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Walshie

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Hi all,
I am new to boating and so go easy with me!
I'll apologise for the stupid questions in advance!

I plan to buy a small boat with a couple of friends.
We are all based around Minehead/Porlock and plan to buy something in the 16' bracket from which we can fish.

So, two initial questions:
1. Given the tides and conditions in the area, what would be the safest engine size to ensure that we were able to run against the tide safely?
2. Should we invest in a VHF for safety, or can we rely upon a mobile signal?? I'd rather be safe than sorry?

Thanks for your help!
W
 
Walshie said:
Hi all,
I am new to boating and so go easy with me!
I'll apologise for the stupid questions in advance!

I plan to buy a small boat with a couple of friends.
We are all based around Minehead/Porlock and plan to buy something in the 16' bracket from which we can fish.

So, two initial questions:
1. Given the tides and conditions in the area, what would be the safest engine size to ensure that we were able to run against the tide safely?
2. Should we invest in a VHF for safety, or can we rely upon a mobile signal?? I'd rather be safe than sorry?

Thanks for your help!
W
Click to expand...

Hiya and welcome

You'll need 50hp+ to do 20kts in a 16er, and you'll want 20kts to beat the tides where you are boating. And DEFINITELY get a VHF. Coastguard listens on VHF as do other boats around you. Loads better than a mobile phone if you need help. There's stacks of other safety gear you need too

Get the biggest boat you can stretch to. If the weather turns bad then 16feet with a few guys on board will feel tiny. 20foot loads better, frexample

Good luck! Let us know what boat you choose
 
Last edited:
Thanks!

Thanks for the advice.
I think that we may be a while looking just to see what there is about and what we might be able to get for our money but will let you know!
Thx
W
 
Walshie said:
Hi all,
I am new to boating and so go easy with me!
I'll apologise for the stupid questions in advance!

I plan to buy a small boat with a couple of friends.
We are all based around Minehead/Porlock and plan to buy something in the 16' bracket from which we can fish.

So, two initial questions:
1. Given the tides and conditions in the area, what would be the safest engine size to ensure that we were able to run against the tide safely?
2. Should we invest in a VHF for safety, or can we rely upon a mobile signal?? I'd rather be safe than sorry?

Thanks for your help!
W
Click to expand...

Welcome

You are going to get more advice than you can shake a stick at - and a lot will be contradictory!
This list below comes from the MBM cruising club site http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/cruisingclub/equipment but most of it is applicable and common sense.


Anchors. Two, with a length of warp and chain, or chain only, suitable for the cruising area, with a diameter and weight appropriate to the size of the boat. Anchor fittings to include a fairlead at the stem, capable of being closed over the anchor warp or chain and a strong point on the foredeck - either a mooring cleat, samson post or anchor winch, securely fitted to the structure of the hull.

Bilge pumping/bailing. A minimum of one electric and one manual bilge pump, discharging overboard, or two electric pumps, all capable of operation with all hatches closed. Two buckets of not less than 1.5gal (9lt) and not more than 3gal (15lt) capacity, fitted with a lanyard and a strongly secured handle.

Detection equipment. Radar reflector. Fixed navigation lights and sound signalling apparatus which comply with the International Regulations For Preventing Collisions At Sea. Powerful waterproof torch.

Pyrotechnics. Coastal flare pack for coastal events. Offshore flare pack for cross-Channel passages. All flares should be in date and for cruises that visit France, no out of date flares should be carried as spares. See important information.

Firefighting equipment. One fire blanket to BS6575. Two multi-purpose extinguishers to BS5423. A fixed automatic or semi-automatic firefighting system in the engineroom.

Personal safety. Warm clothing, protection against wet weather and a lifejacket for each member of the crew.

Liferaft. Liferaft of sufficient capacity to carry everyone on board, or an inflatable dinghy carried inflated.

Man-overboard recovery. One horseshoe lifebelt fitted with a self-igniting light. A buoyant heaving line, at least 100ft (30m) long. A boarding ladder.

