Minimum size for happy seakeeping?

[finchtimr]

We are looking to make our first purchase.

A classic day boat, with a small cuddy cabin arrangement e.g. Sunseeker Mustang, as opposed to a Saxodor or rib style.

My wife and I (no children) will be boating in the Solent, in and around the bays and IoW.

We plan to bring lunch with us and would stay overnight on land. Until we have enough experience and cash to get something large enough. As Mrs. F will only sleep on something at least 26ft plus. So on that basis, a smaller day boat makes sense. Something to lay out on at anchor, and enjoy throughout the year.

Therefore, my question is, will a 20fter be comfortable for passengers on average choppy seas in the Solent and calmer blue sky days in the winter?

 

[[165042]]

I started with a 20ft boat (a Karnic 2050) and am based in Lymington. A Solent chop is going to be uncomfortable in anything that size and you'll get wet which is why RIBs are so popular here. You might want to look at a Nimbus Nova 26 if you're considering inboard diesels but a RIB with an outboard would be the sensible choice.

 

[petem]

Or Windy Mirage 25 if you can afford it.

 

[finchtimr]

Thanks guys. Makes sense.

Would love a Windy, perhaps in a few years. Currently in mid-career in our 30s, so would be hard to justify that as a first boat.

In short, sounds like the recommendations are for either a rib, or a 7m+ day boat? We've used 7m Finnmasters through one of the boat clubs and enjoyed those. So that makes sense.

 

[[165042]]

I had a White Shark 265 and also a Boston Whaler 255 - both good sea boats with outboards.

 

[[165042]]

The 268 has a cabin - this one is overpriced given the condition IMO:

White Shark 268 | 8m | 2008 - Hampshire | Boats and Outboards

 

[[165042]]

For a first boat that's trailerable a Karnic 2250 would be a good start

 

[Whopper]

Not sure what the budget is but I also think Jeanneau Leader 805 are a nice package at that sort of size. Same for the smaller Aquador model

 

[stelican]

I've done many years of Solent boating and my thoughts are if you want to keep wife happy get a boat with a full wrap around windscreen and a loo.
But not a BAYLINER!

 

[julians]

Windy 25 mirage is the obvious answer- i used to have one in majorca, i sold it to a dealer who took it back to poole.

Failing that something with as high a deadrise as you can find (oh no i sound like portofino now;-))

Whats the budget? That would help narrow things down

 

[Portofino]

Windy 25 mirage is the obvious answer- i used to have one in majorca, i sold it to a dealer who took it back to poole.

Failing that something with as high a deadrise as you can find (oh no i sound like portofino now;-))

Whats the budget? That would help narrow things down

This ^ .

 

[[165042]]

A decent Mirage will be around £45k - that's quite a lot I suspect for a first time boat. A Karnic 2250 with a 200hp outboard and trailer will be around half that. I'd start with a cheaper boat or RIB and look for a Ghibli 28 in a few years time if boating works for you - it doesn't quite often.

 

[finchtimr]

Thanks all, good thoughts here. That all makes sense.

Budget-wise, I was hoping for £25k, but that now sounds unrealistic for a diesel 24ft cuddy.

 

[[165042]]

That depends on your expectation of age and condition:

Karnic 2260 | 7m | 2003 - Dorset | Boats and Outboards
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 | 7m | 2001 - Hampshire | Boats and Outboards

or how about something fun:

Formula 252 Sun Sport | 8m | 1996 - Gwynedd | Boats and Outboards

If your budget can stretch a bit this is a nice boat:

Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5DC | 8m | 2013 - Dorset | Boats and Outboards

 

[Scubadoo]

With that budget have a look at the Sealine S24 / 230 (petrol or diesel) there was also a S24 cuddy version as well but rare.

 

[Bigplumbs]

That depends on your expectation of age and condition:

Karnic 2260 | 7m | 2003 - Dorset | Boats and Outboards
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 | 7m | 2001 - Hampshire | Boats and Outboards

or how about something fun:

Formula 252 Sun Sport | 8m | 1996 - Gwynedd | Boats and Outboards

If your budget can stretch a bit this is a nice boat:

Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5DC | 8m | 2013 - Dorset | Boats and Outboards

I think some of those adds might be scams

 

[paradave]

I think some of those adds might be scams

They're all from brokerages, what makes you think they’re dodgy?

 

[finchtimr]

That depends on your expectation of age and condition:

Karnic 2260 | 7m | 2003 - Dorset | Boats and Outboards
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 | 7m | 2001 - Hampshire | Boats and Outboards

or how about something fun:

Formula 252 Sun Sport | 8m | 1996 - Gwynedd | Boats and Outboards

If your budget can stretch a bit this is a nice boat:

Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5DC | 8m | 2013 - Dorset | Boats and Outboards

Great and broad selection.

Heart would love a formula, but wallet for fuel says otherwise!!

Might be wise for me to wait, and take the Cap DC in another year. Perfect and sort of thing I’m after.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Or get some boating done in a basic RIB, and trade up when you’re able? We’ve got a Ring 6.5, it handles the Solent in a bad mood without trouble, though I make no claims about comfort.

 

[paradave]

You mentioned boat clubs - you may well have driven my current boat before! It’s a Finnmaster S6 and although only 6.5m it handles the Solent incredibly well - much better than my previous MF805 - and has more room on board than an equivalent sized RIB.