New to this...What Boat?

[CaptainCaveman]

Hi all,

Looking to purchase my first motor cruiser in the next month or so, have narrowed my list down from many boats to only a few, my budget is sub 15k and I will be using the boat mainly on river but would like to have the option of using her also on estuary and coastal occasionally, also in your opinion is it better to have twin 4108's or a single 220hp engine? I dont mind if its petrol or diesel as they both have there advantages and disadvantages, I would also be very grateful if you could give me some information on the following boats....

Princess 25
Princess 32
Relcraft Sapphire
Fairline Fury mk1 and 2
Seamaster 30
And Colvic Traveller

It will also be used as a family boat 4-5 people.

Any feedback would be very much appriciated as I can never get enough information on this topic...

Many Thanks, Gav


<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by CaptainCaveman on 19/04/2003 03:20 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[byron]

<font color=blue>With the uses you have outlined your best bet would be the Princess 32., Seamaster 30., Fairline Fury in that order of preference.
I am sure however there will now be a multitude of differing points of view.

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[tripleace]

princess 32 because of space and build.

from what I remember a good estuary / sea boat flat out about 12 / 15 knots with twin diesels

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[jimg]

I agree with Byron's choice, and try to get a Princess 32.

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[ballabunch]

I went through much the same choice last September and went for a Fury Mk2. She needed extensive work which took all winter but is now back on the water. She has twin 130hp petrols and should do 27+ knots on a good day (provided I get the props sized correctly). Solid build, attractive, no osmosis, good design with spacious quarters and one of the first 'fly bridge' boats. Planing hulls such as these tend to require a lot of steering at low speeds - not sure if I would want one if it was a river boat only. I'm on the coast and at speed she feels like you're driving on rails.

Good luck! If you need any technical data or pics let me know.

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[syd]

PRINCESS 32, PRINCESS 32.

Hiya Cap,

I had a P32 for a number of years, in that time I completely gutted it, refurbed the interior and rebuilt the twin AQD32 diesels, Boatone's got the pictures of her when I'd finished. The quality of build of these boats is excellent and the space inside is ideal for families.
We went from Thurrock on the tidal Thames where she was moored, to Eton, The Medway, Burnham on Crouch, Ramsgate, Dover, Calais and Dunkirk over a couple of seasons. I found it a superb all rounder and easy to handle at low and higher speeds with the twin engines. Tony (boatone) has one at present, give him a shout I'm sure he'd help you out with any further advice if you needed it.

Cheers now

Syd

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[Renegade_Master]

Yes Syd huge cockpit ideal for picnic stops on the river. Sleeping accomodation not so hot, but thats the trade off for huge cockpit. We were however able to sleep under the cockpit canopy in fine weather on our P32.

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[trev]

I must agree with syd. My first cruiser was a Project-31 - forerunner of the P32 and she took our young familly of five all over the east coast and Thames. Doubt if you will get one sub-15000 though. And please go for diesels, preferably the twin 75 hp or 106 hp (better still).



<hr width=100% size=1>Trev

 

[CaptainCaveman]

Must admit I did think the Princess 32 looked the best bet out of the lot...Thanks again.

Gav.

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[lanason]

Back in the late 70's early 80's the P32 was the boat to die for ..... nearly persuaded Dad to buy one but he bort a Cleopatra instead - mind you that was a nice boat - loadsa space for only 30'. Bright yellow hull - called Court Jester - have you seen her??

Anyway where are you based cus the choice may depend on the waterways - also the P32 is much to big to go on a trailer and be towed to different locations.
also will this be your first boat cus that also makes a diference ???

Adrian

Answer a question with a question !! - Who me ??

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