Small rigid or inflatable?

[TomChatham]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice as I try to find a realistic and affordable way into boating.

My initial plan was to get a small sports cruiser like a Sealine S24 or a Targa. But after doing a fair bit of research into the real-world costs (purchase, running, servicing, berthing—I'm based in the Medway area), it’s clear that I’d be looking at at least £20k upfront and £6k+ per year to keep it running—and that’s assuming nothing major breaks! Unfortunately, that just isn’t financially viable for me at this point.

Just to clarify, I’m looking for a boat mainly for fun, for use a couple of times a month during the season—no heavy fishing or anything like that.

So I started looking at smaller fishing boats with outboards—more practical and definitely more doable. I've seen some good off-season deals under £5k, but berthing/storage is still a factor, as i don’t have a drive big enough to store it on a trailer at home (plus only have small car so wouldn't be able to launch it). This is still a possible route, and I’d love to hear from anyone with experience storing/keeping small outboards near the Medway on a budget.

Recently though, I’ve started looking into larger inflatables and the Seapro 4.7m or 5.3m models with a 20hp outboard really caught my eye. It seems like a sweet spot between fun and affordability. No berthing or storage fees (I can put it in a boot - I know it'll be tight fit but perhaps I can tow on a small trailer and store at home), and enough performance for a blast on the water without the high running costs of cruisers.

A few questions I'd appreciate your advice on:

Has anyone owned or used a Seapro inflatable? How does it compare to other makes in terms of quality and reliability? They seem to be more expensive then similar alternatives. I know they use different materials (not PVC) but i wonder if that’s worth the price difference.

Any budget-friendly storage options for a small fishing boat or inflatable around Medway? Preferably with launching assistance.

For my kind of light recreational use, would you go small fishing boat with outboard or inflatable with outboard?

Really appreciate any suggestions, feedback or experiences. Thanks in advance!

 

[mullet]

I've no experience with it but know people who've been members of Kent Boat and Ski Club. Might be worth seeing if they'd suit your needs.

 

[Rappey]

. I know they use different materials (not PVC

Ive just had a look at their site. They say its 100% uv resistant pvc.
There are so may inflatable boats on the market. In our club many owners seem happy with their choice of brand.
Ive a excel i got very cheap and thought its a really nice dingy. Someone else said they had one and were not that impressed ??
They all seem ok. There is no way to compare inflatables other than peoples experiences.
Generally the more you pay the higher the quality.
For your circumstances the seapro seems ideal. It will get you out on the water and into the "boat club" where you will embark on a long learning curve leading to enough knowlege to know what you want and how to do it.

 

[Concerto]

As you are looking at a small power boat, you should look at the berths above Rochester Bridge as this stops virtually all yachts from these berths. The Medway and Swale Boating Association publish a useful guide that shows all the places you can berth on the Medway.

https://msba.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/MSBA-Visitor-Chart-2019.pdf

You could also contact Rochester Cruising Club as they should be able to advise as this is a motorboat club. They do have a pontoon and you might get lucky with such a small boat as there is a waiting list for larger berths.

https://www.rochestercc.co.uk/

 

[TomChatham]

As you are looking at a small power boat, you should look at the berths above Rochester Bridge as this stops virtually all yachts from these berths. The Medway and Swale Boating Association publish a useful guide that shows all the places you can berth on the Medway.

https://msba.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/MSBA-Visitor-Chart-2019.pdf

You could also contact Rochester Cruising Club as they should be able to advise as this is a motorboat club. They do have a pontoon and you might get lucky with such a small boat as there is a waiting list for larger berths.

https://www.rochestercc.co.uk/

Thanks for the advice. I did reach out to RCC, but I have yet to receive a response. Someone suggested the Rochester Water Ski Club, and this could be a perfect spot. I'll reach out to them

 

[Concerto]

Thanks for the advice. I did reach out to RCC, but I have yet to receive a response. Someone suggested the Rochester Water Ski Club, and this could be a perfect spot. I'll reach out to them

With another post you will then be able to send a private message. Forum member oldgit is a very active member of Rochester Cruising Club, so might be worth you sending him a private message for advice.

