Newbie help?

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ArcticSnooze

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Hello - I'm totally new to boating and looking at a Quicksilver Weekender 640 SD or OB - wondering which would be better and also which engine should I go with? Want one that's low emission and economical of course but reliability is No.1 on my list!

The SD is a Mercruiser 135hp - the OB is a Mariner 115hp 3 in-line Petrol. Any advice would be really appreciated.

Want to buy & park/moor locally (Newhaven) Simpson Marine in Newhaven sell Quicksilver and they've been the most helpful so far which is why we're looking at the 640.

Cheers AS
 
Are you stuck only on Quicksilver boats? If not, then have a look at Beneteau, Jeanneau, and Rodman. IMO these are superior craft and hold their resale values better too. Not saying that QS will not be fun, it will be, but the others may give you some comparisons before you pay up! Don't know much about OBs, (apart from saying you cannot go far wrong with a Honda!) so will leave that to someone else. These boats come with (as you probably know) inboard and outboard engine options. In short, the OB models will generally be a bit cheaper, a bit quieter and a bit faster and nippier. Against this, the IBs are diesels which have cheaper and more convenient fuel, more range and leave the transom free for a small tender or something.

Have fun choosing. Ask as many questions as you like on here and give as many details and prefernces as you can to get the best answers back.
 
ArcticSnooze said:
Hello - I'm totally new to boating and looking at a Quicksilver Weekender 640 SD or OB - wondering which would be better and also which engine should I go with? Want one that's low emission and economical of course but reliability is No.1 on my list!

The SD is a Mercruiser 135hp - the OB is a Mariner 115hp 3 in-line Petrol. Any advice would be really appreciated.

Want to buy & park/moor locally (Newhaven) Simpson Marine in Newhaven sell Quicksilver and they've been the most helpful so far which is why we're looking at the 640.

Cheers AS
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MBM magazine did a review of these fisher types a while back. Someone might still have it, or you can probably get an e-copy through YBW.COM, somewhere.It might not make you change your choice, but at least you might be more aware of the small differences between the boats and which differences might be advantageous to you.
Otherwise try some fishing forums as thats where the owners will be hanging out, I guess !
 
Ripster said:
Are you stuck only on Quicksilver boats? If not, then have a look at Beneteau, Jeanneau, and Rodman. IMO these are superior craft and hold their resale values better too. Not saying that QS will not be fun, it will be, but the others may give you some comparisons before you pay up! Don't know much about OBs, (apart from saying you cannot go far wrong with a Honda!) so will leave that to someone else. These boats come with (as you probably know) inboard and outboard engine options. In short, the OB models will generally be a bit cheaper, a bit quieter and a bit faster and nippier. Against this, the IBs are diesels which have cheaper and more convenient fuel, more range and leave the transom free for a small tender or something.

Have fun choosing. Ask as many questions as you like on here and give as many details and prefernces as you can to get the best answers back.
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Many thanks Ripster, I was wondering about Quicksilver - the only reason for going with them is that the local marine company is their agent (so it's for convenience). I have looked at vids of Beneteau/Janneau boats and agree they look much better internally. We have a max spend of £35k (for everything... boat + accessories), from what I could tell they're much more expensive than QS. Also, if we were to buy something further afield we don't have a trailer (or even a car that could pull a trailer) so wouldn't be able to get it down to Newhaven.

We won't be using the boat for anything other than escaping from noisy Brighton, not into fishing - so no need for any fishing stuff. But want something with plenty of space in the stern.
 
gjgm said:
MBM magazine did a review of these fisher types a while back. Someone might still have it, or you can probably get an e-copy through YBW.COM, somewhere.It might not make you change your choice, but at least you might be more aware of the small differences between the boats and which differences might be advantageous to you.
Otherwise try some fishing forums as thats where the owners will be hanging out, I guess !
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Thanks GJGM, as you can see from my other response, we won't be using a boat for fishing. But these boats seem to offer quite a bit of space at the back, somewhere to just spend some time in the sun (haha) and relax. Whether that's actually possible - we shall find out! I will try and search for those back copies of YBW. If QS aren't a very good brand we shall have to do a lot of reseacrh into finding something else.

Cheers, AS
 
Searush said:
Get one with sticks & rags if you want low emissions & fuel consumption! :p

You also get the reliability of a secondary form of propulsion too - you can always motor home if the wind breaks down. :D
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As much as I'd like to - I don't think I'm up to the physicality of a yacht. Also, I think I'm a little too wary of the sea, and yachts get a little bit too close to the waves for my liking - but you're right... they must be the eco way to go. Thanks.
 
