Looking for first (in a long time!) boat. Advice please. :)

[lynallbel]

Have a search on fuel consumption before considering any petrol engine
Single VP 4.3 v6, SX sterndrive , 23 foot boat 6 knots 1 to 1,5 gph, fast cruise, 7/8gph, flat out 12/13 gph , thats full retail price road fuel as well.

Buy what you want/can afford, and as sure as eggs are eggs your next boat will be diesel on shafts.

 

[Marcus1971]

Have a search on fuel consumption before considering any petrol engine
Single VP 4.3 v6, SX sterndrive , 23 foot boat 6 knots 1 to 1,5 gph, fast cruise, 7/8gph, flat out 12/13 gph , thats full retail price road fuel as well.

Buy what you want/can afford, and as sure as eggs are eggs your next boat will be diesel on shafts.

Nothing ruled out at the moment. Budget is a big driving force at the moment. Not many options with Diesel engines unfortunately. The only options are much older (80s) boats and maybe my fears are unfounded but I fear a boat of that age will need a fair bit spent on her to ensure reliability. If money were no object, I’d be going for a newer twin diesel boat, but hey ho….I may still win the lottery!

 

[limecc]

As a project, I wonder about the feasibility of fitting a diesel onboard or else an outboard if the right candidate came along?

 

[lynallbel]

Nothing ruled out at the moment. Budget is a big driving force at the moment. Not many options with Diesel engines unfortunately. The only options are much older (80s) boats and maybe my fears are unfounded but I fear a boat of that age will need a fair bit spent on her to ensure reliability. If money were no object, I’d be going for a newer twin diesel boat, but hey ho….I may still win the lottery!

Quite a lot of boats down where we keep ours are way older than the 80/90s, you hear of the odd issue, but if the boat has been well looked after, age should not matter to much, apart from the dated looks perhaps?

 

[Bigplumbs]

Nothing ruled out at the moment. Budget is a big driving force at the moment. Not many options with Diesel engines unfortunately. The only options are much older (80s) boats and maybe my fears are unfounded but I fear a boat of that age will need a fair bit spent on her to ensure reliability. If money were no object, I’d be going for a newer twin diesel boat, but hey ho….I may still win the lottery!

The sad truth is that any boat with large inboard engines can end up costing quite a lot to look after

 

[LBRodders]

Have a search on fuel consumption before considering any petrol engine
Single VP 4.3 v6, SX sterndrive , 23 foot boat 6 knots 1 to 1,5 gph, fast cruise, 7/8gph, flat out 12/13 gph , thats full retail price road fuel as well.

Buy what you want/can afford, and as sure as eggs are eggs your next boat will be diesel on shafts.

I disagree.

Carb engines aside, fuel consumption wont be a major cost. My boat that is 'significantly' bigger and probably 50% heavier than your example, will do those figures quoted with a 6.2 V8 350hp. I recorded mine over a 3/4 day cruise.

I doubt any planing twin diesel [shafts] boat will return anything significantly better. Two diesel engine services [plus sterngear] wont be cheaper than a single petrol/outdrive combo either.

Throw into the mix, twin diesel shafts generally start >8m then costs start to exponentially rise well beyond the OP budget. Plus the >8<10m is scarce and competitive, >10m you are into a different league.

There are no free lunches to be had with these decisions.
IMO, in this budget condition and current performance trumps all other attributes.

 

[LBRodders]

Hi Chillee,
Thanks for the info. Just had a very quick internet search and couldn’t see any available at the moment. There is one 277 for sale that is advertised for 29,999 which may be worth a look if still available, particularly if offers are considered!
I’ll keep my eyes open!

Lovely boats, but bare in mind these are not your 'hot hatch', more like a 'family estate'.

Its a big boat and 200hp doesn't give you a lot of margin for loading up the boat with family/friends and 'stuff'.
On your search you will find alot of ads quoting brochure speeds [when new] and the boat was bare. Fast forward 20-30 years and the reality will be vastly different. Believe a sea trial, nothing else.

As always, horses for courses.

 

[lynallbel]

I disagree.

Carb engines aside, fuel consumption wont be a major cost. My boat that is 'significantly' bigger and probably 50% heavier than your example, will do those figures quoted with a 6.2 V8 350hp. I recorded mine over a 3/4 day cruise.

I doubt any planing twin diesel [shafts] boat will return anything significantly better. Two diesel engine services [plus sterngear] wont be cheaper than a single petrol/outdrive combo either.

Throw into the mix, twin diesel shafts generally start >8m then costs start to exponentially rise well beyond the OP budget. Plus the >8<10m is scarce and competitive, >10m you are into a different league.

There are no free lunches to be had with these decisions.
IMO, in this budget condition and current performance trumps all other attributes.

Figures I quoted were from a real time fuel usage gauge, mounted in the dash so I could cry every I opened the throttle!

People seem to follow a well trodden path, first boat petrol sports boat with soft top and sternndrive, theres a damned good chance their next boat is going to be diesels on shafts.

 

[LBRodders]

Figures I quoted were from a real time fuel usage gauge, mounted in the dash so I could cry every I opened the throttle!

People seem to follow a well trodden path, first boat petrol sports boat with soft top and sternndrive, theres a damned good chance their next boat is going to be diesels on shafts.

Well I think you were burning excess fuel somehow.

