Introduction and advice please

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lionelz

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Hi guys and gals

Thought I would introduce myself, I’m Lionel and living in Hampshire, I have been a keen boater (mainly small dinghy’s) for years. I decided over the last few years to get myself qualified. I am now a level 3 sailor, intermediate power boater and a Yachtmaster costal, as well as having lots of theory and other shore based qualifications.
I have been following the forum for ages but never bothered about registering. I do not own a boat although that is my aspiration for 2015.

This brings me on nicely to my next point. I saw a good thread on here a few weeks ago asking for advice on buying a boat so I thought I would ask for some to. I class myself as a I am sure a lot of people do in that I know how to drive them and get from A to B but no experience or knowledge of buying or owning a boat, So here goes:

I have a maximum budget of 30K

I am after a boat that my wife and I can sleep over on and we can occasionally have friends and our children on (they are now adult) so therefore 2-4 berth. I would also like to do trips in good weather to France and the Channel islands but at present have no interest in going around the world or spending days at sea with no land in sight! Size not to exceed 30ft.

How much would mooring cost? (looking to berth between the Hamble and Chichester).

I was originally just looking at Diesel options but I have been told not to worry about what type of engine it is as it is all about how hard it is working and that will effect fuel consumption.

What is a ball park figure on running of a boat (less Fuel) i.e berthing servicing, insurance sea start and other incidentals. I would hate to buy a boat and then realise that I cannot afford to run and maintain it.

How much is fuel (diesel and Petrol).

Any recommendations on what boat would suit my need, and is there something that I could get in my price range. I am not set on spending 30K if I can spend less I will if it the right boat and a good deal, however I cannot afford to spend more.

Any help and advice would be very much appreciated.

Yours Lionel
 
Lionel, a warm welcome to this forum. If you are looking for a 30 ft boat, then £30k will buy you a 20 year old boat at best. If you are happy to do much of the rectification and maintenance yourself, this may not be a problem. You will probably be looking at a twin engines boat with outdrives, and petrol engines. A twin diesel will cost a fair bit more. A twin petrol boat will cost a lot to run, at cruising speeds probably 120 to 150 litres per hour, at £1.50 per litre. A diesel boat will cost about half as much to run, much more economical, and £1.1 per litre.
If you look at a 25 ft US built sports cruiser, there are many of these, probably less than 10 years old, and in good condition. Single petrol engine, and therefore half the fuel cost. There will be 4 berths on board, a small galley, and small heads, but ok for a long weekend. Berthing near the solent will be £3-£5,000 for a 25 footer, depending on location. The outdrive will be your main servicing cost, budget £1,000 per year, and £500 for everything else.
If you give us more info on your real requirements we can be more specific on answers.
 
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+1 earlier threads, be careful with older petrol engines unless the exhaust risers have been very recently changed by a pro, and as ever watch out for old outdrives - unless recently rebuilt or new, again by a pro be careful, get it wrong and they eat money. Shaft drive older boats are simpler and often built like tanks - maybe not as fast or glamourous or quite as fuel efficient but a well looked after one will keep going and usually straightforward to fettle. Look for boats with popular engines and a good recent service history, Ignore the electronics and soft furnishings they are relatively cheap. Have a look around - enjoy the search, don't rush and please post on here for feedback on particular boats/engines if you want. It's a buyers market, your £30K might surprise you especially with winter coming.
have a look at this, moving on a lorry is not crazy so look far and wide
http://www.yorkmarina.co.uk/boats-for-sale/boat/?Make=Birchwood&Model=SD34-Turbo&BoatID=4699482
 
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rafiki_ said:
Lionel, a warm welcome to this forum. If you are looking for a 30 ft boat, then £30k will buy you a 20 year old boat at best. If you are happy to do much of the rectification and maintenance yourself, this may not be a problem. You will probably be looking at a twin engines boat with outdrives, and petrol engines. A twin diesel will cost a fair bit more. A twin petrol boat will cost a lot to run, at cruising speeds probably 120 to 150 litres per hour, at £1.50 per litre. A diesel boat will cost about half as much to run, much more economical, and £1.1 per litre.
If you look at a 25 ft US built sports cruiser, there are many of these, probably less than 10 years old, and in good condition. Single petrol engine, and therefore half the fuel cost. There will be 4 berths on board, a small galley, and small heads, but ok for a long weekend. Berthing near the solent will be £3-£5,000 for a 25 footer, depending on location. The outdrive will be your main servicing cost, budget £1,000 per year, and £500 for everything else.
If you give us more info on your real requirements we can be more specific on answers.
Click to expand...

Rafiki

Thanks very much for this, I think it will be the sports cruiser for me then, as not to sure my wallet could handle that amount of fuel :ambivalence: I am sure most of my time will be spent around the solent any recommendations in this field. I don't mind the DIY although mechanics is not my thing
 
An alternative thought. Why not look for a steeler,say a Linsen, Kemper or Aquanaut. Very economical cruising at displacement speed (5 or 6 knots) on one engine. Strong and seaworthy and you'll probably find a 32' within your budget.
Good luck.
 
lionelz said:
Hi guys and gals

Thought I would introduce myself, I’m Lionel and living in Hampshire, I have been a keen boater (mainly small dinghy’s) for years. I decided over the last few years to get myself qualified. I am now a level 3 sailor, intermediate power boater and a Yachtmaster costal, as well as having lots of theory and other shore based qualifications.
I have been following the forum for ages but never bothered about registering. I do not own a boat although that is my aspiration for 2015.

