Phil_boat
Well-Known Member
Hello, first post and we're on the search for our first boat.
My folks have always had boats so when younger I spent a lot of time boating, they still have a boat now - so I'm not going in blind
We live on the West Coast of Scotland, so it will be up the Clyde, trips across to Arran and assuming it all goes well we'd hope to be able to get up to Oban and beyond eventually.
We're looking at 10ish years old max, something comfortable for day trips with family and friends, overnight for the 2 of us and under 8m. With our very max budget of £45k.
Outboard very much appeals for simplicity and servicing costs. I know of petrol availability issues, we can work around this (although maybe in a few years we may find it the limiting factor).
Our budget puts us firmly in Merry Fisher 6xx or just 7xx territory. Yesterday we went to see a very tidy 2016 795 with a 150HP Yamaha - the openness and airiness of it was great. The finish could be better but for what it's supposed to do it does it well. I read that they are well regarded but slam a bit in any kind of sea. We wouldn't plan to be out in anything bad it's Scotland so it can happen.
I have also seen (very far away!) an Aquador 22C, well under budget - which looks ace and the hooligan in me thinks something 22ft with a 250HP outboard will be a lot of fun. There will be very few days that it's glassy smooth out there though so its full potential will very rarely get used. The layout inside is very similar to the MF, less space outside and the roof is lower so it's not going to feel as spacious. It looks like a decent tidy boat, I haven't seen it yet though and there isn't much info about them.
Head says MF, heart says Aquador.
I don't need something that will do 40kts... I'd like something that can cruise around 20kts, both should happily do that.
I know something with a heavy diesel in the bottom will be better in weather but it's for fair weather days and I don't want to have to deal with servicing etc.
So cheers if you're read all of that and please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
My folks have always had boats so when younger I spent a lot of time boating, they still have a boat now - so I'm not going in blind
We live on the West Coast of Scotland, so it will be up the Clyde, trips across to Arran and assuming it all goes well we'd hope to be able to get up to Oban and beyond eventually.
We're looking at 10ish years old max, something comfortable for day trips with family and friends, overnight for the 2 of us and under 8m. With our very max budget of £45k.
Outboard very much appeals for simplicity and servicing costs. I know of petrol availability issues, we can work around this (although maybe in a few years we may find it the limiting factor).
Our budget puts us firmly in Merry Fisher 6xx or just 7xx territory. Yesterday we went to see a very tidy 2016 795 with a 150HP Yamaha - the openness and airiness of it was great. The finish could be better but for what it's supposed to do it does it well. I read that they are well regarded but slam a bit in any kind of sea. We wouldn't plan to be out in anything bad it's Scotland so it can happen.
I have also seen (very far away!) an Aquador 22C, well under budget - which looks ace and the hooligan in me thinks something 22ft with a 250HP outboard will be a lot of fun. There will be very few days that it's glassy smooth out there though so its full potential will very rarely get used. The layout inside is very similar to the MF, less space outside and the roof is lower so it's not going to feel as spacious. It looks like a decent tidy boat, I haven't seen it yet though and there isn't much info about them.
Head says MF, heart says Aquador.
I don't need something that will do 40kts... I'd like something that can cruise around 20kts, both should happily do that.
I know something with a heavy diesel in the bottom will be better in weather but it's for fair weather days and I don't want to have to deal with servicing etc.
So cheers if you're read all of that and please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Couple of little jobs to sort like nav lights not working, needs another 12v socket or 2 for charging, vinyl wrap around windows could do with replacing and a couple of other little things but nothing major that will stop us using it, jobs for the winter.
).