There can be a natural progression if you stay in boats but not everyone follows the same path.

Twin diesels on shafts doesn't fit the OP wishlist or budget. So it's a moot point.

 

[limecc]

Bayliner 245 | 7m | 2005 - Hampshire | Boats and Outboards

What do you think to this Marcus? Anyone?

 

[Marcus1971]

Bayliner 245 | 7m | 2005 - Hampshire | Boats and Outboards

What do you think to this Marcus? Anyone?

Hi limecc. Nice. Would fit the bill if it was in my budget! Unfortunately it’s too much for me.

 

[limecc]

Here's a 1998 Sealine S24, did you see it yet? Very nice and within budget.
Sealine S24 Sports Cruiser For Sale - GBP 27,950 - Clipper Marine

 

[Marcus1971]

Here's a 1998 Sealine S24, did you see it yet? Very nice and within budget.
Sealine S24 Sports Cruiser For Sale - GBP 27,950 - Clipper Marine

Hi Limecc,
Thanks for the link. I have seen that one and it’s slightly over budget but not by much so doable, especially with a little haggling! It’s one of the boats on my current shortlist to have a look at. Fingers crossed it’s still available when I’m ready to buy (hopefully end of next month),
Thanks again.

 

[limecc]

I notice the Searay 260 you were looking at has now sold. To be honest from the research I've done as a newcomer like yourself, the Sealine is a much better bet, and it's diesel. Will they take a deposit?

Bigplumbs has one, I found this an interesting discussion: Sealine S24 v S23 or 25

 

[Bigplumbs]

The S24, 23 and 25 are basically all the same boats but the S24 is the oldest of them. There is also a Sealine 240 which is older still. They are all the same length, they have various engines with mine having the KAD 32. The 23 and 25 are the newest and more expensive. In my view the S24 was made at the time Sealine were at there best. At the moment they are very difficult to find as they are very sought after as a proper small boat with toilet, 2 beds in the cabin and a further one up top, hot and cold water and good sea keeping with a U.K. style deep V hull

 

[Marcus1971]

I notice the Searay 260 you were looking at has now sold. To be honest from the research I've done as a newcomer like yourself, the Sealine is a much better bet, and it's diesel. Will they take a deposit?

Bigplumbs has one, I found this an interesting discussion: Sealine S24 v S23 or 25

Unfortunately so. From what I keep hearing, the market is moving really fast at the moment, so I fear all the good ones currently for sale will be gone before long!
I did think of trying to place a deposit but (it’s a long story) the funds I’m waiting for don’t yet have a confirmed arrival date, so would be a bit risky! Might be sooner, might be later!
I’ll have a read of your linked discussion. Thanks

 

[Marcus1971]

The S24, 23 and 25 are basically all the same boats but the S24 is the oldest of them. There is also a Sealine 240 which is older still. They are all the same length, they have various engines with mine having the KAD 32. The 23 and 25 are the newest and more expensive. In my view the S24 was made at the time Sealine were at there best. At the moment they are very difficult to find as they are very sought after as a proper small boat with toilet, 2 beds in the cabin and a further one up top, hot and cold water and good sea keeping with a U.K. style deep V hull

Hi Bigplumbs. Thanks for the info. I’m assuming you’d recommend the S23, having one yourself. Can I ask what you manage to achieve regarding fuel burn? I know little about the KAD32 engine or the S23 for that matter! How does it perform loaded up with say 5 people on board? Still performing adequately? Thanks

 

[Bigplumbs]

Hi Bigplumbs. Thanks for the info. I’m assuming you’d recommend the S23, having one yourself. Can I ask what you manage to achieve regarding fuel burn? I know little about the KAD32 engine or the S23 for that matter! How does it perform loaded up with say 5 people on board? Still performing adequately? Thanks

Mine is the S24. It is a little confusing because the 240 came first, Then the S24, Then the S23 then the S25.

240 and S24 are essentially the same separated only by time and possible engine installed

S23 and S25 are the same separated by time only and different engine installs. Most have KAD32 which is the best engine to have.

Mine is the one in the First Pic below an S24 with KAD32




The Pic below is a typical S23/S25. Pic from the internet

 

[Bigplumbs]

And just to confuse matters more the Pic below (from the Internet) is a typical Sealine 240.............. Some 240's even had KAD32's

 

[Bigplumbs]

Hi Bigplumbs. Thanks for the info. I’m assuming you’d recommend the S23, having one yourself. Can I ask what you manage to achieve regarding fuel burn? I know little about the KAD32 engine or the S23 for that matter! How does it perform loaded up with say 5 people on board? Still performing adequately? Thanks

I think any of these 240, S24, S23 and S25 will perform well and when I do get mine on the plane (*which is rare as I am on the Norfolk Broads) it performs very well. I cannot comment with 5 up and loaded but I think with the KAD32 it will get on the plane and once there will be fine.

As to fuel burn as I am on the Broads I use so little I cant remember the last time I put some in.

I have many boats and so many people worry about fuel burn. The truth is that provided you are at the size we are talking about yest they use a lot but it is so infrequent that it is not somthing to worry about.

The Boat I use the most is a 4.5 m rib with 60 hp 2 Stroke and generally for a Day out the most I would use in fuel and oil is £40. My view is that for a day out for 2 people this is nothing to be honest