Moved to Canada - What Boat Should I Buy...

[Fingersmuldoon]

Hi Guys & Gals,

Its been a while since I posted anything, and in the eons since my last post I have left Blighty and moved to Nova Scotia, Canada.

I now live in Bridgewater, on the banks of the LaHave River, 5 miles from ocean and in the centre of the Canadian equivalent of Cowes. Everywhere you look there are motorboats of all shapes and sizes, and some strange things with telegraph poles covered in sheets sticking up from the middle of them?

So, having sold my sports fisher when I left the UK I fully intended to buy another here. But this is where the dilemma starts. Motorboats are so bloody cheap here I can pretty much buy something I could have only dreamed of owning in the UK for sod all. Berthing is not an issue either. At the moment, I can drop a swinging mooring in the eastury, or at Hubbards for free. Also, there are public slips everywhere, and launching is free!

I have set myself a budget of about GBP 15,000 for my fist boat (thats about $32,000). Not much I hear you say. But this is Canada we are talking about. My options are as follows...

1992 Sea Ray Sundancer 290.
2 x 175hp petrols
$29,900 (GBP 14,000)

1989 Regal Commodore 280
2 x 260HP Mercruiser Petrols
$28,500 (GBP 13,500)

1990 Bayliner 2655
Single 260HP Mercruiser petrol
$26,900 (GBP 12,700)

1990 25' Carver Montego Mid Cabin
Single Mercruiser 260HP Petrol (Rebuilt - 50 hours)
$19,900 (GBP 9,500)

1981 Sea Ray 255 Sedan Bridge
Single 330HP Mercruiser (Rebuilt - 175 Hours)
$18,250 (GBP 8,500)

So, I have a wide choice for my first boat in Canada. There are 6 of us, and we may want to do the odd bit of overnighting, so assuming all surveys are in order, what would you go for at those prices?

Fingers.

 

[KCook]

For me it would come down to either the twin engine Regal or single Carver ...

Kelly Cook

 

[Sneds]

SWMBO loves the Seadancer 290 but twin petrol? How much is petrol in Canada?

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

would go for the Searay

 

[capnjack]

Agree with Kelly. However, I would steer clear of rebuilds, the word "rebuilt" means a lot of things to different people.

For me its the top three, but to narrow it down go look at them and decide on condition. A well loved and cared for boat is a good boat. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[andrewa]

Sea Ray, but check the rear berth the pre 1994 radar arches leaked around the securing bolts and spoiled that area and let water into the layup.

 

[Nick_H]

[ QUOTE ]
Motorboats are so bloody cheap here I can pretty much buy something I could have only dreamed of owning in the UK for sod all. Berthing is not an issue either. At the moment, I can drop a swinging mooring in the eastury, or at Hubbards for free. Also, there are public slips everywhere, and launching is free!

[/ QUOTE ]

Doesn't sound much like Cowes to me!

 

[AJW]

Welcome to Canada. I'm a bit to the North & East of you in Newfoundland. (Been here since 2004). No boat yet but one day! You have much greater choice in available boats on the 'mainland' & I can't offer much advice on your specific boat choice. However I would say, don't estimate the cost of fuel running two big petrol (gas!) engines. 6GPH per 100hp is a reasonable estimate. Even at C$1.10(?)ish for a litre thats a lot of dosh. Apart from that, Searay has a good reputation AFAIK.

If money permitted and speed was not the be all and end all, I'd look at some of the more local 'down east' style semidisplacement boats. Rosborough 246 for example although that may be a bit small for sleeping 6. Anyway, enjoy!

AJW

 

[SeadogUSA]

I would go with either the Sea Ray or Regal twins, all things being the same. The Bayliner is a nice boat, but unless it is in mint condition, not worth that much. The Carver might be too much for the single engine. Of course, the only way to know for sure is to have a survey done.

 

[Kawasaki]

"Moved to Canada, what boat should I buy"?
1. Canoe
2. Snow shoes
3. Another Canoe.
4. More Snow shoes .
5. Serious Central Heating Unit.
6. Serious 4x4.
7. Serious?
No not really.
However No2 bro has come back to the UK after 25 years there.
No. 1 Bro is here next week for A Holiday (sorry Vacation) think He would like to stay.
Think that's more about His SWMBO than the Country though!
No 1 Sister has lived in Regina Skatch since 54.
Cripes I,ve been there that,s worse than life in St Quentin!
Interesting.
What took You to NS and why?
If I may ask?
I really fancy BC, that's why I ask.

 

[Fingersmuldoon]

Kawasaki,

Basically becasue NS is pretty much an undiscovered fantasitc place. Loads of open space and a laid back life style. We looked at BC, but the cost was on a par with the UK. In NS I have bought a 6 bedroom house on 1.5 acres of land for about GBP65K, a 2 bedroom bungalow (to renovate and sell) for less than GBP25K, and 1.5 acres of land in the most unspoilt plac in NS (Hubbads Cove) for about GBP10K.

I cannot explain just how nice and laid back te place is in a few words, you have to come here and meet the locals for yourself. Its a mix of folks with Scottish ancestry, newfies, and ex-pat brits.

The one things I can say is that I have been here 2 months, and no one has tried to blow me up yet!

Fingers.

 

[Fingersmuldoon]

Oh yes,

I have pretty much decided on the Sea Ray, but SWMBO has the final say. Although a big spabber was thrown in the works by way of a decent Doral offered in a private sale. I will have a nosey this weekend and see what the score is.

Petrol is about $1.10 a litre, and the current exchange rate is about $2.14 to the pound, so petrols still make sense over here.

Fingers

 

[Kawasaki]

Thanks for that info and reply Fingers.
Very interesting and thought provoking!

Petrol at $1. 10 a litre.
Yep, Bro told Me that the populus was getting all wound up when it hit the $1.00 mark!!!
Yep, not getting blown up is a definate bonus too.
K