New to boating - possibly unrealistic?

[Rob H 37]

As I'm new to boating, I have tried to think about what I'd like to get from it and also what I'd like to try to avoid. I plan to visit the boat show next week, but am concerned that I might have unrealistic expectations as to what I can get out of it.

The main requirments I'd put down were; at least 4 berths and I also didn't want to tie myself to one location so was thinking a trailer boat would fit the bill, but whats the maximum size I could go for that is also practical?

Other things that would be nice to have, would be a boat that could make it accross the channel etc. but would I need to have an additional boat if I wanted to Ski?

Also, as this all seems such a minefield shoud I go for a second hand boat of better quality or a new one? I accept that there will be a degree of maintenance but is there such a thing as low maintenance?

Would I find such a boat and come in under my 50k(ish) budget?

This all sounds a little unrealistic even for me but I guess the only way to find out is to ask the stupid questions now before I get my feet wet!

Thanks for any advice.



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[hlb]

Hmm. A boat you can tow. Sleep four comforably. Be able to cross the channel, ski behind it and be economical. I will have to think about that one!!

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Re: and don\'t forget...

it must fit in a matchbox, use no power and be free. Think he hit the nail on the head with the unrealistic bit. I feel a compromise or three coming on...

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[lanason]

Weight is the most important thing for towing - max is 3500kg all up boat, fuel, tralier etc and that behind a BIG 4x4 max length is really 23/24 foot to be safe sensible and u gotta be able to recover her.

Lot of sports boats around at 23 foot. Chances of 2 engines for cross channel V unlikely IMHO. Skiing yes - france er nope !!


<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian
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[Freebee]

Welcome to the forum. I think you may be a tad unrealistic perhaps you should review your requirements.

IMHO like owning your first car you will always remember your first boat fondly but you may swiftly outgrow as your experience builds!

Therefore perhaps a more suitable starting point is to consider where and how much you will use it.

Then if trailering how much help will you get putting it on or taking it off the trailer this will dictate the max size. will you or crew soon get fed up with all the effort required to launch a large boat each time you want to use it?

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[h4nym]

Hi Callen - welcome to the forum an' all that!

I trailed our previous boat - a Bayliner Ciera 27 - was about the limit of towing, but viable behind the Range Rover we had at the time. Remember the law says that you're tow-ee cannot be heavier than you tow-er.

Anyway - it had 4 berths and with the 5.7 litre Merc could easily do 30 knots so again viable for skiiing - although we never did!

Did a Dover Calais in her too...

Maybe meets your requirement?

H

<hr width=100% size=1>Life balance?

 

[Happy1]

Look at the Glastron GS249, it is 24ft, very big inside with 4 berths, costs £43k and there is a new one at RYB in Windsor with a KAD32 diesel in it. The boat is capable of 30knts fully loaded, so a bit of wake boarding would be possible. My wife wants her own bigger boat (although this one was not big enough for what she wanted) and we looked in that one yesterday, it is trailerable, but a trailer would cost £3k plus, and you would need a good vehicle to tow it. I think you will be amazed at the room in it, and it is worth consideration amongst others.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[lanason]

try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F11668>http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F11668</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian
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[Happy1]

Good pic, and shows you can tow it, but a 5ltr V8? I think that would be a mortgage on fuel if my 209 is anything to go on /forums/images/icons/wink.gif A new one with the KAD32 diesel I think would be a better bet, should be very economical.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[DavidJ]

Have a look at the Sealine S23. It will look huge at the show but is towable with a good 4x4. I've towed a S24 around the Med for several years. Sleeps 4, good cooking and toilet facilities and Ok skiing although you may get on better mono skiing with a nice wide board.
With a trailor it may be over your budget but it is an example in the area of your expectation.

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[oldgit]

Welcome to the forum.
Do consider second hand.Buying new does not,unlike a car,insulate you from faulty workmanship.I doubt there has been a boat built that has not involved the new owner having to act as some sort of quality control guinea pig.At least with a fairly new boat the previous owner has had the pleasure of sorting any problems and also has had to pay for the priviledge while doing so.
Let the first owner pay the Vat and the initial depreciation.
Ps.you may not be aware that several boatyards hold a Secondhand boatshow during the week of the SBO.We always have a quick look at both.you will also actually be allowed to look round the second hand stuff with out having to tell porkies.ie Of couse I am able to buy your 67ft Sunseeker Throbber Mk2,but only if I can have a quick spin first.


