Introduction and advice please

You could also use the search on the forum as the question is quite common and the answers pretty standard.
I am not sure ANYONE has kept their first boat that long, so with that in mind I wouldn't set expectations of St Peters Port and beyond just yet. The Solent is not going to threaten you too much with metres of swell, but it does have a very tiring short chop wind over tide.. and that is likely to mean almost every time if you go there and back in the same day !
That apart, there are plenty of marinas for overnight stops and enough places to drop the anchor for lunch aboard, easy to paces to get too and a few tidal ones that need a bit more attention. I think you could manage the Solent for a season, and Solent/Poole/Weymouth for several seasons.
While that Channel crossing is a bit of a personal achievement and milestone, in a smaller slower boat,frankly, the crossing is a total pain in the ====, with not alot to do other than look at how much longer it is going to take before you see anything again. Still, once the other side, there is some excitement, especially with the various races,overfalls and tidal gates, and some great places to go to. BUT, I would exhaust the UK coast first, and make all your mistakes back here ;)
Pontoon life really is a big part of this..I don't mean that you have to be best buddies with everyone in sight, but if there is ANY way you can afford it, then I would try to achieve this.
Think really hard about overnighting...unless you are going to do it very frequently, it is alot of bedding and gawd knows what for the odd night. And dont buy your boat for the odd occasions someone else stays overnight. Park them in in a B and B.
So I would find a boat for day boating around the Solent and leave the ambitious stuff for when you have exhausted the Solent.. Most boats will have a single berth.
Search about for #30-40k boats and come back when you see somehthing that catches your eye. No one else can choose your boat for you.
 
Hello,

I bought my first boat and had it for three years, based in Chichester before upgrading. It was a Fairline Sprint, 23 feet, with a single petrol. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring from Chichester to Lymington and in between. 3-4 of stayed onboard loads of times overnight and it was amazing, especially for the £11500 I paid for her. Moorongs in Chichetser were £2900 per year. With a bit of organising you can experience a lot on a smaller boat. Part exchanged her and got £10000 back after three years. There is a lot of fun to be had. Only planning to make the trip across the channell next year, providing and can feel confident enouch. Enjoy the hunt for a new boat.
 
Guys thanks for the posts, some really good points there. I'm of the London boast show to do a bit more research, then hopefully March-April will take the plunge and get the boat. Still not to sure what one however I am watching a few, and they appeared to been around for some time so maybe a sensible offer can be made. When I get it I wil ensure that pictures are posted on here.
 
I bought my first boat 3 years ago now, and still have it. its 36ft, but I am really glad I didn't buy a smaller boat, as could be very tiring if your on for more than weekends.
If your not interested in doing 30 knots, have a look at boats designed and built for semi displacement, lots about, and more suited for your use imo, and most likely cheaper to run.
I imagine sports cruisers all designed as planing hulls,

Also, if you don't mind a bit of travel, the channel islands are cheaper mooring, and fuel. Maybe an option. Ferry from Weymouth, (and southampton I think)
 
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