Petrol running costs help please..

[No Regrets]

You seem to be shunning traditional Thames types designs for flashy pointy things.

Didn't work for me. Unless you're thinking of doing a lot of work past St Kats, the trad stuff works far better in most ways!

 

[apollo]

Hubby found this one, same year but £10K more for some reason.

http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/core/li...access=Public&listing_id=50589&url=&imc=pg-fs

One thing I would recommend, when you go to look at a boat...

Is to try to walk from the cockpit to the front of the boat round the deck and throw a rope from the side deck to the pontoon its moored up to, try to lasso a bollard.

Easy to walk around? Do you feel safe on the side deck?

This may seem like a stupid suggestion, but on the Upper Thames you will be going in and out of Locks and this is the kind of thing you will have to do a lot.

The modern flying machines with huge gas guzzling engines are really suited to somewhere on the South Coast where you let go and go out for a zoom round the bay.

Just try it, and see how you go. Better you find out now before you hand any money over.

Not trying to be facetious just save you making a bad buy.

 

[TrueBlue]

I'm impressed; you're trying quite hard - it pays to be persistent

I know zilch about this type of boat, but to answer your last post -
Bigger engine?
More toys?
Because they think they can?

The insides don't look as good as the HF one - but it may be better photography / web upload.

Boats are invariably cheaper well away from London and the South east..

Now, I'll get out of the way and let the experts loose....

 

[watson1959]

One thing I would recommend, when you go to look at a boat...

Is to try to walk from the cockpit to the front of the boat round the deck and throw a rope from the side deck to the pontoon its moored up to, try to lasso a bollard.

Easy to walk around? Do you feel safe on the side deck?

This may seem like a stupid suggestion, but on the Upper Thames you will be going in and out of Locks and this is the kind of thing you will have to do a lot.

The modern flying machines with huge gas guzzling engines are really suited to somewhere on the South Coast where you let go and go out for a zoom round the bay.

Just try it, and see how you go. Better you find out now before you hand any money over.

Not trying to be facetious just save you making a bad buy.

EXCELLENT ADVICE! Much as I have enjoyed my first year on the river, I really could do with a bit more side deck......it does limit SWMBO's enthusiasm if she has to creep to the front. Also, if you're aiming to have kids use/enjoy the boat safely this is a very valid point.

 

[No Regrets]

My Sport cruiser was fantastic while moored up, well if you ignore the overly-pointy bed and way it rolled even when tied securely.

The cockpit was spacious, and wonderful until the first drop of rain, then it turned into a big leaky tent which misted up within a minute, leaving occupants cold and bored.

Once on the move, it steered every way but straight and left a wake which Kayakers came miles for!

Lock-wise, a nightmare, other than the stern-drives ability to manoeuvre to within an inch as long as the wind didn't catch it.

I replaced it with a nice old Birchwood, which was smaller, half the price, and offered more space, stability, comfort, weather protection and practicality.

If you're mainly using the Upper Thames, you would be better off doing something about the helpful advice rather than seemingly carrying on looking at wrong-uns?

 

[HONEYMOMMY]

Thanks again for all your advice.

It's not about being persistant it's about getting the right boat for us but suitable for the water it is in. Not knowing is no crime, buying and having problems or causing chaos on the river is.

The san remo seemed like a more modern interior and layout, but older and with engines that were more suited thats all..

We are also looking at a couple of sealine statesmen, but not sure as little deck space for us all.

Anyway thanks again.

TTFN..

 

[Momac]

Before you travel long distance to view any particular boat do ring the broker first to make sure the boat is still available. Adverts on the internet, and even on brokers websites may be well out of date.

The Sunseeker at Lincoln looks okay - but you have learned already its not easy to judge condition from photographs.

 

[dash300]

Agree with all advice above, on appropriate boat design and propulsion for the Thames. Fuel costs, maintenace costs, accommodation, handling I'd give you one season on the Thames and the craft you are clearly drawn too will be up for sale.

