Looking into buying a boat

[rubber_dinghy_matt]

Hi all,

I have a private mooring (right outside my house) available to use on an inland river (The Great River Ouse).

I am new to motor boats, but have been looking for about a month and looked at quite a high number at various local marinas over the last few weekends.

The types of boat that have caught our imagination is your typical powerboat; such as the sunseeker mexico / Searay 230.... However, these are more suited to open waters than inland rivers. So my question is really whether or not this type of boat would be OK with most of its life spent driving around at low speeds on the local river system with the occasional close-shore/estuary trip?


The reasons we like this style of boat is because:

1. The outdoor cockpit is sizeable, open & comfortable.
2. The option to be able to take it to an estuary and have some fun every now and then is very appealing (obviously training to keep safe will be required to do this)
3. Easily transported on a trailer
4. Price - our budget is up to £15k, although closer to £10k would be more what we would like to spend.
5. We don't like the traditional river cabin cruisers; in fact, we'd rather stick to the canoe than have one of them.


As the mooring is right outside our house, we are more keen on open top boats that have enough cabin space for a double berth for the occasional weekend trip. We like the idea of open tops because we would use the boat for an evenings cruise down the river, so want a nice comfortable and spacious cockpit. These boats offer a nice sun-bed style rear seating configuration that is really what we like.

 

[oldgit]

We don't like the traditional river cabin cruisers; in fact, we'd rather stick to the canoe than have one of them.

Neither of those boats are a sensible choice for your location or your requirements.
However most waterways are full of unsuitable boats so buy what you fancy,you will have plenty of time to repent later.
Find a good canoe shop and save money.

 

[maby]

The most serious issue will be that marine diesel engines do not take kindly to prolonged periods at low revs and on an inland river you are going to be hard pressed to find anywhere to let it open up. Be prepared for frequent decokes.

 

[rafiki_]

Our first mobo was a Sea Ray Cuddy, 22 foot. We used her twice on the rivers (Ouse and Severn) and once on the sea, before confirming that we could not overnight in the cuddy (space too small), and we needed more weather protection. We kept the boat 3 months before trading up to a 25 ft sports cruiser, which had much more room for accommodation, plus small galley and heads. We moored her on the Norfolk Broads and had some great times.

 

[Chris_d]

The most serious issue will be that marine diesel engines do not take kindly to prolonged periods at low revs and on an inland river you are going to be hard pressed to find anywhere to let it open up. Be prepared for frequent decokes.

Judging by the 100's of diesel boats I see chugging up and down the Thames every year at 5 knts most with a surplus of power of at least a couple of hundred horsepower, I have drawn
the conclusion that this is a myth as I have never heard of nobody carrying out decokes anymore. However OP is likely looking at petrol boats so low speed will not be an issue.

 

[No Regrets]

Stick to traditional stuff, like Birchwood 25, vastly better steering and lots more space for less money and running costs. It's a no-brainer...

Trust me, I did the silly thing years ago...

 

[rubber_dinghy_matt]

Thanks for all your input, I think it's wise to avoid the power boats for river use; it's not ideal and the reason we liked that style of boat is becuase the outer cockpit area on these boats is much more open and spacious which fits what we want as we'll mostly use the boat on a summers evening / warm weekend; considering we live right next to the mooring, we don't care so much about having a big cabin space....

I quite like the cockpit area of the Birchwood, but i don't like that it's a hard top, want an open cockpit, rather than enclosed.... I think we will go have a look at this boat at the weekend....

http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/elysian-27-boat-for-sale-6058.html


Cheers,

 

[Door Mop]

If you love cockpit rather than accommodation, have you thought about this one from the same broker as above?
http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/oyster-16-boat-for-sale-6081.html

 

[longjohnsilver]

If you love cockpit rather than accommodation, have you thought about this one from the same broker as above?
http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/oyster-16-boat-for-sale-6081.html

That's a prime example of an unloved and uncared for boat being sold at a premium price. Work, work and more work.

 

[rubber_dinghy_matt]

That's a prime example of an unloved and uncared for boat being sold at a premium price. Work, work and more work.

I thought the same thing, that boat looks 20 years older than it probably is.... The teak on that boat could be lovely, but it's not.

Also I don't think that's really the type of boat we want; having a berth (not too fussed on the berths size so long as it's clean and tidy) to allow us do an overnight weekend trip is a must.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Maybe search through the Shetland range, there's some very good examples out there and so many different models that there's almost bound to be something that suits your requirements. And when you move on, it should be relatively easy to sell.

 

[rubber_dinghy_matt]

Maybe search through the Shetland range, there's some very good examples out there and so many different models that there's almost bound to be something that suits your requirements. And when you move on, it should be relatively easy to sell.

We had a look at a Shetland Family 4 which was in very good condition, however, it was just far too small; I couldn't even sit on the seat behind the wheel because it was tucked right up against the throttle controls! ...I think we'll try and find some other shetlands that are slightly bigger to look around.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Take a look here at the 4+2, selection of hard and soft top. And lots of others. Or look at the Fletcher range, again lots of good boats to choose from.

http://shetland.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=1647

 

[Chris_d]

Not knocking others choices, but forget Shetlands they are horrible little budget boats and are very compromised, you said you didn't like old upright cabin cruisers but are now considering 40 year old Elysians and Birchwoods :disgust:. If the Sunseeker Mexico ticks the boxes then buy it, it will be fine on the river as a day boat honestly and considerably more stylish.

 

[rubber_dinghy_matt]

you said you didn't like old upright cabin cruisers but are now considering 40 year old Elysians and Birchwoods :disgust:

Only considering because we haven't really looked at any; we've looked at a shetland family 4 and had the opinion that it felt cheap and very very basic, plus it was far far too small and we really wouldn't enjoy being on that boat for any length of time.... We've not looked at bigger cabin cruisers yet, so we're open to suggestions.

