This boating lark's a minefield

[Jinksy]

This boating lark\'s a minefield

I know you guys get asked for advice a lot but it's your own fault for being so knowleadgable and helpful!!!

About a month ago I posted a query on a Balt 750 which I would have bought but for reasons I won't go into here - didn't. I have now narrowed my options down to two:

1. A new Bayliner 2455 with a Penta 170

2. A 1 year old Monterey 245 with a 230 Yanmar (40 hours)

The Bayliner is only a couple of grand more expensive.

I'm happy that they will both suit for space, accommodation etc. (i.e. they would both keep the missus content) so I'm looking for opinions and advice on power, performance, Gallons per hour - you know the sort of thing.

This is my first boat and I'm quite prepared to admit that I'm far too ignorant to make this sort of decision so any help would be much appreciated.

My plan is to keep it at Swansea with mainly day use but overnights/weekend trips to North Devon/Cornwall and West Wales are very likely.

Thanks in anticipation.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

assuming the Yanmar is on a BIII drive it should give you 35 knots 'ish top end, cruise between 14-28knots as suits conditions and burn around 4 - 7 gph doing so. Flat out it will manage to drink 10.5gph at around 3400rpm but you are not advised to do this for more than an hour at a time by you rbank manager or Yanmar (who suggest 3100rpm as max continuos). I run mine at 2800 which gives me around 24knots in good conditions and 2500 / 17knots more usually. My boat is very similar in dimensions to the Monterey. Overall this should be a very economical package for boating and can even be trailed at a push! Easy maintainance (raw water impellor can be difficult to access on many installations but that's about it), no electronics - considered agricultural by some/solid by others.
2455 is a well constructed boat (layup etc) with a cut price fit out. A lot in the UK and they provide good space for their external dimensions and a good balance between cockpit and accomodation. I believe the engine has both a supercharger and a turbo designed to give a smoother transition of power (and enable the engine to be fitted to a wider range of applications than if it only had a turbo). Even more economical than the Yanmar in theory - but probably about equal in practice if fitted to similar craft. A lot of fan's on the forum for it and the outdrive is excellent. I would offer a couple of grand less than they seem to be asking for the Monterey........but there is the all important warranty issue to be considered, as well as servicing going forward. The Volvo will cost more to service if you are always going to get it done by a dealer/agent. If you are planning to do it yourself once out of warranty the Yanmar will have more user servicable elements.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steverow]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

Jinksy,

Would suggest that you check with the Marina first that there is a berth available before purchasing. Having just spoken to the berthing master yesterday, Swansea is full and has a waiting list. The chap to speak to is Nick Bowers on 01792 470310.
Nick is pretty accommodating if it's possible to be so, and is a nice chap.

Alternatively, if you live within 25 miles of Swansea then you can join the yacht club, (SYSAC) and put your name on the waiting list there...but join the yacht club anyway, 'cos we tend to have a pretty good time.
Hope they can squeeze you in as it would be nice to have another forumite in Swansea. Theres only three of us that I know of at present, and in a world dominated by that unruly mob of forumites in the solent and environs, believe me we need all the help we can get...

Can't advise you too much on a boat, there are lots of Rinkers around here.
Bloke on the finger next to our pontoon has just bought himself a 27 footer. Lovely boat. Traded up from a 24. Maybe worth your while having a look??

As far as cruising goes, the Gower is lovely with some fabulous bays.
Watchet (with a marina) is across the channel, as is Ilfracombe (anchor off).
On this side of the channel there is Milford, and Neyland both with Marinas and the Cleddau River with a Yacht station.
Aberystwyth is probably do-able if you plan it right, (overnight in Milford) and there is a new marina planned for Fishguard, and I have also heard rumours of a Marina project for Porthcawl.
Padstow is about 75 miles from Swansea and a choice destination for a weeks holiday.
I shall hopefully be doing most of these this summer.

All the best, look forward to seeing you in Swansea.


Steve.





<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jinksy]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

Thanks both.

Duncan (Hi again) it would seem that there's not really much to chose between them which is fine by me as I can pander to SWMBO and gain brownie points. There is absolutely no chance of me doing my own servicing, I come from the school that believes a hammer is for putting in screws so the cost of servicing is something I will have to look into. Spoken to Terry lately? I haven't; although I've tried a few times.