ActicSnooze, I think you are wise looking at a local agent, as this is your "toe in the water". You will need some back-up with the "how do I"'s and "should I"'s, plus fixing the inevitable issues. Withe the right QS, you should get up to Lewes bridge, to tank-up on Harvey's too.

Newhaven is a pretty good place to start. I found launching there very easy, and as long as you know the times of the ferry's, a pretty good place to get in and out of.

If and when you are ready to move on to a new boat, youtr local QS dealer should take your old one off your hands swiftly too.
 
Harvey's eh? Yes we know all about Harvey's Best - and their little shop in the 'high street' is just brilliant! Actually it's stange you mention the river because this is how the whole idea of buying a boat came to be. Someone was selling a freehold mooring nr The Snowdrop Inn, but after much deliberation I thought that for the price we'd be better off trying Newhaven where there's the choice of river & sea. Plus we don't need to buy a mooring. Hope you're right about the dealer - they seem pretty fair, my partner's going to speak to them today to find out more and ask questions. They also offer hands on training - which we desperately need before we become the archetypal idiots at sea and invovle the poor rescue services! Many thanks, AS
 
ArcticSnooze said:
Harvey's eh? Yes we know all about Harvey's Best - and their little shop in the 'high street' is just brilliant! Actually it's stange you mention the river because this is how the whole idea of buying a boat came to be. Someone was selling a freehold mooring nr The Snowdrop Inn, but after much deliberation I thought that for the price we'd be better off trying Newhaven where there's the choice of river & sea. Plus we don't need to buy a mooring. Hope you're right about the dealer - they seem pretty fair, my partner's going to speak to them today to find out more and ask questions. They also offer hands on training - which we desperately need before we become the archetypal idiots at sea and invovle the poor rescue services! Many thanks, AS
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Very wise to take up any offer of training and help. You will find other boaties, all too willing to give advice, some of it good! You should consider a couple of courses, including Day Skipper. There is much to enjoy on-board, and a few things that can go wrong, of your decision making is not good.

I am due to re-stock at Harveys. Being Midlands based these days, has some advantages, but I definitely miss out an a decent brew, and the seaside. Spent many happy days on the beach at Newhaven as a young-un.
 
Have a look at the Merryfisher 655 I think you might like these. Lots of space aft for the length and some have full closing covers to. A good used one can be had within budget - say 2006-2008 model. Dont worry so much where it is in the country within reason as there are plenty of transport companies out there that will pick it up and bring it to you - it does not cost as much as you perhaps think and you may get a better boat. Do have a good look around out there.

Enjoy your search, its all part of the fun and do not be surprised to think you are even more confused the deeper in you get!
 
Hi just a bit of advise about your original question, if you are keeping the boat in the water then go for an outboard as u can lift the whole unit out of the water when not in use saving on maintenance and keeping the prop clear of weed and barnacle growth. A petrol inboard engine on a sterndrive will cause you lots of maintenance in comparison and because they are seawater cooled they will decay internally very quickly. On a boat of the size you are looking for an outboard will also give you more deck space as it hangs off the back and is a lot lighter. Hope this helps.
 
omega2 said:
£19,500
http://www.rokerronseaangling.co.uk/showthread.php?2911-Escape2-for-sale!!!!!!!!!/page2
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Thanks Omega 2 - it does look in great condition, but it's more of a fishing boat whereas the QS 640 weekender's wheelhouse/cabin seems larger. We really need to buy locally because we need training straight off, and the agent we're keen on buying from are offering lost of advice and training as part of the package. I just can't decide between the SD and OB, on so many forums people seem to prefer the OB version. Decisions, decisions... thanks again & I'm sure you'll sell your lovely boat soon.
 
HotProperty said:
Hi just a bit of advise about your original question, if you are keeping the boat in the water then go for an outboard as u can lift the whole unit out of the water when not in use saving on maintenance and keeping the prop clear of weed and barnacle growth. A petrol inboard engine on a sterndrive will cause you lots of maintenance in comparison and because they are seawater cooled they will decay internally very quickly. On a boat of the size you are looking for an outboard will also give you more deck space as it hangs off the back and is a lot lighter. Hope this helps.
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Hi HotProperty - no we're going to have it stored in a yard, they launch & remove it on request. Think that should save a fortune in mooring fees & hopefully barnacle scraping! The more I read on the subject the more I'd prefer an OB but my partner's keen on the cheaper SD version :( Many thanks for your advice, you're giving me even more ammunition!
 
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