Looking for first boat

[VRog]

Posted initially on Practical Boat Owner's Reader to Reader forum of Yachting and Boating World Forums and was told better to post on Motor boat forum...

First time posting, desperate for some advice/help. We have been looking to buy our first motorboat (probably second hand) and have a list of 'ideal' specifications...any ideas of boats or brands to look at? Much appreciated!

Activities/uses
-Fishing
-Water skiing
-Entertaining
-Sleeping (overnight rather than long term)

Other specifications
- Trailerable
-Minimum maintenance
-Attractive looking (ie doesn't look like a caravan)

Budget £25-35K

 

[Solent Sailor]

How about an Orkney Pilothouse 24? Good solid sea boat, very attractive lines. Will hold its value more than the likes of Jeanneau, Arvor etc. Possibly trailerable on the right licence, but more of a marina boat. If trailering is important, then the PH20 is a great boat too (and even better once you've fitted it with trim tabs).

A friend has recently bought an Ocqueteau 735 - not so common this side of the channel and hard to come by as a result. Good features, but not as well built as an Orkney.

You will need to prioritize a bit though - both of these are definitely more fishing/cruising orientated than water skiing focused due to their design and speed.

 

[jcwads]

Posted initially on Practical Boat Owner's Reader to Reader forum of Yachting and Boating World Forums and was told better to post on Motor boat forum...

First time posting, desperate for some advice/help. We have been looking to buy our first motorboat (probably second hand) and have a list of 'ideal' specifications...any ideas of boats or brands to look at? Much appreciated!

Activities/uses
-Fishing
-Water skiing
-Entertaining
-Sleeping (overnight rather than long term)

Other specifications
- Trailerable
-Minimum maintenance
-Attractive looking (ie doesn't look like a caravan)

Budget £25-35K

Would have thought you could buy a trailer-able sports cruiser for that budget. A Bayliner 245, Sealine S23, things like that probably. All would do what you are looking for IMO.

 

[petem]

+1. Sealine S23 with diesel engine easily doable for that budget.

 

[DavidJ]

Another vote for Sealine S23 and S230 (same boat) which was my second boat after a Sealine 195
We trailered the 23 several times to he Med but it’s quite a lump to handle off and on the slipway.

 

[VRog]

Okay sounds good for the Sealine will add to list any thoughts on AQUADOR
23 HT? Seen one for £27,000 recently.

 

[petem]

Okay sounds good for the Sealine will add to list any thoughts on AQUADOR
23 HT? Seen one for £27,000 recently.

Cracking boat, should definitely be on your list.

 

[BruceK]

TBH you need to set a priority. I cant say I have first hand knowlege of the boats mentioned but I think you will find their hole shot a bit lacklustre for waterskiing unless you are rather good and then the boat performance will be rather lacklustre. If you want to sleep on it and still trailer you may get away from looking like a caravan to looking like a steam iron. I suspect any boat you find that can do all with aplomb is going to prove rather difficult.

 

[BruceK]

Okay sounds good for the Sealine will add to list any thoughts on AQUADOR
23 HT? Seen one for £27,000 recently.

I dont think you will get the hole shot and it's pushing trailer weight limits. The 23 DC and WA look more promising

 

[colhel]

Might be worth checking Karnic's range of boats

 

[vodzurk]

Just had our first 2 years with a Sealine 195 as our first boat. It's made us realise that we like it, but want some other things for our next one, such as:

Our Needs:
- Diesel engine.
- 2x engines (instead of lugging a 6hp aux on the back).
- Standing room below deck.
- 9-10m (for stability on longer excursions - 6.5m can get a bit hairy)
- Separate toilet (not fun going off the back @ 2am when moored up, so as not to wake the wife).
- Able to eventually get to Ireland or France under its own steam (gotta have goals!).

Our Desirable (but not essential):
- Bow thruster.
- Space for a tender.
- Flybridge.
- ~£30k.
- Spare bed for guests.
- Large fuel tank.
- Shower.

We only know we want those things after having our first one. Our thoughts for what's next is a Princess 30 or 33 (link ... one day, one day!).

By the way, if you haven't already, be sure to get some practice in before using your own!

 

[simonfraser]

trailer park and ride to reduce / ease maintenance, or take the boat elsewhere ?
easy to park and ride bigger stuff as the yard does it for you using their tractor.

 

[mlines]

Regal 2250? - accommodation is sparse (sleeps 2 in what is little more than camping)

Get the 350MAG version for all the performance you need