Probably discussed before but - Single Prop Petrol or Twin diesel?

Don't discount the older Freeman's (like the 30 linked above) until you've looked at one.
There's a 26 at Racecourse that might be worth looking at, if for no other reason than to see if that style of boat suits you.

The older Freeman's hold their value quite well if you look after them, and in many ways are better boats that the newer ones like the 24. It wasn't anything like the style of boat I went looking for, but the salesman persuaded us to have a look her, it took us about tem minutes to decide that she suited us perfectly
 
Thanks 'ppp' that would probably be a good bargain
'Original owner'...impressive....

Not that keen on the centre cabins though...
Doesn't seem enough 'outside' space
 
Hi Doodles, just wanted to say good luck with your search.
As a new boater myself, the advice to go as large as you can is good (IMO)
I just wanted to dip a toe in, so went for a 22' diesel on an outdrive. The decision to buy diesel was a good one, the other bits, not so much.
If I had gone for something far larger in the first place, I might not now be in the position of having mine up for sale and looking for something pushing twice the size!

For our personal situation, 22' is fine for day trips and even weekenders with 2 adults and child. We can even take the other daughter with her two (small) kids as well, but only when the weather is warm enough to "spread out" over the deck.
But, it's not big enough to spend any time on for the Three of us.
I wouldn't, personally, look at anything under 28' now with a little bit of experience behind me. In fact we're looking at 36' but only to ensure the new boat will last us a few Years and to give us the capability to cross the channel on it.

It's difficult when you're starting out though, you won't know if you're going to enjoy it until you start.
But if you buy wisely with the good advice from the folk on here, you'll get something that you will at least find relatively easy to sell on if you either want to upgrade, or get out of it.


Good luck, and enjoy!
 
Hey...thanks murv, appreciate that.

Haven't even been to look at any yet, it's early day's.....will start stepping up the
search in March. Leaning towards something between 26 and 30 Ft.

Will post back for more views when I've seen a few.

Cheers
 
Hi as old boy now and had lots of boats over the years (retired marine engineers ,,,ships) freeman 24 great little boat inboard petrol on shaft ,2 litres petrol /hour 4 knots ish great to handle ,not much space, freeman 26 ,much same but bigger and 10% thirstier on fuel ,,best of my smaller boats was a birchwood petrol on shaft with a keel it had a long hard top over the rear, was so roomy and handled fine 3litres /hour at 5 knots,,,Warning don't buy birchwood 25 with an outdrive as they have no keel and not nice to handle at river speeds ,great coastal at above 10/12 knots ,the usual Volvo petrol/outdrive set up is quite thirsty ..retired now and moved on to a floating gin palace princess for my leisure,,,,just a final note a 25ft ish boat is easier to handle /moor single handed than bigger craft,,,sure you will a great time messing about on the river enjoy and good luck
 
Tanks Blobby47..!

I think a Birchwood 25 petrol, shaft is pobably top of my list at the moment.
or Freeman 27....
 
hi birchwoods also do a 22 that's quite roomy same things apply as 25 but don't hold their money......sold my last 25 shafted last year £10,500 within 2 days of up for sale ,,so if u can pick up a solid bargain for 4/5 £k at least money back in future if you keep it nice,,birchwoods suffer from leaky front cabin windows (easy diy fix for a novice, ) freeman 27 suffer from leaky side windows so check wood work below windows ,not a cheap easy item to fix,also suffer laminated glass issues looks like permanent fog in glass. no cure so replacement or tolerate it ring me for a chat any time for unbiased advise do you want a ready to use all singing craft or a use and do jobs one cheers bob 07905 580710
 
Hi, my budget will be up to £18000 so for that I'm hoping
to get a pretty decent boat not requiring much work or on
the other hand one that needs some cosmetic touches ie: carpets curtain
seat covers etc..for a bargain........
I might take you up on the advise and ring nearer the time I'll be looking.

who do I ask for, Mr blobby47 or just plain blobby47..............to be honest i'm surprised there's already 46 other blobby's registered!!!
 
Hi just Bob ,, blobby47,is my ebay name from ages ago..easier on memory one on line name Lol , have not read all of this thread so where u keep it. inland or coastal.dont be put off by single engine boat or speeds ,safety wise I had auxiliary outboard bracket on all of my smaller boats with a 10hp outboard (never used in anger)not meant as main propulsion, just get you out of trouble and as for tidal rivers you travel with the tides ,I moor in kent and travelled medway/thames estuary many times with all my smaller boats .I am sure you will enjoy the life, Just a word of caution make sure your partner is happy with concept of floating caravan life for leisure ,have seen many newbie boaters invest largish sums of cash into boats and partner hated it..owner stuck with considerable costs (mooring,insurance ,EA liscence ,sales broker fee's and more ) and this drags on,only to loose lots of money,,if this happens a £10k right boat sells faster than a £20k ,not trying do dampen your joy ,cheers bob
 
Non tidal Thames only so should be fine with single petrol.

Moored at Walton Marina hopefully, and used for day trips
and the odd long weekends in the summer.

She doesn't mind tents or caravans so should fine:encouragement:
 
I have a bit of a theory about the general quality of older brokerage boats.... this is just from general casual observations over the years.

Hypothesis:- Well looked after, quality older boats rarely turn up on brokerage.

The Logic:-
There are three main reasons for selling a boat.

1, Getting old.
It is a fact of boating that many owners are towards the senior end of the spectrum... they get too old to boat, they hang on to the boat for a few seasons too many, are not easily able to do maintenance and the boat eventually ends up on a brokers pontoon in a sorry, slightly neglected state. These can be a bargain price, but expect leaky windows, flaking varnish, knackered canopy and some systems not working or outdated.

2, Loss of interest.
All the above applies, except the bargain price..... owner may be looking to recover initial purchase price to compensate for lack of use. Eventually the price will drop but you have to be in the right place at the right time.

3, Trading up.
This is the one to look for. It was used last season and it all works. It has been loved and cherished by its owners. Maintenance has been kept up to date because until a few weeks ago they intended to use it this season. Reasonable updates have been made to the systems. Everything works. It is clean and tidy.

Now then.... the killer.......
Boat 3 never makes it to the brokerage......!!!!!!! It is never on the free market!!!! You can't buy it!!!!

Why????

Because brokers take a percentage cut..... all owners trading up need every penny. Boaters are sociable by nature and interact with other boaters....... most boats in category 3 are sold to friends/acquaintances/friends of friends/fellow club members/someone who knows someone/the bloke walking his dog at the lock last year who left his phone number.."if you ever decide to sell it!!"

I know of some very nice, well maintained, well priced boats that have changed hands 2 and even 3 times in the last 10 years, but not once have they been publicly advertised.
If you are looking for a well maintained, recently upholstered, no leaky windows, recent canopy, updated galley, heated boat...... the local sales pontoon is not the best place to look.
Talk to people, join a club, hang out at locks!!!!
 
hi I am on non tidal medway at Maidstone close to tidal lock,last piece of advise for inland use and speed limits large twin engine boats may travel to fast at engine idle and need smaller props fitted (more expense )or constant in and out or gear, some folk say run on one engine ,I found this makes handling in rivers and narrow navigation's more difficult. and obvious but some times over looked bridge clearance and height boat superstructure height be happy Bob
 
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