New to boating looking for advice

Mike k said:
Consider the distance Neville, many boats, mine included don't get used enough , add on significant driving time from Manchester to Conwy or even Lake district and it could well be that extra edge that restricts your usage and enjoyment. I agree with Bruce PB2 and VHF are crucial training modules but add in first aid and do the day skipper on line from home. After being a silly prat and nearly pranging my boat, I got tuition on my own boat doing pontoon bashing/close quarter stuff - defo recommended.
Click to expand...

I get that, commuting can be onerous at the best of times even to liverpool down the M60. Conwy is a pretty good run I do it often on the bike and its within the 2 hour bracket which is my limit in a car full of kids :) on a Friday. I have been totally focused on an RYA structured Motor cruising course thinking that was the only route to an accreditation and competency for 20 -30ft cruisers. I'm a little wiser now and will be looking into the PB courses, first aid and VHF, I'm assuming all the practical could be done in Liverpool then ?
 
Mike k said:
Of the North West English marinas I went for Liverpool as the handiest and with the biggest window for sailing well motorboating- i.e 2 hours either side of HT. I looked at all of them. I have sailed to Conwy and stayed over there in the marina ,which was damn shallow ,its about 45nm from liverpool but I don't think I would use my boat as much if it was moored there because of the distance and time to get there. I agree lots of better sailing over there but with Liverpool, its about an hour and when you just want to go check on her, that's far enough. Mines a 7.5 m Quicksilver Weekender 5 berths, 250hp inboard 4 blade prop- I use her for fishing and cruising but also gives the family a 'flat' in Liverpool for many of the gigs, concerts and events that take place there- so a double whammy!! As Liverpool was once the worlds greatest sea port there are several clubs to join. I am not one for clubs really they tend to be for sail boats/racing etc
Click to expand...

That's a lovely boat what is the sleeping area like. Will aim to have a drive down to the marina and school you recommended. Will get some course details and have a good look around the facilities. Any boat sales down there worth a visit..
 
Nevillehaide said:
That's a lovely boat what is the sleeping area like. Will aim to have a drive down to the marina and school you recommended. Will get some course details and have a good look around the facilities. Any boat sales down there worth a visit..
Click to expand...

Hi there is a spacious double below forward, and a single that we humorously call the coffin as its below the cabin and fairly confined. A further double is made up in the cabin from lowering the table and rearranging seating. The boat yard, Bluepoint Marine, have a boat sales division perhaps look on the internet for what's available.
 
LOL. He's a great character and coach. Old skool. Just dont smile at him, if he returns it you'll petrify!
 
Sorry for the horrible spelling earlier, spellcheck and not switching keyboard on the phone does that. Some ideas for boats: around 50k a pretty nice Beneteau Antares in the 9-10 m range should be obtainable, or a Nimbus around the 28-30 feet mark (IMO solid family boat, not exactly spacious but well built, single engine so cheaper to run). Browse yachtworld and get a feel for what’s available at your price point, stick to well known brands so you’ll be able to get away from the boat when the time to sell comes.
 
MeaCulpa said:
Sorry for the horrible spelling earlier, spellcheck and not switching keyboard on the phone does that. Some ideas for boats: around 50k a pretty nice Beneteau Antares in the 9-10 m range should be obtainable, or a Nimbus around the 28-30 feet mark (IMO solid family boat, not exactly spacious but well built, single engine so cheaper to run). Browse yachtworld and get a feel for what’s available at your price point, stick to well known brands so you’ll be able to get away from the boat when the time to sell comes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your comments will check them out, space is important so we can stay on the boat with 2 kids for a weekend.
 
don't forget when you buy you need money for berthing 3k transport 1k lifting each end £600 ,then antifoul ,anodes ,service and fill up with diesel up to a 1k but you wont regret it
 
seastoke said:
don't forget when you buy you need money for berthing 3k transport 1k lifting each end £600 ,then antifoul ,anodes ,service and fill up with diesel up to a 1k but you wont regret it
Click to expand...

You're going soft Roy. Transport from Norfolk to Conwy was 900 and lift in about 180 IIRC. But you made up for it on servicing and fuel. Mine is 1k to fuel and servicing cost me 1k if I DIY. A lot more if additional parts and labour is needed. Like my drives. 6k service and maintenance on them alone last year.
 
Hi Neville,

welcome to the forum and good luck with your search.

One of the best bits of advice I got on here, on a similar post was to spend a bit of time thinking about how to make life easy for your wife - as if she is not happy, you won't get to use the boat as much. I'd recommend you include a windlass (a motor for raising and lowering the anchor), a flush toilet, and heating. I would also include a bow thruster on your spec (retrofitting them is expensive).

Re: Bayliners. I had a Bayliner 285 It was a great starter boat for us, but we sold it for 3 reasons:

Firstly it was Petrol (I think the bast majority of them are) - which we found expensive and and not as readily available as diesel in the area where we cruise (although I am not familiar with NW coast so this may be less of an issue - especially if you intend to return to a berth near a petrol berth most nights.).

Secondly it was a single engine. I sometimes found it hard to handle in a tight marina in windy conditions. There are ways of dealing with this, and many people will say they can cope without any problems; but I must admit I was rarely relaxed about berthing when the wind got up, and made a mess of it on couple of occasions.

Thirdly having found we use the boat a lot more than we thought we would, it justified the expense in investing a little more. in something a little bigger.

I now have twin diesels and a bow thruster which are very forgiving when I make a bit of a hash of things. Personally I'm happy to pay for the extra servicing costs of twin engines for the extra confidence / relaxation I get from the handling of a twin engine.

I think the Anteres is a cracking suggestion if you want a Flybridge - and Nimbus have a strong following. I'd also suggest you look at Fairline & Sealine, both have a range of models that I think would meet your requirements.

Finally -I strongly suggest you get an engineer & surveyor to inspect the boat, and accompany you on the sea trial. I'd recommend VolvoPaul (Engineer) and Nick Vass (Surveyor), who I found very helpful when buying our second boat

best wishes
DW
 
A boat’s accommodation can be as important as its performance - particularly when family members are involved. In your shoes, I would book a few weekends staying on different types and sizes of boats in some different locations via Bedsonboard. You and the family will get a feel for what works for you. If I had done this I would still be on my first boat, rather than my fourth boat!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top