Moving to the dark side

Stemar

Stemar

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SWMBO and I have enjoyed many happy years of pootling around the Solent and further afield in our Snapdragon 24, but she’s never really liked sailing, so we tend to motor or motor-sail most of the time when she’s aboard. She’s also disabled and over the last year or so has found the unequal steps between cockpit and saloon quite difficult, so we’re considering the possibility of getting a motor cruiser which, rightly or wrongly, we perceive as likely to have fewer steps or, at least, more equal ones. We’d also like a little more space with, preferably, a decent aft cabin.

We don’t want huge fuel bills; we’re quite happy at displacement speeds, and we want a boat that will look after us when I get a forecast wrong. The boat is for use in and around the Solent initially, but with a view to a move to S Brittany (perhaps Arzal) later, cruising the Morbihan coastline and the Brittany canals for up to a month at a time.

With all this in mind, I’ve put together a list of requirements – some are must haves, some nice to haves, but I’m not sure at this stage which is which! I’m giving reasons for my choices but, while I know my way around sailing boats, I know little or less about motorboats, so my reasons may well be false – feel free to tell me if they are!

· Displacement hull form – for fuel economy and rough weather ability, which I hope never to test, but…
· Twin (preferably) diesels on shafts – for manoeuvrability and reliability
· Ideally, the ability to take the ground – we love creek crawling and drying anchorages
· Max draft 1m10, air draft 2m50 – for the canals
· 27-30ft length
· 4-6 berths, a nice aft cabin would be a bonus
· Budget up to about £15,000, with a bit of elasticity for something exceptional
· Willing to give a bit of TLC, but want to spend my time out on the water, not in the workshop!
· Capable of crossing from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in settled weather
· Straightforward access to the foredeck for anchoring
· Manageable by one person, with a limited of assistance from SWMBO

One final question that will demonstrate the depths of my ignorance: What’s the difference between a river boat and a coastal cruiser suitable for the kind of areas I have in mind? I really don’t want to have to take the seller’s word for it!

Thanks in advance for your advice. Suggestions of suitable boats to look out for welcome, too.
 
That's a pretty specific list.

I think your limiting option is budget, not impossible but certainly a challenge.

I have no suggestions - obvious choices are smaller Aquastar, hardy but I think they'll blow the budget.
 
Whitelighter said:
That's a pretty specific list.

I think your limiting option is budget, not impossible but certainly a challenge.

I have no suggestions - obvious choices are smaller Aquastar, hardy but I think they'll blow the budget.
Click to expand...

Most of the list are desirables, rather than essentials - a list of thoughts, rather than requirements, and posted to see if they make sense, and in the hope of getting some experienced help in refining them.

I'm only too aware that the budget is an issue - if it wasn't I'd probably be on the phone to Nelson! Nosing around the internet, I've seen a Colvic 28 that looked as if it might fit the bill. It
was described as a capable coastal cruiser, but is it really? Coming from the raggie side, pretty much any boat over 24ft would be capable of coping with far worse conditions then I'd ever want to be out in, but I have a perception that most motorboats, especially at the budget end are less able to cope if I get caught out. Is that correct?
 
Bit long in the tooth now but Colvic Northener.
Had a good reputation in its day as a will always get you home boat and some come with sails:)
 
Perhaps a bit short for you, but the Channel Island 22 is a good capable boat, and plenty about in your price range.
 
Couple of comments.
Any aft cabin boat with room to swing more than a small hobbit tends to be over 30ft and far more likely to be 36ft.Several popular examples come to mind.
Big capacious hull means big juicy engines..which means BIG fuel bills ,especially if you actually want to go anywhere.
You are probably better off looking at something with more normal layout of forecabin/dinette/cockpit to get within your budget.
The leftfield option is something of the Dutch style steel boat,economical but slow.
However old steel boats tend to be priced below their plastic rivals with good reason,lack of care over the years by previous owners can lead to serious hidden internal corrosion which requires major repair and hence major money.
Pounds for per foot motor cruisers appear to cost twice as much as the average sailing boat.
Not sure why this should be,could be something to do with the fact that buying and using a yacht requires some sort of commitment and skill,where as any old Tom Dick or Harry can buy a motor boat and set orf for the IOW.
The ability to whinge about yachts tacking in front of them,being unable to control their boats unless doing 30 knots and a total lack of how much chaos their wash causes is usually aquired a short time later.:):):)
 
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Any aft cabin boat with room to swing more than a small hobbit tends to be over 30ft and far more likely to be 36ft.

I spent a couple of hours window shopping on the net yesterday and I see what you mean. Two bedrooms would be nice but, realistically, it's going to be the Admiral and me almost all the time, so one bedroom with a bit of cat-swinging space is probably more realistic on our budget

The leftfield option is something of the Dutch style steel boat,economical but slow.
However old steel boats tend to be priced below their plastic rivals with good reason,lack of care over the years by previous owners can lead to serious hidden internal corrosion which requires major repair and hence major money.

Not so left field - I really like the look of some of them, but finding a good'un in our budget is the issue. Would ultrasonic testing pick up anything nasty, or is it pot luck even if you test?

