Newby boat buyer, please help

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AndyTaylor_No_Boat__Yet

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Hi,

I am fairly new to this forum and have spent a bit of time reading the posts and searching for answers to some questions, but haven’t found what I am looking for (no I’m not Bono!)

I am looking at buying a motor boat in the next few months, I have always wanted a boat but have only just got around to doing something about it.

My requirements are;
• Suitable for the following uses;
o River / canal for next 12 months or so
o Coastal use from next summer
o Possible cross channel trips once I am confident of my abailities
• Ideally I will be looking for a min 4 berth (myself, Partner and 2 young boys –currently 2 and 4yrs)
• In time I intend the boys and I will take weekends away aboard, possibly for sea fishing trips etc.
• We are in North Yorkshire, so probably need it to be moored locally, inland, so that we can get to her easily
• I would like something modern, preferably not something that looks like a floating caravan (no disrespect to anyone with an older boat)
• I am aware of the costs of running a boat and so assume a diesel is the way to go
o Do we need twin engines? Or is redundancy possible with an outboard?
• The budget is quite loose, I could spend up to £50k, but would prefer to keep the purchase around the £20k mark
• Ideally I would like a larger boat with a mooring, but I could get a smaller one with a trailer and store it inland.

So I guess the questions are;
• What are the likely costs of running such a boat?
o Fuel costs per hour would be appreciated
o Engine servicing costs?
o How often do I need to get her defouled?
• What sort of boat should I consider?
o There is a massive selection out there from 4 berth Bayliner cuddies to 6 berth Searays….
• Should I buy a starter boat and upgrade in a year or so when we want to go further afield, or should I buy the right boat now?

Many thanks for any and all replies, apologies if I have not provided enough info for any thorough answers, but feel free to ask me anything you need to assist.

Andy
 
You will get something like a Sealine 28 or 29 twin diesel for £40 to £50k which will serve your purposes.

You could get a 27ish foot American Sportscruiser for £20k upwards, maybe 10 years old. Just trailable, but really too big to do comfortably and regularly, especially if you have a young family, as it takes some doing, to launch, until you are proficient. So better if you moor.

Any of these options will give a midberth cabin for you/wife and dinette for the children.

Will work OK on the river, and great for coastal.
 
take a trip to York Marina at Naburn. Very helpful people and the new owners have spruced the place up loads. They usually have quite a few boats for sale so you can have a look at what you get for your money. They have recently been doing experience trips with small groups of boat owners down the Ouse to the Humber estuary and to Hull etc.

Good place to start boating from and there is lots of baby ducks, swans etc to entertain the little ones. get the occasional seal and otter too.

If you are mechanically minded don't be afraid of an older boat. If not a newer small one would probably be better. Two engines are good on boats in case one conks out especially if you go onto tidal waters. However if you go single engine make sure you can do basic things like change fuel filters etc. There are loads of courses available. Petrol engined boats are cheaper but are more range limited and petrol isn't available at all Marinas - so check out where you are thinking of keeping a boat and where you may be going

As you probably guessed We first went there with a 3 year old daughter @ 12 years ago looking for a boat, expected to buy something single engined, in the end I bought a 37 ft Princess. 25 years old but built like a tank, loads of room inside, We had more than a few scrapes in it but learned loads about sailing and boat machinery. Let us know how you get on ;-)

What are the likely costs of running such a boat?
o Fuel costs per hour would be appreciated - budget on river £100s a year on the sea £1000s depends on boat
o Engine servicing costs? - 2 engines DIY £300 ish, boat yard @ £1K + again boat and engine specific
o How often do I need to get her defouled? - on the river not a lot. I only did one once after 7 years because it was scruffy.

you will need anodes on river -magnesium they seem to last @ 2 years, costs depend on boat - £100 to £250 ish
be careful of old boats with outdrives - can be trouble unless you are very good with spanners. shaft drives are simple
 
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Thank you

Firstly thank you all for your replies so far.

I have looked at the boat at Boroughbridge, she is quite nice, I am going for a proper viewing this week.

I have also been to York Marina to look at a couple of boats there.

I took the missus and boys out for an hour on a hire boat yesterday (fantastic weather), they all enjoyed it, but towards the end of the hour the boys were gettng a little bored, this was expected though and why I only booked an hour.

In general it was well received and it will be even more enjoyable without having to consider rushing back in the hour.

All of the suggestions are welcome, and very helpfull. It seems that I need to go to the higher end of my budget, but if that gets us the right boat then so be it.

Am I correct in thinking that American boats are not as well regarded as European ones?

I will definitely keep you all informed on progress.
 
That S28 looks like a steal at that price, I thought they were all over £50k.
Make sure you get a survey and get your local marine engineer to take a look at the engines and drives before you buy.
I have just paid £500 to have a pair of the same engines serviced. All filters, oil and impellers.
The legs/out drives will cost about £1000 for the pair. Anti foul about £100. Don't for get the cost to lift and store ashore, about £300?
I budget for the whole lot £2400 and do it all at the same time every two years. Ie £100 stashed every month to pay for it.
Fuel, on the river about 8-10 litres per hour and at sea, planing, about 30 lph but flat out you can double that!
You can of course go slowly at sea if you want.
Good luck
 
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