New Boater, sailor, rider, newbie! Help!

[Suprash]

Hi all, so first off, apologies if I have missed a newbie section, I did have a look but couldnt see anything. So first time entering into boats, my background is more cars and engines, but having grown some gills it seems over the last few months and progressing from an adult inflatable with an electric trolling motor and then onto a tender with a 4hp 2 stroke, it seems Im on an ever increasing voyage to purchasing something a little more sea worthy!

So I have been browsing all the various types of boats and learning about things I have never heard of before, like aft and inboard and outboard engines, to the types of boat I was seeking and it soon became apparent that I was more drawn to the sports cabin cruisers, as they seem to offer the all round package for the beginner, style, practicality, some speed, enjoying the ocean etc. So this brought to me a realistic expectation for my budget, realising I probably need £15k to find something that appears to be a good vessel.

I was instantly more drawn to the Sea Bay's 240/250 type things with its more modern looks and even the Sessa Islamorada 23's. I've found a couple for that money, some UK, some Spain etc and obviously keep seeing a lot of older boats, say late 80's and 90's lesser known makes, well, I say lesser known, what I mean is, I dont know these boats but for the same circa £15k price. Im just aware the Sea Bays and Sessa's are probably more your larger boat manufacture and more popular.

So, this brings me to this point, where I guess, what Im wanting to hear from all you sea mates, captains and skippers is, are the Sea Bay's and the Sessa's worthy vessels, or are they your cheaper, slightly more flimsy, mass produced models, and for something a bit more solid that may last a bit longer I should look at the same price range but maybe a boat that looks slightly squarer around the edges?

Where to look? Obviously I have been looking across all the main sites, but any useful contacts for the UK?

Things I should look out for/known problems with these types of boats?

Any lessons learnt?

Im based in the south of England and plan to trailer my boat out each time I use and dry store it. I cant imagine that if I was to use it more then 10 times a year that Im unsure mooring costs/maintenance, would justify it. Plus I would like to be able to work on it and improve/tinker at home and am well versed at moving heavy loads due to twin deck car transporter and track day type activities (plus, it gives me an excuse to now buy a big 4x4 to tow it/winter hack!)

I guess its ships ahoy for now.....! But would love to hear any advice, pointers, or general hello, sorry I mean "ahoy me shipmate" type responses.....

 

[Jeepster]

If your just looking for a seaworthy boat for occasional jaunts off the South coast say, then you don't need to spend umpteen thousands on a Sea Ray...As you have realised, they are very heavy boats that require a twin axle trailer and a heavy 4x4 to tow them...launching and recovering such unwieldy boats is not something I would recommend for inexperienced boaters like yourself...You certainly couldn't launch or recover it on your own very easily, and you would almost certainly need several friends to help you. Why waste ten's of thousands of pounds on such a boat, inc. the trailer and vehicle to tow it, when for under 3000 quid you could get a smaller boat, that can be just as seaworthy (in coastal waters, at least), much lighter, much easier to handle (can be launched and recovered single handed) and you will probably be able to tow it with a "normal" car, saving you even more money. A sea-going, outboard powered, 16-18foot cabin cruiser would be a good choice...There are plenty around to choose from. The Marina 16 GT for example, or one of the more common Shetland range (the 535 say) would be a good choice. They only weight around 1/2 tonne empty, so with the right trailer it might be possible to keep under the 750kg limit for an unbraked trailer, although I would always recommend you get one with a braked trailer if possible.
Even you if you only keep it for while, owning such a boat will allow you to gain the experience needed to handle a larger boat, you can have a lot of fun whilst your doing so and save a fortune.

 

[Bouba]

Welcome Suprash!
To me, when buying an older boat especially a small one, the engine is the most important thing.
I would go for something with an outboard, these are much easier to work on than inboards. You don’t have to strip the boat down to get to hard to reach places. You won’t have to deal with elderly outdrives. And when the time comes you can easily replace the outboard and you will have, for all practical purposes, a new boat.
This is a great hobby that we all love but an old unreliable engine will quickly kill the passion. Just my 2p worth

 

[luptonj]

I used to have a 1995 SeaRay 230 Sundancer.
Had a great time in it.

Launching, we left it on a swinging mooring for the summer so only launched and recovered once a year. Family already had the mooring so no cost there.
It was a 2 man job to launch and recover, with a bit of practice, a slip that was steep enough and some guides on the trailer I guess you could do it single handed but I would plan on needed help every time.

Engine, had a 5.7 liter mercruiser with an Alpha 1 leg. Found it an easy enough engine to work on, pretty simple. I guess many of the sea rays you look at will have a similar engine. Replacing an outboard would be easier, but assuming you don't need a replacement the inboard would be easier to work on yourself. Just make sure you check it over well and check the leg for corrosion and ensure the gear oil is good, if it has a reservoir you can check the oil level there and see if it's milky or not.

Seakeeping, the sundancer is a tall boat for it's size so did lean a bit. I kept it on the South West of Ireland so some proper seas to deal with. Initially I found her hard to handle in following seas until I learned to drive on and keep the speed up and it was fine after that. But keep in mind these are primarily lake boats so you won't be heading out into exposed seas in a force 6.

Quality, I found the quality of the construction to be quite good, had no complaints.

