Newcomer (almost) needs advice

trooper

trooper

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7 Sep 2010
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Manchester UK
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I am looking to buy my first boat in spring 2011 - basically I am looking for a vessel which will allow me and my wife to spend a couple of days aboard at a time and to do some fishing.

I seem to be spending endless amounts of time looking at the for sale websites changing my mind each time, there are so many!!

I think I have settled on the layout of the Quicksilver 640 weekend or the merry fisher 695 (are there any others with a similar layout?) Ideally I want to buy the complete package ready to go, including trailer.

Any help or comments would be appreciated.
 
trooper said:
I seem to be spending endless amounts of time looking at the for sale websites changing my mind each time, there are so many!!
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Don't worry about that!
So does everyone else:D
Half the fun and enjoyement of boating is looking at other ones, even if you've just bought one!
In fact over the years, I reckon I,ve had as much fun chasing about the UK looking at potential purchases than actually owning the beggars:D
Oh yeh, an Welcome to the Forum!

You are on the right track by the way
The 'Merry Fisher' type vessel is ideal as a fishy weekender.

Not saying you an swmbo are going to get to anything 'fishy';)

Look on 'Boatshed' that site has plenty of stuff and has loads of piccies.
E Bay is a good 'search engine' as you probably know.

I reckon a used Merry Fisher 625 with an outboard is a crackin first boat.
Trailable, which is handy and would be great for weekending and fishing.

Look at 'Appolo Duck' and 'Boats and Outboards' too.

Notice you are based in Manchester

There are a few Forumites based in the Menai Strait which aint too far from you.
Inc meself!
There are quite a few of these type of boats around here
Worth a drive over for you
Dickies boat yard have some stuff like this for sale.
Plus Dulas boats on Anglesey
Probably some in Conwy and Deganwy too.

There has been a recent thread too on ere ref these kinda boats.

Anyway. good luck with your search!
 
Thanks for that Kawasaki - funnily enough we intend to spend a lot of our time around the North Wales coast. I visisited the Dickies yard a couple of months back but couldn't spot anything suitable - is it possible to speak to these yards and ask them to call if anything suitable comes on the market? Not sure of the eticate - would they do that?
 
trooper said:
I think I have settled on the layout of the Quicksilver 640 weekend or the merry fisher 695 (are there any others with a similar layout?) Ideally I want to buy the complete package ready to go, including trailer.

Any help or comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum!

Personally I wouldn't have a Quicksilver, build quality and seaworthiness isn't a patch on the Merry fisher/Beneteau range IMHO.

We used to have a MF 625 with a Suzuki 90 outboard, very good boat. We spent many weekends on her and thoroughly enjoyed it, quick enough too and fairly quiet. With some of the inboard diesel engined models they can tend to be a bit noisy so try and get out on one first to see if it's for you.
The 695 is over 2 tonnes plus trailer so on the limits as a trailer boat so far as I'm concerned.

As Kawasaki says, this type of boat is very popular in the North Wales area so you could have a look around quite a few if you had a day out there. There's also a Quicksilver agent at Beaumaris if you want to look at one of those too.

Happy hunting!
 
trooper said:
Thanks for that Kawasaki - funnily enough we intend to spend a lot of our time around the North Wales coast. I visisited the Dickies yard a couple of months back but couldn't spot anything suitable - is it possible to speak to these yards and ask them to call if anything suitable comes on the market? Not sure of the eticate - would they do that?
Click to expand...

Dickies are in the process of moving site at the moment, so all the boats have been moved to the new site at Porth Pennryn across the bay from their old site. They do have a couple of these boats on brokerage as far as I know. Yes, they'll be happy to keep your details and contact you if anything comes in.
 
Welcome to the forum. My first thoughts are about towing. You would get away with towing a QS640, with a decent sized car, although it does look very dubious. A MF695 is a pretty big lump to be towing, by the time you add in the trailer and all the kit you'd have onboard, there aren't many cars that would legally or safely tow the beast.

I'd suggest you carefully consider whether you want to trailer a boat, or have it in a marina. The answer to this question will have a big bearing on what's available to you. Also, an idea of budget would be helpful.
 
Philiz said:
<snip>

Personally I wouldn't have a Quicksilver, build quality and seaworthiness isn't a patch on the Merry fisher/Beneteau range IMHO.<snip>
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Sorry Phil, but i wouldn't really agree with that. Although you can't directly compare the 640 with a MF695 (very different boat) the 640's seaworthiness compared to a like for like MF or Bene isn't that different.

As for build quality, i think people confuse *quality* with poshness. I think the build of the QS is fine, it isn't shoddily put together and in general, the kit used is as good as anyone else's (lot's of stainless fittings, where my 90k new MF has ally, for instance). That said, the level of finish isn't as "posh" as some of the MF's and Bene's. As a fast fisher that a couple could kip on for a weekend, the SQ 640 is fine, if a bit utilitarian, and may well put a 7m pilothouse in budget for some that couldn't stretch to a MF or Bene 7m.

