New to motorboating - which boat?

[Colvic Watson]

Hi, we’ve done motorsailing for 20 years. 13 tonnes 35 foot heavy displacement with 80hp shaft diesel.

We want to move to motorboating and need advice on what type we should be looking at.

1. Berthing in Dorset
2. Travelling Cornwall / CI’s / East Coast / Holland
3. We hate heavy weather so don’t bother if it’s forecast above a 4.5
4. Love staying at anchor and mooring buoy if it’s sheltered
5. Want a decent cockpit
6. Cruise at 8-10 knots
7. Must have a big sleeping cabin, others not important
8. Prefer twin engine for safety & manoeverability
9. Hate the idea of a project
10. I guess 29-33 feet ish

We’d really welcome advice on makes and models. The relative advantage of semi-displacement, engines to avoid, budget for a reasonable boat, I suppose we’re thinking 30-60k. Oh and how do we make sure we buy something that’s not so esoteric that it’s hard to sell!

Thank you.

 

[simonfraser]

twin engine, some on this forum would argue that a well maintained single engine is sufficient
especially if you are able to do 'simple' fixes
bowthruster will enable manoeverability

 

[Whopper]

Aquastar 33 comes to mind.

 

[Ferris]

Wheel house semi d, 31 to 34ft, shaft options?

 

[ChromeDome]

"Big sleeping cabin" points in the aft cabin type direction. 8-10 knots cruising sounds like semi-displacement.

Diesel on shafts, as you're used, to will be most common on semi-D.

Any design preferences?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

As you obviously like the Colvics, you might find a well maintained Colvic Trawler 34 which could suit you. Very handsome thing but aging now so condition is all, and serviceability of the old engine might be a problem.

One here. Not sure if the sleeping arrangements could be adapted, so that's a possible weakness.

COLVIC TRAWLER YACHT motor yacht for sale | De Valk Yacht broker

 

[Dino]

You’ll struggle to get a big sleeping cabin at that size. An island bed is what most people would like. I’m a big Broom fan and their aft cabin boats are great. The Crown would be within budget and has a big island bed in the stern with a separate shower and heads.
Broom 37 Crown for sale UK, Broom boats for sale, Broom used boat sales, Broom Motor Boats For Sale Broom Crown - Apollo Duck
The earlier Continental 37 and Ocean 37 are fine boats also but getting old. Would be ideal if you can find a very good one.

If you want something closer to the size specified an early Corvette 32 would be perfect. Or an early Fairline 36 Turbo, Birchwood TS37.
An Aquastar 33 is a good shout too, especially an aft cabin version.

 

[Colvic Watson]

twin engine, some on this forum would argue that a well maintained single engine is sufficient
especially if you are able to do 'simple' fixes
bowthruster will enable manoeverability

Were used to “two” engines - sails and motor I guess.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Aquastar 33 comes to mind. Just looked them up - nice.

Thank you. Just looked them up - nice! We’re looking for a larger cockpit but maybe the photo is deceptive.

 

[Colvic Watson]

"Big sleeping cabin" points in the aft cabin type direction. 8-10 knots cruising sounds like semi-displacement.

Diesel on shafts, as you're used, to will be most common on semi-D.

Any design preferences?

Thank you. What are the disadvantages of semi-displacement because it seems like the sweet spot.

Thank you; by design preferences you mean?

 

[Colvic Watson]

You’ll struggle to get a big sleeping cabin at that size. An island bed is what most people would like. I’m a big Broom fan and their aft cabin boats are great. The Crown would be within budget and has a big island bed in the stern with a separate shower and heads.
Broom 37 Crown for sale UK, Broom boats for sale, Broom used boat sales, Broom Motor Boats For Sale Broom Crown - Apollo Duck
The earlier Continental 37 and Ocean 37 are fine boats also but getting old. Would be ideal if you can find a very good one.

If you want something closer to the size specified an early Corvette 32 would be perfect. Or an early Fairline 36 Turbo, Birchwood TS37.
An Aquastar 33 is a good shout too, especially an aft cabin version.

Wow those Corvettes are amazing!!!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Lochin 33 worth a look too.

 

[harvey38]

I'd suggest an Aquastar but I am a little bit biased

 

[Sticky Fingers]

4 Aquastar 33s on sale at the moment. Got to be worth a look.

 

[ChromeDome]

Thank you. What are the disadvantages of semi-displacement because it seems like the sweet spot.

Thank you; by design preferences you mean?

If you want to cruise a at speed near hull speed, SD has a benefit in comfort in much the same way as your motorsailer. Since it can partially lift the hull out of the water at higher speeds (not possible in an MS due to the keel), the top speed is higher (provided enough horses in the engine dept.)

If you want a boat for some 13 tons again and to go 10 or more knots, you'll need to feed more horses than the 80 you're used to.

The common comparison is planing vs SD motorboats, but planing seems not relevant for you.

Design could be pilothouse, flybrige, in-/outdoor helm, aft cabin, number cabins and heads and more.
And then the layout: Pantry up or down, dinette, bunks, full size bed (many island beds are Queen size or smaller). A few King size beds take normal mattresses.

With your experience you are in a good place to evaluate what you see. I'd go look at a few, if in your shoes. Probably even take one out with someone friendly (forumite, perhaps)

 

[Greg2]

Some good suggestions already but I note that the preference is for a good sleeping cabin and a decent cockpit. With the budget and apparent size of boat sought it may be necessary to compromise on one of those as they are unlikely to be found in the same boat.

Decent sized sleeping cabins tend to be found on aft cabin boats so they take up the space that would be a cockpit. Some have decent cockpits on top of the cabin such as Brooms and Haines but the older ones don’t tend to be particularly well designed or comfortable cockpits. The Crown suggested by Dino is an example of this - fantastic living and sleeping accommodation but some of the cockpits aren’t great although it does seem to vary with some having been modified.

 

[stelican]

Wow those Corvettes are amazing!!!

The problem is no cockpit but other than that would suit the purpose.

 

[ChromeDome]

superheat6k had a Corvette and a lot of experience:


Search ...

 

[SimonD]

Cruising at 8 to 10 knots may or may not be feasible depending on waterline length. SD boats are displacement until they get on the plane, The bit in the middle just uses loads of fuel. That said, the bit in the middle can be quite narrow. My 32 foot SD boat is happy at 6 to 7 knots at then gets on the plane at 13 knots and cruises comfortably at 15 knots. A couple of weeks ago, we left Weymouth at 0800 and were tied up in Dartmouth at 1200. Some hours later, the following yachts arrived. You'll love it!

Twin engines seem to be almost compulsory for, as you say, safety. One of the most common causes of engine failure is dirty fuel. Unless you have twin separate tanks, twin engines are no help. They also don't help much with maneuverability. A bow thruster is far more effective. For mechanical simplicity and lower servicing costs, I'd look for a single engine on a shaft drive. That said, your choice may be limited but the type of boat layout you like.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Thank you everyone for the really helpful advice. We’re now much better informed for our summer of viewings.