potential New boat Owner

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esemgee

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Hi, I need your help please,

I am a total potential newbie boat owner and after research of different types of boat, I am looking to buy a Motor Cruiser with both river and coastal capabilities and I would appreciate some advice as to how do I move on from here?

Here come all the questions which I would appreciate you advice.

This is what I have done so far - I have seen a a 31 foot cruiser with 2 x130hp inboard engines which has undergone some refurbishment including the renewal (new) of both engines 6 years ago (70 hours on new engines) - also has GPS - VHF radio etc. I like the look of the boat and am now at the point of what do I do and what do I need to know -

I have also checked out some local marinas on the Medway (I live in Bromley) which appear to be the nearest as I would intend to river cruise for a period and progress to coastal once I am a more experienced.

As I do not know anyone with a boat I have not been able to find out much information other than the obvious 'find a place to keep it' and 'have it surveyed'

I would obviously like to take someone who knows about boats to the first viewing should I find someone from say a marine engineering company to come with me, in the first instance and then arrange a survey if on the face of it the boat seems ok?

My other questions are based on Certificates, Licences, VHF Licences etc. what order does all this need to be carried out and what exactly is required I would imagine cruising the Medway, Thames and coastal in and around those areas.

Can anyone out there help with some of the answers all assistance would be greatly received.

Steve
 
Welcome to forum.

Hi,Steve first things first,what builder/type of boat have you got in your sights.There are several posters on this forum who boat on the Medway.
A bit more detail please.
Also what marinas have you visited,can give you heads up on the advantages of most of them.
The river is ideal for learning the ropes,with sheltered water all year round and lots of soft mud to get it wrong in,both freshwater and open water are about 90 mins way and the Thames just round the corner where you can pick up lots of bad habits..:)
As for licences and stuff,boating is just about the last hobby that you can rock up with a fist full of money and just go.The only legal requirement on the Medway will be to give Peel Ports £50.00 and off you go to cause as much chaos as you like.
However it IS good idea to get some sort of idea of exactly what you are getting yourself into,this can be done by paying a sea school to show you whats what or just go out and learn from your mistakes.
The big downside is the magic three year cycle.The boat gets used a bit in the first year and somewhere down the road on the first magic trips you scare you and Mrs Steve " *hitless ".
The boat remains virtually used the following year and is up for sale by the third.

It will take a while to get your sealegs and do not be put off by early setbacks,stick with it and you have a pastime that will reward and challenge you for the rest of your days.:)
Up the Medway
Aylesford Bridge
DSCN6888.jpg

and down
Annual RCC cruise to the wreck of the Montgomery for wreath laying.
montgomrey.jpg

Good social is the Maidstone River Festival
DSCN4678.jpg
 
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Steve the pictures above are just 40% of your time as a boat owner! the rest will be spent on cleaning, fixing, worrying, paying etc..!!! so be prepared!

If you plan to start boating with a big boat, then you should ideally think about some powerboat training courses.

Drop me a PM if you want. I am also looking for a 26ft boat (upgrading for the 5th time in the past 10 years!)
 
Newbie

Hi Oldgit (that sounds rude!) Thanks for the welcome.

Thanks for your speedy response.

Ok, we started looking at boats within the budget on all the websites and what did we think we wanted to suit our intention, we decided that this is something we would like to do now and take in to our retirement in about 5 years time. We also thought that we would involve the family including grandchildren, we ideally would like 6 berth, but 4 plus some space may be adequate with toilet and shower facilities.

The boat that caught our eye was a Princess Marine Projects 31 which seem to be old but fully loaded with the new twin pentas fitted 6 years ago with 70 hours use plus lots of new refurbishment and kit.

We have visited - Hampstead Marina Yalding - Twyford Bridge Marina - Allington Marina - Bow Bridge Wateringbury - Little Venice and Gillingham.