Radio. A marine-band VHF radio audible at the main helm. An LW or other receiver for forecasts.

Navigational equipment. Up-to-date charts of the intended cruising ground and adjacent areas, together with tide tables and other navigational publications. A means of accurately fixing a position at all times (e.g. GPS receiver or chartplotter). Steering compass. Hand bearing compass.

First aid. Comprehensive first-aid kit.

Tools & spares. Toolkit suitable for general, engine and electrical repairs. Spares as appropriate for your engine(s) and electrics, including oil, two fuel filters per engine, at least two water separation and oil filters, belts, hoses, impellers, plugs and fuses.

General. Towing warp if no anchor warp is carried. Long warps and suitable fenders for rafting if necessary.
 
All advice is good!

Thanks- all useful stuff.
Especially as I'd like to make sure that my brushes with the RNLI remain the ones in the high street and with a collecting tin!

Thanks:)
 
Look what other folk are useing round your area. You have just about picked the worse spot in the UK. See whether most folk dry out their boat in the harbour, or trailer them. Ask advice from locals, the RNLI and the H master. You will find them all helpfull.

Take into concideration, if you launch at say H water, can you retieve it at Low. Make plans for it.

Take account of what JFM says.
 
On the subject of the RNLI, a free sea safety check is a very worthwhile thing to have, when you get the new boat. Details on the RNLI website, but basically they come and take a look at your boat and safety gear and advise you of any shortcomings. It's a check and advise, not a pass or fail.
 
PaulGooch said:
On the subject of the RNLI, a free sea safety check is a very worthwhile thing to have, when you get the new boat. Details on the RNLI website, but basically they come and take a look at your boat and safety gear and advise you of any shortcomings. It's a check and advise, not a pass or fail.
Click to expand...

Thats the best bit of info you can get, the rnli will be able to tell you all you want to know about safety. One thing you should be aware of is the size of the boat you choose is your choice, but remember some boats are planeing profile some like the orkneys are displacement, you wont get the speed mentioned before with a displacemant boat even with a 50 hp engine. Make sure you match the engine with the type of hull you choose,you could be over powering a small boat and that can lead to some big problems. Always ask and let people know what boat you choose and they will advise what size engine you need. Be Lucky, welcome to the site, and enjoy your boating when you get afloat. Norman
 
higler said:
Thats the best bit of info you can get, the rnli will be able to tell you all you want to know about safety. One thing you should be aware of is the size of the boat you choose is your choice, but remember some boats are planeing profile some like the orkneys are displacement, you wont get the speed mentioned before with a displacemant boat even with a 50 hp engine. Make sure you match the engine with the type of hull you choose,you could be over powering a small boat and that can lead to some big problems. Always ask and let people know what boat you choose and they will advise what size engine you need. Be Lucky, welcome to the site, and enjoy your boating when you get afloat. Norman
Click to expand...

Think you will find that most Orkneys can plane.
Believe that the Strikeliner (now replaced by the 520) can only take a max of 25 or 30hp
I'm also a believer - like others above - in trying to stretch budget to buy a 19-20ft boat rather than 16ft. There will be far more room for fishing from and the extra length should provide better sea-keeping.
 
whisper said:
Think you will find that most Orkneys can plane.
Believe that the Strikeliner (now replaced by the 520) can only take a max of 25 or 30hp
I'm also a believer - like others above - in trying to stretch budget to buy a 19-20ft boat rather than 16ft. There will be far more room for fishing from and the extra length should provide better sea-keeping.
Click to expand...

I fully agree about getting the larger boat is a better option, all I was trying to get accross was be aware. I have seen on many occasions when people have bought a boat either underpowered it or overdone it and its not just a problem, but in many cases dangerous.
 
No matter how big your boat.

Pick your weather,during the first flush of new boat keeness,a vital urge to "go" can overwhelm common sense.Shame to let inexperience ruin a wonderful pastime.Do not be bullied by peer pressure if you are not happy with whats out there.A good guide is how many other small boats are out,if you are alone there is probably a good reason.
Only one set of boaters do not worry about the forecast and their boat is a hideous orange !
 
