Potential new boat owner advice please

[Edharris]

Hey
I’ve always wanted to have my own boat. Now currently in a position to have one. Mostly for weekends etc.
As I’m a newbie I’m looking for any advice to help
Me along the way.
Currently looking to spend between £20-30k. I’ve seen a sealine 285 that looked perfect for what we are looking for. I’d like something with a decent size on the back for people to socialise. Needs to have a toilet too! We are lucky enough to be able to moor it for free where we live. So any info on running costs or what I should be looking for would be greatly appreciated. Also some other options on boats to look at? Thanks

 

[gordmac]

Welcome. If you think it will do the job why not go for it? As a general rule your first boat is the start of learning what you would actually want and will be far from your last. From that perspective something popular would be easier to sell at a later date. It would be worthwhile to survey (hull and mechanical) anything you're interested in unless you are very confident of spotting problems.
Fuel is a consideration, where and how will you get it. Diesel is much easier to get than petrol in most places.

 

[ashtead]

Have you considered asking on the Sealine owners forum of any issues to look for when buying one? Every boat has or tends to have in eyes of owners so downsides so that might be a source of info . Just be aware of course an owners club can have disciples but Sealine are a well know brand so should be easy to sell on if you like the live style. A lot depends on your plans though as to which make suits -just plug in your budget and size to a few websites and see what turns up and initially visit a few in flesh and speak to a few brokers maybe to see what alternatives out there like jeanneau or Bavaria etc.

 

[Seastoke]

You do mean a sea boat mooring

 

[Edharris]

Thankyou for the replies. This is intended to be used on the river as we live on the river Kennet. Is there any difference between sea boats and river boats? This shows how much of a newbie I am! I’ll certainly look into the sealine forum thanks. Am I being realistic with my budget?

 

[ashtead]

I doubt many issues will arise on the river kennet- you don’t say anything about the engine hours but the service history might be the main area of interest so maybe have that checked out by an engineer unless of course you are a mechanic etc. If you try searching for Sealine on this forum search function might throw up a few owners? The title of your post currently might not attract them though try a new post like Sealine 28 known issues? To flush them out.

 

[Edharris]

I doubt many issues will arise on the river kennet- you don’t say anything about the engine hours but the service history might be the main area of interest so maybe have that checked out by an engineer unless of course you are a mechanic etc. If you try searching for Sealine on this forum search function might throw up a few owners? The title of your post currently might not attract them though try a new post like Sealine 28 known issues? To flush them out.

Thanks Ashtead, it doesn’t have to be a sealine that’s just something I spotted that I liked the look of! I’ll do some searching! Thanks

 

[DavidJ]

Agree with all of the above.
Sealine‘s were very well made, big and small all made in the same way to the same detail in their Kidderminster factory.
Very good spares service from ex Sealine folk like Nick Seabridge ( sealine parts spares sealine seabridge fairline ) who will know your boat.
Sealine always made good use of space and were always ahead on style so the year you are looking at won’t look too dated.
They have clearly passed the test of time.
Go for it but ensure that you have a hull and engine/leg inspection.

 

[Edharris]

Th

Agree with all of the above.
Sealine‘s were very well made, big and small all made in the same way to the same detail in their Kidderminster factory.
Very good spares service from ex Sealine folk like Nick Seabridge ( sealine parts spares sealine seabridge fairline ) who will know your boat.
Sealine always made good use of space and were always ahead on style so the year you are looking at won’t look too dated.
They have clearly passed the test of time.
Go for it but ensure that you have a hull and engine/leg inspection.

Thanks davidj, looks like sealine is something we’ll worth considering then! Now just to find one!

 

[Cavalierbond]

Find out about speed limits on your river .. if it’s 8 knots for miles yiu may not need a big engined boat ..

 

[simonfraser]

Check out problems with inboard engines with outdrives vs outboards

 

[fred247]

If using it soley on the Kennet, then I would stay away from a sports cruiser, a single engined river cruiser would be better suited and far more stable as well as possibly having a better layout, the newer the boat the less choice you will have in your price range.
I doubt you will get 23/24/25 Seline in your price, you may find a s290 with petrols or small diesels but these will be twins, which are not needed on what is effectively a canal. even if using on the Thames not necessary, unless you go tidal.

 

[Billy no mates.]

Who owns the river, EA? probably need a BSS test, license and insurance.

 

[fred247]

Canal and River trust, definitely BSS

 

[Edharris]

If using it soley on the Kennet, then I would stay away from a sports cruiser, a single engined river cruiser would be better suited and far more stable as well as possibly having a better layout, the newer the boat the less choice you will have in your price range.
I doubt you will get 23/24/25 Seline in your price, you may find a s290 with petrols or small diesels but these will be twins, which are not needed on what is effectively a canal. even if using on the Thames not necessary, unless you go tidal.

Well it will be kept on the Kennet, but we will definitely take it on the Thames and possibly the sea at some point in summers. I think I’d prefer to have the extra power for if we did ever need it.
Re the river it runs through our premises we don’t back on to it or anything. So I’m just assuming we can keep it there for free? Surly I wouldn’t have to pay anything? Of course though I’d get insurance.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

You can probably moor the boat on your own riverbank frontage for free but check your own deeds or leases for any restrictions. The boat need to have, and retain for all its time on the river, a current Boat Safety Scheme ("BSS) certificate.
BSS | Boat Safety Scheme | Go Boating - Stay Safe

 

[fred247]

you will have to have a river license from the CRT and a boat safety certificate BSS as well as third party insurance to the sum of £3,000,000

 

[QBhoy]

Think I saw the sealine you mean. If it was the one at 34k. In that case, you may want to consider that it has old school ad31 diesels. Perhaps not ideal for river slow speed use. At river speeds, the turbos will not be on boost, even if you under prop her a little…this can cause issues to diesels like these that need to be worked hard every now and then. Just a thought from me.

 

[DavidJ]

Perhaps not ideal for river slow speed use. At river speeds, the turbos will not be on boost, even if you under prop her a little…this can cause issues to diesels like these that need to be worked hard every now and then. Just a thought from me.

Agree not ideal but don’t be put off. You see many boats like this on the Thames, Lake District and Norfolk Broads etc and they seem to survive with continuous low speed usage.

 

[TNLI]

Check out problems with inboard engines with outdrives vs outboards

Yep, inboard diesels with straight, (Non leg), drives are very economic but only good for slower full displacement use. Outboards are a real horror story in fuel consumption terms, but good for high speed planning boats.