Looking for suggestions on used motor cruiser purchase

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jimduncan1

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Would appreciate any advice out there, I'm looking for a first boat (Used):

Year 2000 to 2003
Hard top style
Capable of 25-30 knots
Approx 25+ feet LOA
Berth 4 + head
coastal cruiser
Single Diesel - am I correct in thinking more effiecient than twins (say 230HP or so?)

Hoping to spend L40 - L50k stg. Aquador looks nice but seems pricey- any alternatives. Also any particular points to mention on the perils of buying privately versus using a broker would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance.
 
I suppose coastal meaning class C - within a few miles of land (10 miles max) not intending any cross channel stuff. I would be looking to get or install GPS & Auto helm.

I presumed (maybe incorrectly) that the Aquadors and smaller Sealines would be capable of going out 5-10 miles with range of say 100+ miles along coastal trip. looking for something fairly stable in water (good ballast ratio 35%?).

Thanks
 
Welcome to the forum Jim1. Hlb means well but comes over a bit abrupt at times - he's ok really, just very "northern".
His is correct however in that certain areas are a lot more likely to be rough than others especially close in to land. The knack is to only go there when tide and wind conditions mean that things are calm. Unfortunately Haydn's method is to say "b*****ks to it, the pub will soon be open at X so I've got to go for it whatever the weather. He has tried to convert his boat to a submarine on a number of occasions /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Aquadors and Nimbus' have a good reputation but the latter will struggle to get to 30kts, though I'd have thought they would be category B boats. Seaward are another really seaworthy brand but again will not get to 30kts.
You could do worse than having a look at Sealines along with the US marques. They all have relative pro's and cons and provided you know what you are doing and when it should be done, they should all be safe as long as they've been looked after.
Enjoy yourself.
 
Thanks for the forum welcome - no doubt that the naive newbie's will & should get the razz - no probs. It's a super forum with great insight.

I'm living in Dublin and looking to do coastal cruising here. With regard to the US boats, I felt that they were more like lake boats - high in the water & splashy particularly when someone moves from one side to the other. They also seem to be high profiled and susceptible to wind.

I'm looking to buy used in the UK, as I feel the maintenance and upkeep to be of a high standard and represent value for money even though there will be some additional considerations and cost.

Cheers
 
M Farter does work reasonably well as a submarine, though I have never yet tried to launch the dinghy from 20 thousand Leagues under the sea. I did not go very far out in this weeks F9-10 ten, ferinstance!! Though I did atempt it!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
I too would have thought that the likes of Nimbus would be a reasonable starting point, but not capable of 30 kts. There is what appears to be a nice 1997 340 Coupe for sale in Poole with twin Yanmars (shafts of course) but even this is only stated as max speed 22kts.
 
Any capable 25'+ cruiser is suitable for taking a few miles out to see provided of course its designed for sea use, and the conditions are good. I've known people take this size of boat across the channel, though I'd always go in company in a single engined boat. I think your desire for a hard top will be a limiting factor at this size - tends to steer you towards the scandinavian boats designed for use in cold weather. A well fitting canopy may be an alternative, and would certainly open up the choice of boats. Good luck with your search
 
I agree with Nick, you will be somewhat limited in choice. Why not widen the search and have a look at US designs with good canopys, they are dry "honest" and you have the advantage of top down in summer (if we get any this year that is) The new Bayliners as mentioned by Haydn are really good particularly the new 26' deisel option of course.
Ian
ps - welcome to the forum
 
Many thanks for your advice so far and the board welcome. I certainly agree that the HT restricts the field quite a bit at that size.

Ian - notice that you have a Bayliner. What's your thoughts on their seaworthiness and are there any problems in getting them up to the CE mark. The dollar weakness is interesting - does anyone know whether this is playing a factor in the current (new) model pricing or do the dealers just benefit?

Is anyone aware of any other Scandanavian boats - saw an advertisement for a Finnmaster but not familiar with it, will see if it's at the show.

With regard to the Aquador - is the view that it's too pricey for what you get or not up to spec with comparable canopies - Sealine S23/28, SeaRay, Windy, etc.

Any views on what price I should offer on an Aquador 26HT 2003, Diesel 230HP single, x 80 hours, v. good condition, std equip + DSC, ST30, shorepower ?

I'll also take a look at the canopy styles once I've exhausted the hard tops (really have heart set on one to enjoy year round). There certainly much more choice. Thanks again all
 
Hi Jim and welcome to the forum. If your going to the show visit Phil on our stand N1704. Maybe if you have'nt any training under your belt, we could be of assistance. Good luck with the search, I believe MBM did an article on a Finnmaster recently and it was favourable.
 
Finnmaster are OK, I believe - the 7050 could be just what the Doctor ordered, from your perspective. You might also care to look at the Bella range, built by the same yard as Aquadors, but not as plush. The Bella Falcon 26 might hit the right buttons. Ryds are also excellent, I believe, but I don't think they do a model that fits your requirements.