I should mention I was directing my answer more towards having a Sealine, than a rib. Running any boat does come with its costs and £6k+ is quite normal. My own 32ft sailing boat cost about £7.5k to keep. Having a boat is not cheap but when compared to having a mobile home or expensive holidays, then it is affordable as a replacement. Many years ago I met an owner of a Broom 38 that had just completed a round Britain trip. He said then it cost about £10,000 in diesel (hate to think how much today), but he compared it to their friends who had 3 or 4 holidays on cruise ships at £10,000 per trip. Everything is always relative and he said he got more pleasure from his 3 month cruise than his friends and for much less money. Once you get a boat, you will never look back and will accept the cost a part of you regular living expenses. You may use it as a floating weekend cottage, just being on the water is so different from staying on dry land.

Returning to owning a rib. They can be great to get on the water but you are only getting an exposed day boat. If it is not kept in the water then expect some hassle from keeping it ashore and launching/retrieving it. A boat in the water is almost ready to go when you arrive. Finding a launching site will be your problem. However a rib can be towed almost anywhere, so you could easily visit other parts of the country. The one option you may not have thought about is using a dry stack. Some marinas on the South Coast store small powerboats in racks and launch them ready to use when you want. Unfortunately I cannot think of one on the East Coast. This link will provide more information.
Google Search

 

[TomChatham]

With another post you will then be able to send a private message. Forum member oldgit is a very active member of Rochester Cruising Club, so might be worth you sending him a private message for advice.

I should mention I was directing my answer more towards having a Sealine, than a rib. Running any boat does come with its costs and £6k+ is quite normal. My own 32ft sailing boat cost about £7.5k to keep. Having a boat is not cheap but when compared to having a mobile home or expensive holidays, then it is affordable as a replacement. Many years ago I met an owner of a Broom 38 that had just completed a round Britain trip. He said then it cost about £10,000 in diesel (hate to think how much today), but he compared it to their friends who had 3 or 4 holidays on cruise ships at £10,000 per trip. Everything is always relative and he said he got more pleasure from his 3 month cruise than his friends and for much less money. Once you get a boat, you will never look back and will accept the cost a part of you regular living expenses. You may use it as a floating weekend cottage, just being on the water is so different from staying on dry land.

Returning to owning a rib. They can be great to get on the water but you are only getting an exposed day boat. If it is not kept in the water then expect some hassle from keeping it ashore and launching/retrieving it. A boat in the water is almost ready to go when you arrive. Finding a launching site will be your problem. However a rib can be towed almost anywhere, so you could easily visit other parts of the country. The one option you may not have thought about is using a dry stack. Some marinas on the South Coast store small powerboats in racks and launch them ready to use when you want. Unfortunately I cannot think of one on the East Coast. This link will provide more information.
Google Search

Thank you very much — this is exactly why I’m doing my research before jumping in. I really appreciate your insight and the comparisons you made — it definitely helps put things into perspective.


I absolutely do want to get on the water, but at this stage, a running cost of £6k+ per year is just beyond what I could comfortably manage. A RIB — or perhaps even a SIB — feels like a more realistic and appropriate starting point for me. I know it won’t offer the same range of opportunities or comfort as something like a Sealine or a proper cruiser, but it might be the right stepping stone to learn, explore, and enjoy the water without overcommitting financially.


Thanks also for the tip about contacting oldgit — I’ll definitely reach out once I’ve made one more post.


Much appreciated!

 

[TomChatham]

With another post you will then be able to send a private message. Forum member oldgit is a very active member of Rochester Cruising Club, so might be worth you sending him a private message for advice.

