The MOST stupid idea ever?

[pysmad]

Often in life you daydream, and most people never take it any further, but *occasionally* people do. Recently my finance and I decided (knowing absolutely nothing about boats apart from they're cool and we love them!) that it would be a good idea to buy a really nice, big, powerful motor boat in Australia and bring it back to the UK over a prolonged period. Please, I'm not mental, stay with me for a second!!!

Now, we realise that there are dangerous stretches of water and the open ocean can be harsh and unpredictable. We've also discovered that most motor boats only have a range of about 200 miles (although catamarans can be up to 1000). There are I'm sure problems with docking in some countries and I'm sure it wouldn't all be as jolly as it sounds, but, as you clearly know more about boating that we do, are we being totally ridiculous? Are you laughing as you read this? Or, assuming we had some very intense "training", would it be possible?

Any advice or criticism gratefully received!! Cheers.

 

[Talbot]

Have a quick look at fuel stops assuming half range between stops (in case of bad weather) and unless you have a boat with a lot larger range, or some alternative source of power, your idea is not worth proceeding with. Especially when you look at the distances you will have to travel in the red sea. Get yourself a sailing catamaran instead.

 

[PlanB]

Why not think about doing it the other way round? We had the same dream, but bought the boat in the UK, got our day skipper practical and theory, spent three years gaining experience and researching the trip and then headed for the Med. And here we are, two years later, having a great time!

 

[pysmad]

Many thanks for your quick response - much appreciated.

We thought that the distances involved would be one of the biggest problems on a motor boat, and did consider buying a sailing catamaran instead. The only thing is, doesn't it take years and years to learn how to sail well enough to navigate such a distance or could it be possible after a year of 2 of lessons and practice?

 

[pysmad]

Thanks also to "PlanB" for your reply /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

I think the idea behind coming from Australia to the UK was that (a) boats are much cheaper in Oz (especially as the £ is strong against the AU$) and (b) we thought that it might be a bit harder work and we might have had enough after X number of months, so at least if we were coming back to the UK we could relax once we reached here. However, it seems that you're enhjoying your time so.........

You've given me hope that it *might* (with a huge amount of research and practice first) just be do-able! Thanks again.

 

[stevebrassett]

Nah, sailing's easy - you could learn in a couple of weeks or so. What is more difficult is all of the navigation, which is necessary for power as well as sail.

 

[pysmad]

I like you: "sailing's easy" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

We may have to start looking into sailing lessons instead then! Thanks very much Steve.

 

[Amari]

A liveaboard (power vessel) circumnavigator (sail)
I often chat with is always telling me (if I am worrying about the weather) that a well found sailing vessel is far safer in bad sea conditions than a motor boat. I would advise learning to sail!

 

[pysmad]

Thanks Giles - safety is obviously very important. That's interesting too, because I'd have thought a motor boat would have been safer (more stable) than a sailing boat (see, I really do no nothing about boats!!!). Many thanks.

 

[Amari]

A good way to get a taste of sailing is to go on a 2 week 'villa-flotilla' holiday in the Med. First week shore based learning to sail, then 1 week on a 30 ft yacht sailing in convoy.Thats how I persuaded SHMBO!

 

[Richard10002]

definitely the most stupid idea ever!!!

If you havent sailed/motor boated, you will hate many of the trips between places, what you save on the boat you will spend many times on fuel.

Try doing a 2 week sailing holiday crossing The irish Sea.... perhaps do a couple of weeks training with an RYA School in Wales or the North West. If the weather isnt bad, do some more until it is... then see how much you like it.

I would buy the boat where I wanted it to be - The UK in your case or, if you've got a couple of years free, buy one in the med and enjoy pottering from place to place - you will never run out and, if you do, there's The Red Sea, or The Canaries and Caribbean.

Buy a sailing boat, (catamaran if you want space) - more fun, very little to spend on fuel.

Definitely the most stupid idea ever.

 

[CPD]

The basic concept is great, but definately sail, and definately NOT power. Hundreds of reasons why IMHO of course, not least cost, safety (stability), fun (which it wouldnt be always worrying about how far off the next diesel stop is). The stupid part of the idea is doing it under power. Go for it.

