Lots of questions

courtguinness

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I looking at buying my first motorboat /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

I do have some questions however:

I'm looking for a good boat prefebaly new (length less than 30ft) at two price points (20000 and 40000, depends on cash available later in the year) that is suitable for boating with young children. I like the Jeanneau Meery Fisher 655.

Also any pointers for boating with young children, youngest is 6 months!

Lastly what are the favorite crusing grounds for young families?
 

Frontier

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Think about the cabin space you will require. I almost bought a Sealine 255/285, but am now glad I bought a larger boat, where I dont have to convert the dinette into a bed every night.

I guess you are thinking of days out rather than overnight though if you fancy the Merry Fisher. I saw one being trialed in Pool, certainly handled very well.
 

muckypup

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Don't forget that with boats, size=money. Marinas usually charged by length. Lift out/in usually charged by length etc. Think what you will be using your boat for and decide on the size accordingly.
 

MiskinDriver

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I think you need to consider (domestic) facilities - heads/toilets; galley/kitchen facilities are going to be important with kids and will make a big difference over their perception of whether boating is fun or not.

With a 6 month old you're going to need at least a reasonably contained cuddy/cabin so they can crash out.

Cruising grounds depend where you want to keep the boat - though trailability may be of value if you want to save on marina fees and have a choice of cruising areas.

Finally, I'd want a boat which can be used with confidence in coastal waters - but also on at least parts of the inland system. Maximum flexibility.

Enjoy - whatever you decide.
 

gjgm

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if you ve looked at a few boats, you 'll know that an extra bit of length also equals alot more interior, and alot more expense.New, and very vaguely, you could say from 24ft-30ft its £10k per foot. That gives you some idea of the scale of rising costs. You do need to get a bit clearer quite what you are after,where and how you will use the boat before suggestions of which models to look at. Lots of people enjoy boating, but lets be fair,lots of people dont-or find out very expensively that its not all lazy days puttering along in calm sunny waters. In fact, thats a few times a year in a good summer! Also, buying the boat is just one cost-these things are very expensive toys to own-far,far worse than cars.
But thats the gloom! For those who do find the right boat and appreciate the limitations and manage the costs, its huge fun.
Try to look through magazines and see what sort of boat catches your eye, and tell us a bit more about your dreams. Hopefully you get some good suggestions to ponder, some boats to nose over, and as we all have budgets,some idea of the annual costs. There are ways of limiting some of these-for example a 30ft boat in a Solent marina will cost you £4000+ a year, a 24ft boat in a marina on a trailer might costs £1400;
On a trailer at home, £0! Fuel? Anything from £500-£2000,depending on your boat and boating. Annual servicing? Can easily be £500+ per engine. Two engines and two outdrives is £1250+ a year.
Id suggest you get a really good picture of costs, because that will have a big influence on choice of boats. And although no one gets the perfect boat first time, with help from here I think you have a great chance of getting off onto a super start.
 

John_d_Smith

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I agree with the points previously made, I've got two kids who were boating before they could walk and it's given them a lot of fun over the years.
Regarding cruising grounds, it would be useful to know where you live, rivers are a great way to gently introduce a family to boating.
 

Kawasaki

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Safe "walk round" deck.
Roof, shaft,diesel.
Maybe Four Stroke outboard.
I think something like an Antaeres 760?
Available used in Your price range I reckon.
 
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