Purchase advice for a first real small boat (probably used)

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salad

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Good evening all,

First post, so I hope this is the right place for it and nobody minds a question.

I've dabbled with boating in the past, first owning a tiny little Valiant 270 dinghy with a 4hp and then a slightly larger 3.4m zodiac cadet with a 15hp which I sold a few years ago, but I've never really owned what I'd call a proper boat. I'm not getting any younger and now my son is of a certain age (4), I feel like it might be the time to dip my toe in the water again in boating.

My head is spinning with the options available, so much so that it's hard to even form a semi-intelligent question.

We want a boat that can do anything with the minimum of hassle. We loved trips out in the inflatable, but the hassle of setting up out of the car boot and getting everything aboard was too much to bear. The worst was probably the fresh water rinsing and repacking after our weekend away camping! Whatever we get now, it has to be ready to go (subject to maintenance - which I enjoy).

The boat will be trailered. The vehicle I have is plated to tow up to 3,500kg. It will be used for fishing, beaching, picnics and general fun with friends. It needs some form of weather cover that works, as SWMBO still has vivid memories of being chilly on the open zodiac.

Beyond that, I'm not too set on anything, although I'm pretty sure I don't want a RIB. I'd like is a relatively high freeboard, as my son is only 4 and it would give me peace of mind. I'd also like reasonable deck space to fish without the width of a RIB's tubes, which I found a little awkward in the past.

So far I've looked at:
Various scandi aluminium boats, being the Linder Arkip 460, Buster M2/L2 and others, the Quicksilver Activ and plenty of random bowriders, as you do.

I'm leaning towards a Buster L2 at the moment, as with the middle door option, it would provide wind protection for everyone at the stern and typically we will at most be 3 up. There are times though, where I'd maybe want to carry up to 9. The Buster L2 is plated for 6 I think, but theres one for sale in a bit of a sorry state that I might fancy having a go at cleaning up.

Budget wise, I haven't set one (mistake probably!) but I'd think £20k would be tops for the moment, as I don't want to get in too deep without knowing the whole family is enjoying it. I'm looking at used boats primarily, but good ones.

Can anyone assist with recommendations using my illiterate scrawl above?

I'd appreciate it very much, theres so much choice out there, I'm sure I've missed some key considerations.

Thanks in advance
 
I'm not going to get into an argument about it, but I respectfully disagree that a bow rider isn't suitable for coastal waters, imo they're fine, I had one for years. Just like any boat you need to ensure the conditions are appropriate for the boat, but in my experience they're not significantly less capable than a none bow rider of simir size and style. They're good in that you get a load more usable space than a cuddy. It all depends what you want from a boat really.

Have you considered the various centre console boats from beneteau/ jeaneau etc? I'm not sure they'd meet the criteria of being able to put a cover up though.

From a cost of maintenance perspective an outboard will be cheaper than a stern drive.
 
I own a 2010 model Finnmaster 61 CA, which is currently for sale, and may be of interest to you.

I have been using it solely in the Solent area and, IMO, it’s perfect for our unpredictable UK weather, as it has a cabin, plus open cockpit and bow area for external seating.

https://finnmaster.fi/m/Finnmaster-61-CA_en.pdf

Please send me a PM, if you’d like further information.
 
julians said:
I'm not going to get into an argument about it, but I respectfully disagree that a bow rider isn't suitable for coastal waters, imo they're fine, I had one for years. Just like any boat you need to ensure the conditions are appropriate for the boat, but in my experience they're not significantly less capable than a none bow rider of simir size and style. They're good in that you get a load more usable space than a cuddy. It all depends what you want from a boat really.

Have you considered the various centre console boats from beneteau/ jeaneau etc? I'm not sure they'd meet the criteria of being able to put a cover up though.

From a cost of maintenance perspective an outboard will be cheaper than a stern drive.
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Thanks all, I will take a look.

I'd imagine a bow rider is OK for coastal as there are thousands of them in the med but like anything, I'd think it comes down to the person in charge of it.

I've been looking at quite a few center console boats, because thats what I've used when abroad, boston whalers and so on, but they also had 600hp+, which just isn't practical for the UK really. If I lived in Florida then yes!

Which is easier to maintain if you're half decent with spanners (or willing to learn), outboard or inboard? I'd always thought an inboard would be more accessible somehow, strange as that sounds.
 
