Starter boat

pij27 said:
What are peoples feelings on doing the RYA Powerboat level 2 course, regardless of whether I end up with a powerboat or displacement boat?
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Its a good entry level course anyway, regardless of type of boat you end up with. If you have a little experience before hand though, I would just go straight for Day Skipper theory and practical
 
Is the powerboat course the best for any trailable powered boat? Or should I look for a practical course run using a small/medium cabin cruiser? With my budget of around £2000-2500 and a sailing area of isle of wight and essex/kent coastline (around the thames) should I go down the cabin cruiser route, dispacement or planing, or try the RIB/Speedboat route.
Both appeal but not sure which is best, running and mooring/storage costs are a big factor.

Any advice greatly received
 
Now that the weather is getting better, I am actively scouring Ebay, gumtree and local listings for a small motorboat. Shetland, Dijon etc or possible a working boat with a small diesel. As I have a recurring back problem, would love a speedboat boat don't think all that pounding will do my back any good. With this is mind, anyone any good suggestions?
 
That's well worth a blind punt. The sum of parts there would easily cover it's purchase cost even if it was a complete lemon. A lot of fettling to bring it to scratch though. A helluva lot and those costs may be a damper.
 
Apart from eBay, gumtree, boats and outboard and Apollo duck, any other good sites to look for boats?
Used to see small craft in Windows of newsagents and chandler's but seems to be a dying art
 
A wander round to your local boatyard or muddy creek type boat club will often produce a notice board at the entrance with a few faded FOR SALE photos with lost interest boat owners trying to unload ongoing hard standing storage fees..
This will not apply to any swish marina.
 
pij27 said:
Apart from eBay, gumtree, boats and outboard and Apollo duck, any other good sites to look for boats?
Used to see small craft in Windows of newsagents and chandler's but seems to be a dying art
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You just seem to keep asking the same question.

What's wrong with eBay, gum tree etc etc. That's where small cheap boats end up. How about some feedback on the suggestions being made.
 
All appear to be good suggestions, problem have in that not having had a boat before don't want to buy first one in my price range and then have a boat which stops my enjoyment. Sorry if seems to keep on at the same idea, maybe need a new forum to cover beginners and share their experiences of their first boat and how they got into boat ownership and where are the simple pitfalls which should be aware of.
From ebay and others looks like either shetland or similar design or the simpler open boat with or without cuddy and small outboard <10hp will be in price range and suitable for area of interest to explore.
 
I think it is fair to say whatever your first boat is it will be wrong but you learn and will be in a better position to move to the next one, that is a basic rule of boating! Don't be afraid of getting something but think about how easy it will be to sell on when you change. Something common/ popular is the best approach for this.
http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/forums/boat-owning-equipment-and-maintenance.77/ is worth looking at as is the sales bit.
 
Jeepster said:
Maybe so Jim, but you can fit two 50 hp outboard engines on a Marina 16 G.T....However, fitting only one would better suit the OP's requirements. The 16 G.T. is lighter than a 535, making it easier to tow, launch and recover...It also offers a bit more more cabin space than a 535 but in a slightly more compact package. For a given hp outboard, it's also faster and/or more fuel efficient than a 535. Finding a tidy one will be more difficult though.
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I speak from experience, when they were new I bought a Marina GT and fitted 2 x 33 hp Johnson (2 stroke) I chose those engines because I could just about carry one (at a time) and load it into the boot of my estate car. whereas the 50hp Johnsons were heavier.
I seem to remember the Marina GT dealer saying the transom was not strong enough for 100 hp (2 x 50 hp engines)
Today of course 50 hp engines are heavier being 4 stroke.
And i was glad that I fitted 2 engines as going round Carmel Head in a rough sea one engine stopped.
(mind you this was around 1964 and totally unaware of the dangers)
 
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