CLB
Well-Known Member
Belongs to a forumite, I believe. Lovely boat. It's much more expensive than other 218s but worth every extra pound IMO. I'd buy it tomorrow if I was in the market.
Recommendations for first family motorboat please
- Thread starter Trevelyan
- Start date
Belongs to a forumite, I believe. Lovely boat. It's much more expensive than other 218s but worth every extra pound IMO. I'd buy it tomorrow if I was in the market.
ontheplane
Well-Known Member
To be honest - I think I might too!!
I'd really struggle to justify that much for a 21' boat - and I'd worry about getting my money back, but looking at it, it's just been done so well, and I guess it is worth what he's asking!
I'd really struggle to justify that much for a 21' boat - and I'd worry about getting my money back, but looking at it, it's just been done so well, and I guess it is worth what he's asking!
Trevelyan
Well-Known Member
Ok so hopefully I've learnt how to use the quotes thing....
Noted!!
Need to check these out. Meets my brief of no flappy canvas, but some friends have said these don't have the best sea handling...
You might well be right re the features list! Any particular Brooms or others that fit that brief?
Noted!!
Need to check these out. Meets my brief of no flappy canvas, but some friends have said these don't have the best sea handling...
You might well be right re the features list! Any particular Brooms or others that fit that brief?
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Trevelyan
Well-Known Member
Re the boats list so far, finally got a spare hour to have a browse, my perhaps misguided thoughts....
Corvette - wow, that's going to take some more reading to get my head around. Not pretty, but so so much space...
Seawings 355 - what a monster. Accommodation looks great, although it does have some flappy canvas to be dealing with.
Nimbus 310/320 - like the style. Is the second cabin too cramped? Not sure if children would go in front cabin or 2nd cabin... ... I keep coming to these for some reason.
Windy Grand Mistral 37HT - looks very comfortable, but the tent on the back and costs that go with a 37 footer making me twitch... Probably pushing the budget all round
Seawings 254 - looks like a good low cost option, but no 2nd cabin? Looks like it could almost go on a trailer...
Four Winns Vista 248 - lots of flappy stuff, can't see past that somehow.
Quicksilver 750 - looks like a lot of boat for the money, perhaps a bit too much like camping for my wife's taste... Will need to look at bigger relatives.
Targa 29 - looks like serious amount of boat for the money and good space below. Still not sure I can get my head around the cockpit having all of that flappy canvas stuff though....
Corvette - wow, that's going to take some more reading to get my head around. Not pretty, but so so much space...
Seawings 355 - what a monster. Accommodation looks great, although it does have some flappy canvas to be dealing with.
Nimbus 310/320 - like the style. Is the second cabin too cramped? Not sure if children would go in front cabin or 2nd cabin... ... I keep coming to these for some reason.
Windy Grand Mistral 37HT - looks very comfortable, but the tent on the back and costs that go with a 37 footer making me twitch... Probably pushing the budget all round
Seawings 254 - looks like a good low cost option, but no 2nd cabin? Looks like it could almost go on a trailer...
Four Winns Vista 248 - lots of flappy stuff, can't see past that somehow.
Quicksilver 750 - looks like a lot of boat for the money, perhaps a bit too much like camping for my wife's taste... Will need to look at bigger relatives.
Targa 29 - looks like serious amount of boat for the money and good space below. Still not sure I can get my head around the cockpit having all of that flappy canvas stuff though....
ontheplane
Well-Known Member
Forget this flappy canvas Mlarky........
Boat with canvas has 4 “modes.”
1) Full canvas up - poor weather - it’s a fully enclosed watertight boat with a massive (relative to a wheelhouse boat of same size) saloon / living area. Perhaps might mist up a bit, but the money you are looking at spending most will have heaters so you can demise them.
2) spray-dodger - middling weather - unzip rear part, keep section over helm set up. Fresh air, BUT, more weather and sea protection.
3) Fully open - good weather - wonderful open boat feeling, Moore’s at anchor or racing over the waves wind in hair
4) Bimini - scorching weather - all the benefits of fully open PLUS a sunshade.......
Remember it takes about 5 min to put up or take down the canvas on modern boats! Couple of zips, wrap up and cover on and the boat is open - go look at some, see just how easy they are.
Wheelhouse boat
2 modes
1) snug and secure in winter
2) impossibly horrible greenhouse on the days you actually want to go boating.
When I bought my last boat I almost bought a Antares but we went for a sea trial and it was 30 deg - my missus at the time measured the wheelhouse temp at 43 deg..... that was the end of that.
Of course the best of both worlds is fly bridge but then you are looking at probably more money, or a hardtop with a massive sunroof.
