Seeking Advice: First-Time Boat Buyer in Whitstable

[rajvalley]

Hello everyone,

I own a house in Whitstable and have been considering purchasing a boat. However, as someone completely new to the world of boating, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the information out there and not sure where to begin.

I’d love to get some advice on the initial questions I should be asking as I start this journey. Here’s what I know so far about what I’d like:

• A boat that can comfortably sleep a minimum of 4 people.
• The ability to moor it locally in or around Whitstable.
• Something suitable for sailing along the coast and exploring nearby areas.

Are there specific types of boats or features I should focus on for these needs? What are the essential considerations for a first-time boat buyer—things like costs, maintenance, mooring options, or licensing?

I’d also appreciate recommendations on where to look for second-hand boats or trusted local resources that could guide me through the process.

Thanks in advance for any tips or guidance—you’d be helping a complete beginner take their first steps into boating!

 

[Tranona]

Piece of string question that is almost impossible to answer. However perhaps the first thing is to find out if you actually like boating - and if so what type. Perhaps the most common way of finding out is to join a local club and get involved with the pastime. Owning a boat is a massive commitment in terms of both effort and money and not easy to bail out if you find you don't like it.

There are no constraints in owning and using a boat in terms of regulations - no licencing of either boat or yourself, although many people do get some form of training through the RYA qualification route. Moorings are often a challenge. Whitstable is very exposed so not sure there are many good moorings for keeping a boat afloat so you will be probably looking at the various local river estuaries where there are moorings and marinas. Access is often tide constrained.

Some general pointers on boats. For sailing boats you would be looking perhaps at something in the 25-30' range to be moderately comfortable for 4 people. There is a huge range to choose from in prices from a few thousand to tens of £000s. The market is very fragmented and a mixture of individual owners selling and brokers who act for owners. Older boats almost inevitably need more maintenance and replacements so it make sense to buy a boat that is in good condition rather than a cheaper one that requires work. Assuming you get a boat that is in decent condition you are looking at annual costs in the region of £3-10k, largely depending on the type of mooring you have and how much work you do yourself.

I think it is fair to say that very few people jump in without previous experience, often learning to sail dinghies when you are young, sailing as crew with friends, participating in organised sailing experiences such as charters. Hence the suggestion of joining a club - many of these have tatser opportunities and classes of dinghies which allow you to learn the basics and then maybe crew with other members on bigger boats.

Hope this helps, and BTW probably better to post this type of question on the more general forums rather than this specialised one. Your question comes up regularly and worth scrolling down to see other threads on the subject.

 

[rajvalley]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply—I really appreciate it! You’ve given me a lot to think about, especially when it comes to the commitment and costs involved. Joining a local club and getting a taste of the lifestyle before diving in sounds like a really smart idea. I’ll definitely look into that.

Your point about moorings in Whitstable and looking at river estuaries is super helpful. It’s clear there’s more to this than just picking out a boat! The advice on costs and going for something in good condition rather than cheap but needing work is also something I’ll keep in mind.

Do you have any recommendations for websites or forums where I could browse boats for sale or ask more beginner questions? I’d love to check out some resources to get a better idea of what’s out there.

Thanks again for the advice—it’s really helpful, especially as someone completely new to this!

 

[Boathook]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply—I really appreciate it! You’ve given me a lot to think about, especially when it comes to the commitment and costs involved. Joining a local club and getting a taste of the lifestyle before diving in sounds like a really smart idea. I’ll definitely look into that.

Your point about moorings in Whitstable and looking at river estuaries is super helpful. It’s clear there’s more to this than just picking out a boat! The advice on costs and going for something in good condition rather than cheap but needing work is also something I’ll keep in mind.

Do you have any recommendations for websites or forums where I could browse boats for sale or ask more beginner questions? I’d love to check out some resources to get a better idea of what’s out there.

Thanks again for the advice—it’s really helpful, especially as someone completely new to this!

Good advice is available on these forums
Practical Boat Owner's Reader to Reader and
Yachting Monthly's Scuttlebutt

You have already registered for these by being here. Have a read through various post as your type of question comes up a lot. Tranona's reply in post 2 is good advice.

I don't think Whitstable Harbour has yachts moored there so you are looking at Faversham creek, The Swale, Ramsgate or possibly Dover.

Where to buy / look, I don't know but a lot will vary on how much you want to spend on the boat to start with, and then running costs such as mooring, insurance, general maintenance and repairs. Maintenance and repairs costs can be kept lowish if you are capable of DIY.

 

[Egret]

Visit Whitstable Yacht Club to start with. They will let you know what the options are in the area. Mainly dinghies but they have or had a cruising section moored in nearby creeks - and some RYA training - may have opportunities to crew to start with, to see how you like it. Also visit the Medway clubs that are more cruiser orientated. Gillingham / Rochester half hour from Whitstable on train

Find place you would like to keep boat first - boat type, keel(s) etc will follow - Key question is how much do you want to spend - anything possible from a few thousand pounds to millions Good luck

 

[newtothis]

Another route in is by doing the RYA system on holiday somewhere nice. You can go from Intro to Sailing, Comp Crew (best place to start if completely new), Day Skipper and beyond.
You get to find out if you enjoy it, and if you do, learn how to do it better. You then don't need to invest in a boat until you know more about it. And you get to have a holiday at the same time; much as Whitstable has its charms, it's not the greatest sailing location in the world. You may find you want to sail but not full time, and then charter instead of own, which makes the world your oyster for locations.

