New to motor boats - need some help please!

[richlear]

Hello all, I am looking for some pointers please. After many years of sailing I am thinking about a motor boat. I set my mind on a motor sailer but my wife is not so keen on the sailing aspect and would prefer a more modern motor boat. We will operate in the NE of Scotland and would like to use the boat for day trips and occasional longer trips along the Moray coast and Caledonian canal. I have a budget of 35K. Personally I would like something like a Seaward 23 or 25 for the sea keeping qualities and more traditional design but have also been looking at more modern designs which fulfil the desire for a 'nice' boat

I would prefer a Diesel inboard drive train, single engine is probably Ok for what I need. Speed is not too important. There will be two of us plus dog with the occasional kid tagging along.

Because of the area we will be operating we need an enclosed cabin and a decent heater is a must. A 'nice' cabin will please my wife but we also need something that will handle the Scottish weather. I am not interested in a project, need something we can use more or less as-is.

So........based on the above - any thought, ideas?

Any contributions much appreciated!

Thanks

rich

 

[Divemaster1]

Have you had a look at Caley Marina's site ?? ( http://www.caleyboats.co.uk/buy-a-boat/power-boats-search-page ) ...

These is a couple which would fit your requirements... all from a 32 ft Bayliner (with some negotiation ... been for sale for more than a year), to the smaller 23 + foot ones... such as Orkneys & Hardy's.

We moor in Inverness Marina, which gives us un-restricted access to Inverness & Morray Firth and the Caledonian Canal for passages through to the west coast..

 

[[2068]]

How about something like a Hardy 27?

http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1995/Hardy-27-1776030/United-Kingdom

 

[Momac]

Or pehaps something like this
http://www.gooch.co.uk/


.

 

[[2068]]

Wow, you need sunglasses to look at that engine.
If mine was that clean, we'd be having lunch around it

 

[Momac]

Wow, you need sunglasses to look at that engine.
If mine was that clean, we'd be having lunch around it

Its not my boat - in case you were wondering

 

[rustybarge]

How about a Nimbus 26 (late 1980's) 100 hp diesel, more space than seaward, half the horsepower, just as good sea keeping! 12 kt cruise, 16 kt max.

Price guide: mid £20k

 

[rafiki_]

What about a Trusty, the 28 packs a huge amount into the hull, 23 is good too.

 

[richlear]

Hi all,

thanks for all the input - I really like the look of the Hardy 27 but my wife is sold on the Merry 805 which I have to admit looks pretty swank. I can imagine the hardy is an excellent sea boat - does anyone have any experience of the Merry in a sea?

Thanks again for the help

rich

 

[rustybarge]

Hi all,

thanks for all the input - I really like the look of the Hardy 27 but my wife is sold on the Merry 805 which I have to admit looks pretty swank. I can imagine the hardy is an excellent sea boat - does anyone have any experience of the Merry in a sea?

Thanks again for the help

rich

be aware a MF 805 does only 2 mpg! £3.50/ mile. (200 hp)

I suggest you choose something more economical. 100hp?

 

[richlear]

Thanks Rusty - good info!!

 

[scottie]

Run at just enough to keep on plane for better economy!
You can run 200hp at 100 hp

Worst economy is when you are on the hump

 

[rustybarge]

Run at just enough to keep on plane for better economy!
You can run 200hp at 100 hp

Worst economy is when you are on the hump

That's true, but if you look at the torque graph of a diesel, it's only 'up and pulling' at about 1800 revs and above, and as you say if that's at the hump and below max torque you will drink diesel.

So IMO you have to get exactly the right size diesel for the job, just like with outboards.

200 hp will consume twice as much as 100hp at max torque ...............(approx)

 

[[2068]]

be aware a MF 805 does only 2 mpg! £3.50/ mile. (200 hp)
I suggest you choose something more economical. 100hp?

Where on earth did you get those figures??? That sounds way off.

From another forum:

"Mine is a 2004 model fitted with the Nanni/Toyota 4.390 200hp TD engine, fuel consumption is averaging 1.6 litres per NM and varies from 8 to 24 litres per hour subject to cruising speed. Top speed on mine is a tad under 22Kn at 3,650 rpm, cruising speed 16 to 18 knots at around 3,200 rpm. Economic/lazy displacement speed is about 7kn at 1700 rpm."

1.6l per NM = 2.85mpg = £1.84 per mile.

 

[rustybarge]

Where on earth did you get those figures??? That sounds way off.

From another forum:

"Mine is a 2004 model fitted with the Nanni/Toyota 4.390 200hp TD engine, fuel consumption is averaging 1.6 litres per NM and varies from 8 to 24 litres per hour subject to cruising speed. Top speed on mine is a tad under 22Kn at 3,650 rpm, cruising speed 16 to 18 knots at around 3,200 rpm. Economic/lazy displacement speed is about 7kn at 1700 rpm."

1.6l per NM = 2.85mpg = £1.84 per mile.

Just quoting real world figures @ 30 ltr/ hr 12 kts, search:merry fisher 805 on Mbm forum, Paul Gooch.

 

[SpottyDog5]

The 805 can handle some big seas, I had one, great boat!
Your wife will appreciate the speed if you need to make a run for home.

 

[richlear]

The Saga 26 looks to fill the bill - anyone have any experience of these vessels?

thanks

 

[Divemaster1]

The Saga 26 looks to fill the bill - anyone have any experience of these vessels?

.....

Not particularly Saga 26, but Saga ( http://sagaboats.no ) has been going for 50 years and is known for producing high quality boats at their yard in Selje, Norway. You should see solid build, good material choice and from recollection (and reputation) she should be semi-planning and have good seakeeping capabilities.

 

[rustybarge]

I think boats produced in the 80's and 90's had an eye on economy, and low running costs. It was the age of semi- displacement medium power diesels. Nearly all boats during the 50's, 60's and seventies for private use were slow displacement vessels , or huge diesel powered planing boats.

Iirc the light weight Volvo diesels came out in the 80's, making low powered lightweight s/d feasible.

By the millennium it was power power power, screw the fuel consumption! The punters wanted flashy high power gin palaces. Even small boats of 8 mtrs had 200 hp and more, consuming 6-7 gals / hr.

Welcome to the new decade.

My argument is that the OP should be looking for a economical s.discpl. Boat of about 7-8 mtrs, 2.5 tons, 100 hp, 12 kt cruise or thereabouts. The age of high power high consumption diesels is over.

 

[PCUK]

One important point to mention! You won't be 'Rich' for long once you get the boat.