But a hardtop, with a small sunroof in the summer - no thanks.......
Boat with canvas has 4 “modes.”
1) Full canvas up - poor weather - it’s a fully enclosed watertight boat with a massive (relative to a wheelhouse boat of same size) saloon / living area. Perhaps might mist up a bit, but the money you are looking at spending most will have heaters so you can demise them.
2) spray-dodger - middling weather - unzip rear part, keep section over helm set up. Fresh air, BUT, more weather and sea protection.
3) Fully open - good weather - wonderful open boat feeling, Moore’s at anchor or racing over the waves wind in hair
4) Bimini - scorching weather - all the benefits of fully open PLUS a sunshade.......
Remember it takes about 5 min to put up or take down the canvas on modern boats! Couple of zips, wrap up and cover on and the boat is open - go look at some, see just how easy they are.
Wheelhouse boat
2 modes
1) snug and secure in winter
2) impossibly horrible greenhouse on the days you actually want to go boating.
When I bought my last boat I almost bought a Antares but we went for a sea trial and it was 30 deg - my missus at the time measured the wheelhouse temp at 43 deg..... that was the end of that.
Of course the best of both worlds is fly bridge but then you are looking at probably more money, or a hardtop with a massive sunroof.
But a hardtop, with a small sunroof in the summer - no thanks.......
Bowlerhat
Well-Known Member
Everything written so far exposes the reason there are so many models and ‘set ups’ of boats. There are arguments and counter arguments to almost every view and it really does come down to what you need - and like. FWIW my wife also had strong views on boating being something very different to camping. For us (others again will have different views), the important things became a heads you can stand up in and use ‘normally’ and a fully made up double bed (no foam jigsaw at midnight) with the ability to get out without climbing over the other person or sliding out at the foot of the bed under the duvet. A further ‘proper’ double for the kids or other guests was also essential. This, for us, pointed to around 29 feet as the minimum. Again others will say you can achieve the same with less footage. There’s no substitute for shortlisting a view and taking a look - clever photography can make a 25 footer look 10 feet longer. The fact that marinas are crammed with all sorts of weird and wonderful craft that their owners have presumably bought thinking they were ‘right’ shows how different we all are.
ashtead
Well-Known Member
Another way of approaching this new venture is to look for a vessel of say10 to 11metres which is popular and easy to resell and not too long in the tooth if enjoying family boating is the thing. A lot might come down to what’s available to you locally , engine number and what features appeal to the crew eg heating,hot shower,cooking and fridge storage,internal storage ,where to put your fenders and many other domestic considerations. There’s nothing to beat looking at a few main market mobo nestling in a river marina such as say a Bavaria 30ish mobo as a starter. Clearly once you have a feeling as to what excites the first mate and small crew see what said about the vessels on an owners forum. Remember ultimately you will sell due to children growing up or wanting separate cabins etc.or just change of hobby so look for a well known brand you can sell on. I think my safety instinct would favour twin diesels with a comfortable hull motion. Some other halves used to sailing boat features might fine mobo quite unstable so getting aboard a few might influence. So in summary avoid the exotic and try out a nice brand. Of those mentioned I’ve always admired the Nimbus if I were to give up the sails but beneteau swift type trawlers look spacious but perhaps a tad pricy? Also speak to a few engine types in your area if you can as to what they like working on once you think your domestic criteria are .
Jamie Dundee
Well-Known Member
I’d have thought something like an Aquastar would suit an ex yottie.
Aquastar Ocean Ranger 33 for sale UK, Aquastar boats for sale, Aquastar used boat sales, Aquastar Motor Boats For Sale 1991 Aquastar Ocean Ranger 33 - Apollo Duck
Aquastar Ocean Ranger 33 for sale UK, Aquastar boats for sale, Aquastar used boat sales, Aquastar Motor Boats For Sale 1991 Aquastar Ocean Ranger 33 - Apollo Duck
ontheplane
Well-Known Member
I agree
A Windy, any Windy, is just a magnificent thing - if I could afford one of them I'd own one like a shot. Pricey - but you will get the vast majority of that back upon sale.....
A Windy, any Windy, is just a magnificent thing - if I could afford one of them I'd own one like a shot. Pricey - but you will get the vast majority of that back upon sale.....
ontheplane
Well-Known Member
Also - on the canvas thing - if you really don't like them - boats with a fibreglass radar arch TEND (not always) to have easier to mount canvas than ones with all poles... just a thought.
And that Windy Grand Mistral - you really object to that tiny canvas on the back? It's practically not there! Can't see how anyone could mind that, its pretty much just closing off the 4th side, everything else is hard-top!