I should mention I was directing my answer more towards having a Sealine, than a rib. Running any boat does come with its costs and £6k+ is quite normal. My own 32ft sailing boat cost about £7.5k to keep. Having a boat is not cheap but when compared to having a mobile home or expensive holidays, then it is affordable as a replacement. Many years ago I met an owner of a Broom 38 that had just completed a round Britain trip. He said then it cost about £10,000 in diesel (hate to think how much today), but he compared it to their friends who had 3 or 4 holidays on cruise ships at £10,000 per trip. Everything is always relative and he said he got more pleasure from his 3 month cruise than his friends and for much less money. Once you get a boat, you will never look back and will accept the cost a part of you regular living expenses. You may use it as a floating weekend cottage, just being on the water is so different from staying on dry land.

Returning to owning a rib. They can be great to get on the water but you are only getting an exposed day boat. If it is not kept in the water then expect some hassle from keeping it ashore and launching/retrieving it. A boat in the water is almost ready to go when you arrive. Finding a launching site will be your problem. However a rib can be towed almost anywhere, so you could easily visit other parts of the country. The one option you may not have thought about is using a dry stack. Some marinas on the South Coast store small powerboats in racks and launch them ready to use when you want. Unfortunately I cannot think of one on the East Coast. This link will provide more information.
Google Search

That said, if the right opportunity comes my way — especially if I can find a suitable mooring that feels affordable — I’m not ruling out a bigger boat just yet. I should be in a position to make a proper decision around October, and I’m hoping there’ll be some end-of-season bargains on the market by then.

I’m doing my Level 2 Powerboating course in two weeks, and working through the skipper theory course at the moment, so I should be in the right space soon to make an informed choice. If the right sports cruiser pops up and I’ve got a realistic mooring option that doesn’t break the bank… who knows! Never say never.

 

[Hot Property]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice as I try to find a realistic and affordable way into boating.

My initial plan was to get a small sports cruiser like a Sealine S24 or a Targa. But after doing a fair bit of research into the real-world costs (purchase, running, servicing, berthing—I'm based in the Medway area), it’s clear that I’d be looking at at least £20k upfront and £6k+ per year to keep it running—and that’s assuming nothing major breaks! Unfortunately, that just isn’t financially viable for me at this point.

Just to clarify, I’m looking for a boat mainly for fun, for use a couple of times a month during the season—no heavy fishing or anything like that.

So I started looking at smaller fishing boats with outboards—more practical and definitely more doable. I've seen some good off-season deals under £5k, but berthing/storage is still a factor, as i don’t have a drive big enough to store it on a trailer at home (plus only have small car so wouldn't be able to launch it). This is still a possible route, and I’d love to hear from anyone with experience storing/keeping small outboards near the Medway on a budget.

Recently though, I’ve started looking into larger inflatables and the Seapro 4.7m or 5.3m models with a 20hp outboard really caught my eye. It seems like a sweet spot between fun and affordability. No berthing or storage fees (I can put it in a boot - I know it'll be tight fit but perhaps I can tow on a small trailer and store at home), and enough performance for a blast on the water without the high running costs of cruisers.

A few questions I'd appreciate your advice on:

Has anyone owned or used a Seapro inflatable? How does it compare to other makes in terms of quality and reliability? They seem to be more expensive then similar alternatives. I know they use different materials (not PVC) but i wonder if that’s worth the price difference.

Any budget-friendly storage options for a small fishing boat or inflatable around Medway? Preferably with launching assistance.

For my kind of light recreational use, would you go small fishing boat with outboard or inflatable with outboard?

Really appreciate any suggestions, feedback or experiences. Thanks in advance!

You won't have much fun in a seapro 4.7 with a 20 hp outboard.

It will barely get on the plane.

I had a Honwave T32 ie with a 15 efi mercury.

That did nearly 20 knots and was a fun sib.

Easily transportable in the boot of my car.

A 4.7m boat is going to need 40 hp upwards....

