Seychelles & New purchase questions

[faraa77]

Hi All

Newbie researcher here. In a nutshell we want to buy a motor boat, mainly island hopping etc. We plan to do a power boat course out there in the next few months, i mainly worry about pranging it when mooring etc, a couple of questions:

1. 10m boat - ok for a noob? Some forum posts suggest absolutely fine, Chat GPT says No. Google results are mixed !

2. Plan to buy a new boat and either get it exported out there or buy from a registered dealer, the former seems more ball ache but widens the choice, these guys seem legit but their prices are mega low and only seem to deal with Beneteau YachtSeychelles.com - New motor boats (they are also listing boats that are no longer made under the 'new' section) - could be legacy stock?

the 'Beneteau flyer 10 pilot edition' looks pretty nice for what we need, as does the 8.8 sundeck (but I understand no longer made)

Ive considered used market but it might be more complex with an export model, there doesnt seem to be much out there for what I need in the Seychelles used and I also worry about condition etc

if anyone has had experience, particularly with living in the UK and usage/export to the Seychelles it would be super handy to hear from you.

 

[BruceK]

If you want to do island hopping a 10m boat there may be restrictive in getting past the reefs. Most boating done there apart from migratory boats is the smaller 7-8m twin outboard types. They are more suited to the shallow waters and also ride better in the swell period in more open water. (less slamming)
However note servicing outboards is not an island specialty. They run them till they break and replace. Servicing is as a rule basic or abandoned altogether. Spares are expensive and difficult to come buy and as a island nation boating is very low on the interest factor. Bear that in mind. There are bigger charter boats aplenty but they are usually motorized cats chartered for the day or booze cruised to evening punters.
Seychelles luckily misses cyclones but the monsoon winds change direction and so apart from Eden Island marina small inner reef harbors etc do not provide all year round protection. Being able to trailer your boat onto the shore is a big plus. As much as I love my 10m cruiser here in the UK I would not have it in the Seychelles. I rent a 8m boat when I am there

 

[faraa77]

thanks for your reply, there seemed to be a lot of smaller boats just off the beach with people snorkeling etc, i must admit I dont recollect the size but will consider a smaller boat. I have reached out to these guys regarding the servicing Services - Taylor Smith Shipyard

 

[BruceK]

I notice in your link YachtSeychelles.com - New motor boats there are no small boats for offer in the used boat section. Just cruisers and all quite new. Read failed dreams

 

[faraa77]

they have a flyer 7 on there which is 6m? Failed dreams?

 

[BruceK]

they have a flyer 7 on there which is 6m? Failed dreams?

I dont see it

YachtSeychelles.com - Used Motorboats

 

[BruceK]

thanks for your reply, there seemed to be a lot of smaller boats just off the beach with people snorkeling etc, i must admit I dont recollect the size but will consider a smaller boat. I have reached out to these guys regarding the servicing Services - Taylor Smith Shipyard

They do not really do leisure boats. They have more than enough work servicing the tuna boats and other commercial craft. I tried them myself when I was considering being a snow bird to the Seychelles and buying a boat to keep in Eden Marina as accommodation and cruising. But in my opinion the conclusion I came to was a day boat was the way to go. Just remember the nation comprises around 100k people only. Leisure boating is out of reach except for a incredibly small percentage and most of those have bought citizenship by purchasing property on Eden Island. There is no industry there to support it so any big investment in a large boat is just "twitchy" and when things go wrong and they do then wait times are long and expensive. If you can live with that then go for a larger boat. Its just not my recommendation. @volvopaul would be delighted I'm sure to contract to looking after your boat if you are happy to fly him out and provide the accommodation a couple weeks of the year.

 

[faraa77]

thanks for the heads up. flyer 7 defo on that website!. im out there again in feb so will do some investigating with the ex pats on eden island and the RYA instructor who is from SA but lives on Eden island. there are a shed load of boats moored at eden, I wonder where they get them serviced/repaired. once i've found out I will post up !