<hr width=100% size=1>Two boats please one here n one in the Med

 

[Happy1]

S23 is a nice boat, costs £53k with the KAD32 plus there are a few extras that you would have to pay for on a new boat, looked at that yesterday and the S28 as well /forums/images/icons/wink.gif don't forget your trailer at £3.5k which we were quoted. Sealine did a deal last year where if you bought one of their boats you would get all your money back in 2 years as long as you upgraded to anothetr boat in their range. The money back did not include an extra's like heating you may have had fitted /forums/images/icons/wink.gif. Now some of these boats may be coming on the market soon, so I don't know where the second hand price will fall, but you may find one that is well equipped. You are lucky you have the boat show coming up, I would select a few to have a good look at withing your criteria and do those first, the rest of the day you can dream, and reflect on what you have seen. It is a personal thing, remember you get nothing for nothing, if the new boat is cheaper than another new one, then in most cases you are getting something less. If the less is something you can do without then that is a result. I guess there are some fully loaded boats that have stuff on that is never used or required, if you can afford that then no problem, otherwise it would be a waste. Decide what is absolutely necessary and start from there and build up, without getting carried away /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[petem]

One thing you must know is that in the UK, boats can use 'red diesel' therefore only 30p ish per litre and a third of the price of petrol. Boats are also extremely thirsty on the juice. A 24 footer will do maybe 3mpg (I think) but you won't be doing hundreds of miles in a day like in a car.

If going for a trailer boat then also factor in the price of running a suitable car to tow the thing.

As others have said a 24 footer will pretty much fulfil your requirements. My fave of the bunch is the Sea Ray 240DA (Sundancer) which will set you back around £35k (used). Depreciation should be pretty low. Try and buy the right boat first time as a broker will charge 7 to 9% inc vat to sell it for you.

Good luck.

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[DepSol]

30 knots with a KAD 32 fully loaded on a 25 foot boat with 4 berth, I find that very hard to believe!

Is this your version of fully loaded or Glastrons?

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[Happy1]

SWMBO was speaking to the salesman who had been out with full fuel tanks, full water tanks and four passengers, they were getting 30knots. I guess it is like my little boat, you would not believe the speed it does i.e. 42knots, but I do think the hulls are good and the boats brilliant value for money. The GS249 normally has the AQ31 engine, but the new one on their forecourt has the KAD32, which is normally put in the GS279. The GS279 is again brilliant value for money at £49,750, but you can't really tow it, and when you get to that size that you can't tow, you may as well go bigger. If I was paying £3.5k for a trailer I would want to get the use out of it, plus I would need a much bigger vehicle, otherwise it would be cheaper to have it transported say for 6 weeks a year to the South coast in my circumstances, well that is one thing we are looking at /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[BrendanS]

So you'll still be coming back to the South coast of england for 6 weeks boating every summer if you're out in the US? That's going to be pretty expensive in transport costs

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[Happy1]

Yes you have a point there, but the US is only for one year, and the summer will be in the UK, so not worth leaving it on the South coast all year while away. I am not ready for a bigger boat yet, but SWMBO wants one, so it is up to her. I will be interested to see her movements on Saturday at SBS /forums/images/icons/wink.gif.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[BrendanS]

Careful, she won't be able to afford the MBA if she goes for too big a boat, then future earnings will be at stake, which could have serious consequences for future boating activities!

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[Happy1]

I don't think she will have the slightest problems at all affording her MBA, I wouldn't worry about that /forums/images/icons/wink.gif That is the least of her problems, I am the biggest /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif If she wants me for a year then I am very expensive /forums/images/icons/wink.gif plus I want a boat, a car and internet access out there plus an increase in my monthly allowance for gadgets /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[DepSol]

hmmm the salesman said he had 30 knots was that cruising down a long steep swell WOT fully trimmed with half the fuel and water used up by then?

I still think I am going to get the new Prestige 34 Open with the new D6s in (next year maybe) with a nice 47 knots top end and enuf room even you would have trouble filling!

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>