

Thank you. Just think its time i get on with the things i've always wanted to do!!;)
 
Good on you!! You will love it for sure coz there's nothing better. (at least for me anyway). Wish I could offer some more constructive advice but the guys on here will give you some great pointers as you will find out.
L
:)
 
Welcome.
Things will be alot more complicated if you want to sleep/camp on it.. you need all those domestics, never mind alot of storage for sleeping bags,clothes, etc.
I would suggest you start out by being able to enjoy the daytime on a boat, and be less interested in being asleep on it. If you want more time away, pack a small tent in the car, and find a campsite where you have hot showers and food !
£3-4k will not buy you alot of boat I am afraid- well, not alot of reliable boat, which will be your priority with your kids on board. You may also need a trailer and towbar, as keeping soemthing int he water/amrina is going to eat all your budget, just on that.I would look for something with an outboard, because if it goes badly wrong, you can always buy another.. that isnt so easy if you have something with an inboard.
Have a look through boatsandoutboards.co.uk.. you could get a small 16ft boat, outboard and trailer, I would think, and that would get you out on the water on sunny calm days. Buy £100 tent . the kids will probably love the camping too.
Also, be realistic about the sea and UK weather.
 
You could probably get a small Shetland in need of some TLC for that budget, great starter boat and you could all just about sleep on it if you use the outside space aswell.
 
Are you planning to tow it, moor it or put it on a pontoon? If you are towing it then what is the towing capacity of your car?
Are you happy with low speed or do you want to go a bit quicker, if the former a displacement hull but if the latter you need something that planes. Big difference in running costs. Outboards are a good idea, avoid inboards with outdrives.
 
macnorton said:
I know of a cheap Norman 23 with a Hoda outboard, needs work inside.
Click to expand...

i have looked at pictures of the Norman 23. looks like just what i need. if they are classed as canal boats, are they safe as open water/ sea craft? we only need one bunk as we all share a bed most of the time anyway. and i can cannibalize the old caravan for interior if necessary
 
terriegym said:
i have looked at pictures of the Norman 23. looks like just what i need. if they are classed as canal boats, are they safe as open water/ sea craft? we only need one bunk as we all share a bed most of the time anyway. and i can cannibalize the old caravan for interior if necessary
Click to expand...
I think you need to back up a bit.
First.. where are you going to keep this boat ? A marina.. thats probably £2-3000 a year. At home? Anything more than about 16ft and you will need a fairly substantial car or 4*4. A safe trailer will cost an easy £1000.
Seriously, forget the sleeping bit and enjoy the sunshine. Or find another £15k !
 
gordmac said:
Are you planning to tow it, moor it or put it on a pontoon? If you are towing it then what is the towing capacity of your car?
Are you happy with low speed or do you want to go a bit quicker, if the former a displacement hull but if the latter you need something that planes. Big difference in running costs. Outboards are a good idea, avoid inboards with outdrives.
Click to expand...

my car can only tow 750kg unbraked. 2000 max weight braked. but i can use Ribcraft truck and trailers in the South-west. would only want a slow cruiser. not interested in Ribs or speed boat. something the kids can jump off of and some fishing that sort of thing.
 
Firefly625 said:
do you know anyone who can fix engines?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FAIRLINE-HOLIDAY-MOTOR-CRUISER-BOAT-/151020871796?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item23298ba074
Click to expand...
more like this as a practical little day boat for messing about with young kids; bit of fishing,swimming,landing on the beach. You cant push 1.5 tonnes back of a beach.
http://fishing.boatsandoutboards.co...ney-440-yamaha-15-4stroke-trailer-4250-SNL593.
Do you remember how sheltered the waters need to be in a little boat ?
 
gjgm said:
more like this as a practical little day boat for messing about with young kids; bit of fishing,swimming,landing on the beach. You cant push 1.5 tonnes back of a beach.
http://fishing.boatsandoutboards.co...ney-440-yamaha-15-4stroke-trailer-4250-SNL593.
Do you remember how sheltered the waters need to be in a little boat ?
Click to expand...


Hi, thanks for your response. I dont mean to sound rude but i have no interest in a small boat. i wish to spend alot of time in the Med. i know i really havent got a complete action plan yet, this is why i have asked for advice. i can store the boat at home while i am learning what i need to know and doing any work on it.
 
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