Small Boat Advice Needed.

[Jim@sea]

I have decided to buy an "Open" Small Boat with an Outboard. Perhaps 15-18ft.
What I am after is one with a "Late" Outboard Motor which will include the savings in fuel consumption that technology has made possible and perhaps young enough to still be under Warranty. Perhaps 50 or 60 hp.
Ideally a 10 year old Boat without an outboard would be better, so I could go to an Outboard dealer and buy a Brand New one.
I am not into "Ribs" and would prefer a Good Grp Hull.
With or without a Trailer as I can always buy a new one.
So any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Or Boat Dealers who do this sort of stuff.
Or if you know of one please PM me.

 

[rafiki_]

I'd have a look at Boats and Outboards, and also E bay. Good luck.

 

[Vitesse]

Where are you intending to use the boat?

 

[Jim@sea]

I'd have a look at Boats and Outboards, and also E bay. Good luck.

I am familiar with Ebay as I bought my last "Toy" on it. It was a 15 ft, 30 year old Speedboat without an engine which i fitted a 10 year old Outboard. It was ideal on Windemere to get out to my mooring about half a mile away rather than using an Inflatable.
I was hoping to buy a relatively new boat from a dealer rather than buying a boat on Ebay where the service history of the Outboard is doubtful.

 

[Jim@sea]

Where are you intending to use the boat?

Bearing in mind that in 1966 I had a 16ft Cabin Cruiser with an outboard and left Hollyhead Harbour with a course set for Ireland. Got out about a mile and had a change of plan.

I would use it along the Menai Straights and on Windemere. I live about 15 miles from Windemere and on days like today I would pop down for the day. I also live about 10 miles from Morecambe bay and can get a drying mooring there. Certainly a boat which can "Dry Out" has its advantages.
I have found the natives along the Straights quite friendly.

 

[Kawasaki]

I have found the natives along the Straights quite friendly.

Beware about the Natives along the Straits
Some have relatives that were 'Wreckers' in the not too distant Past

 

[Kawasaki]

I have decided to buy an "Open" Small Boat with an Outboard. Perhaps 15-18ft.
What I am after is one with a "Late" Outboard Motor which will include the savings in fuel consumption that technology has made possible and perhaps young enough to still be under Warranty. Perhaps 50 or 60 hp.
Ideally a 10 year old Boat without an outboard would be better, so I could go to an Outboard dealer and buy a Brand New one.
I am not into "Ribs" and would prefer a Good Grp Hull.
With or without a Trailer as I can always buy a new one.
So any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Or Boat Dealers who do this sort of stuff.
Or if you know of one please PM me.

Jim
A 'Late' rig will set you back a fair few quid, if you want one in warranty
Buying a new outboard is a great idea but then you are jus kinda 'filling in' until you source what you want
Because you really want something bigger than what you have just sold to kip on etc (if my inside info is correct)!
You may not be 'into' RIBS but size for size with a hard boat they are usually more seaworthy and 'bang' less into a head sea than a plastic equivalent
You are prepared to buy a new trailer and a new outboard
Well, that's maybe 7 grand ish on top of a hull
Decent hull will be 4 for the size you suggest
I reckon you would be best buying a ready to go package M8
Plus the time it takes to source a deal on an engine or a trailer then the logistics then fitting etc etc
'Summer' (as we know it) will be gone!
You don't need a sports boat were you have to crawl through a window to a slopey deck
Not at our Age M8!
A Benny Flyer 650 would do you (walk round with a cuddy /cabin)
Like we have got with a brand new Mariner on the blunt end and a decent trailer
Not for sale by the way
But you never know!

 

[rbcoomer]

Does it have to be outboard? At 18' is 50/60hp enough? (I have 50hp on a 14' and with 2 adults & a 9 year old it's enough and good for 30kts, but by no means overpowered)

If you are looking for new and a lake boat, I'd look at a Fletcher 15/17 GTO or perhaps one of these http://www.predatorboats.biz/super_v.html

Older, slightly bigger at 19' but more seagoing (with limited overnight capacity)
http://www.fletcher-boats.co.uk/cherished-boats/fletcher-19gtsc-sportscruiser-diesel-2005

Available with outboard (GTO) or inboard (GTS) - this one is inboard diesel. A friend had one of these with a 115hp Outboard and they are surprisingly sporty/capable, but you'd probably need a minimum of 90hp...

 

[brookside]

Hi if it helps I've had all sorts of boats and due to a new addition to the family have scaled down to a 6 m ribeye with a115 Yamaha and compared to the sub 30 foot cuddy sports boats we have owned the rib is a dream to own the only downside is not having a wc.Im thinking the European style sports boats are the way forward is you need the comfort.

 

[Drewster]

Have a look at the hardy pilot 20 or the 18