Recommendations for first family motorboat please

[QBhoy]

While I do like the SC29 I don't like the engines in it.

If space is wanted consider a flybridge boat - lots of canvas so moving even further away from the original brief .
Three adult couples can sleep over on our F33 in comfort .

The lower helm may be used if the weather is unkind

The top canvas is a bit of a fiddle but there is plenty of space in the anchor locker for it. The cockpit canvas rolls up or may be stored in the clam shell locker in the flybridge overhang. Mostly the cockpit canvas remains in place when under way .

Totally agree with your thinking here. F330 can be had for 50-60k now. F34’s can be had for not too much more.

 

[superheat6k]

Any motorsailers or yachts I should also be considering?! still Struggling a bit that motorboats don’t seem to offer the same size accommodation as yachts of similar length (although maybe that’s my perception)

That is an odd perception. I would suggest that foot for foot a mobo will have far more internal volume - more akin to a box with a pointed end rather than a tube, especially in the underwater sections.

 

[ontheplane]

That is an odd perception. I would suggest that foot for foot a mobo will have far more internal volume - more akin to a box with a pointed end rather than a tube, especially in the underwater sections.

But the yachts don’t have big engine bays so can often use that space for accomodation.

 

[TerryW191253]

2452 Cierra Express - IdealBoat
this is my first boat which is going cheap in Ideal Boats Southampton. Had it for 14 years. Loved every trip in her. My thinking was to buy a good downmarket boat in the sound knowledge that I would wreck it during my boating infancy. The 2452 was too tough for that and I never swapped her until last December. Got a Rodman now which has scratched the 2 foot longer itch.

 

[ontheplane]

I had a 5.7 vortec engine once........

Not being a Sheik sadly it had to go!


I'll never have a petrol boat again!

 

[mnts]

anyone can give some light on how much the consumption of petrol is higher than diesel?

 

[ontheplane]

My petrol was a 5.7 carb v8 running a Bravo2. The boat was a 26' cruiser of about 2400kg. Flat out would burn 20+ gal (90 litres) per hr wot and 16 at cruise (73 lit) given the cost and lack of availability of Petrol its not a viable fuel for cruising. Dayboat watersport where its put back on a trailer and can be filled at a forecourt it is OK, but pricey

 

[mnts]

and what would you think a similar performance diesel would be burning?
fair point about refueling availability for petrol.

 

[ontheplane]

You would be unlikely to get similar performance from a diesel, I suppose that is the catch.......

But a D4 (260hp also) 52 litres flat out and at cruise is about 30 lit an hr - not really a fair comparison as d4 much newer but you get the idea

 

[ontheplane]

Not sure what at KAD43 Would burn, which is a closer comparison

 

[ontheplane]

A new 5.0 GXi petrol (260hp) would burn less than the old carb - wot that burns 81 lit

 

[ontheplane]

A new 5.0 GXi petrol (260hp) would burn less than the old carb - wot that burns 81 lit

Still £140 - £200 an hr to run!

 

[Chris_d]

anyone can give some light on how much the consumption of petrol is higher than diesel?

Old rule of thumb which always seem to match test figures in boating mags fairly well is:

Diesel 5gph/100hp at WOT
Petrol 7gph/100hp at WOT

 

[Sticky Fingers]

My boat has 2x D4/300 and burns about 85 Lph at cruise 27 kts.

 

[Simi]

I wouldn’t buy a petrol boat not every where sells petrol less safe and far more temperamental
If a diesel has fuel and a good battery will alway start

 

[Farmer Piles]

My mate used to have a 13.4m Antares with twin 500hp diesels. At 34kts, full chat she would burn 197 litre per hour. A guy I know bought a Fairy Huntsman with twin V8 petrol engines. At full chat he wouldn't have been able to burn £50 notes faster than it got through the petrol.
Hardly a scientific comparison but you get my point.

 

[TheCoach]

I agree with the above to the degree that I would never consider a petrol inboard, but would seriously look at one of the larger peche promenade types with modern outboards. Easy maintenance, modern tech, and much more economical than the older big petrol inboards.

Not intending to divert the thread into and inboard/outboard or petrol/diesel debate but to the OP's requirements this caught my eye Merry Fisher 855 Offshore down at Berthon. Twin cabins, hardtop with lots of light, nice deck space at back and safe deep walk around on starboard side, offshore version so reasonably capable, twins engines etc. Fuel economy at mid 20's cruise probably about 75lph?

Petrol availability depends on where your based as far as I can see, looking at West Coast Scotland, no way, if I was in the Solent then maybe. It is more expensive at the moment though, although still to see what happens with 60:40 on diesel.

As said, not trying to start off a debate, just this one caught my eye even though we were looking for something not dissimilar to the OP although probably a bit bigger. If I was looking at a sub 30 footer I would consider petrol outboards now.

Cheers,

TC

 

[ontheplane]

I would consider petrol outboard, but twins probably too juicy......

However its still the availability thats the issue!

 

[ontheplane]

My boat has 2x D4/300 and burns about 85 Lph at cruise 27 kts.

But how big / heavy is it? Twin D4-300 says to me a big heavy boat

 

[Sticky Fingers]

But how big / heavy is it? Twin D4-300 says to me a big heavy boat

44’ and 12T.