Buy the biggest boat you can for your budget and be sure to look after the safety issues as these are vital, the weather can change very quickly and you need to be safe.
If you are new to boating get some training and advice from RNLI re safety equipment is sound advice.
Enjoy the sport, talk to others in your area you will be amazed at how friendly they/we all are!
 
Thanks everyone

Thanks for all the useful info.
The RNLI inspection seems to be the way to go!
Your advice has been really helpful and as a consequence we are going to look for something a bit bigger!

Thanks again,
W
 
Welcome Walshie, only just spotted your thread. Looks like you had some very good advice, I agree you should go bigger if you can, but don't lose sight of the fact that the running costs generally go up the bigger you go, i.e. fuel, berthing etc. etc.
Take your time looking, do your homework and enjoy!
 
Hello

There certainly are strong tides around that area, but you certainly don't need anything like 20 knots (I bet there are a few sailing boats and maybe still a few fishing boats in Porlock that would struggle to do a quarter of that! Personally, I suggest you put your money into buying more boat rather than more engine -- a 20 footer with 30hp, say, rather than 16ft with 50hp.

That huge list of kit earlier on is way OTT for a small boat used for day sailing (IMHO). Better to have a few bits of good equipment that you know how to use than a load of junk rotting in the back of a locker. Don't rely on web forums -- learn to do it properly from someone who knows what they are talking about (see www.rya.org.uk)

Anchor: One. Make it a good one -- I'd recommend a Delta, with plenty of chain and lots of nylon warp, and something to attach it to.
Bilge pumping: a manual bilge pump and at least one bucket.
Detection equipment: Radar reflectors are a waste of space. Nav lights if you plan on being out at night, Decent waterproof torch even if you don't. And spare batteries.
Pyrotechnics: Fast becoming obsolete -- but they have saved lives in the past and will do so again.
Firefighting equipment: What are you planning to set fire to (and how?) Have a fire blanket if you've got a cooker on board.
Personal safety: Warm clothing, protection against wet weather and a lifejacket for each member of the crew. (no fun fishing if you're cold and wet, is it!)
Liferaft:On a 16-20 footer? No way. More likely to cause accidents than save them. Better off spending the money on a better boat!
Man-overboard recovery: A boarding ladder -- maybe.
Radio: A marine-band VHF radio audible at the main helm. Definitely. Get a fixed set and a good aerial if you can get 12v power to it. PS This is the only thing you need a licence for, but you need two of them (one for the boat and one for the operator)
Navigational equipment: Learn to navigate. Then decide what you need. No use carrying a load of stuff just because it's on someone else's list. But don't even think of going out without a chart.
First aid: Learn first aid, then as above
Tools & spares: Learn a bit about your engine, then as above[/QUOTE]

Don't let long lists put you off. Have fun.
 
Walshie said:
Hi all,
I am new to boating and so go easy with me!
I'll apologise for the stupid questions in advance!

I plan to buy a small boat with a couple of friends.
We are all based around Minehead/Porlock and plan to buy something in the 16' bracket from which we can fish.

So, two initial questions:
1. Given the tides and conditions in the area, what would be the safest engine size to ensure that we were able to run against the tide safely?
2. Should we invest in a VHF for safety, or can we rely upon a mobile signal?? I'd rather be safe than sorry?

Thanks for your help!
W
Click to expand...

Safe boating often comes down to plain common sense.
Chart and compass (and plotter as an 'aid') and enough skill so you can work where you are.
Enough fuel so you can get back.
Anchor in case you breakdown.
A means to summon assistance - vhf or flares.
Keeping warm and dry (& fed and watered)
Lifejackets for everyone.

Its the ones with no sense eg road atlas, mobile phone, insufficient fuel, too small a boat for the typical sea state, inadequate power to overcome the tide and no or inadequate safety gear than come unstuck.
 
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