The fletcher 19gto sports cruiser is best all rounder you will find . Had one my brother has one .
 
In my experience, having owned boats with both types of engine, an outboard engine is far easier, and cheaper, to maintain than an inboard engine.
 
AllanG said:
In my experience, having owned boats with both types of engine, an outboard engine is far easier, and cheaper, to maintain than an inboard engine.
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Thanks Allan I appreciate your comment. Do you feel it applies to all sizes of engines equally? i.e. a 150hp outboard being easier to maintain than say a 200hp inboard?

Outboards seemed so compact to me that I thought you'd require all manner of specialist tools to deal with them, whereas a "simple" diesel engine like a nanni might be spannerable?
 
salad said:
Thanks Allan I appreciate your comment. Do you feel it applies to all sizes of engines equally? i.e. a 150hp outboard being easier to maintain than say a 200hp inboard?

Outboards seemed so compact to me that I thought you'd require all manner of specialist tools to deal with them, whereas a "simple" diesel engine like a nanni might be spannerable?
Click to expand...

Whilst outboards are compact when compared to inboard engines, the majority are petrol 4-stroke, fuel injected designs and the service items are easily accessible, which is not always the case with an inboard engine, especially if it is installed in a small engine space.

In my experience, specialist tools are not required to service an outboard.

Personally, for the size of boat you are considering, I would favour an outboard, as it frees up more onboard space.
 
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Thanks everyone for the feedback, outboard it is.

I've decided, after much deliberation, on a specific hull. It will be new. The hull in question is a Terhi 475br which seems to have good write ups and is towable on my post 1997 car licence - an important factor. I'm sure I'll upgrade in a few years but it has all the features I'm looking for at the moment. I have a Finnish friend who's checked it out with folk back home in its country of origin and Terhi in general are well regarded. Not what we'd typically buy in the UK but the equivalent GRP hull would be too heavy for me to tow.

The outboard choice is proving a headache but I think I'll make a separate thread about that as its an entirely different subject.
 
Congratulations on finally deciding on the Terhi 475br, though I must admit that I’ve never heard of this manufacturer.

I’m not sure on where you’re planning to use this boat, but if it will be coastal, and you plan on carrying a few passengers, then, IMHO, 4.75m is very small, but I’m sure you’ve taken this into consideration when deciding on this model.

Anyway, good luck, and happy boating!
 
AllanG said:
Congratulations on finally deciding on the Terhi 475br, though I must admit that I’ve never heard of this manufacturer.

I’m not sure on where you’re planning to use this boat, but if it will be coastal, and you plan on carrying a few passengers, then, IMHO, 4.75m is very small, but I’m sure you’ve taken this into consideration when deciding on this model.

Anyway, good luck, and happy boating!
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Hi Allan,

Appreciate your thoughts there. I share the caution. Terhi are a Finnish builder who I think also own the Silver Fox brand (similar to Buster). They are one of the largest boat builders in Finland and sell thousands of ABS boats. The 475 is their latest and largest boat so far.

We'd have 2.5 passengers on any coastal trips and we're talking short passages of <10nm in a max of sustained F4 close in, sheltered waters. I'm no expert at all and dont claim to be, but I feel like any boat of this size is going to be limited.

My last boat was a 3.4m air floor with a 15hp and the usage profile was similar. I think the only thing I'd extend on this new one is perhaps I might fish half a mile/mile offshore instead of 500yds.

For a true coastal boat able to harbour hop around the UK, I'd be thinking of a 6.5m rib/90hp probably, maybe longer but it's out of scope for a bit of fun.

Mainly I'll use it in loch lomond, loch ken, mull of kintyre bays, windermere and some river work maybe in norfolk. Perhaps off the holderness coast if the forecast is favourable.

The main reason for choosing this boat was actually the freeboard height and secondly, the weight (towing/car licence restriction). Freeboard height was very important as I'll have a child aboard a lot of the time and it's why I chose it over a 5m rib. I didn't particularly enjoy fishing from ribs or inflatables.

I'll be fitting VHF and have proper safety kit aboard regardless. Can't be too careful.

Thanks again for the comment, it does matter because not everyone is aware of what LOA is required for what.
 
