Smallcraft recommendations

[oldbilbo]

I had a visitor yesterday, who sought inter alia my advice on 'which boat'. He wants to take up to 6 people - essentially, his family - onto the water simply to enjoy it. He has no experience to draw on.

We agreed that something launched from a trailer would seem optimum, and that this should be a launch or powerboat. Big estuaries and nearby sheltered coastline/bays would prove adequate cruising grounds. He accepted there are lots of slipways in lots of interesting places, and that they are much cheaper than marinas.

He is likely to come back for more specific guidance on 'what', and I know little of the relative merits of small launches/powerboats, so don't have an idea what to suggest he looks for.

I'd think a relatively 'workmanlike' budget of a few £thousands.

Suggestions, please, and reasons....?

 

[Chrusty 1]

I had a visitor yesterday, who sought inter alia my advice on 'which boat'. He wants to take up to 6 people - essentially, his family - onto the water simply to enjoy it. He has no experience to draw on.

We agreed that something launched from a trailer would seem optimum, and that this should be a launch or powerboat. Big estuaries and nearby sheltered coastline/bays would prove adequate cruising grounds. He accepted there are lots of slipways in lots of interesting places, and that they are much cheaper than marinas.

He is likely to come back for more specific guidance on 'what', and I know little of the relative merits of small launches/powerboats, so don't have an idea what to suggest he looks for.

I'd think a relatively 'workmanlike' budget of a few £thousands.

Suggestions, please, and reasons....?

A friend of mine has a couple of craft that might suit him, one a small steam launch, the other a Beer Lugger that could be used as a launch, (she has an inboard diesel Yanmar GM10), we are just completing a thorough refit on her,and she is looking splendid in her gleaming varnished mahogany, both would be in the 5-6k region. PM me for more details if you friend is interested. Both are on nice serviceable trailers.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Something like a RIB, a Dell Quay Dory or a Boston Whaler, all with a small outboard - like 5-10 hp.

 

[BarryH]

Something like a RIB, a Dell Quay Dory or a Boston Whaler, all with a small outboard - like 5-10 hp.

All the hulls are designed to plane. If it were me I'd up the engine power a bit. Planning hulls at displacement speed are not very directional and pretty unstable.

For a smaller displacement hull I don't think you can go far wrong with a Plymouth Pilot. Not only a seaworthy hull but also pleasing on the eye. Get one with a small'ish donk and it'll cost pennies to run, well ok a few quid a time.

 

[Seajet]

I'd say beware, trailer sailing - or power boating as here - is by no means the magic aswer some think...

First one has to tow the thing, and the police, ever eager for easy soft targets, have publicly said they are targetting towed boats 'as they've got away with it for too long', so ensure one's towing vehicle meets regulations, and if the trailer has a plate the police go by the maximum weight described, not the boat currently on it !

When one gets to a slipway, the world and his wife have had the same idea; so even if one fights through the throng and launches the boat, one still has to

Find somewhere secure to leave the boat

Find somewhere to park the car and trailer safely

Get back out to the boat

Go for a spin if any tide is left

Repeat the process to recover the boat and go home !

A mooring cuts out all this hassle, if a sailing club will tolerate mobo's !

 

[Chrusty 1]

I'd say beware, trailer sailing - or power boating as here - is by no means the magic aswer some think...

First one has to tow the thing, and the police, ever eager for easy soft targets, have publicly said they are targetting towed boats 'as they've got away with it for too long', so ensure one's towing vehicle meets regulations, and if the trailer has a plate the police go by the maximum weight described, not the boat currently on it !

When one gets to a slipway, the world and his wife have had the same idea; so even if one fights through the throng and launches the boat, one still has to

Find somewhere secure to leave the boat

Find somewhere to park the car and trailer safely

Get back out to the boat

Go for a spin if any tide is left

Repeat the process to recover the boat and go home !

A mooring cuts out all this hassle, if a sailing club will tolerate mobo's !

That's a very one side view, I know very many that would disagree with you.

 

[Twister_Ken]

All the hulls are designed to plane. If it were me I'd up the engine power a bit. Planning hulls at displacement speed are not very directional and pretty unstable.

We used a DQD as a safety boat at a SC on a pond in Middlesex, where I was once a member. It was perfectly happy trolling along with a fivehorse.

 

[Seajet]

That's a very one side view, I know very many that would disagree with you.

Chrusty 1,

a lot of people would argue automatically no matter what I said !

I've tried trailer sailing, even with a gunter rig Caricraft 10 dinghy it was a PITA, not least the requirement for fisticuffs or preferably a machine gun to get to the slip while the tide was still there !

 

[Chrusty 1]

Chrusty 1,

a lot of people would argue automatically no matter what I said !

I've tried trailer sailing, even with a gunter rig Caricraft 10 dinghy it was a PITA, not least the requirement for fisticuffs or preferably a machine gun to get to the slip while the tide was still there !

I can only say that it's not like that everywhere, Milford water is a case in point, loads of choices for launching and recovery, not crowded. Here in N.DEvon it's pretty much the same. If it's so awful why is it on the up? As marina and other berthing fees are making themselves felt more, a lot of people are turning to trailer sailing.

Hey, it wouldn't suit me, I aint that keen on driving anymore, too many dickheads on the roads for one thing, also I think the choice of boat has to be carefully made, in my opinion, you don't want anything on your trailer that wont float on wet grass.

