Thinking aloud.....a challenge for you.

[SeaDave]

I've got a Searay 225 weekender. A small cuddy.

I love it as it feels new (it's a 2001 and is in great condition), is relatively cheap to run, or has been so far (touch wood!) and is my first boat.

The furthest I've been on it so far is from Brighton to the Isle of Wight and back in a day, stopping for lunch.

Now all these pics from the boat show have really got me hankering for a larger boat that would be more stable at sea, longer range and with proper accommodation.

I'd love to be able to go to the channel isles and anchor up for a weekend for example.

Now I estimate that my boat is worth in the region of £15k - so what could I trade up (with minimal extra) to achieve this without being on an old shed?

Would love to see some suggestions!!

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[gjgm]

I think you d need to go to 25-26ft as a minimum to get any real benefit. And preferably 26-28ft.
Dont think you ll do that for £15k without going very old?
Do you have a trailer?If not, consider one, as thats gets you to new locations.
Given the absolutely sh*te last two seasons, I dont think any size boat helps!!

 

[BartW]

1) if you can keep the boat trailable, you have so many more possibility's, to use her, so max length is 24...26 ft, and 2.6m beam (depending on towing weight / towing car)
this length is starting to become ok for rough sea's

2) choose one with a mid cabin, then you can sleep 4 people inside

3) have a canopy over the deck, so you have a lot of space covered for rain and wind, for having diner on deck..., and can eventually sleep 6 peeps

now you have a wide choise of bayliners, sealines, etc...

4) I wanted to be able to walk around the cockpit not klimbing "over the dashboard, = Walkaround model
then the choise becomes smaller

5) I wanted to have dual inboard engine, lots of space on the bathing platform, and save feeling with the two engines,
then the choice was limited to one model,



your job to find what is important for you,
you can use the boat selector somewhere here on the ybw.com site, it gives you examples according your prefs.

and the last step ofcause, google the name and model number of your preferred boat, and look what's available on the second hand market

Thats how I have chosen my latest boat, and I am very happy with it, and just as you, the idea was, how can I use her as much as possible in many different way's
good luck !

 

[SeaDave]

Thanks guys

Although my current boat is trailerable - my car isn't suitable and hence this isn't a consideration for me.

I guess i was hoping that with falling boat prices I could pick up a larger boat and take advantage!

 

[gjgm]

For £750-1000 I reckon you could buy a tow car and run it for a year...or even just rent something?

 

[mainshiptom]

look at this?

web page

also there is a wwww 46 in Brighton which will take very low offers?

Tom

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

To give you some idea, the minimum size of boat that used to be allowed on MBM cross channel cruises was 25ft for insurance purposes. Not sure whether that's the case now but it's a reasonable guide and, personally, I wouldn't want to cross the Channel in less. I agree with gjgm that 26-28ft is what you want to be looking at to be significantly roomier and more seaworthy than the Searay 225. At this size though, I reckon you need to be looking at diesel for economy and range, if you've got long distance cruising in mind, but probably stick with a single engine still. There are hundreds of different boats that might fit the bill but I think you need to be spending £30-40k minimum.
Something like
THIS or
THIS or
THIS

but as I say there will be loads more

Btw the MBM cruises in company are excellent ways to gain experience in a safe environment

 

[SeaDave]

[ QUOTE ]
look at this?

web page

also there is a wwww 46 in Brighton which will take very low offers?

Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow - that's got me thinking!

 

[SeaDave]

Deleted User - thanks for the links - the middle one looks fantastic value to my untrained eye.

I'd like to do an assisted cruise as you've suggested - sounds a good idea, just need a bigger boat first.

 

[Wiggo]

Yeah, I always liked the looks of those, too.

 

[Sneds]

That 1st boat has been for sale for nearly two years now! The engine bay looked a right mess when we looked at it!
The Falcol would be my choice, nearly bought one from Dartmouth but SWMBO didn't like the pink carpet!
The Falcon has load of room onboard, down below and up in the cockpit!
Essex Boat Yards will probably do you a good deal on a part ex, they did us!
Go and have a look........if you dare.............bet you'll buy it!

 

[enterprise]

Second the Falcon 275, plenty of room without looking dated, may need reupholstery to bring it upto date but EBY will be more than willing to retrim it if you are a serious buyer.

 

[pau1gray]

If you can stretch the budget or even look ata marine mortgage you may be able to stretch to the 40K mark and something like this
Boat