Posted in wrong place? New owner seeking advice.

[ras8963]

Hi I posted this in the Thames section which on reflection may have been incorrect?
Firstly hello to all as we are new to this forum.
After years of deliberation my wife (family) and I have decided to make a boat purchase, we have read loads of info, done research, viewed boats etc etc but still have some dilemmas over a purchase.
We like space on a boat, have a relatively restrictive budget ( first boat), but very cautious with regard to engines. I have placed the post here as whilst i would like to venture into Sea, (with more knowledge, experience and maybe even our next boat...) initially we will be berthing mid Thames and sailing up and down the river.
We have decided on a boat /layout that suits us most and generally fits our budget is a Sealine 255, there are a few about between 20-25 yrs in good condition both in respect of hull and interior condition but I have read so many horror stories with regard to the twin volvo motors, both reliability and running costs.....I would appreciate any views on this?
Also if someone can advise me on thoughts, if I were to get the boat for a reasonable price and budget to replace the engines for a pair of diesels a few years down the line is this an available option and what would be a sensible budget...?
Thanks very much for any advice,
Roy

 

[Chris_d]

Hi I posted this in the Thames section which on reflection may have been incorrect?
Roy

No you were right we look in here too same advise as given on Thames forum except I forgot about the re-engining, basicaly forget it, it never makes financial sense just sell the petrol boat and buy a boat with diesels.
Unless you can buy from someone who has just done it, I got a boat with two new diesels for the same price as one with them originaly installed and a nice reassuring copy of a £27K invoice as well.

 

[Freebee]

As its you first boat you may not have it many seasons, as with use and experience, your opinion about your actual requirements may change.............. most of us have gone through that stage.

I would not budget to re engine a boat, been there got the T shirt, a few years ago I spent 13K for two new mercruisers only to find the best offer I could get for the whole boat was 8k in the market place. Better to find somebody like me who had spent loads on re engining then cant sell.

 

[ras8963]

As its you first boat you may not have it many seasons, as with use and experience, your opinion about your actual requirements may change.............. most of us have gone through that stage.

I would not budget to re engine a boat, been there got the T shirt, a few years ago I spent 13K for two new mercruisers only to find the best offer I could get for the whole boat was 8k in the market place. Better to find somebody like me who had spent loads on re engining then cant sell.

Hi and big thanks guys for the advice.
We have a choice between two of these boats one twin volvo AQ151C petrol and the other a twin diesel....with a £5k price difference.
The petrol has been used mostly on the Thames and the diesel offshore currently located on south coast.
Our intention are to moor the boat on the Thames and use it for jaunts up and down the river possibly venturing out into the estuary as we gain competence.. and confidence!!
One thought is to buy the cheaper petrol boat which is in slightly nicer condition and which we prefer and keep the £5k up our sleeve for repairs as and if needed.
Also we are wondering (on this boat) if the Diesels would REALLY be that much more economical to run???
Any more thoughts on these subjects would be greatly appreciated?
Thanks again
roy

 

[Chris_d]

Hi and big thanks guys for the advice.
We have a choice between two of these boats one twin volvo AQ151C petrol and the other a twin diesel....with a £5k price difference.
The petrol has been used mostly on the Thames and the diesel offshore currently located on south coast.
Our intention are to moor the boat on the Thames and use it for jaunts up and down the river possibly venturing out into the estuary as we gain competence.. and confidence!!
One thought is to buy the cheaper petrol boat which is in slightly nicer condition and which we prefer and keep the £5k up our sleeve for repairs as and if needed.
Also we are wondering (on this boat) if the Diesels would REALLY be that much more economical to run???
Any more thoughts on these subjects would be greatly appreciated?
Thanks again
roy

Your right the diesels will not be massively more economical if your only on the river, however refueling a petrol boat is expensive and pain in the ****
where ever you are based. However the petrol engines will be much smoother and quieter and more pleasant to cruise with, on balence I'd go for the petrol boat for your first year or so on the river and then go diesel when you want to go to sea. Also if you buy on the coast you will have to get it back to the river and thats going to be another grand as well.

 

[andyc]

I have a single petrol on sterndrive and a twin diesel on shafts.

I wouldnt go single stern drive on the river.They tend to wander about all over the place although with experiance an minimal steering imput they can be fine.
Twin shafts turn on a sixpence and are very manouverable,much like driving a tracked vehicle.single stern takes a bit of time to get used to.Sorry no experiance with twin stern drive so cant comment on them.
Petrol for us isnt any trouble atall.They are easy and cheap to repair.After market V8 Parts are readily available if you find volvo penta very expensive.No sure about the smaller engines.
Dont re engine.It is cheaper and easier to sell and buy what you want.
Personally for the river I would go for twin shaft driven boat as they are just so manouverable.
For the sea , on a budget and a smallish boat,I would chose a single petrol stern drive, with a 15hp outboard on an outboard bracket ,just in case.
Dont be afraid of the sea.If you have all your safety bases covered and the boat is up together and stay within a few miles of the coast to begin with, its no trouble.

 

[andyc]

PS, before you go out to sea, make sure you have a VHF that works and do an Power boat level 2 course.It will teach you the basics.
A VHF licence(how to use it) would be good along with a Ofcom vhf licence.( permit to use the thing.) If you want to be fully legal.

 

[andyc]

PPS.If it an old boat, and it is cooled by raw water rather than a heat exchanger, It can get expensive if it hasnt been maintained well. ie the exhaust manifolds and water galleries in the engine can rust.I replaced the old looking exhausts when I brought my petrol V8 boat to be safe.Glad I did as they were almost rusted through.