Looking for a boat that isn't there....

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Falling Star

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Trying to find the next one now, but what to go for? I know that all boats are a compromise so we won't get it exactly right but there doesn't seem to be much choice.
Looking for:
More than 10 but less than 12 metres
Shaft drive
Low air draft so flybridge boats and aft cabin are out
Single engine prefered but would consider twin
Don't mind low power engine/engines but must be big enough for coastal hops
Budget up to £150k

Some we have thought about but are not for sale at the moment:

Haines 34 with 135hp or larger engine
Dutch steel boat with a large enough engine for coastal passage
Nimbus 365 but not a favourite as it has a larger cockpit and smaller saloon
Marex 370/375 but probably over budget anyway

Any ideas welcome!
 
yeah... tricky one.

what about a Hardy 32...or if you can find one, a Mitchell 31 MkIV.. both you will have some change out of your budget, which you may not want.

or you can buy my Mitchell 31 for exactly £150k. ;-)

actually that’s not going to be any good as you dont want a big cockpit...are you sure? . I wouldn’t (and couldn’t) live with a small claustrophobic cockpit after being spoilt by my Mitchell...

heres a Hardy..

2001 Hardy Commander 32 Power New and Used Boats for Sale -
 
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I think you need to narrow down what you want from a boat and how you are going to use it. What did you have before and do you want the same type but bigger. Do you want hardtops or do you want covers. Is there a specific engine you want in your boat and decide on how quickly you want to get to a place and if you are going to spend lots of time on her. How old are you prepared to go. There a big difference between the marex and the nimbus and the trawler. £150K is a good budget. Once you've decided what you want then go hunting. Good luck with your new purchase anyway.
 
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions so far.

We are trying to find something that we can keep on the Orwell to use locally plus the Crouch and Medway. We also enjoy trips up to the Norfolk Broads but have been restricted to the Southern part as the air draft on our last boat was too much for the bridges at Yarmouth.

So, for the next one, we do need a coastal capability as I don't think that a purpose built river boat/broads cruiser would be safe on the East coast even for occasional trips. Also, we don't need loads of power but must have a big enough engine to punch the tides when necessary.

We had a Skilso 975 for a while and this was fine as it did all the above and more. Just right in fact, but it felt a bit small after cruising for over a week. The twin engine Broom was another great boat and a good useable size at 11 metres, but too high.

I don't mind if it is a hardtop or cover. I'm not looking for a specific age but was hoping that £150k ish would get us something not too old.

A "non-negotiable" is that it must be shaft drive. I've had outdrive boats before and it's not for me anymore.

The Hardy Commander 32 is only a bit longer than our old Skilso. If it was a slightly larger I would go for that. We've considered a Hardy 36 but the air draft is too high. Mitchell 31 is a lovely boat. I did have one of those years ago, but like the Aqua Star 38, we feel the design is too commercial for us now. Shame really as they are arguably the best passage makers.

I've seen that Kent 33 and it is a lovely boat but we would struggle with access on the stern.

Swift Trawler 34 Sedan? Yes, that's the one! If anyone is selling please let me know.

Pershing 37 ticks a lot of boxes but looks too "Mediterranean" for us. Sealine SC35 are all outdrive I think. The Duchy 35 is out of my league. Tantarella 35's are too old. Swordsman's and Swordfish are nice but seem to have such massive engines. I don't think that would work for us on the Broads.

I'm thinking about that Nimbus 38 but it looks a bit overpriced to me.

The Dutch boats we have seen would do the job but they all seem to have engines around 100hp or less. I guess an 11 metre steel boat would be restricted to inland speeds with that installation.

Sorry to be fussy. I do appreciate your ideas. Please keep them coming if we've missed something.
 
Would something like a Broom Ocean 34 with a folding arch and screen work? It will probably have similar air draft to a lot of sedan style cruisers when you fold the bits down. Might be a bit of a faff if you are doing it a lot but not a problem if it’s only occasional low bridges.
 
Dino said:
Would something like a Broom Ocean 34 with a folding arch and screen work? It will probably have similar air draft to a lot of sedan style cruisers when you fold the bits down. Might be a bit of a faff if you are doing it a lot but not a problem if it’s only occasional low bridges.
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That is a possible but perhaps I should have mentioned that one of the reasons for selling our previous Broom, a 345, was the ladder at the stern. Getting a bit much for us now, especially with the dog and being over 70. (Us that is, not the dog.)

The longer Brooms have steps instead of a ladder but then we will have the air draft problem.............

Sorry for knocking everything back. I'm not doing it on purpose. Honest!
 
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