 

[No Regrets]

The Sealine was more suitable, as the rear deck and interior offered plenty of space in all weathers, the Flybridge great views and quiet cruising, and not too bad to walk around at the locks.

A bit blown around in sidewinds though. Not the end of the world with twin Diesels...

You just can't beat a Flybridge, and that inner helm is nice when it rains on the way home!

Mind you, at £12950 that Project 31 looks an utter bargain! Twin Diesels and lots of space there!! (Je T'aime II) Don't worry about the age, it's the quality and condition that matters. Our 1975 Broom is in splendid condition, and costs virtually nothing to maintain, being nice old technology. A replacement engine would cost around £2000, compared to £10-20,000 on a modern boat!!

 

[HONEYMOMMY]

The project 31 is only 4 berth so two of my children would not be impressed..

 

[No Regrets]

Are all four going to be with you all the time? It's easy enough to lob a couple in the cockpit in Summer, inflatable mattress and good sleeping bags!

Try to find a nice Broom 30 perhaps? They have six good berths, and a large flybridge. You'll pay £20-35K for a fair/immaculate one though. Very popular due to the low berthing costs for such accommodation.

 

[Momac]

I think the following Sealine might still be for sale - note it has petrol engines .

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...wc3RhdGVzbWFufGd4OjgzNzFlYTEwNWFlZDlkNw&pli=1

 

[Chris_d]

Go have a look at the San Remo, it will be fine on the river a 33ft sportscruiser is very stable doesn't wander and has adequate side decks for river work, and unlike all the ancient shaft driven stuff it can moor anywhere by tilting the drives up. If you like it go for it, just get it checked out and surveyed properly especialy the the outdrives.

 

[No Regrets]

Viva L'espaniel is the Diesel one at bray, looks a nice thing, and I looked very hard at it!

 

[HONEYMOMMY]

I think the following Sealine might still be for sale - note it has petrol engines .

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...wc3RhdGVzbWFufGd4OjgzNzFlYTEwNWFlZDlkNw&pli=1

We have definately decided on diesel not petrol...... Nice though.

 

[Captain Coochie]

You can get petrol on the river no problems just not as often as diesel . If you fill your tanks up then you wont need jerry cans .
One question i have is do you know how to handle a boat ?

 

[HONEYMOMMY]

It's not just availability of petrol, it's economy that matters. Diesel will be the better option.

I have been warned off petrol by a number of petrol boat owners.

As for your question on handling, already sorted that out thanks. Bisham Abbey helmsman course for that.

 

[HONEYMOMMY]

Go have a look at the San Remo, it will be fine on the river a 33ft sportscruiser is very stable doesn't wander and has adequate side decks for river work, and unlike all the ancient shaft driven stuff it can moor anywhere by tilting the drives up. If you like it go for it, just get it checked out and surveyed properly especialy the the outdrives.

I did think it would be a more stable choice and the side decks look fine from what we have seen. I hadn't thought about the drives and mooring, so yes that is a bonus... Thanks.. Informative..

We have learnt a fair bit about what to expect from a survey and intend to have any boat fully checked and get as much history as possible before buying.

 

[Captain Coochie]

Ahhhhh you did a course and past your driving test then
If i where you and most of us have done it this way . Buy a nice boat for a few grand and enjoy the summer . Smash it into things ( you will ) and find out what more you want from the space you have .
Then spend your K's on a better boat .

 

[HONEYMOMMY]

Ahhhhh you did a course and past your driving test then
If i where you and most of us have done it this way . Buy a nice boat for a few grand and enjoy the summer . Smash it into things ( you will ) and find out what more you want from the space you have .
Then spend your K's on a better boat .

Thankyou. Thats why we thought the san remo would be a good start, but with the added bonus of having the room we need, a diesel engine and be a bit posh looking.

I did suggest we buy about 40 fenders for protection, and to give the veterans a good laugh...

To be honest I am only in my mid 40's and some of these more mature boats make me feel old..