That said, budget not withstanding, i'd go for the MF695, without doubt. I wouldn't consider trailing it though.

So, if i'm not trailing the 695, would my budget stretch to a 725 or an 805 ?
 
PaulGooch said:
Sorry Phil, but i wouldn't really agree with that. Although you can't directly compare the 640 with a MF695 (very different boat) the 640's seaworthiness compared to a like for like MF or Bene isn't that different.
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That's okay mate, but I stand by my original comments. Yer takes as yer finds! :)
I was drawing a comparision between a QS 640 and a MF 625 though.

Comments on trailering agreed. To be honest, I wouldn't be keen to trailer a MF625 far no matter what I was pulling it with.
 
Out of your two choices so far I would personally pick a 695. Although that is going to need a BIG car and trailer to move it about. We started in a 635 and that was huge on a trailer so we kept ours in a Marina. Its not just the towing either, its launching the thing and getting up and down the slips etc. You could consider dry stack maybe.

Other things to consider if you are going to be staying on board overnight a fair bit are what bog arrangements you want? Own cubicle or stowed under seat? Also galley arrangements, shore power etc.

Another boat to perhaps consider is a Botnia Targa 25 (if you can find a used one) or similar. Excellent and capable boats, though these can be pricey.

Keep us informed and good luck.
 
I knew joining this forum was a good idea!! Thanks everybody for your input, much food for thought. I am going to Southampton where hopefully things will be a bit clearer (probably have a load more questions!!). Once again thanks everybody.
 
Ripster said:
You could consider dry stack maybe.

.
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That's a great idea Ripster
But off the menu if the OP wants play about in the North Wales area as posted!
'Dry Stack' round ere means the wine has run out;)

Type of heads an galley arrangements are secondary compared to the drinks cabinet size.:)
As Trooper said He is a relative newcomer.
The Botnia Targa is a great boat, I think we all agree on that.
However I reckon cos its the first purchase summat secondhand and trailable is the best bet.
If Trooper gets it right first time it will be a miracle:D

Cos thats just how boats are.
Trailable will give Troop some flexibility to try a few different areas.
He might find boating costs in North Wales a tad heavy if He gets involved with Us Lot;)
 
Kawasaki said:
That's a great idea Ripster
But off the menu if the OP wants play about in the North Wales area as posted!
'Dry Stack' round ere means the wine has run out;)

Type of heads an galley arrangements are secondary compared to the drinks cabinet size.:)
As Trooper said He is a relative newcomer.
The Botnia Targa is a great boat, I think we all agree on that.
However I reckon cos its the first purchase summat secondhand and trailable is the best bet.
If Trooper gets it right first time it will be a miracle:D

QUOTE]

Good point sir - forgot that the Dexion probably has not got you up there yet! Spose he needs to decide whether portability is more important than accommodation. As you rightly say, chances of getting right frist time are minimal.
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Another boat to perhaps consider is a Botnia Targa 25 (if you can find a used one) or similar. Excellent and capable boats, though these can be pricey.

They are also too heavy to trail, methinks - ours weighs in at 3000kg+.
Would 'er indoors' approve of the outside bog/shower - probably better than a chemical loo in the cabin though.
 
The MF 695 is a good fishing weekender but if you do buy one get one with the 150hp engine over the 130hp nanni. It may only give you another knot or two but is a much nicer combination
Re the QS I would agree with Philiz ok for a starter boat but they are cheaper for a reason

Martin
 
Towing options

PaulGooch said:
Welcome to the forum. My first thoughts are about towing. You would get away with towing a QS640, with a decent sized car, although it does look very dubious. A MF695 is a pretty big lump to be towing, by the time you add in the trailer and all the kit you'd have onboard, there aren't many cars that would legally or safely tow the beast.

I'd suggest you carefully consider whether you want to trailer a boat, or have it in a marina. The answer to this question will have a big bearing on what's available to you. Also, an idea of budget would be helpful.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I should have been more detailed... I am also in the market for a Landrover Discovery which I will be buying some time in the early new year. My budget for the boat will be in the region of £35k. I understand that the Descovery is plated for 3.5t (I am a HGV driver so towing shouldn't be too much of a problem). We have considered the marina aproach but we like the idea of different cruising (and fishing) areas. I guess the truth is we haven't completely made up our minds yet.
 
er indoors

whisper said:
Another boat to perhaps consider is a Botnia Targa 25 (if you can find a used one) or similar. Excellent and capable boats, though these can be pricey.

They are also too heavy to trail, methinks - ours weighs in at 3000kg+.
Would 'er indoors' approve of the outside bog/shower - probably better than a chemical loo in the cabin though.
Click to expand...

One thing which has been made very clear is that there mustbe a seperate toilet compartment!!!
 
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