Joining the dark side....

B

Big-Bang1

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 Aug 2013
Messages
156
Visit site
After 10 or so years of sailing my wife has decided she no longer likes it and tells me we need a small cruiser instead. Which is a shame! We started with a Leisure 23SL which was great (although rather tippy and tender), then moved on to a Centaur which I love! Much more solid and secure feeling, fits us and the kids and batters on regardless of weather...but alas I don't do arguing and sailing isn't much fun when your best friend either isn't there or doesn't want to be there.

So my question is, what 23-26 ish foot boat would you recommend or avoid and why? So far I've looked at a Falcon 22, Falcon 23SPC, a Bayliner 2455 and an ancient Princess (Which was immaculately presented albeit rather dated).

My requirements are:- Must sleep 4 (5 at a push), no bigger than 27 foot long for my mooring , I'd rather a single engine than a twin and fit my sub 15k budget.

Thanks in advance.
 
Fir a motorboat that's a tight budget. US boats will allow you to buy newer but most will be petrol powered. Older well presented boats such as the princess you mention are a good option but may well come with hidden expenses.

Look at private adds on eBay and the free/cheap to list portals suck as boatandoutboards and appolloduck. Less popular brands will give you motorboat fir your money.
 
Sleeping four on any of the boats you have listed will be a squeeze. They might be four berth boats, but in reality they are much better suited to two. I have owned one of the boats on the list so speak from experience.

How tight is the 27ft limit? Could you perhaps squeeze a Falcon 27 or a Fairline Targa 27 on the berth? they are both probably over 27ft in reality. Boats in the 27-30ft range usually come with a proper second cabin and it is this that makes sleeping four much more comfortable. Having said that, four on board for any length of time is still a bit of a squeeze as you are still under each others feet a lot.

As an ex yachtie, I would have thought that something like a Nimbus 26 aft cabin might be better. It will accommodate four much better than the boats on your original list and the brand tends to appeal to ex sailors more so than the likes of Bayliner, Sealine, Failine etc etc. You also get a shaft drive, which again I would imagine will appeal coming from a Westerly
 
Regarding the move to a motor boat, is there a requirement for faster passage times, or would a displacement boat be considered?
If a displacement boat, then maybe a motor sailer might meet approval, such as this Colvic Watson?
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1978/Colvic-Watson-28-2938281/Crosshaven,-Cork/Ireland

Otherwise I would second CLB's suggestion re a Nimbus or similar, with a shaft drive rather than an outdrive(s).
Although I cannot see any Nimbuses under GBP 15,000 for sale on Yachtworld.
Here is a similar type of vessel, but she is in Barcelona.
. http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1983/Amerglass-Searunner-3103337/Barcelona/Spain
 
Any of the above ... knock £5k off and move up from there according to how desperate the seller is and how long it's been on the market ... as well as the usual checks of course!
 
Upgrade the yacht to something more comfortable and easier to sail surely?
None of these stink pots are going to offer you the sea keeping of a Centaur, fine if you just want to sit around on a mooring but rubbish for everything else.
 
thecommander said:
Upgrade the yacht to something more comfortable and easier to sail surely?
None of these stink pots are going to offer you the sea keeping of a Centaur, fine if you just want to sit around on a mooring but rubbish for everything else.
Click to expand...

How much experience of motorboats are you basing that on? Or, as I suspect by your use of the term 'stinkpots', are you just someone who doesn't like motorboats?
I've been all over in boats that you describe as rubbish. Have you?
 
The decision to change to a 'stinkpot' is being driven mostly by my wife - however so long as I'm on the water I'm happy! My Father, Brother and Cousin all have Centaurs too so I'm sure I'll till be able to get my sailing fix any time I want.
I appreciate that a 23-26 footer will be limited for space when over nighting but it would only be an occasional thing anyhow and having an awning over the rear gives you much more useable living space than we currently have in a Centaur.
I really hadn't given any thought to a displacement boat, I shall have a look at what's out there. Ohh, and I already figured that sea keeping in any of the boats I mentioned would be rather lacking compared to my Centaur but for days out with the family that shouldn't matter too much.
 
We (2 adults, 2 teenage kids) overnight ok in a 24' sports cruiser using the camper-top. It's probably a bit cramped for more than a couple of days but I guess it depends what you're used to.

How many miles do you think you will do each year? You will get more boat for your money in that price range if you go for a petrol engine but expect about 2mpg if planing.
 
TheOrs said:
We (2 adults, 2 teenage kids) overnight ok in a 24' sports cruiser using the camper-top. It's probably a bit cramped for more than a couple of days but I guess it depends what you're used to.

How many miles do you think you will do each year? You will get more boat for your money in that price range if you go for a petrol engine but expect about 2mpg if planing.
Click to expand...

Last season we burnt 40 litres of diesel all year - I was horrified! :-) I know it's going to be an eye opener fueling a petrol but the purchase price difference between an identical petrol and diesel boat would buy a lot of fuel - although when it comes to resale value I know the diesel option would command more.
I think a couple of nights away at a time would be fine for us so I don't think we'll be covering huge distances - but it's good to hear that you manage OK on a similar sized boat with four onboard.
 
Welcome to the dark side. I was a full die in the halyard raggie, until I went to the dark side, largely due to surreptitious feminine pressure upon an outnumbered male, but I have not missed sailing much if at all, and never tacking to windward. I like getting somewhere within a reasonable period and I can if I wish nip down to Yarmouth for lunch and be back home for tea - that would never happen in a sailing boat.

The key thing about motor boats is they are generally much more spacious per foot of length, ignoring many sports cruisers with up to 8' or even 10' of unusable bow. So considering closely what you are going to put on your 27' berth will be crucial. But 27' even in a square (midships - aft) section motorboat is at minimum cosy for 4 and becomes intimate for 5. We have a blunt nosed 32', and four of us (including two female teenagers) start to rub against each other in a less good way after 3 - 4 days.

Whatever you buy your first motorboat will likely only suit you for a short period, so suggest you think of something that you can sell on without undue delay, so selecting something with a good name will help with disposal, and do not be surprised if this is within one season. Also how rigid is your 27' berthing limit.

Good luck in your search.
 
Channel island 22, Seaward 23. Both can be found within budget, guess kids births will be under the awning though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top