Sampling a motor cruiser at sea

[rmashton]

I don't know if anyone else has had this problem.

My wife and myself want to buy our own boat and need to decide if we require a 'sea' option on any boat we may purchase. It's our first boat, so we're looking at between £20-40k, we will mainly cruise on the Thames, being based anywhere from Reading to Windsor (haven't decided on Marina yet), but might want a sea option for when we eventually get down onto the tidal Thames and beyond.

The problem I have is trying to get a day on a motor cruiser at sea so we can decide if this is something we would like to do. I have tried in vain with several of the 'larger' UK suppliers such as Sunseeker, Sealine and Fairline and all their sea schools fail to respond to emails, phone calls or the like. (I haven't tried the dealers directly as I don't wish to waste their time by getting a sea trial in a boat we have no intention to buy - just the affiliated sea school.)

Can anyone recommend an RYA approved school who could do meet our needs and maybe take in a 1 or 2 day course at the same time which will introduce us to motor cruising at sea? Southampton area would be OK, but being in Berkshire any 2 day course would be residential so we can travel as needed.

I'm hoping to attend the SBS with my wife, and will discuss directly the issues I have come across with some sea schools with both themselves, dealers, manufacturers and the RYA to let them know about the lack of customer satisfaction in this area.

 

[DavidJ]

I think you are being too honest
Call Sealine at Swanwick (Hamble) and say you are looking for a new boat. They have them all lined up in the marina there. I'm sure they will be happy to take you for a spin down the Hamble and into the choppier waters of the sea. Dare I say that most planing boats of the top brands are very similar so you will get a good feel for what type/size you want.
David

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

There are loads of sea schools advertising in the back of the motor boat rags. I would give them a ring rather than e-mail as most of the marine industry are still using telex. Actually Sealine have their own sea school and I'm sure they'd arrange a course for you - maybe a 2-3 day Day Skipper course would be worth doing anyway.

 

[Col]

Trouble with that idea, is they usually require a deposit before allowing sea trial.
Discourages the tyre kickers I 'spose.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[Guest]

Bear in mind that the brands mentioned really aren't river boats (certainly not their current production). And none of them sell anything that starts below £130-140k now. A boat that's happy on the Thames probably won't be that happy at sea, and vice versa. <Graham puts on flameproof suit> Or, you'll end up paying big bucks for something with enough grunt to plane at sea, and never use the power on the river. Comments, please, from the Thames Ditch Sailors Association?

Other than that, send me a PM, and we'll see if we can't arrange a trip (live in Wokingham, but keep the boat in Christchurch), weather permitting...

 

[Guest]

Mines happy on Thames or at sea you can buy mine for £78k

"The Med is calling me"

 

[oldgit]

Just make friends with someone one local who has a boat similer to one you might want to buy.Most of us have driven away all our friends with constant offers to take them out in all sorts of totally unsuitable weather.
The opportunity to not have to press gang people onto the boat will be welcomed with open arms.

Just lets say the best boat in the known universe starts with the letter P

 

[Guest]

Re:Oldgit

Fred your having trouble with yer letters again don't yer me B Mind you P & B sound quite similar
so you can be forgiven

"The Med is calling me"

 

[oldgit]

Re:Oldgit

Right so what would rather have sex with a Princess or a Broom?

Just lets say the best boat in the known universe starts with the letter P

 

[Guest]

Re:Oldgit

I have sex on my boat not with it, cos I've got the most spacious and comfortable Island bed in a hugh
cabin with en suite an all, so there.

"The Med is calling me"

 

[Guest]

Re:Oldgit

Anyway whats in a name I mean you take Skoda....... well perhaps not, think I'll stop while I'm behind

"The Med is calling me"

 

[hlb]

Re:Oldgit

Go fly your broom stick!! <G>

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Re:hlb..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Go shag your Princess and dream
And another thing taking this sex them of Oldgitsfurther: would you rather have sex with an "Escort" than a Saab.
does'nt me the Escort is a better car, Means much the same thing which is F**K all.

"The Med is calling me"

 

[hlb]

Re:hlb..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ah but. The escort would do every thing you wanted it to.
Brooms are only good for sweeping up the crap afterwards!!

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Re:hlb..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

After all that then it really is the name that grates with some people not the boat.
Perhaps if Mr Brooms family name had been something pretentious and posh
like Windsor or Royale or Emporer it would please more people.

"The Med is calling me"

 

[wakeup]

Re:hlb..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well changing the name would help, but what would make a real difference is if they made a good looking boat as well ;-)

yada yada..

 

[Guest]

Re:hlb..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wondered when you'd stick your oar in .zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

"The Med is calling me"

 

[wakeup]

Re:hlb..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

;-))

yada yada..

 

[sailbadthesinner]

phone up all the dealers and the manufacturers and book test cruises.

My friend is looking at one and has been on numerous trips. He even got to take one out solo for a day in the med.
They all know that eventually they will get a sale out of it, that is what the 'demonstrators' and sales teams are there for.

...It was like that when i found it!

 

[oldgit]

Now Now Girls it will be handbags at dawn nextNM

NM

Just lets say the best boat in the known universe starts with the letter P