 

[Searush]

I had a visitor yesterday, who sought inter alia my advice on 'which boat'. He wants to take up to 6 people - essentially, his family - onto the water simply to enjoy it. He has no experience to draw on.

We agreed that something launched from a trailer would seem optimum, and that this should be a launch or powerboat. Big estuaries and nearby sheltered coastline/bays would prove adequate cruising grounds. He accepted there are lots of slipways in lots of interesting places, and that they are much cheaper than marinas.

He is likely to come back for more specific guidance on 'what', and I know little of the relative merits of small launches/powerboats, so don't have an idea what to suggest he looks for.

I'd think a relatively 'workmanlike' budget of a few £thousands.

Suggestions, please, and reasons....?

Still too many variables for a recommendation I think. River or estuary? How about a canal cruiser? Lots of smaller GRP Normans etc in that price range that would be an excellent intro to boating, utterly safe, no towing/launching & the possibility of holidaying aboard for at least some of the family - 6 people might be a bit too many if living aboard for more than a w/end.

 

[Seajet]

6 people sounds a lot to be getting on together anywhere, let alone on a smallish boat !

Maybe a charter holiday first - on a canal boat as Searush suggests, or a tupperware job in Turkey etc - might be a good 'taster' ?

 

[electrosys]

I had a visitor yesterday, who sought inter alia my advice on 'which boat'. He wants to take up to 6 people - essentially, his family - onto the water simply to enjoy it. He has no experience to draw on.

I think the answer may lie in that last line ... With no experience he probably doesn't even realise that there may be a 'novelty' to wear off - and even if he should take to the water himself like the proverbial, there's no guarantee that all the family will follow suit. "Oh no Dad, not the boat again !" Once may be enough - who knows ?

So - hire a boat + skipper (if that's possible in your locality) and go test the water ... literally.

Re: Trailering - there are also a few positives which haven't been mentioned: much lower fees than marina or moorings, and if you don't use the boat for a six month, well - it won't have cost you anything during that time, unlike the others.
And, when the gales blow, you won't get an ulcer worrying whether she's come adrift, or sunk etc.
And no sudden surprises, like finding that someone has holed your stern and buqqered off without leaving a note ... or has pinched your radio/ gps/ sails ... or outboard.

Little job to do on the boat ? On the trailer, in the driveway, is a lot more convenient than driving all the way down to your moorings, only to find that you've forgotten to take the right allen key, or screwdriver, or tube of sealing whatsit with you.

Dell Quay Dory ? Yes, why not ... or an Orkney Longliner, or something along those lines. If he fancies sailing, why not a Drascombe Lugger or a Longboat/Coaster ?

 

[Seajet]

I think the answer may lie in that last line ... With no experience he probably doesn't even realise that there may be a 'novelty' to wear off - and even if he should take to the water himself like the proverbial, there's no guarantee that all the family will follow suit. "Oh no Dad, not the boat again !" Once may be enough - who knows ?

So - hire a boat + skipper (if that's possible in your locality) and go test the water ... literally.

Re: Trailering - there are also a few positives which haven't been mentioned: much lower fees than marina or moorings, and if you don't use the boat for a six month, well - it won't have cost you anything during that time, unlike the others.
And, when the gales blow, you won't get an ulcer worrying whether she's come adrift, or sunk etc.
And no sudden surprises, like finding that someone has holed your stern and buqqered off without leaving a note ... or has pinched your radio/ gps/ sails ... or outboard.

Little job to do on the boat ? On the trailer, in the driveway, is a lot more convenient than driving all the way down to your moorings, only to find that you've forgotten to take the right allen key, or screwdriver, or tube of sealing whatsit with you.

Dell Quay Dory ? Yes, why not ... or an Orkney Longliner, or something along those lines. If he fancies sailing, why not a Drascombe Lugger or a Longboat/Coaster ?

My half tide mooring in Chichester Harbour for a decent seagoing boat costs much less than a couple of trailer outings, and she's properly set up full time, not a rushed 'about right' job when trailer sailing whipping the mast up & down in a hurry !

I don't have to tow a trailer home and find somewhere to stow it either...

 

[Twister_Ken]

My half tide mooring in Chichester Harbour for a decent seagoing boat costs much less than a couple of trailer outings, and she's properly set up full time, not a rushed 'about right' job when trailer sailing whipping the mast up & down in a hurry !

Don't think the OP's buddy is looking for something with a mast. Not yet, anyway. Just a dunk-n-go open motorboat.

 

[oldbilbo]

This thread is helpful, as I anticipated, so please keep it coming.

My friend raised the matter while peering at the couple of 'projects' I have sitting in my garden at present, and his thoughts are not yet defined. He did ask if I'd be prepared to advise on questions of 'what, where, how'. Of course, I told him that if I didn't know the answer to any of his questions, I knew someone who did - you lot!

So this thread will be the start of an 'advice column' for the chap, if he comes back to me. OK yah?

 

[Romeo]

You cannot do that much damage with a Drascombe Lugger, can motor it or can entertain yourself trying to work out how to sail it (if anyone finds out, please publicise). They can swallow up a fair number of people, and don't annoy others as much as a larger motor boat. Also, no problem for your pal to sell it again when he has worked out what sort of boat he really wants.