thinking of buying a mobo

[PaulGooch]

Would something a tad smaller still fit the bill ? How about a nice Hardy or Mitchell ? Proper boaty looking boats, great seakeeping and available with single inboards on some models for better economy. Some of the slightly sub 30 footers look to have excellent accommodation and if there is generally just you and SWMBO, with the odd couple of guests, they may well be plenty big enough. Cheaper mooring fees and much better economy than a bigger, twin engined 35 footer allow for much more use without spending a fortune on fuel. Servicing and maintenance costs on a single inboard should be less than the 1k you're used to, if you do some of the work yourself. Some models are also available with twin engines. Might also be helpful to give an idea of your budget.

Frinstances :

Single engine 27 footer :
http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/MjIwNjcxOH5CQVJCMDE=-Hardy_27.html

Same boat with twins :
http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/MTc3NjAzMH5GTElOMDE=-Hardy_27.html

Twin engine 36 footer :
http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/MjE5NzkwNn5EWVNTMDE=-Hardy_Commodore_36_Unknown.html

Selection of Mitchells :
http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/searchr...ngth&lengthunits=Feet&boatstoview=all&x=0&y=0

 

[David of Essex]

Just to add to some of the advise already given is, if you look around all marinas, boats are tied up more than being use. Therefore living space and comfort should be factored in. Another point to think about is, what ever you buy you will sell one day.
David

 

[Elessar]

Maintenance costs on my yacht are maybe £1k pa at most, and depreciation on the 4 I've had so far has been nil. In fact I've made a small profit. So what should I expect on a mobo assuming I buy a good second hand one, say 5 to 10 years old.

Stern drives will give you better fuel consumption, but will cost more to maintain - that'll be another choice you will have to make!.

That puzzles me engineering wise. Why are stern drives better on fuel?

I referred to Sunseekers as "tart traps" above which is unkind. By what I was trying to say was that I wanted a boaty boat, which to me means hatches not windows, companionways not patio doors etc. hence the "nelson" type of SD. But fuel consumption is important to me - I can't afford to do my annual 2000 miles at 1mpg with fuel at £5 per gallon. Nor do I want to go more than 15 or maybe 20 knots. So recommendations in the 30 to 35 ft range? Should add that it's bristol channel based so seakeeping is perhaps more of an issue

For low depreciation buy a known make - they will be easier to sell. Keep the service history. I've got my money back on mobos.

Outdrives are more efficent because you can adjust the prop to be pointing exactly level with the water, ie the direction of travel. Shaft point slightly down and thus are slightly inefficient. There are a whole load of pros and cons in the shaft/outdrive debate though and its a bit like pronouncing which is the best anchor.

The ability to get the speed up when you want to is even more of a bonus in your waters, a 4 knot tidal flow in the wrong direction makes less of a difference the faster you go. I understand what you mean by a boaty boat, thus my mention of carpets etc. Take a look at the scandanavian mobos they often have a more traditional feel.

 

[Divemaster1]

Been watching this thread evolving...

Of semi-displacement hulls in your range, I'd consider;

Nimbus 33

from http://www.jamesdickensmarine.com/brokerage/powerboats/Nimbus33.htm

A quite modern boat, but may not have the lines you're looking for..

Nelson 34 ... but may become older than what you are looking for

Aquastar 33

http://www.rightboat.com/Aquastar-33/boat-250130/

I'd consider some other Scandinavian crafts as well, but they are less well known in the UK, but include Marex, Saga and Viksund...

Saga 315

Viksund

 

[longjohnsilver]

Currently a yottie with a 35 footer but as usual at thsi stage of the summer cruise, I've come to the conclusion that a mobo would make a better mobo than a sailing boat does. In other words I'm pi** ed off with spending 70% of my time at sea with a 30horse Volvo doing 5.5 knots.

And I'm not unique. There are few wives who will put up with 25 degrees of heel for 12 hours to Guernsey even if you yourself fancy it. So you end up sailing when there is little wind and using the engine. Don't believe these raggies who tell you they sail 95% of the time.

But of course there is the cost issue and fuel in particular. I don't fancy what I would call a tart trap ie a Sunseeker type of boat and a full displacement seems to offer little advantage over a yacht. Instead I fancy something like an Aquastar / Nelson type boat. Of about 30/35 ft.

So what would be the fuel consumption of such a boat whilst cruising. And what would be a realistic cruising speed.

Until a few years ago i owned a Channel Islands 32, single 215hp diesel, top speed approx 18kts, cruising speed around 14kts, average fuel consumption about 2.25 mpg.

 

[gordmac]

How about a Seaward 25?