Aquadors are quite pricey. Partly because they're marketed as up-spec boats with lots of wood finish and bells & whistles, but also because most of them are still pretty new. For example, the 26 HT has, I think, only been around for about 18 months. I'd imagine the sellers of the boat you mention are looking for about £80k, though you might beat them down. They are, imho, lovely boats and I'd have one like a shot if I had the money.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with Bayliners. They are built to a price, and mass produced, but there is no skimping on the strength of their construction and I reckon they'd be fine for what you want. If you're buying second hand, I'd get one that has been imported through official channels, because it will have been CE marked as part of that process. Doing it yourself can be onerous.

If you're considering a sportsboat with a canopy, I'd look seriously at Sea Rays. OK - I've got one, so I'm bound to say that, but typically, they have more of a deep-V hull than their other US competitors, which means that they are a bit slower, but have better sea-keeping qualities. They are also very ruggedly built. My 21 footer has an RCD rating of B, which I don't particularly want to put to the test, because I'm a wuss, but which means it can deal with some quite nasty weather. Having been caught out a couple of times in a Solent wind over tide chop, I'm inclined to believe it.

Happy hunting!
 
>
>Any views on what price I should offer on an Aquador 26HT 2003, Diesel 230HP >single, x 80 hours, v. good condition, std equip + DSC, ST30, shorepower ?
>

Hey, that's my neighbour's boat ! It's in v.good condition, and only lightly used.
I would offer £65k and see what happened.

dv.
 
Hi Jim,
I am a latecomer in putting a reply to this thread.
Have been viewing this thread for a day or so and can't disagree with views on hardtops...Aquador etc...but will add that most or all hard tops of this size do not have standing headroom...usually have to poke head out of sliding roof window...only when going up in size and price will you be afforded that luxury....as beautifully made as these boats are.
Having had two American boats in a row...(I'm a newbie who has had a sharp learning curve) first being a Crownline 196CCR..19.5ft...very stable and seaworthy boat for it's size with wide beam and did numerous coastal cruises from Falmouth to Fowey etc and not always in favourable conditions.
As that one only had a small cuddy cabin and cramped overnight facilities....searched for bigger boat for months. Browsing the internet, comparing prices, engines, facilities and values and came up with a 26 foot (plus 1ft 6ins bathing platform) Chaparral 260 Signature (of which there are numerous 240's-260s, 270's etc s/hand on the market)
A great boat and even the many raggie friends we have who come on board have an admiration for her. Fitted with a Kad 43 engine, top speed 34 knots and more if we didn't carry so much crap on board! Also the Kad 43 (as opposed to a Kad 32 in most boats this size) gives some punching power in heavy seas when needed, in this size boat
You say thay are designed as lake boats and this is indeed true, but have you perused some of the weather (admittedly non-tidal) they experience on those lakes?
I was out in a force 4/5 in Falmouth bay recently and totally untroubled, but, as the more learned on this thread have stated, don't go out in any boat if adverse conditions are going to put you/boat/crew/passengers in jeopardy.
Another boat to consider (I have friends in Falmouth marina with one) would be the Glastron 279 at 27.5 feet if I remember correctly and brill value for money. Has a Kad 32 engine, top speed about 30 knots, full canvas canopy, comfortable, roomy and Eberspacher heating. Last giveaway price I saw advertised a couple of months ago was about 46K!
Another friend has a Doral 26 footer, one year old, petrol, paid about 55K and the design concept compared to my three year old boat is far far superior. An AMAZING boat, but if you are wanting diesel engine it will probably set you back about 65k 2nd hand.
All advice is speculative....depends if you have a budget on purchase price, mooring fees, running costs etc.
Can't comment on other boats of this size as I have no experience. Hope this helps in formulating an opinion leading to the right decision.
 
Re. hard tops. Have you actually stood at the helm of an Aquador. Like others here I think that they are super boats and seem to be well built and finished (no pun intended). BUT poking your head up through a hole in the roof, with no padding anywhere, does not appeal to me if there is even just a bit of a chop around. I'm sure I'd soon knock my teeth out. I don't think you would use the opening hatch other than as you would a sun roof in a car.
I find helming standing up is so much better than sitting down and until the show today would have happily considered an Aquador but now I'm not so sure. The 28 Cabin is even worse than the hard tops in that when I stood at the helm the roof line was exactly at eye level so I couldn't see anyway. Mind you I am slightly vertically challenged.
However this boat has a really clever accommodation lay-out, as neat as I've ever seen on a boat that size.
If standing up is important then you would be better off with one of the "Sports Fisher" types from France, Spain and Portugal.
I think that Aquadors are expensive when compared with many other boats size for size, but Scandinavian boats have a style and apparent build integrity that in my opinion makes them worth more.
Good luck,
John
 
Many thanks to all for the helpful advice. John - I take your point on the Aquador roof opening, I have stood up in the 26HT and been fine myself however I suppose I should consider the other family members who may take the wheel from time to time - the dentist could be a happier man with the new business.

Some good suggestions on the other canopy boats which I'll investigate. I'll be over at the show this weekend and have a good look around. I didn't see any hard tops on the Bayliner website but see used boats with hardtops not sure why ?


Any suggestions at what to look at / who to visit during the show would be welcome. Does anyone know whether there will be any technical shows/demonstartions on Nav/electronics equipment that you need to register for?

Thanks again.
 
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