New to boating

[magicdog]

I'm a complete freshman when it comes to boats - I have never owned one and know nothing really.
I'm interested in a small (up to 20') open boat for inshore sea fishing and pleasure boating.

I have been offered a Langstone Fisherman 18' with a trailer and small outboard.

Is this a suitable choice for a complete novice?

Any advice that may help would be welcome!

Thanks.



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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I used to be a keen sea angler and 18ft was a good size. I do not recognise nor can find any reference to this boat. Do you have a photo or can point us to a web page where it is mentioned.

As to the novice bit, well we all have to learn somewhere and you have accepted that. This is like an alcoholic accepting they have a problem. You have taken the biggest step, many in your position are too stubborn to accept they cannot just launch and go. Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

Where are you and what plans do you have. Are you just looking to anchor a mile offshore and fish for flatties or do you have intentions of going a little further and trying a hand at wreck fishing etc.

Do you have a friend with experience who can come along for a season and teach you the 'ropes'. If you are in the north west I wouldn't mind the odd free fishing trip! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

There is a wealth of training available, with Powerboat 1 & 2 training which will teach you boat handling, basic navigiation, maintenance and safety. I think you will get a massive amount of information from a day skipper course (theory) which you will probably find in any of your local colleges this winter.

Do you know what comes with this boat? If I was buying an 18' angling boat I would like on my wish list....

A good outboard and a small back up, you will often see this if you look at others going to sea.

A cuddy (best fishing on overcast still days, also means it probably rains for 50%)

Oars!

Lifejackets and liferings (if you are in the water godforbid, you will tire very quickly)

A good compass (do not skimp on this)

At least one good anchor, as an angler you will use an anchor more than most in many more different types of bottoms, you will need to choose the right one for your chosen areas. (theory training)

A means to raise an alarm if your second engine and oars are not getting you back to safety, this can be flares, a fixed VHF or hand held, or if not straying too far a mobile, though the mobile is not recommended as you cannot communicate with other boats.

A means to navigate, this does not automatically mean go out and buy a h/h GPS or similar. You will need to learn the basics of navigation before you can fully utilise the power of the GPS. This is again where the theory or a good mate comes in. You should have local charts (not maps) of the chosen area. You may prefer to learn navigation from books, there are plenty out there, ask on here for recommendations.

The boat should be a stable platform for angling. For the most comfort you should be able to walk around the cockpit and lean over to pull fish from the water. You will also need comfortable seating with working space to make up your traces etc.

A means to make hot drinks and bacon butties makes for the comfort factor too and a place to store dry clothes. There is nothing worse than being wet and all your gear is damp.

A selection of warps (ropes) for tying up to walls or pontoons, or even to pull the boat onto the beach will be needed.

Everything else you can build up as you go, it is almost impossible to rig a boat completely before you have been out a good few times. One of the pleasures is emptying the boat at the end of the season and finding you do not have space to store all the accumulated gear in the garage after a year of buying for your new mistress.

I hope some of this rambling helps a bit, your question is massive and whole books are written on it. If you would like any specifics answered please feel free to PM or post on the forum, there is a wealth of experience here to help you.

It may be worth adding a little to your personal information. Location makes a big difference to advice offered.

Fairwinds….


<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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[Kawasaki]

Top cat has got it right . We have all started as novices, the engines are all important. Make sure the main is spot on and the auxillary is also sound. MUST HAVE is a VHF. Good that you are seeking advice. Tons of it on forum. They say that boat jumbles are a good source of kit LIke T.C. says where are you?

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[magicdog]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm in Southern England and just want to use the boat for insure fishing trips and pleasure.

I have no photo but it looks like a non-clinker version of an Orkney Longliner - fairly high bow and strongly built.

It's being offered with a Johnson 9.9 four-stroke, fuel tank, compass, trailer, ropes, anchor etc. but is in need of a tidy up which I'm happy to do.

I have also enrolled on a course at my local nightschool to learn basic seamanship skills as I thought it would be prudent!

Any other tips for a novice?

TIA



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[BrendanS]

Where about's do you plan on boating. One of the locals on here would probably take you out and show you the area. There is nothing like local knowledge to make life safer and easier

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[AndrewB]

Can't really add to Jools' comprehensive list, except to mention you must know the weather forecast and what the tide is doing when you set out, and appreciate the effect these will have on you, not just in terms of selecting the best fishing spot.

I'd like to back up his opinion about carrying a spare, emergency means of power. All summer long our local lifeboat goes out retrieving small motor boats with broken down engines and it is not what they are meant for. With an 18 footer, even a pair of oars will get you home at a pinch.

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[whisper]

Hi and welcome.
I started my boatownership with a similar boat but with a 9.9 2stroke that seized up on day 2.
Replaced it with a new one and also fitted a 4hp auxilliary - a 3.3hp would have done almost as well.
If the boat is structurally sound then it should be fine for what you intend. As others have said, it is the reliability of the engine that is vital hence the popularity of a small auxilliary as well. In your case it will be a bit of a nuisance to have a 4stroke main engine and a lightweight 2stroke auxilliary 'cos of the need for the latter to run on a petrol/oil mixture.
Hope you enjoy yourself.

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[Jeremy_W]

You need to sit an exam before you can legally use a VHF. The instructor on your nightschool navigation classes will definitely know (and may well be) the local examiner.

It's a one-hour course with a 15-minute exam painfully stretched out over the best part of a day but no normal sentient human being has ever failed it.

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I should have added, and I realise this is the PBO forum, but Sea Angler and other similar magazines cover a lot of the questions you might need answers to. PBO although an excellent magazine (digging hole now) will not tell you how best to find the good fishing spots.

You might also find it prudent to invest in some good oilies. For these do not go to a chandlers for yachts and pleasure boats. Get yourself down to a fishing quay and buy some proper fishing gear, heavy duty at lightweight prices. They will not turn you away, it is not a club, honestly.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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[magicdog]

Thanks for all the advice - I'm going to make an offer...!

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[magicdog]

Hi all

Just thought I'd report back and also wanted to ask a couple of further questions:

I ended up buying a Tidemaster 17' open boat (displacement hull) and I've tried to contact the manufacturer but without luck - anyone familiar with this make?

I need to get a decent outboard for it (the reason for contacting the maker) and I'm unsure what I should be looking for - I would prefer 4-stroke from the noise and smoke aspect but I know they're heavier generally.
I'm not sure what would be a suitable size (HP) for a main engine on a boat like this - any tips?

TIA

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