looking for some advice

S

ste1971

New Member
Joined
5 Jul 2006
Messages
3
Visit site
I am new to boating and am currently looking to purchase at regal 1900 bowrider. A new one is going to set me back just under 20k with a load of extras. Is this a good first boat to get used things, or do I go for the second hand cobalt 200 at about 26k.

any help or advice would be great
 
Most people I know who have bought bowriders change them for cuddy cabins after one season. Bowriders are great in very sunny calm locations, but cuddys provide far more storage and protection in UK's climate
 
I have been torn between the two options, but the best entrance option for a cuddy is the maxum 2100sc, but I think this would be to big a step for my first boat, and also it is quite a price jump.
 
I've boated off Abersock. I would not recomend a bow rider. The seas can change quickly, do you really want to dump all that sea in the bow??

Cuddy much better.

Once was in Abersoc in my P33, son in Dory with 50 hp, weather turned, his boat twice as fast as mine. Both had to make Pwethelli. Mine no problem at sixteen knots. Him shipping in water above five knots. Horses for courses comes to mind. Bow riders and sea dont mix. First get a boat that the water cant get in, second buy a boat that will pump it out if it does, and third alarm it so if theres water getting in and the pumps cant cope you know about it. But mainly look for a boat with water proof decks. Or at least a bit of protection.
 
Cobalts are MUCH nicer than Regal. But as the others have already posted, the small US bowriders are really meant for lakes. Not the ocean. Unfortunately small cuddys are not so popular over here as in Europe. In the US market the most numerous small cabin boats are called WalkArounds. Which are classed as fishing boats, not pleasure boats like Regal. However, these walkarounds (example: Trophy) can certainly be used for cruising or watersports too. If you want to pursue the US brands here are some more threads on US boating sites -

BoatingABC.com » ... » Newbie - so confused - glad you are here

iboats Boating Forums » ... » New boat questions?????

Kelly Cook
 
I have owned both b/r and cuddy. I agree with what has been said above but would like to add that in the U.K you are just as likely to suffer from the wind and COLD as getting wet. There have been many previous airings on this forum re b/r versus cuddy and I have not yet seen any support for the former. Dave.
 
I dont know if this analogy quite works, but
a bowrider is a bit like an MX5: great fun on empty country roads in sunshine, but maybe you d rather have hardtop for longer/more gruelling motor way mileage. When starting out, it maybe that safe fun in good conditions is just what you want, in which case, I dont think you should be put off by a bowrider. It may well be that after some experience you decide you want to try something a bit more adventurous, and a cuddy may suit better. But kids love sitting up the front, and the boat is ideal for sunny days, cove hoping, messing about in boats. If the idea of being out in less favourable conditions in a small boat, wrapped in fleeces and waterproofs with young kids is likely or attractive, a bowrider probably isnt the thing. Dont be afraid to look at collecting a boat a bit further from home, and at 50 hours use as an average a year, you dont need to buy new. Lastly, tow car dependent perhaps, buy as big as you can. It makes a real difference on the water. Happy hunting!
 
Welcome to the forum. I was teaching on an 18 foot bow rider over the weekend. I would not recommend one for UK waters. Particularly in "open" waters as you plan to use it. Down here in the Solent, the weather at the weekend was very hot and sunny, but saw a SE F4 and it was choppy. The bow rider hated it and the new owners said that they would never want to go out in those conditions again. They asked me to show them what it was like - we did not get far!!

They are also very light and prone to being blown about which makes close quarter handling very interesting for the beginner.

I would suggest looking at a small cuddy boat - Montery 218 or such. 21 foot is no more difficult to handle than an 18/19 footer and it will be safer than a open deck bow rider. Really only of any use in flat calm sunny conditions.

The other option is to look at a rib, say a Ribcraft 585.

585_08.jpg



The waters around your area can be entertaining as others have said and a bow rider will limit your boating experience. Again, as others have said you will get rid of it after a season. Dealers sell them because they appeal to people starting boating - plenty of seating room for it's size etc. But practical for our waters? Not at that size.

Good luck and welcome to the boating world. Oh, and go and book an RYA Level 2 Powerboat course in your area.
 
My freind is just putting up his 2000 Maxum 2300SCR up for sale and it has a new V8 diesel (not samurai conversion) last year.

has a cuddy, portapotty, cooker, water, shower on transom and a dinghy with it but again its in the £26k range that you mentioned before. Lots of little extras like flares fenders ropes basically everything he has as he is giving up boating apart from life jackets as he still intends to go out now and again.

If you are interested send me a pm and I will pm back his telephone number.

Dom

Forgot to say if you go for a 19footer now it will feel too small in 3 onths time. If you go for a 23footer at least you will have 1-2 years before you start drooling over the 34 footers.
 
Hi,

This is not advice as I agree with all of the above.

A friend of mine bought a Sea Ray 215 (21ft) EC Express Cruiser as a first boat, very fast, good fun and handles great. (paid about £19K for a 2001 boat with low hours)

The nice bit, I thought was the good sized cabin for overnighting and shelter.

Worth a look as a type of boat... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Click Here

Other manufacturers make similar like the Maxum Depsol mentioned, if you buy a late used one you'll get for your money and lots of other goodies thrown in which will save you plenty!

I think they are described well as 'Express cruisers' and much more boat for your money!

Let us know how you get on.
Roger.
 
Hi and welcome to the Forum!

I have been through the process of 18ft bow-rider on to 21ft cuddy (The Monterey 218 as mentioned by Solitaire) £20k should just about get you one of these and you will get so much more use out of it and enjoy it more!

While the cuddy may be a little more expensive now, you won't have to worry about depreciation after the first year!

Let me know if you would like more info on the Monterey

Good luck!

Charlie
 
I've been in a Searay 215EC in some fairly bumpy stuff, and for it's size, it does amazingly well.

Also, have a look at the Rinker 232 Captiva Cuddy, which has even more seating, a good one could be around £22k second hand: offer £20k and see what happens...

dv.
 
Hi and welcome.

I also have been down the bowrider route and within 5 months was swopping it for a cuddy. A bowrider just does not work in this country unless itis at least 24ft!

If you are looking at basing the boat at Abersoch consider going to Blue water Marine in Pwellhi and looking at the Chaparrals. They are lovely boats and a 2 year old 205SSE should bre about 20k. Other than the Maxum a great value cuddy is the Bayliner 212, see Here also maybe look at Here and the advantage of the Chaparral is that it is Diesel. I had a 205SSE and it was an amazing boat which took us accross the channel and back.

Other possibilities are Here or if you still fancy a Regal Here .

Basically all of the main brand cuddy's will do, with Regal and Chaparral together with the Monterey being the best. If you get a diesel it still shifts for skiing etc, but will be very cheap to run and will have better resale.

Cheers

Paul
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top