I guess the real question is what do you plan to do with it, if you plan to overnight regularly then you will need a boat of this size and the accompanying 4x4 and mooring fees etc. I would try to find a cheap swinging mooring if I were you, you will use it more often if you don't have an ordeal to launch it.
On the other hand if you just plan to spend a day out and come home every day, then go for a smaller outboard powered speed boat, get something as cheap as you can and see how you use it.

Whatever you get, you'll end up upgrading in a couple of years so don't worry too much about getting the perfect boat now.

 

[simonfraser]

I trailer mine, 28ft, inboard.
With docking arms and bow thruster it’s doable, pick your tide.
Use a park and ride yard.
Wash it out and down after, what’s anti foul ?

 

[Suprash]

Hi all, thanks for replies and all useful stuff.

If your just looking for a seaworthy boat for occasional jaunts off the South coast say, then you don't need to spend umpteen thousands on a Sea Ray...As you have realised, they are very heavy boats that require a twin axle trailer and a heavy 4x4 to tow them...launching and recovering such unwieldy boats is not something I would recommend for inexperienced boaters like yourself...You certainly couldn't launch or recover it on your own very easily, and you would almost certainly need several friends to help you. Why waste ten's of thousands of pounds on such a boat, inc. the trailer and vehicle to tow it, when for under 3000 quid you could get a smaller boat, that can be just as seaworthy (in coastal waters, at least), much lighter, much easier to handle (can be launched and recovered single handed) and you will probably be able to tow it with a "normal" car, saving you even more money. A sea-going, outboard powered, 16-18foot cabin cruiser would be a good choice...There are plenty around to choose from. The Marina 16 GT for example, or one of the more common Shetland range (the 535 say) would be a good choice. They only weight around 1/2 tonne empty, so with the right trailer it might be possible to keep under the 750kg limit for an unbraked trailer, although I would always recommend you get one with a braked trailer if possible.
Even you if you only keep it for while, owning such a boat will allow you to gain the experience needed to handle a larger boat, you can have a lot of fun whilst your doing so and save a fortune.

I have budgeted £15k for boat, sure, I probably should start of with something a little smaller, but hey, I dont tend to do things like most normal people do lol. Whilst I respect your advice given, we have a budget and an idea of we want from a boat and I have looked at the examples you have mentioned but just feel they wouldnt give us what we are looking for from a boat. Whilst being inexperienced, Im a quick learner and thankfully I believe in good common sense and respect for the sea can take you quite far.

Welcome Suprash!
To me, when buying an older boat especially a small one, the engine is the most important thing.
I would go for something with an outboard, these are much easier to work on than inboards. You don’t have to strip the boat down to get to hard to reach places. You won’t have to deal with elderly outdrives. And when the time comes you can easily replace the outboard and you will have, for all practical purposes, a new boat.
This is a great hobby that we all love but an old unreliable engine will quickly kill the passion. Just my 2p worth

It must be my way to basically disregard good sound experience lol. I would actually prefer an inboard, due to my car background, I feel I could look after the engine more then a 4/2 stroke outboard. Of course the outdrive would need proper attention, but maintaining an inboard would feel like I could do more and totally happy to strip down to work on a engine, Im well used to stripping down cars for engine swaps etc.

I used to have a 1995 SeaRay 230 Sundancer.
Had a great time in it.

Launching, we left it on a swinging mooring for the summer so only launched and recovered once a year. Family already had the mooring so no cost there.
It was a 2 man job to launch and recover, with a bit of practice, a slip that was steep enough and some guides on the trailer I guess you could do it single handed but I would plan on needed help every time.

Engine, had a 5.7 liter mercruiser with an Alpha 1 leg. Found it an easy enough engine to work on, pretty simple. I guess many of the sea rays you look at will have a similar engine. Replacing an outboard would be easier, but assuming you don't need a replacement the inboard would be easier to work on yourself. Just make sure you check it over well and check the leg for corrosion and ensure the gear oil is good, if it has a reservoir you can check the oil level there and see if it's milky or not.

Seakeeping, the sundancer is a tall boat for it's size so did lean a bit. I kept it on the South West of Ireland so some proper seas to deal with. Initially I found her hard to handle in following seas until I learned to drive on and keep the speed up and it was fine after that. But keep in mind these are primarily lake boats so you won't be heading out into exposed seas in a force 6.

Quality, I found the quality of the construction to be quite good, had no complaints.

I guess the real question is what do you plan to do with it, if you plan to overnight regularly then you will need a boat of this size and the accompanying 4x4 and mooring fees etc. I would try to find a cheap swinging mooring if I were you, you will use it more often if you don't have an ordeal to launch it.
On the other hand if you just plan to spend a day out and come home every day, then go for a smaller outboard powered speed boat, get something as cheap as you can and see how you use it.

Whatever you get, you'll end up upgrading in a couple of years so don't worry too much about getting the perfect boat now.

Thanks for these tips, leaving it moored for the summer sounds a good shout, even though Im well versed and loading and unloading cars onto my twin deck, if its financially viable, leaving the boat moored somewhere in Southampton, would be great through the summer months to just dash down to the coast (20mins) and hop straight on. Your experience with these boats sounds exactly as I was hoping really, no complaints and seem you get a lot of fun out of these boats. To answer your question on what I planned to do with it, just days out at first, until I feel a bit more experienced, but after some time me and my partner would like to boat from say Southampton, down to Devon and Cornwall, visiting neighbouring, estuary and marina's over a weekend, staying over, visiting shore lines and bays, with a dash back to Southampton on the Sunday type thing.