The ability to whinge about yachts tacking in front of them,being unable to control their boats unless doing 30 knots and a total lack of how much chaos their wash causes is usually acquired a short time later

I'd forgotten about the special skills required for mobo'ing! I'd thought that if we got a twin screw job, a day's training might on low speed manoeuvring be a good investment - I'll make sure that's included too! It took me years to learn how to complain about stinkpotter wake properly and how to tack under their bows in a narrow channel for maximum effect :)

Just a tad left field, but suits a lot of your requirements, I know a little of this boat, I believe engines out of a pair of land rovers.... But a cheap boat IMO with a motivated seller who wants rid.
http://www.a1boats.co.uk/category/10...Walton-28.html

That's an interesting boat - thanks. Unfortunately, it's a bit early to do more than a bit of tyre kicking at the moment but, if she's still around when we're ready, I reckon she'd be well worth a look. She certainly doesn't look as though she'd frighten easily if the wind gets up.
 
A general point is that you are looking for a reasonably sized boat at a relatively low price. However running costs relate to the size of the boat - so 30 feet worth of mooring costs, the potential servicing and repair bills that go with much larger engines than you are used to and of course the fuel guzzling tendencies. Also inevitably older boats are in the price range and they are likely to come with bigger repair bills just because of age. Do a bit of reading around displacement cruisers vs semi-displacement and planing hulls. If you are planning longer trips there is value in being able to open up the throttles to get of a bit of dodgy weather or a "situation" mid channel. Amongst some others on here I have always liked semi displacement hulls - they are stable at slow speeds but do have that extra kick when needed
 
Stemar said:
SWMBO and I have enjoyed many happy years of pootling around the Solent and further afield in our Snapdragon 24, but she’s never really liked sailing, so we tend to motor or motor-sail most of the time when she’s aboard. She’s also disabled and over the last year or so has found the unequal steps between cockpit and saloon quite difficult, so we’re considering the possibility of getting a motor cruiser which, rightly or wrongly, we perceive as likely to have fewer steps or, at least, more equal ones. We’d also like a little more space with, preferably, a decent aft cabin.

We don’t want huge fuel bills; we’re quite happy at displacement speeds, and we want a boat that will look after us when I get a forecast wrong. The boat is for use in and around the Solent initially, but with a view to a move to S Brittany (perhaps Arzal) later, cruising the Morbihan coastline and the Brittany canals for up to a month at a time.

With all this in mind, I’ve put together a list of requirements – some are must haves, some nice to haves, but I’m not sure at this stage which is which! I’m giving reasons for my choices but, while I know my way around sailing boats, I know little or less about motorboats, so my reasons may well be false – feel free to tell me if they are!

· Displacement hull form – for fuel economy and rough weather ability, which I hope never to test, but…
· Twin (preferably) diesels on shafts – for manoeuvrability and reliability
· Ideally, the ability to take the ground – we love creek crawling and drying anchorages
· Max draft 1m10, air draft 2m50 – for the canals
· 27-30ft length
· 4-6 berths, a nice aft cabin would be a bonus
· Budget up to about £15,000, with a bit of elasticity for something exceptional
· Willing to give a bit of TLC, but want to spend my time out on the water, not in the workshop!
· Capable of crossing from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in settled weather
· Straightforward access to the foredeck for anchoring
· Manageable by one person, with a limited of assistance from SWMBO

One final question that will demonstrate the depths of my ignorance: What’s the difference between a river boat and a coastal cruiser suitable for the kind of areas I have in mind? I really don’t want to have to take the seller’s word for it!

Thanks in advance for your advice. Suggestions of suitable boats to look out for welcome, too.
Click to expand...

Might get a decent Broom 30 for the money. Good boats but getting long in the tooth now but on the other hand many were/are extremely well cared for. Aft cabin, but you'd need to look for twin engine versions. Also, engine condition would be critical. These usually have Perkins 4107/4108 diesels and service history vital.
Don't forget that a good serious offer can often get an unexpectedly good deal.

Andrew
 
Stemar said:
...
That's an interesting boat - thanks. Unfortunately, it's a bit early to do more than a bit of tyre kicking at the moment but, if she's still around when we're ready, I reckon she'd be well worth a look. She certainly doesn't look as though she'd frighten easily if the wind gets up.
Click to expand...

its been for sale since last year I believe... so worth looking up when the time is right.
 
Mitchell 31 mk1? Have a serious look at a CI22, small but two berth and I think two more possible under the canvas. Old fishing boat?
 
A Seamaster 30 will do all you want except take the ground unless on soft mud. I had two friends with these boats in he 70s and 80s and I crewed them cross channel and on coastal trips without problems on many occasions.

Not glamorous or sleek and derided by those who've not cruised on one offshore but I always felt positively safe. On one crossing to France we met a couple returning to UK after an extensive year cruise in France on their Seamaster 30.

Motorboats Monthly did an article on cruising a Princess 33 around Channel Islands with Peter Cumberlidge a couple of years ago which described a "cheap" form of boating which is perhaps what you are after. Worth a read.

Good luck with your search and adventures.

Mike
 
Can recommend to P33.Loads around and prices for decent one not outrageous.
For gods sake if you want to stay sane and solvent stay away from outdrive versions.:)
 
I would imagine a largish heavy boat with a couple of quite powerful engines would still like a drink even at displacement speed?
 
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