We are looking at the Medway purely as this is the nearest to home with regard to mooring, and as you say once we have some experience, then out in the dangerous bit then head to the Thames to really get in trouble!

I thought you need a personal boat licence annual about £500 - plus the Boat saftey certificate every 4 years - VHF licence for the boat and pass a VHF course to use it?

Love the photos which is exactly why we want to be part of it.

Love the three year new boat owners almanac, you obviously speak from experience.

Steve
 
HI Vandy,

Having visited a few marinas, we guessed that there was a lot of cleaning and caring involved in boat owing and of course bottomless pit of money, you worry me a bit with your comment on a 'big boat' do you mean big as in power or big as in length?, we were looking at a 31 foot boat! not really looking for speed more for comfort although when we have gained more experience would like a bit of power for the open sea bit. What sort of speed is considered adequate for just cruising especially for a first boat?

Steve
 
OK,now appreciate that you are looking to start your boating on the upper bit of the Medway.An ideal choice for learning the ropes.All the marinas you mention are pretty much the same and it may just be case of picking the one your lady wife fancies.Allington is probaby the easiest one if you intend going out on the salty bit at some point and for all year round boating as less affected by winter flooding.
They all have a good social scene and most have a club attached.
Have a look here for club details.
http://www.allingtonlock.co.uk/

EA licence for your boat will be sub £300.00 pounds,also Allington lock does have some EA moorings available.
The Project 31 is well known as a river cruiser and could be used in estuary when conditions are calm.
Definately worth finding somebody who knows about boats to give the boat a first once over and then get a survey done if it passes muster..
On this age of boat disuse is the big killer,better a slightly worn boat frequently used by its owner than a prisitine "Marina Queen" that has not moved for years.
project32.jpg

Presume diesels which model ? Does the boat have outdrives and if so what type ?
 
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esemgee said:
Hi Oldgit (that sounds rude!) Thanks for the welcome.

Thanks for your speedy response.

Ok, we started looking at boats within the budget on all the websites and what did we think we wanted to suit our intention, we decided that this is something we would like to do now and take in to our retirement in about 5 years time. We also thought that we would involve the family including grandchildren, we ideally would like 6 berth, but 4 plus some space may be adequate with toilet and shower facilities.

The boat that caught our eye was a Princess Marine Projects 31 which seem to be old but fully loaded with the new twin pentas fitted 6 years ago with 70 hours use plus lots of new refurbishment and kit.

We have visited - Hampstead Marina Yalding - Twyford Bridge Marina - Allington Marina - Bow Bridge Wateringbury - Little Venice and Gillingham.

We are looking at the Medway purely as this is the nearest to home with regard to mooring, and as you say once we have some experience, then out in the dangerous bit then head to the Thames to really get in trouble!

I thought you need a personal boat licence annual about £500 - plus the Boat saftey certificate every 4 years - VHF licence for the boat and pass a VHF course to use it?

Love the photos which is exactly why we want to be part of it.

Love the three year new boat owners almanac, you obviously speak from experience.

Steve
Click to expand...

Hi Steve, lots of good advise already given esp "OG's three year bit" some get addicted to boating but it don't suit everyone.

One point to concider is the petrol vs diesel question (well someone had to mention it!) if you use the search function on here you will get lots of info.

Don't wory about the age of the P31's, they were built like tanks and with recent engines it should be good boat to learn the ropes on.

Here is a video of what you can expect if you take a 30ft criuser out when it is a bit lumpy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-e2lrkwxW0&feature=youtu.be

Rick...
 
Hi OG

Definately starting on the upper part of the Medway.

Like your comment re the Allington Marina being nearer the salty end, we liked the Allington Marina, so that could be a good possibility.

I am now confused over the EA Licence, my research lead me to the British Waterways site and seemed to imply I would need a BW licence at about £500for a Long Term Licence for both Thames and Medway.

The engines that were fitted 6 years ago were twin Petrol Volvo Penta's 3.0 GL engines and SX single prop outdrives.