This brings me on nicely to my next point. I saw a good thread on here a few weeks ago asking for advice on buying a boat so I thought I would ask for some to. I class myself as a I am sure a lot of people do in that I know how to drive them and get from A to B but no experience or knowledge of buying or owning a boat, So here goes:

I have a maximum budget of 30K

I am after a boat that my wife and I can sleep over on and we can occasionally have friends and our children on (they are now adult) so therefore 2-4 berth. I would also like to do trips in good weather to France and the Channel islands but at present have no interest in going around the world or spending days at sea with no land in sight! Size not to exceed 30ft.

How much would mooring cost? (looking to berth between the Hamble and Chichester).

I was originally just looking at Diesel options but I have been told not to worry about what type of engine it is as it is all about how hard it is working and that will effect fuel consumption.

What is a ball park figure on running of a boat (less Fuel) i.e berthing servicing, insurance sea start and other incidentals. I would hate to buy a boat and then realise that I cannot afford to run and maintain it.

How much is fuel (diesel and Petrol).

Any recommendations on what boat would suit my need, and is there something that I could get in my price range. I am not set on spending 30K if I can spend less I will if it the right boat and a good deal, however I cannot afford to spend more.

Any help and advice would be very much appreciated.

Yours Lionel
Click to expand...

If you can stretch your budget to £35k or so these would be great boats for you...

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/...-s28-price-reduced-/43750#U26WhGihhkdKRtWm.97
http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1997/Sealine-S28-2701228/United-Kingdom#.VEQDAyJ4pWA
 
Thanks for advice its definitely a sports cruiser for me I think. Probably single engine to try and keep the fuel costs down. The mooring fees are more than I expected. I had kind of set myself 4k for running cost but that appear not enough because of the mooring. It a lot cheaper to do it in the channels outside of the marinas of course you lose the comforts but might be worth a look at. Does anyone have advice or comments on this type of mooring
 
lionelz said:
Thanks for advice its definitely a sports cruiser for me I think. Probably single engine to try and keep the fuel costs down. The mooring fees are more than I expected. I had kind of set myself 4k for running cost but that appear not enough because of the mooring. It a lot cheaper to do it in the channels outside of the marinas of course you lose the comforts but might be worth a look at. Does anyone have advice or comments on this type of mooring
Click to expand...

I've used them many times - massive saving - Several years ago, a 28 footer out on the swinging moorings outside a large Poole marina was £450 for the 6 month season - inside the marina they wanted £3200!! All I did was arrive, out in the dinghy, bring it inside the marina on a visitors berth and pay the nights costs - and in reality, normally the girl on the reception couldn't be bothered and just told me to stay there if I wanted! (hence not naming the marina)....

One boat been mentioned on this forum before is this one -

http://www.essexboatyards.com/boats-for-sale/sealine-s28-719

Also

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/...-s28-price-reduced-/43750#GYs4oXLhRmyStz1K.97

Now before you say "Oh they are over my £30k" - many on here will tell you a tale of an asking price being reduced by 30% or even more (not suggesting this would happen on these mind) but certainly not impossible to consider these would fall within a £30k asking price if you are sensible.

You'd not lose any money on them, and fuel would be a fraction of the petrol sportscruiser. Also onboard they are the next level up to the 25 ft cruiser with a proper second cabin (with a door etc),

Here's a couple of places (South Coast but gives the idea of the saving...)

http://www.parkstonebay.com/marina/services/swinging-mooring/

http://www.lakeyard.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tariff2014Yard.pdf

The second - Swinging Mooring could be had from £550 for a 6m boat (21ft) - inside the marina proper more like £3300
 
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On theplane

Thank you very much for this, I do like the sealine and as they say its a buyers market, I was thinking like you on the taking in from swing mooring when I was on board if need be, I think its swing mooring for me
 
If you go sports cruiser you can moor on the upper Hamble reasonably priced.

Cabin boatyard, Foulkes and Son, and Eastlands are all reasonably priced and the bridge height won't bother a sports cruiser too much. 30k buys all sorts from a newish sports cruiser with a petrol to a 20 plus year old twin diesel sedan type boat like a Princess 33, you may find a nice Fairline targa or Corniche that needs some tlc, shop around and decide what you want out of boating and how you will use it before you buy either a new small or older larger boat , fun is in the search and there are plenty of boats for sale out there.
 
lionelz said:
On theplane

Thank you very much for this, I do like the sealine and as they say its a buyers market, I was thinking like you on the taking in from swing mooring when I was on board if need be, I think its swing mooring for me
Click to expand...

The other factor to consider is winter storage. Although a berth is much more expensive, insurance will usually cover you all year around in a marina whereas some moorings may only be covered May-Sept or other similar limitations depending on location and size of boat. A friend of mine found this with a 19' Sportscruiser - even the outer harbour moorings at Brixham wouldn't have been covered out of season. This may not be a problem, but worth checking and if necessary, factoring in the cost of winter storage ashore. You could find this adds another £500-600 to your sums - and best to determine that in advance to avoid surprises! :)
 
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