New to Boating, After Advice

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Wilko

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I have been interested in getting into power boating for a number of years now and have spent the last couple of years talking to people involved and lurking on various forums. (Just for info and to illustrate my keeness I had and took the opportunity to Navigate in the Honda 4 Stroke 150 Power Boat series in Cowes at the weekend, fantastic).

I am soon to be ready to take the plunge and purchase my first boat. This is combined with an hopefully immenent house move to Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne (subject to the usual foibles of housing chains etc.).

I intend to do things properly and safely by completing power boat training courses over the next couple of months (just a thought, is it best to wait until I get my boat and do the training on that?).

I have a million questions but lets start with:

1. Moorings/ Boat Storage. I haven't fully investigated but I believe that Sovereign Harbour berths may currently be full. This being the case are there alternatives in the area (Newhaven?).

2. Boat Choice: Difficult to give advice I know as it is a subjective thing, but I am intending to look for a Sports Cuddy of some sort with a budget of up to 20k. Any advice on this choice for the area, suggestions about what to look for etc would be appreciated.

Sorry my first post is long winded. Wasn't sure where to start. Any advice for a newcomer will be much appreciated.
 
welcome
please do a search for NEW Boat, or similar, because its a frequent question, and you may find your answers there already.
One hard guess is how accurate you can be with what you think boating will be about/what you want to do, and subsequently changing your views as a boat owner. Thats an expensive lesson, usually.
Although 20k is of course alot of money, when it comes to boating, its very small. Also, where you intend to boat will be far more exposed than the "shelter" offered by the IOW. I would hazzard a guess boating would be quite tough off Eastbourne in a smaller cuddy, and a more seaworthy boat, such as Merry Fisher types may prove more practical. You might also want to give consideration of what you are going to do/where you are going to go if you are based there.
I m sure some locals will be along soon with specialist knowledge of the area.
 
Good first post Wilko and not long winded at all (wait till you read some of mine!) and great reply gjgm!
I like your comments about a suitible vessel for the Area.
Merry Fisher types are great starter boats.
A Hardy 20 is a similar type Wilko.
These type of craft may not appear Sporty but are worth considering imho.

Good to see You are going to get "trained up" the RYA Power Bot level 2 is a good start.
As gjgm mentions a Local on here will no doubt pop along just now and advise there.
Try www.boatmart.co.uk as a starter.
This will give you a good idea as to what is in your Budget including gjgm's suggestion.
Good luck and welcome too!
 
2nd the boatmart magazine plug!
And the Hardy one.
Re training, PB2 is very good as is the day skipper theory, starting shortly at local colleges.
When you get your boat try having some own boat tuition, then start saving for the next boat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

These type of craft may not appear Sporty but are worth considering imho.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, but still able to do 25 knots + even with all your gear on board.

Merry Fisher 625 or Antares 650 will definitely fit your bill unless you want a proper 'sportsboat'. Great thing about Peche Promenade's is that you get full weather cover, sea toilet, sink and cooker, double berth and table. With a sports boat, unless the sun is shining, you get wet.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Yes, but still able to do 25 knots + even with all your gear on board.



[/ QUOTE ]
Caveat Major.
Not with all My gear on board!

Wilko, I had a severe Military ticking off recently.
By a Certain Hossifer.
It's a question of Ones amount of gear.
Apparently.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
With a sports boat, unless the sun is shining, you get wet.
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80 hours this season in my diesel Fletcher 19 GTS and not a drop of water on me.

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Fletcher 19 diesel for sale £23,000 . PM me.
 
Hi Wilko,

It is worth checking with Sovereign - I sold a boat earlier in the year and the new owners got a berth straight away, and were given a choice so I think you will probably find room.

With regard to your choice of boat, Eastbourne is a fair trek from anywhere (except Brighton of course) so you might want to consider something with a bit more overnigh potential than just a cuddy.

I would look at Bayliners forn the mid to late 90's - probably the 2455. This is a particularly late example (year 2000) on for £19,950.

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Link here

Gives you 4 proper berths, seperate loo/shower room and a small galley, plus a bigger cocmpit and more range to play for long weekends.

Boat is nothing to do with me by the way, just found it on Boatshop24 as an example.
 
Surprised to see you recommend an American import to a newbie without pointing out the obvious problems regarding CE marks, illegal trailer, 110v and so on!
 
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Didn't see it was an import. I will stand in the corner and think about what I have done.

Wilko, dpb is quite correct, be cautious of US grey imports. While many do get correctly converted to comply with EU legislation, there is a raft of paper work that it is essential to have with the boat - don't just rely opn a plaque in the cockpit as *some* unscrupulous peeps have been known to simply get a plaque made.

Th4 2455 is still a boat worth considering for the reasons mentioned, but I would go for a UK supplied boat and your budget should allow for a good one from around 96/97
 
Thanks to everyone for all the advice, I always knew you (us) boating types were a helpful bunch! Given me plenty to think about, particulalry with boat options and no doubt I'll be back soon for specific advice on individual boats.

Actually something that has taken my eye is the Jeannau Cap Camarat. I believe they are quite a good sea going boat and I particularly like the walk around facility as I have a six year old and it would be slightly safer? Any thoughts?
 
The Walk Around design is great for young families as it means kids can move around the boat without having to climb over windscreens or walk the tightrope while clinging to the arch. We have them on our 24 and they work well.

There is a down side however, and having 6-8 inches of decks either side compromises the internal valoume of the boats cabin. 4 berths and a heads compartment are usually ruled out, but then at sub 25feet most things are a compromise and these types of boats tend to be used for day trips or short weekends so the Walk Around design pays dividends IMHO.

The Cap Camarat range have a good reputation, with the 755 being the biggest. Never used one myself, but all report suggest they can handle a sea and are good performers. A PM to forumite brokerben would be a good idea, I think he works for one of the Jeanneau dealers on the south coast so could give you more info.
 
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