Newbie!!

[andyball]

well we started with that sort of budget a few years ago & had great fun....ended up buying a new engine after we found we enjoyed it & the quiet/reliability/easy starting seemed worth the outlay.

Had a useful 3m hypalon inflatable for £100, then a fibreglass 12' cuddy boat & trailer for £250 ....it can be done.

Local freeads & esp. the yards of budget boating/fishing clubs produce some very cheap boats....sometimes with all the lifejackets/ropes/anchor etc tucked away inside.



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[BarryH]

Still got the boat I started boating in. It was 50quid then and another 25 quid for a 1950's johnson. Engines long gone. Still use it now and then with the kids who are about the same age as me when I started messing about in boats.

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[tcm]

hi.

One thing that makes boat cheap or expensive is the engine. Small engine cheap, big engine more spensive - need stronger boat, able to take the weight, fuel lines and so on. So careful witha small engine (and for under 500 quidf it will not be powerfuil reallly) - some of the rivers you have mentioned will be flowing faster than a small engine can propel you along. If at all possible, try it all out in a lake, where there is no current. Then if you get swamped you are at least able to wade ashore and have a laugh. Note that a big engine can still fail, so you need oars and lifejackets and other safty gear.



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[Guest]

Thanks again for all your replies, I only need to ask a couple more questions before I start saving and finally boating!!
Okay, you mention fast flowing rivers and needing reasonably sized engines. What do you think would be an adequate engine for a 14ft cabin boat - maybe a minimum 5hp - also do engines come in 5/6/7/8/9/10hp sizes etc? Or is there a set type i.e 4/5/10/15/20hp etc?

Finally I live in Sheffield, any ideas of easy lakes/rivers in my area for a starter?

cheers

Briano


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[lanason]

14 foot cabin boat I would put min 10 hp on. We boat on the Severn and our inflatable is 2.65m with a 5hp.

There are a range of sizes but 4, 5, 6, 9.9 and 15 are the most popular.

Where's Sheffield /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>More Pics of Kelisha</A> /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Guest]

Okay, so I know what to look for now - maybe I need to up my budget a little - now on to Ebay!!

Sheffield is that funny looking city kinda up there in the north-east somewhere, where everybody eats lots, drinks lots and talks funny...

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[BarryH]

Have a look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk>http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk</A> You get overpriced rubbish on ebay, IMHO. Look at the fishing boat section. There should be a boat or two there. And have a look at a copy of Boatmart in smiffs, sorry Kim, you'll find a load in the classifieds that will suit too.

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[Guest]

Thanks BarryH, I have seen this website before and hardly saw any boats in my price range - perhaps I'm just not looking in the right place - I'm assuming my price range and type would be shown under inland cruisers?

I'll lookout for the magazine though...

Briano

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[BarryH]

I don't want to offend, but the budget that you've set is a bit low. Limiting you to some really crappy boats. If you want the wife/family to enjoy it I think you should up the budget a bit and get something "tidy". You and the wife/family will either love boating or hate it. If you want to stick with it you'll then praps want a bigger and/or better boat. So which ever you decide you'll want to get rid of the first boat. Which is why I'd say up the budget and get something that will be easier to sell later. All IMHO

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[tcm]

yeah, agreed wiv barryH , £300-500 quid might be enough for saftey gear, leaving you £20 for a boat. Whcih will be rubbishly nasty, like a 20 quid car. in fact, a 500 quid boat will also be horrible, ghastly wiffy and dodgy, same as a 500 quid car. whereas a few grand will begin to be acceptably tolerable.

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[Guest]

No offence taken, but upping the budget... hmmm easier said than done!!
I have seen some boats on Ebay that appear to fit my bill very well - here are the address, perhaps I'm missing something??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2432112086&category=1296&rd=1 -- far too fast really but looks good!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2432481954&category=36797&rd=1 -- not a cabin boat but still very close to what I'm looking for, maybe engine could be upgraded after a short time.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2432892001&category=1296&rd=1 -- A while to go and engine required seperately, but still my favourite of these 3.

So, any advice most welcome please!

Cheers

Joe


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[BarryH]

Forget the third one its a liability. The second one. Open boat with room to move about a little bit. Good for picnics and stuff on rivers , but the engine is on the small side. So very gentle rivers and lakes. First one. Think this is probably where most boat owners started. The ubiquatus (sp) sports boat. Fun in the right hands Can be damn dangerous in the wrong hands. If your going for something like that. Then I'd urge you to go and get a bit of training. Summink like the RYA PB2

Then on top of all that you've got insurance, safety gear, maintaince and a whole load of stuff. I thinkyou should up your budget.

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[TwoStroke]

Looking on the map, you have a few rivers near to you. Best bet is to have a drive along them and you'll probably come across a couple of small marinas - pop in and ask around - you'll be surprised what they can come up with in your budget.

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[penfold]

Hi,
welcome to the rewarding world of messing about on the water.

1. pretty much unsuitable; old outboard which is hard to get spares for and you'll have to do the work yourself as most outboard dealers will tell you to fling it in a skip and buy a new one.
Also a bit fast if you're a complete beginner.

2. Nice solid looking boat. as you've noted it's a bit underpowered; you would have to get a bigger engine before using it on a river or the sea, say 5-10hp. However 500 is about as much as you should pay for something like this unless it's brandnew, I think the vendor is being rather optimistic.

3. nice enough, cheap too but rather too small. I wouldn't recommend putting more than 3 folk (very crowded!), or 2 folk + lunch + stuff in this one, and even then only on very sheltered water. again 5-10hp would move it along nicely.

HTH,

cheers,
David

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[lanason]

Well I reckon something like this would be ideal

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boats-for-sale.com/boatdetailpopup.asp?btsrefno=1104048>http://www.boats-for-sale.com/boatdetailpopup.asp?btsrefno=1104048</A>

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[hlb]

That looks ok apart from the chrystler engine, also boat no two on his list, looks just right. Little speedy type boats are a waiset of time less used for skiing. Every one soon gets fed up of them, anyway speeds no use on rivers or lakes. But loads of room for every one and the picnic is.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Well thanks once more for all the advice, I do like the look of my Ebay boat no 2, however the boat Ianason has posted is ideal - just what I'm looking for.

I shall keep an eye out and start visiting my local boatyards, maybe buy early next year.

Thanks and goods luck with all your boating!!

Briano

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