 

[Egret]

But the OP likes Whitstable. Wants to walk down after work and go sailing. Good for dinghy sailing - and there is nothing quite like being on the mud of the Swale at low tide with just a few wading birds for company, reading a Maurice Griffiths book.

 

[Boathook]

Or Oare Creek ...

 

[AndrewB]

I kept my 26' yacht moored at Whitstable between 1975 and 1981. At that time there were 20 or so yachts moored there, off Whitstable Yacht Club which had a significant cruising membership, a number of us living in the town. I only visit occasionally now, but my impression is that WYC has become almost exclusively a dinghy (and board) club. I think there are few if any boats regularly moored off, and none of them yachts.

If you do decide to do this, watch out for the following. (1) It is shallow a long way out from the beach at low tide, and a yacht that can take the ground (and stand up to a bit of wave action as it does so), is essential. (2) It is exposed, and you could not leave your boat there through the winter. Back in my day, the cruisers would jointly rent a crane to lift all the yachts onto the quay for the winter, but even there, a storm in 1979 damaged several. (3) Security is iffy. You couldn't leave anything of value aboard. I finally left there after one day when I found a thief had stolen nearly all the chain off my mooring - at least s/he'd tied the yacht back on with a rope.

 

[ashtead]

On topic of your desire to get afloat you refer to 4 people so guess this is a family activity? Clearly if so each family member might have a different impression of what sailings about. Personally before becoming lumbered with a liability you might regret a family sailing holiday in say Turkey or such like might help see the crew get on and their respective needs. There are also companies that rent shore accommodation eg in Majorca with dinghy sailing -I suspect if you have youthful crew a sunny starting location might help gain confidence than cold uk waters. When we bought our first family boat I had sailed dinghies but rest of family were newbies so Sunsail clubs served a useful role in giving a family break and intro to boating . I think nowadays mark warner are mega bucks but gives an idea. A visit to Southampton boat show has many such companies exhibiting.
As for boats ask locally what people sail -if you are lucky by visiting a yacht club you might find an owner looking for crew members etc or even looking to sell say a half share in their boat etc.
there are various companies like flexisail which exist giving chance to use a boat for limited weeks by paying a fee etc but appreciate you might not have any serving your area. You might also look at utube vids on sailing small drascombe loggers (sailing vicar is one) or westerly and Moodys etc round uk which might give insights .

 

[rajvalley]

On topic of your desire to get afloat you refer to 4 people so guess this is a family activity? Clearly if so each family member might have a different impression of what sailings about. Personally before becoming lumbered with a liability you might regret a family sailing holiday in say Turkey or such like might help see the crew get on and their respective needs. There are also companies that rent shore accommodation eg in Majorca with dinghy sailing -I suspect if you have youthful crew a sunny starting location might help gain confidence than cold uk waters. When we bought our first family boat I had sailed dinghies but rest of family were newbies so Sunsail clubs served a useful role in giving a family break and intro to boating . I think nowadays mark warner are mega bucks but gives an idea. A visit to Southampton boat show has many such companies exhibiting.
As for boats ask locally what people sail -if you are lucky by visiting a yacht club you might find an owner looking for crew members etc or even looking to sell say a half share in their boat etc.
there are various companies like flexisail which exist giving chance to use a boat for limited weeks by paying a fee etc but appreciate you might not have any serving your area. You might also look at utube vids on sailing small drascombe loggers (sailing vicar is one) or westerly and Moodys etc round uk which might give insights .

Thank you so much for the valuable advice!

I kept my 26' yacht moored at Whitstable between 1975 and 1981. At that time there were 20 or so yachts moored there, off Whitstable Yacht Club which had a significant cruising membership, a number of us living in the town. I only visit occasionally now, but my impression is that WYC has become almost exclusively a dinghy (and board) club. I think there are few if any boats regularly moored off, and none of them yachts.

If you do decide to do this, watch out for the following. (1) It is shallow a long way out from the beach at low tide, and a yacht that can take the ground (and stand up to a bit of wave action as it does so), is essential. (2) It is exposed, and you could not leave your boat there through the winter. Back in my day, the cruisers would jointly rent a crane to lift all the yachts onto the quay for the winter, but even there, a storm in 1979 damaged several. (3) Security is iffy. You couldn't leave anything of value aboard. I finally left there after one day when I found a thief had stolen nearly all the chain off my mooring - at least s/he'd tied the yacht back on with a rope.

Thank you so much for the valuable advice!x

 

[oldgit]

Only one ............Conyer.
You will soon learn the interesting little delights and challenges of the North Kent Coast muddy creeks, the Medway is nearbye for Winter Sailing, a short sail away lurkes Queenborough for over night stops with selction of pubs and restuarants.
Water/Power for your boat. a decent clubhouse and a sailing community , step aboard pontoon convenience for your significant other/friends.
Sheltered from winter storms and no worrying if your boat will still be there after a nice NE gale on any trot mooring.
Not silly money to berth with on-site lift out for those annoying PITA A/F applications

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Swale Marina charges are about £1300 for summer and a bit less per winter ashore. Boating is not cheap and marinas even less so. I used to live down that way but even before the Marina started there were few club or independent mooring.

Good luck with it Rajvvalley