 

[paulbrown22]

I went for a Hardy 18 on the Thames as a cross between a RIB/motor boat and a cabin cruiser which I loved for 3 years, and have only bought a larger boat now that two children have arrived! Potentially worth looking at the smaller Hardy's as an option, mine is on a trailer in Greenwich if you're ever this way.

 

[TomChatham]

I went for a Hardy 18 on the Thames as a cross between a RIB/motor boat and a cabin cruiser which I loved for 3 years, and have only bought a larger boat now that two children have arrived! Potentially worth looking at the smaller Hardy's as an option, mine is on a trailer in Greenwich if you're ever this way.

Yes, I certainly considered Hardy's as well. Absolutely an option if a good one becomes available

 

[oldgit]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice as I try to find a realistic and affordable way into boating.

My initial plan was to get a small sports cruiser like a Sealine S24 or a Targa. But after doing a fair bit of research into the real-world costs (purchase, running, servicing, berthing—I'm based in the Medway area), it’s clear that I’d be looking at at least £20k upfront and £6k+ per year to keep it running—and that’s assuming nothing major breaks! Unfortunately, that just isn’t financially viable for me at this point.

Just to clarify, I’m looking for a boat mainly for fun, for use a couple of times a month during the season—no heavy fishing or anything like that.

So I started looking at smaller fishing boats with outboards—more practical and definitely more doable. I've seen some good off-season deals under £5k, but berthing/storage is still a factor, as i don’t have a drive big enough to store it on a trailer at home (plus only have small car so wouldn't be able to launch it). This is still a possible route, and I’d love to hear from anyone with experience storing/keeping small outboards near the Medway on a budget.

Recently though, I’ve started looking into larger inflatables and the Seapro 4.7m or 5.3m models with a 20hp outboard really caught my eye. It seems like a sweet spot between fun and affordability. No berthing or storage fees (I can put it in a boot - I know it'll be tight fit but perhaps I can tow on a small trailer and store at home), and enough performance for a blast on the water without the high running costs of cruisers.

A few questions I'd appreciate your advice on:

Has anyone owned or used a Seapro inflatable? How does it compare to other makes in terms of quality and reliability? They seem to be more expensive then similar alternatives. I know they use different materials (not PVC) but i wonder if that’s worth the price difference.

Any budget-friendly storage options for a small fishing boat or inflatable around Medway? Preferably with launching assistance.

For my kind of light recreational use, would you go small fishing boat with outboard or inflatable with outboard?

Really appreciate any suggestions, feedback or experiences. Thanks in advance!

Tom...............Argh.................
Skinflint Boating Dept.
I have a 12M flybridge and doubt it costs 6K to run PA. Including mooring/insurance and fuel.
Moorings £1200.00. PA
Ins. £650.00 PA
Fuel. 100 hours PA @ 20 L per hour average. Diesel. £1.00 a litre for RCC club members. £2K.

Even with fixing stuff (constant and ongoing) and ignoring some eyewatering marina bills for mooring away ie. St Kats including feeding and watering my crew , 6K would cover my outgoings bigly .
Budget half tide moorings will be under £1K somewhere for a small craft.

IMHO. Trailering you will soon get fed up with the thing clogging up your drive and faff of hooking up every time you want to go out and assume you have something big enough to legally pull it around and do not even think about inflating it and deflating it each time.
You can forget taking anybody out with you and sharing your fun with that small inflatable as well.
Find those cheap moorings first and start from there.
Start at Elmhaven Marina work down stream around Cuxton on the North bank or over on the other side SEGAS at Gillingham or Medway Cruising Club.
Most boatyards and clubs (not Marinas) will have folks in there boating (sometimes on a very tight budget indeed)on a budget and far more likely to have an active social side to help you with your boating .
Joining a boat club first could also almost certainly help to provide a vessel , in house, to suit your needs at the price you might want to pay.