And that Windy Grand Mistral - you really object to that tiny canvas on the back? It's practically not there! Can't see how anyone could mind that, its pretty much just closing off the 4th side, everything else is hard-top!
ontheplane
Well-Known Member
I also never realised you could get a Fairline Targa for £50k - FAIRLINE TARGA 29 Used Boat for Sale 1997 | TheYachtMarket !!!!!! Unless it's a dog of a thing that seems a LOT of boat for the money.
ontheplane
Well-Known Member
Don't' know what you think - but this also looks a massive amount of boat for the money and ticks almost every box
Sealine 450 Statesman Used Boat for Sale 1992 | TheYachtMarket
Fully enclosed when weather is bad - flybridge for when it's good!
Sealine 450 Statesman Used Boat for Sale 1992 | TheYachtMarket
Fully enclosed when weather is bad - flybridge for when it's good!
ashtead
Well-Known Member
The Nimbus at chi is a lovely boat and the broker Simon is a really good chap to deal with if you fancied having a chat with him.
East090
New Member
I have just come from 20 years of yachting with the family to motorboats. Although I had experience with them i looked around. I like you originally wanted HT due to weather, however there are issues with HT boats, visibility (you have to stick you head out of the roof), and when shut try and communicate with anyone on the bow.... Also not very good (smaller ones) when really nice and you want the sun, the sunroofs are not the same as open tops. Once you get to a decent size then yes HT are great.
We looked at two in the end, Prestige 34 (hard top), sadly they are OK but not great but we sort of liked them and put an offer in on a couple, but then realised we wanted, like housing, to go as good as we could get straight off, saves changing if you dont like the first one, also you wont use it as much if you are not really sure about it. In the end we went for a Targa 34 (we wanted two cabins) and tbh the canvas is really not an issue at all, as long as you have a heater with cockpit outlet, it keeps nice and warm even now in December, to sit and have drinks in the cockpit. Driving it in winter with the covers off is not an issue, you only need a woolly hat as the air only hit the top of your head if on the plane.
Personally, I would find out what you want (cabin space?) list essentials and nice to haves and just get out there and look at some. Twin diesel would be essential for me, as would two cabins for my wife..... Don't over stretch as running costs and berthing must be factored in, but go for as big as you can, especially if you intend to use it off Cornwall in rough seas, 34 feet works for a family though. Good luck.
We looked at two in the end, Prestige 34 (hard top), sadly they are OK but not great but we sort of liked them and put an offer in on a couple, but then realised we wanted, like housing, to go as good as we could get straight off, saves changing if you dont like the first one, also you wont use it as much if you are not really sure about it. In the end we went for a Targa 34 (we wanted two cabins) and tbh the canvas is really not an issue at all, as long as you have a heater with cockpit outlet, it keeps nice and warm even now in December, to sit and have drinks in the cockpit. Driving it in winter with the covers off is not an issue, you only need a woolly hat as the air only hit the top of your head if on the plane.
Personally, I would find out what you want (cabin space?) list essentials and nice to haves and just get out there and look at some. Twin diesel would be essential for me, as would two cabins for my wife..... Don't over stretch as running costs and berthing must be factored in, but go for as big as you can, especially if you intend to use it off Cornwall in rough seas, 34 feet works for a family though. Good luck.
Trevelyan
Well-Known Member
whooahhh that’s a lot of boat. very top end on budget and running costs... I suspect so more like the targa or nimbus are likely contenders. What else should I go see?!
Trevelyan
Well-Known Member
think targa 34 is pushing it budget wise. Any thoughts on pros/cons of the prestige 34?
superheat6k
Well-Known Member
Trevelyan
Well-Known Member
I do keep coming back to the Corvette too, there’s something very retro cool about them and the accommodation looks massive. Not sure I want an older boat however....
Halsey
Well-Known Member
With your budget you would be able to get an absolute top end example of which there have been a couple this year around the £60k mark I seem to remember from when we were looking..................
The downside with the Corvette for us was access for dogs and elderly visitors which is why the rear bathing platform level access and side doors became an essential - hence ending up with "Molly" our Aquador 32C which hasn't had much use yet due to conflicting family issues but is sitting waiting almost ready for the new season.
The downside with the Corvette for us was access for dogs and elderly visitors which is why the rear bathing platform level access and side doors became an essential - hence ending up with "Molly" our Aquador 32C which hasn't had much use yet due to conflicting family issues but is sitting waiting almost ready for the new season.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
.............and its looks like its got a keel.
That will allow a spur of the moment impromtu dry out ,emergency check of props/ stern gear or anodes on single tide plus scrub off and A/F for next to nothing.
As opposed to the £500 ? Marina hoist lift and block off. "Might be able to fit you in next week " ,..................Lets look in the diary .