My first boat - buying tomorrow fingers crossed (advice pls)

[TonyBerkshire]

So what was the point in asking for advice?

? ... I didn't ask for advice on buying the boat in my post (see below on advice I asked for)

I live in Berkshire, Wokingham and appreciate any advice on where I can use the boat, what things I need to do (from a quick google I think a test & license, register it with gov and get insurance as as a minimum.. not sure if I need mooring?)

 

[TonyBerkshire]

Hope it all works out for you and good luck but I can't help feeling that you have jumped in too quickly. £20K in my view is well overpriced for that boat. 3 girls, wife and large dog. could get very cramped on a bowrider. For £20K you could have bought something like this with a bit more room and cover to get out of bad weather. Maxum 2400 SCR Used Boat for Sale 2001
or even this Regal 2460 Commodore Used Boat for Sale 2001

If you thinking of keeping it in a marina there would have been no need for storage considerations.

Thank you and I agree... it was at 7600 with about 30 mins left on ebay... I put my max bid to 20k knowing (hoping) no-one else would do what I did to secure the boat... I got it for 9100.

This bow rider seats 8 and may leave the dog with the neighbours for a while see how we get on with it first. My girls are 5, 6 and 7 yrs old so dont take much space yet

What do you mean storage considerations? Was planning on keeping on the driveway either a cover on... but now thinking a marina may be good to save time.

 

[Seastoke]

Hi Tony , don’t pay cash , where up north there maybe a forumite who will pop round and give it a once over and check the photos are for the same boat , do you know if the engine goes normally peeps would show a u tube vid of it running .

 

[ST840]

what things I need to do (from a quick google I think a test

You have asked for advice on what to do, which we have offered, it included what to do before jumping in. You got the advice and then bought it anyway unseen or tested. Good luck

 

[TonyBerkshire]

Enjoy! Providing the boat is OK, you'll easily sell it when you want something else (with a toilet).

As others have mentioned here, dropping it in the Thames for a potter is a great first step. No tides, no waves. You will need to learn how to manoeuvre it - a single engine with a lot of grunt can easily end in tears. As for Boat Safety requirements on the Thames, I think the rules are more lenient for open boats, but others here will know better.

Thank you... May get one with a toilet and bbq next time ?.

No tides and waves sounds good. Is there a speed limit on the Thames? The Regal which I didn't get was a 5L v8 engine but this one's only 3L so not sure how fast she goes?

 

[Bigplumbs]

Thank you... May get one with a toilet and bbq next time ?.

No tides and waves sounds good. Is there a speed limit on the Thames? The Regal which I didn't get was a 5L v8 engine but this one's only 3L so not sure how fast she goes?

Yes there is a speed limit..... Very slow

 

[TonyBerkshire]

You have asked for advice on what to do, which we have offered, it included what to do before jumping in. You got the advice and then bought it anyway unseen or tested. Good luck

Yes the additional advice which I didn't ask for was welcome and extremely useful. Glad I joined this site. As I mentioned in reply to another member on here, I will be taking the advice in that I will be going up and seeing it now instead and also arrangr for a structural and electrical/mechanical marine engineer to carry out a survey BEFORE I part with the cash. Have informed the seller.

 

[markc]

Thank you... May get one with a toilet and bbq next time ?.

No tides and waves sounds good. Is there a speed limit on the Thames? The Regal which I didn't get was a 5L v8 engine but this one's only 3L so not sure how fast she goes?

4 knots - slow, but that's all you need - zooming around on a flat sea (with all the safety precautions) is easy. Launching, manoeuvring at close quarters is much harder, so best to learn in benign conditions. Before venturing out to sea make sure to take an RYA Powerboat course - sadly it's very easy to kill yourself or your kids in a small fast boat in the sea

 

[TonyBerkshire]

Yes there is a speed limit..... Very slow

My american import car goes just over 200mph ... not sure what the UK road speed limit is either ?