 

[pysmad]

Sounds like a brilliant idea Giles, thanks! Don't suppose you remember the name of the holiday company you used?

 

[Conachair]

[ QUOTE ]
The only thing is, doesn't it take years and years to learn how to sail well enough to navigate such a distance or could it be possible after a year of 2 of lessons and practice?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think you ever stop learning to sail! And yes it does take years to learn to sail well enough to sail such distances, but that's because the only real way to learn is to go and do it, and once you are out there schedules become more of a vague concept rather than something to try and stick to. RYA courses are a great way to gain the bulk of what you need to know quite quickly, maybe 2 weeks flotilla in Greece or somewhere would be a good idea to see if you really do like it. But like so many things you only really get to learn when you're out there on your own boat ballsing it up on your own and feeling good afterwards when you sort it out and think, "well I shan't do that again!" Don't think a motor boat from Oz is really an option, sailings more fun, more satisfying and you don't spend thousands on diesil.

As Mark Twain said ""Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowline. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind. Explore. Dream. Discover."
/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[pysmad]

Thanks Richard and Alan - points all gratefully received and noted.......even if I was a little sad that you agreed it was the most stupid idea ever Richard /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif( but thanks for your honesty. Also noted Alan, that you think the stupid part is trying to do it under power - a couple of others have said that too.

I think, as suggested, a couple of weeks holiday learning to sail is the best way forward (see whether we actually do like sailing/being at sea). And then definitely buy a sail boat or catamaran and forget the motor boat idea.

Thanks again.

 

[bbg]

Agree with all the others. There are thousands of people circumnavigating in various shapes and sizes of sailboats. I am not aware of anyone doing it in a powerboat, but there might be a few.

One of the reasons boats might be cheaper in Oz is taxes. As soon as you get your cheap boat back to the EU, you will have topay VAT in whichever country you arrive in. Count on paying at least 15%, probably more, as soon as you arrive in the EU.

But don't let any of us stand in the way - live your dream.

 

[pysmad]

Hey Paddy. Well the sailing community is certainly very helpful, lots of replies to to my post and all with great advice, so thanks for yours also. I will look into RYA holidays/training and don't worry, we've given up on the motor boat idea - it seemed like an "easy" option, but I think it's acually a very expensive, not so fun and rather more dangerous idea! Many thanks for taking the time to write.

 

[pysmad]

Hmm, I didn't even think of the tax issue - thanks Bruce (and thanks for your other points too).

I like the fact that you say "there are thousands of people circumnavigating....". I thought it was probably an unrealistic and VERY highly skilled task, but it seems with training. practice, time and money it's more than acheivable

 

[mandlmaunder]

If you really want your boat to be based in the UK and it (your pride and joy gas guzzler) cant do the big miles, put it on a big ship and fly back as nothing points to windward like a 747. Him.
From SHMBO: if you go to Oz and buy a boat, and sail/drive it there, you will NOT want to go back to the yUK!!!

 

[Talbot]

RYA courses are avalable in Australa. Personally I would prefer to learn to sail in the Whtsunday Islands, but there are lots around the country - your profile doesnt say where you are! The theory courses even go as far as ocean passages, and are available as internet learning courses from a number of places. There are also some "Zero to Hero" courses, which are designed to take you through all the stages in a very short tme, but IMHO dont give you the depth of knowledge to be able to cope when the [--word removed--] hits the fan. The problem is not the length of time taken to get ready, but the number of miles of experience including tides, coastal navigation, bad weather, storms, breakdowns, repairs etc.

Certainly a sailing holiday first to see even if you like the idea. As you are starting from the idea of a motorboat, I would recommend you go for a catamaran - a lot of the wives get put off sailing when the boat heels right over. You can get used to it, but I prefer not to spill the gin and tonic.

A sailing cat is also a lot cheaper than an equivalent motor boat!

Australia does build a lot of cats, personally they are not a style I like, but It is not my preferences you are catering to. The benefit of a purchase in Aus, is that you wll not have to pay tax on re-entry to Aus. Admitedly there is a scheme at the moment which allows you to buy in USA and then import to aus. If you intend to do that, then a Manta 42 is worth a look.