Thanks for the 31 specs really useful and for the Allington link.

Hi Rick

As you will see above the engines are petrol, thanks for the youtube link I'll look at that tonight (no access at work)

Glad you think it would be ok for learning the ropes on.

Thanks for your help people I'm learning a lot already I have only got about 98% to go (if not more)

Steve
 
Aha the first problem :)

This is only my humble opinion.
Will repeat.
This only my humble opinion.


You do not under any circumstances want to buy a boat of that size with petrols unless they are giving it away.
While it may just be affordable to potter up and down the freshwater bit with those engines it will prevent you going much further afield due to fuel consumption and fuel availability.
On the freshwater bit at low speeds you are going to be using perhaps 2-3 gallons an hour and remember marina petrol is about £8.00 per gallon.
A day out mebbe £30.00 not so bad for all the family.

It will be a different story in the salty bit any decent speed and its 10 gallons an hour.3 hours to Sheerness,6 or 7 to London/Ramsgate. :(
and once you leave Gillingham the next fill up is ......60 miles away in any direction.
The boat was probably re-engined when fuel was sub a pound a litre.Big mistake.
Hence the price premium on any diesel and you cannot give away some boats.
Just to give you an idea a forum member on here recently sold a twin diesel Profile 33 for £25k,so diesels are out there for sensible money if you look.
Have you seen anything else.
Boat Reg charges on Medway
http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/PDF/GESE0312BWDJ-E-E.pdf
 
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The Project 31 has only done about 10 hours per year since new engines,wonder how long it was before the owner realised how much it cost to run.


Whats more, you get a Flybridge: Truly a thing to have! :D

Thats much more like it...Just one teeny weeny problem,that Seamaster aint going anywhere on the Medway with that flybridge most probably cos of this.:) 3.2m at the pointy bit
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/Bridge_Profile_survey_downstream.pdf
DSCN1239.jpg

Ps.Thought" No Regrets " looked the business in St Kats the other day.
 
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But he can moor it on the Thames, and have far more fun :D

p.s. thanks for the piccy...added it to 'Special photo's' album :rolleyes:
 
IF you like the M25 you will LUV the Thames.

No Regrets said:
But he can moor it on the Thames, and have far more fun :D

p.s. thanks for the piccy...added it to 'Special photo's' album :rolleyes:
Click to expand...




If you mean "fun " as in being thrown about by the wash of speeding Brooms going past every 30 secs in the constant
"Lock to Lock Grande Prix " ,we agree. :)
 
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Wow, wow, the power of Forums,

'OG' your post probably just saved me from making a very expensive mistake, thanks for that, I had noticed that most marinas where there are fuel facilities only quote diesel. Thanks for that, advice well and truly noted and I will spend some time searching for Diesels, another peice of knowledge.

Thanks for the EA link.

I can now spend the weekend continuing my search. I'll check out the links posted by other 'posters' Thanks Rick

'NG' Thanks for the link to the seamaster - I see the lowest Medway bridge is 3.1m in the list sent by OG - I guess then that this would eliminate this Seamaster from my search?

Oh so much to learn.......

Thanks for your help

Steve
 
Footwork and the difficulty of spending about 20K

Worth just wandering around some boat yards and looking at their noticeboards.Many owners of cheaper boats simply will not get a broker involved because of the fees involved and a few brokers will simply not want to get involved for what could only a couple of hundred pounds.
Have a look at some of the boatyards/marinas around Cuxton,Rochester and perhaps out to Hoo.Owners of cheaper boats like me will usually go for smaller less expensive yards where there are no facilities but mooring fees are less,you may not want to keep your precious new toy there but no reason not to buy.
Ps.I may get some flack for saying this but salty water boats tend to get more attention in the mechnical dept,no gentle drift to the bank when the fuel filters clog up and it concentrates the mind wonderfully.
 
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