Newbie needs boat buying advice

May I introduce you to a Fairline Mirage (because I own one). within your price band, 29 feet, twin diesels. I have traditional V berth (2) , dinette double (2) a 6 foot seat opposite the dinette which converts into a bunk (2) AND a transom seat that makes a double fair-weather berth (2). functional family friendly galley (2 burners, grille, oven , fridge etc) head compartment with pump toilet basin and shower. Well protected cockpit with large sun roof. You might need a little patience to locate diesels (more were made with petrols) . I think the boat gives you quite a lot for you money.
 
I would begin with a simple question, do you want speed and high fuel consumption? then its a planing hull; or do you want fuel economy and are not bothered about speed, then its a displacement hull.

From here i would look at engines, from your stipulated usage diesel is the only real option, with planing hulls its mainly twin diesels, but with displacement there are many single engined craft around. Planing hulls engines are powerful as they have to be to get them onto the plane, displacement hull engines are much less powerful as they only push through the water, but large underpowered marine engines are very reliable. On a cautious note though, the engine must be correctly maintained.

There is a third alternative, semi displacement, faster then displacement speeds, but slower than planing speeds, and they come with single or twin engines, more powerful than displacement, less powerful then planing. These are an excellent compromise.

Once this decision is made then i think you could look towards other considerations such as berths, layout, etc.
 
Assassin said:
I would begin with a simple question, do you want speed and high fuel consumption? then its a planing hull; or do you want fuel economy and are not bothered about speed, then its a displacement hull.

From here i would look at engines, from your stipulated usage diesel is the only real option, with planing hulls its mainly twin diesels, but with displacement there are many single engined craft around. Planing hulls engines are powerful as they have to be to get them onto the plane, displacement hull engines are much less powerful as they only push through the water, but large underpowered marine engines are very reliable. On a cautious note though, the engine must be correctly maintained.

There is a third alternative, semi displacement, faster then displacement speeds, but slower than planing speeds, and they come with single or twin engines, more powerful than displacement, less powerful then planing. These are an excellent compromise.

Once this decision is made then i think you could look towards other considerations such as berths, layout, etc.
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Thanks for helpful reply. I do not need high speed as such, although it might be nice for the kids to do some watersports if that was possible. I mainly want a boat that can take me to the islands in relative safety that is simple to operate for a newcomer. It looks like my main factor in deciding is likely to be price however. There seem to be a lot of single engined petrol 25 footers in my price range, some look quite nice. For example I quite liked the look of a Searay Sundancer 250 1996 for £21995. I think the range is 150 miles. Perhaps I could get to Ailsa Craig!
 
Thanks for reply
I had always assumed, probably due to ignorance, that sailboats just used their engine for manoevering in and out of marinas or if they got stuck, and thereafter travelled under sail and that they wouldn't have enough fuel to complete a passage on engine alone. Is this wrong, can you travel long distances using the sailboat's engine alone?
 
Thanks, I actually looked at an advert for one recently. I liked the accomodation and it looked quite roomy and comfortable. My only concern was I thought it looked more like a riverboat. Is the Mirage good for offshore use such as island travelling?
 
robertt said:
Sounds like a single diesel engine might be best but does that mean concern about engine failure leaving me floundering? And I suppose manoeuvrability will be compromised esp in windy situations. I see a lot of adverts for 25 foot Bayliners with 4 berths but all seem to have single petrol engines. Are these really just for short distance pleasure boating?
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What you need is one with a nice newish fully serviced diesel engine. One that has a bow thruster to help with manoeuvring. One that has a track record of Channel crossings to France and the Channel Islands. And if it came with Diesel heating so much the better. Now if only you could get all that for £5-£10K under budget. :D
 
Hi Neale
Nice Bayliner, I like what you have done with it!
I saw one locally of the same sort but with none of the extras that yours has.
I take it you are way down South?
 
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