Steve, I have a mate (a raggie - 46' freeline - possibly the tallest mast in the Marina - on the port side just in from the marina lock) and have done the Gower and Lundy a few times with him. One of the main reasons for choosing Swansea is that it's much closer to nice areas than Penarth. I live a liitle bit closer to Penarth than Swansea - near Llantrisant - but slightly more than 25 miles. I am on the waiting list for Swansea but haven't spoken to Nick - my mate knows him although that's possibly a disadvantage

There does seem to be a distinct Solent bias here and I'll be happy to give any support I can to those from the right side of the Bristol Channel.

Thanks again - I'll be back with more dumb questions soon.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

Hi Jinksy - just some observations...

The Monterey will have already lost its initial devaluation - the Bayliner would sting you with its first drop (VAT + initial devaluation etc.). Its said that the Monterey is a superior build quality, and that said the Bayliner is fine. The Yanmar will give more push and is a great unit and, in my opinion, will keep you interested in the boat, performance wise.

The other thing you need to consider though, is local dealer support. I take it that the new BL is supported locally - is the Monterey? I cannot over emphasise the importance of this.

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Alistairr]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

Dave, As you say local dealer support, is very important. But i took the risk, and so far its paying of for me.
As you know we are in Loch Lomond, and i bought my boat from a dealer in Swansea. After we knew what boat we wanted, We took our time to deceide which dealer to buy from. And i know we made the right decision.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/alistair?&page=1> My Pictures, Look if you want.</A>

 

[Alistairr]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

As you are talking about keeping the boat in Swansea, Please take a few minutes to go into <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cambrianboats.co.uk>Cambrian Boat Sales</A> at Cambrian Place, Ask for Robin or Cas, they are very helpful wether you buy a boat from them or not. They can usually get you anything that you are looking for. But specialize in Rinkers amongst others. The Rinkers also have the option of the Yanmar 230 Diesel Engine, They do a 250 or a 270, which is actually 30' long, and that is what i've got my eyes on next./forums/images/icons/smile.gif
Thet also have a resonable second hand stock.

Here is a 250 they have for sale at the moment.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/alistair?&page=1> My Pictures, Look if you want.</A>

 

[Jinksy]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

Alistair/Dave

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

The point about dealer support is valid. As it happens, both vendors are in Pwllelli so they are not exactly on the doorstep. There are plenty of places for service etc. around Swansea but there is always the issue of Warranty.

I have spoken to Robin at Cambrian. My initial plan was to buy a small fishing boat for about 15-20k (Hah!) and went to look at an Alvor that he had. Unfortunately the Rinker with a deisel option is way out of budget although it looks a super piece of kit.

I am probably leaning toward the Monterey. I'm taking the BL out on Saturday and will make my final decision then. The problem (sorry, one of the problems) is that there is just so much to choose from and when, like me, you have no experience or background to rely on it is almost impossible to know if you're making a sensible decision.

What the hell, let's just get on the water.

Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

Ooooh - very nice!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Alistairr]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

Not bad Eh? and thats only the 250!!!

The 270 is even nicer and not Bad, Getting a 30'er for £55k.
Look>

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/alistair?&page=1> My Pictures, Look if you want.</A>

 

[MaxJones]

Re: This boating lark\'s a minefield

The last time I was looking for a boat the only thing I wanted to avoid were Volvo engines! Spare parts can be an arm and a leg and another arm! No matter what you buy, get some free RNLI Sea Check advice before you spend a lot of money on kit such as lifejackets, flares etc. We have volunteers just about everywhere willing to come to you and discuss what kit you might be advised to get depending on the type of use to which you will be putting the boat. There is a lot more to Sea Check than just lifejackets! It takes an hour or so and we take you over your own boat to point out those items which may not be obvious safety considerations. Learning from experience is good, but learning from the experience of others is usually less painful and expensive! I'm sure we have somebody in Swansea, but I'm just an hour up the road and always available.
(www.lifeboats.org.uk) or
(www.firstimpressionsmarine.com - Maxjones1117@aol.com)
Good luck.

<hr width=100% size=1>If compulsory training is such a good idea, why are there so many road accidents?