old boat for new boy

[Olly]

hello folks
I am new to the forum so hello again and please be gentle!

Having just bought a house in hove i am now able to buy my first boat. I read with intrest MAO's postings "new boat guidence" and have very similar needs ( 20ft cuddy cabin), i may even keep her in the brighton marina or maybe shoreham. My needs differ price - cheep cheerful starter boat for myself and girlfriend.

Any thoughts about boat make, how old a boat to go for before it cost more money to keep going then makes sense and opinions on mooring would be nice too.

PS We want to do powerboat 2 before buying said boat , is this chicken and egg.

sorry if that rambled
olly

 

[tcm]

Re: another fine mess

Hi. couldn't resist the title, welcome.

At this size, and old age, the actual type becomes less important, imho, as the condition will determine price. Outboard quite acceptable, in my humble opinion(imho). From where you are you should aim to have decent speed - unless it's coastal bumbling, your targets to solent or x-channel are distant places. Those Orkney ones can take some power, I believe. It would be a reasonable idea to have a trailer, plonk it in the water for the season and then get the hell out of the expensive water over winter? Also, you could drag it over to france and investigate brittany, west coast or even med without the drone and the £££fuel bills and the ooer coming back in a 4 but it might be 5 tomorrow.

Don't need qulifications beforehand - but DO need help immediately upon purchase. A private seller may easily offer to help as part of the deal once you've bought it. Otherwise you need to hire some help and do some courses - but much cheaper and more relevant on YOUR boat, instead of on something much bigger/smaller or anyway irrelevant - on your own boat they can show you other stuff (bit of mechanicals for example) besides driving it. Boats are massively different from each other - not like cars.

 

[Olly]

Re: another fine mess

Why thank you ! this forum will be a great help i think.
that was all great advice,
I have a pal with a land rover and pulling thing( am having a blank moment ) on the bumper.
So we may try getting somthing in devon - Cheaper then sussex????? and tow it back.

thanks again now i must go and dream of fast boats brum brum!
olly

 

[lanason]

how much do you wanna spend ??
- cus that makes a big difference to the advice

Adrian )
"yellow hull - called Court Jester - Have you seen her ??"

 

[hlb]

Re: another fine mess

Dont think you want to go for old old speedy boat type thing, there usually droping in bits. Orkney types much stronger, easier to add bits and alter around a bit. Not fab looking but just as fast and better if it gets lumpy. More room too.

Dont forget to order your Burgee. PM me.

Haydn

 

[trev]

Depends on yer budget.
I would recommend a good look at a Hardy - a good little seaboat, outboard power and reasonable accommodation for weekending for two.

Trev