Some decent boat, engine and trailer packages on ebay new and used for a fair bit less than 20k. All ready to go. There was one sports fisher in poole for 10k with nearly new mercury 60hp with warranty and trailer. I would have thought looking for good used packages would be much more cost effective and they are ready to go.
 
wellf100 said:
Some decent boat, engine and trailer packages on ebay new and used for a fair bit less than 20k. All ready to go. There was one sports fisher in poole for 10k with nearly new mercury 60hp with warranty and trailer. I would have thought looking for good used packages would be much more cost effective and they are ready to go.
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And it’s all the extras you effectively get for free, anchor, warps, fenders, radio, maybe a charplotter. These things all add up and dig heavily into your budget.
 
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I did give a lot of consideration to a used boat.

For the £20k figure, I was struggling. There are of course many boats in that price bracket, but taking one specific range as an example, I'd be lucky to find a 6m Merry Fisher for £20k that was less than 10 years old. On top of that theres zero warranty, extras which are mostly well out of date, a usage profile that was unquantifiable even if it claimed low hours. A marine survey was an option, but ultimately I just couldn't really find what I was looking for within the price range, so due to the driving licence aspect and practicalities of launching, I decided to go for new, but shorter LOA.

Actually, a better example was a 2010 Buster, that I think it still for sale. I think the new price of the boat was around £25k give or take, and this one is for sale used, at £12k. It was in really quite questionable condition and hadn't run for several years, stored ashore under a tarp, outside. Before I even start, that means a full internal hull inspection (foam/electrolysis potential), in depth engine inspection, a new canopy (mould/tears), a new trailer/major service as it is corroded, plus whatever other gremlins may crop up such as the carpet, which had rusting and non rusting screws apparently screwed directly into the aluminium deck.... Admittedly thats without physically looking at the boat, but I figured I'd have to factor in at least £5k to get it seaworthy. So I'm paying £17k for a 9 year old boat I could buy new with warranty for £8k more. £8k doesn't go far on a boat if theres a major problem. Just didn't seem like a smart choice.

Another boat that seriously tempted me was a Beneteau. The Flyer 5.5 Sundeck. Driving licence aside, it seemed to fit the bill perfectly. It's a share over £30k new and rigged, minus electronics. Used examples are few and far between as its a relatively new model but the closest I could find, a Cap Camarat which probably has a similar list price new, was on sale used at 2 years old, for £21k. Not a bad saving, but the fact it would still need inspecting, lack of warranty and probably rectifications meant I'm getting closer and closer to a boat show offer price.

This is just my personal take of course. The extras DavidJ mentioned are useful to many people thats for sure, but I was looking at a pretty specific set up so chances are anything included wouldn't be of much use.

I think it all goes to show that boat buying is a very personal endeavour.

wellf100, if you spotted any relevant boat packages in the £20k range that you think might tickle my fancy like the Terhi, I'd be grateful if you'd share. I've spent several weeks looking and at that price range I'm only finding RIBS or much older GRP boats. For my driving licence I need either aluminium or ABS plastic, GRP are typically too heavy.

Thank you so much for your advice and opinions, it really does help.
 
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A few years ago I bought a 2nd hand Merry Fisher 530. It came with a trailer and had a very low hours 70hp Suzuki 4 stroke on the back. The whole package was in immaculate condition and I had 2 sea trials before I made my mind up. Not a big boat and easily towed and launched with another helping. i would say single handed launching is possible at certain slips as well. It can sleep 2 overnight if a little cramped (think 2 man tent!) and we have found room for a portable cooker and loo. Fishing wise it is excellent for 2 or 3 and the build quality is second to none imo. The price was 13K from a private seller.
 
The Dogs Pollacks Brother said:
A few years ago I bought a 2nd hand Merry Fisher 530. It came with a trailer and had a very low hours 70hp Suzuki 4 stroke on the back. The whole package was in immaculate condition and I had 2 sea trials before I made my mind up. Not a big boat and easily towed and launched with another helping. i would say single handed launching is possible at certain slips as well. It can sleep 2 overnight if a little cramped (think 2 man tent!) and we have found room for a portable cooker and loo. Fishing wise it is excellent for 2 or 3 and the build quality is second to none imo. The price was 13K from a private seller.
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Thanks for this. Do you happen to know what your boat weighs when fully loaded and on a trailer?
 
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