 

[TonyBerkshire]

Hi Tony , don’t pay cash , where up north there maybe a forumite who will pop round and give it a once over and check the photos are for the same boat , do you know if the engine goes normally peeps would show a u tube vid of it running .

Is bank transfer better ? Paying with debit card of course offers better consumer protection in respect to disputes but doubt the seller takes card? Bank transfers you can only raise a case with trading standards so not good if boat turns out bad after I pay.

It's located in a place called Driffield in East Yorkshire (North of Hull and East of York)

 

[markc]

My american import car goes just over 200mph .

Until it sees a corner.

Speeding on the Thames is not big, or clever.

 

[TonyBerkshire]

Until it sees a corner.

Speeding on the Thames is not big, or clever.

100% correct... have to be careful around corners... not many straight roads in the UK... I actually bought the car as had 3 kids under 3 yrs old and its wide at the back safely fit's 3 baby seats ... having a big engine was a bonus ?

And I was jesting. . I like accelerating fast and taking my car on the track but don't speed !

 

[Bigplumbs]

Tony can you tell me where to buy the stuff you have been smoking

 

[julians]

I'll be interested to hear how this boat turns out.

Could be completely fine, or a total money pit (I mean an even bigger money pit than your average boat).

I see Tony in a 60 foot flybridge based in the med before the end of the summer?

 

[bowler]

Thank you... May get one with a toilet and bbq next time ?.

No tides and waves sounds good. Is there a speed limit on the Thames? The Regal which I didn't get was a 5L v8 engine but this one's only 3L so not sure how fast she goes?

I have had a similar boat with the 3ltr mercruiser. It wont be a rocket ship and will struggle to plane with a few bodies and some weight on board, but sending some people into the bow will sort that.

Plus side is it sips fuel and will be easy to tow! A good first boat so see how you like it and sell it on when the time comes.

I hope it works out and I am glad you are taking a look at it with someone knowledgeable.

Keep us posted.

D

 

[chillee]

I have had a similar boat with the 3ltr mercruiser. It wont be a rocket ship and will struggle to plane with a few bodies and some weight on board, but sending some people into the bow will sort that.

Plus side is it sips fuel and will be easy to tow! A good first boat so see how you like it and sell it on when the time comes.

I hope it works out and I am glad you are taking a look at it with someone knowledgeable.

Keep us posted.

D

If the trailer is in good nick, that alone is worth around £2500.

Need James to come online, as he works at a marina on the Thames at Wargrave

 

[hinch]

It's located in a place called Driffield in East Yorkshire (North of Hull and East of York)

if you'd mentioned that before you bought it its about 20 minutes from me i could have popped and taken a look at it.

 

[limecc]

I'd be very careful checking the trailer tyres and ensuring correct pressure. Wouldn't want a blowout. Also a trolley jack so you can spin the wheels and check the bearings aren't going to give out on the way home, probably best to take it steady.

I've made errors regarding covers, many are not that durable, my last one was made out of Oxford 600D material that only lasted a few months before going brittle due to sun damage. I wasn't sure a Ducksback would have been much better. I ended up using a simple PVC tarpaulin (same material used for ribs and lorry curtainsides), and fold the corners at the bow. Heavy but works really well, available in various sizes (EBay) and I think it will last years. Held down to the trailer with about 20 bungees.

Hope it goes well for you. Enjoy the experience.

 

[TonyBerkshire]

I have had a similar boat with the 3ltr mercruiser. It wont be a rocket ship and will struggle to plane with a few bodies and some weight on board, but sending some people into the bow will sort that.

Plus side is it sips fuel and will be easy to tow! A good first boat so see how you like it and sell it on when the time comes.

I hope it works out and I am glad you are taking a look at it with someone knowledgeable.

Keep us posted.

D

thanks for the tip and will do.

 

[TonyBerkshire]

if you'd mentioned that before you bought it its about 20 minutes from me i could have popped and taken a look at it.

Drat !!!

What area do you take your boat out in? I'm going to get a marine boat specialist carry our a survey before I part with the cash though. Do you know any? I called one today but he is booked up for a whole month and didn't really want to wait that long.