The reason we like the Sunseeker is:

1. Outside cockpit is spacious; lovely comfortable rear lay-flat seating and comfortable pilot/co-pilot seating
2. Build quality of the boat felt solid
3. Big enough cabin for us to occasionally sleep overnight
4. Shape of the boat far more appealing than the caravan style cabin cruisers
5. Able to lay on a flat boat deck

Reasons we are put off by the sunseeker:

1. Higher service costs (we've been told roughly about £1000 per year)
2. Higher running costs (we've been told it will use around about 1.5gallons per hour for river use)


Realistically, we'll use the boat for around about 100 hours per year:

For something like the sunseeker that would be around about 150 gallons; rounded up to 700 litres, costing around about £1000 in fuel.

Comparing that to a typical river boat that uses 0.4 gallons per hour, (round up to 2 litres per hour), costing £200 in fuel.... So there's quite some difference in running costs.... Although there's also quite some difference in the boat style and the sunseeker (or at least, that type of boat) does fit what we are looking for the best.

 

[Chris_d]

Only considering because we haven't really looked at any; we've looked at a shetland family 4 and had the opinion that it felt cheap and very very basic, plus it was far far too small and we really wouldn't enjoy being on that boat for any length of time.... We've not looked at bigger cabin cruisers yet, so we're open to suggestions.

The reason we like the Sunseeker is:

1. Outside cockpit is spacious; lovely comfortable rear lay-flat seating and comfortable pilot/co-pilot seating
2. Build quality of the boat felt solid
3. Big enough cabin for us to occasionally sleep overnight
4. Shape of the boat far more appealing than the caravan style cabin cruisers
5. Able to lay on a flat boat deck

Reasons we are put off by the sunseeker:

1. Higher service costs (we've been told roughly about £1000 per year)
2. Higher running costs (we've been told it will use around about 1.5gallons per hour for river use)


Realistically, we'll use the boat for around about 100 hours per year:

For something like the sunseeker that would be around about 150 gallons; rounded up to 700 litres, costing around about £1000 in fuel.

Comparing that to a typical river boat that uses 0.4 gallons per hour, (round up to 2 litres per hour), costing £200 in fuel.... So there's quite some difference in running costs.... Although there's also quite some difference in the boat style and the sunseeker (or at least, that type of boat) does fit what we are looking for the best.

Ok first thing is boats cost money, loads of it there are very few cheap routes. £1000 to service is probably exaggerated its assuming a full rate engineer does the outdrive. I also doubt you will actually clock up 100 hours on the river unless you are really keen, but if you do thats great. The fuel consumption is peanuts compared to coastal use and 1gph is more typical but you have to stick to the speed limit of 5knts, do 6knts and its 50% more consumption. I doubt anything but the smallest outboard will only use 0.4gph.

To my mind if you don't enjoy being on the actual boat regardless of these things and keep looking at nicer ones as you pass by in your budget choice, it sort of spoils it.

 

[Alpha22]

The biggest problem with the first boat is you don't actually know how you are going to use it and how much. You don't really know what features you value in a boat and where you can accept compromises. It isn't until you have used the boat for a season or two that you know the answers to these questions.

I boat on the Gt Ouse and have owned 3 boats in the last 6 years. Each one having different qualities.
Some things to ponder....
If you only use the boat at weekends, that means you can only cruise a limited distance on the system. in reality that means one day out and the next day back. Given a choice of two directions from your home, that limits your use of the river to about 10% of what is available. You may well soon tire of the same short stretch of river. Consider a boat capable of a week cruise and then Cambridge, Ely and Bedford become destinations. OK, it may be a little spartan and basic, but there are many opportunities to eat out on the system.

Summer evenings on your mooring may sound magical, but a boat is a very, very expensive alternative to a patio.
Don't forget the additional costs, Licence - approx £250 for a 20' boat. Boat Safety - approx £150 every 4 years. Insurance - approx £180. Although you have the benefit of not having to pay the largest fee.. moorings!!

If you fancy meeting up and chatting boats, maybe even fitting in a quick trip out PM me.

Have a look at a Freeman 26. Lots of cockpit space, sleeps 2 in comfort, 4 at a push. Economical single petrol (some diesel) Classic lines. Quality interior. Unlikely to depreciate.

 

[rubber_dinghy_matt]

....Have a look at a Freeman 26. Lots of cockpit space, sleeps 2 in comfort, 4 at a push. Economical single petrol (some diesel) Classic lines. Quality interior. Unlikely to depreciate.

First off, thanks very much for the useful info.... I'm not in any rush as to end up buying something that will be totally the wrong wrong boat for us.... I appriciate all the points you raise in your post, and I agree, that we would like to use the boat for a longer cruise at least once a year going further up river, I quite like the look of the Freeman 26 you mentioned, although it's hard to tell just from photos.... But the cockpit area looks a fair size that is also nice and open (which is really what we want) once the canopy has been removed.

 

[TerryW2]

Glad you are in no rush. It is much cheaper to buy in the dead of Winter. Buying your first boat, especially a budget boat, is difficult. I can say one thing for certain, avoid rear engined outdrive sports cruisers. They steer like a pig. Trust me over this one. I have a Bayliner 2452 (5.7L engine on an outdrive). It is hell at close quarters and I have been practicing for 6 years now.

Best of luck and keep us informed.

Terry

 

[rubber_dinghy_matt]

avoid rear engined outdrive sports cruisers. They steer like a pig

Thanks for pointing this out; wouldn't have even thought about that sort of thing