River Cruiser Guidance

alistairedw

alistairedw

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I am considering buying a river cruiser for use on the Thames. I would really appreciate some input from you Mobo experts on what boats I should put on my shortlist, as I am a raggie!

SWMBO does not like dinghy sailing and wants to be able to spend some time on the river. We will use a mooring on the maintained level between Richmond & Teddington locks.

Max budget £20K. Ideally two good sized double berths. Up to 30ft. Reasonably shallow draught. Able to take the bottom.
Comfortable for weekend use. Diesel engine? Suitable for use up stream and downstream to Central London.

Any suggestions gratefully received!
 
If you're not too far away, suggest you take a look at whats on offer at Walton Marine, Shepperton and Penton Hook marinas. Chances are there will be a selection of suitable boats and you will learn more about boats by looking at some than anything we say here.
Also take a walk along the towpath at Hampton Court and chat to the boaters moored up there at a weekend.
When you've short listed a few ask here for opinions.
 
That makes sense. We are not too far away from those marinas.

I will take SWMBO (+ daughter) with me and see what kind of cruiser appeals to them. Boat browsing will give me a good excuse for not getting on with decorating the bathroom.
 
Seamaster 30, Broom 30 (did I really say that?) For Princess 32 see also Senior/RLM/Project of same or 31 length: same hull. Did you want/expect to get under Osney Bridge? Depending on your privacy expectations 2 x decent doubles leads towards aft cabin.

Other places to talk to boaters in your planned area would be Teddington or have a word with the nice people at Hammertons Ferry (if that's not your intended mooring anyway)

Best of luck, let us know how you get on.
 
If 32 ft too long then look at Seamaster 8m, aft cabin if poss
. I would not recommend a petrol driven boat or an outboard engined craft.
Also avoid 'narrow beam' cruisers unless you intend to do the canals.
Incidently - I have been boating on the Thames for 25 years (with occassional trips to sea) and myself and 'er indoors still think its one of the great pleasures in life ! Look forward to hearing from you again.
 
Whatever you end up buying ensure it is deisel. Petrol is virtually unobtainable on the Thames with very few places selling it.
The Princess 32 although long in the tooth it is an excellent river boat and will easily take you to St Kats and the Medway. Best of all it hasn't aged in looks. The Broom 30 is dated, expensive but ideally suited as well as being comfortable for the size.
 
Another boat that is worth considering is the Fairline Mirage, (29ft). It will be at the top end of your budget, but you should be able to find a few around the 20k mark. Its a very spacious boat and IMHO a good looking boat. I started off with a Birchwood 25. Loads of these around, its a great family boat, one of these will only cost about 12k.

Best of luck

Barry
 
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Seamaster 30, Broom 30 (did I really say that?) Princess 32

[/ QUOTE ]


You''l be lucky to get any of those for 20k. I have seen Princess 32's going for about £23k in reasonable condition and more like £25k+ for anything in nice condition. Broome30's seem to go for more like £30k (at least they do here on the River Great Ouse)
 
There was a Broom for £20K last summer at Ditton. Upper steering, two head compartments etc.

Needed "some TLC"...

Agree on the prices, £20k means some shopping around needed. Elysian 27AC, couple advertised on the river at the moment, there are a couple of Fjord 27s on boats for sale but they are petrol IIRC. Only 1 double though (unless you fancy some carpentry).
Thames & Kennet have an RLM 31 for fractionally under £20K.
 
I have a JGM Madeira 27 on the River. You can get these for about £15k in good condition. They use the Elysian 27 hull but are a more modern design. Mine is centre cockpit with 2 cabins, shower, fridge, diesel engine, heating, drop down screens for low bridges. They are very economical to run (about a gallon an hour).

I used to own a Freeman, that was a lovely boat but had a petrol engine. Petrol is very difficult to find by the water.
 
River Cruiser Shortlist

Thanks everybody. I now have a pretty good shortlist and will hopefully go browsing in a few marinas shortly.

I have a few additional diesel question? How long do the diesel engines on these kinds of boats typically last? Are there some diesels which are particularly good (or bad)?
 
Re: River Cruiser Shortlist

There are many 30 year old diesel engines on boats, some even older. Depends on how well they are looked after.

When I was looking around I saw many engines that had done 3500 + hours.

The only diesel I have experience of is the BMC. Spares for these are readily available.
 
Re: River Cruiser Shortlist

Went to look at a Princess 33 with over 5000 hours on the meters,Still souded pretty sound to me.
 
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