Its going to have to be diesel.

Jim@sea

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While I think what my next small boat is going to be I also have to consider availability of fuel
For the last 40 years I have had diesel which I was able to fill up from a pump on the pontoons.
And the last time I carried cans of petrol was in 1969 when I tied up against Conway harbour wall and carried 30 gallons in 5 gallon drums from the nearest petrol station which was about half a mile away, and I was convinced that my arms were 2" longer at the end of 3 trips.
Now I am considering a NEW 22/24ft boat with a modern outboard.
So a quick survey of the marinas in my part of the world reveals.
Whitehaven Marina. Diesel no Petrol Pump
Preston Marina. Diesel no Petrol Pump
Fleetwood Marina Diesel no Petrol Pump
So its going to have to be diesel, but nearly all the boat manufacturers seem obsessed with outboards.
Are there any small inboard diesel boats being made today which would do.
I know there were some with a Mercruiser Inboard Diesel with an outdrive leg but they seem to have stopped importing them.
Any Ideas/ suggestions gratefully accepted.
 
Has it got to be new?

You will have more choice of you search the used boat market.

A lot of manufacturers have stopped making small diesel boats.
 
I suspect with the recent rise in outboard powered boats we might see petrol being more readily available.. For now though I guess it isn't..

I think Arvor still offer diesel models in the size range you are looking at and I think Parker (Sussex Boat Shop are the agents for them) do some inboard diesel options..
 
That seems like a lot of money. But it is a nice boat

I was thinking the opposite. It seems very sensibly priced when compared to some of the previous model S23's that are for sale.

ETA: I do know however that they are not recent pictures of the boat as it has not been moored at Burton Waters for several years and has recently been brought back from abroad and moored on the south coast.
 
I think you are absolutely right, feck all petrol availability in the irish sea, it will always be a struggle.

However, you do not mention what type of boat you want
- Planing / SD / sportscruiser / runabout etc.
- How many berths, galley requirement, open cruiser or hard top.
- Cruising speed and range
- Budget
- New or nearly new

Might yield a better response.
 
Sounds like you have some experience so you will be aware there are boats for sale that are little used or cherished and virtually like new despite being a few years old.
Would you consider something like the following, for example?........
http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2007/Sealine-S25-3056784/United-Kingdom#.WNMAYJCLTrc


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I was hoping for something smaller. I need to be able to tow whatever boat I buy.
A few years ago I had a Skibsplast 7m with a 130 Yanmar Diesel which I have always regretted selling. (25 knots)
I would go for one of these now if they still imported them. They stopped making them in 1995, I dont want a 22 year old boat,
I would settle for a boat around 20ft with a cuddy cabin. Although I would prefer shaft drive a well maintained outdrive would do.
 
I was hoping for something smaller. I need to be able to tow whatever boat I buy.
A few years ago I had a Skibsplast 7m with a 130 Yanmar Diesel which I have always regretted selling. (25 knots)
I would go for one of these now if they still imported them. They stopped making them in 1995, I dont want a 22 year old boat,
I would settle for a boat around 20ft with a cuddy cabin. Although I would prefer shaft drive a well maintained outdrive would do.

If you have it on a trailer then why not just pull into a petrol station on the way to the slipway and fill the tank? Then petrol powered boats are back on the table? :)

That's what we do with our Merry Fisher 695.. Has 170L tank which gives us about 110NM cruising range with the Yamaha F175 outboard with 20% reserve in the tank.. Top speed about 37kn and cruise at 20-25kn easily..

[video]https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=1B2A76D41195A299&resid=1B2A76D41195A299%21243&authkey=AM2UfQ3lj7gt7Fw[/video]
 
I was hoping for something smaller. I need to be able to tow whatever boat I buy.
A few years ago I had a Skibsplast 7m with a 130 Yanmar Diesel which I have always regretted selling. (25 knots)
I would go for one of these now if they still imported them. They stopped making them in 1995, I dont want a 22 year old boat,
I would settle for a boat around 20ft with a cuddy cabin. Although I would prefer shaft drive a well maintained outdrive would do.

The S23/S25 is trailable if you have the right tow vehicle.

The oldest are 15 years old now but the newer S25's are only 10 years old.

It is still possible to get one with few hours run and in good condition.

Finding something smaller that is diesel may prove a bit tricky as they tend to be petrol.
 
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