What 25' boat

[Drifter2406]

Hello everyone, i am calling on the wealth of information in these forums and hope you can help me? After many years of dreaming, reading and passing a few exams I will be looking for my first boat next year, because of money constraints and useability i have a few requirements on my new boat. The motor cruiser must sleep 3 in confort, be approx 25', must be diesel and be no more than £40000, either a Nanni as i have heard they are very reliable based on the Toyota Land Cruiser engine or maybe the Kad 32. Most of what i have been looking at is the Sealine S23/25 which seems to be built very well going by what i have read but floaty? Maybe the janeau Leader 805 or am i looking at completely the wrong boats? Any advice to point me in the right direction would greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[DavidJ]

A vote for the Sealine option. I had an S24 for 8 years. Terrific boat and easily towable with a 2.8D Shogun. It’s a big beasty to launch and recover so suggest having it crained in/out. Saves on trailer maintenance too. I’ve only seen the diesel option on the S25, you may be constrained in choice.

Not sure what you mean by floaty.

During the lockdown, I’ve been looking at some old videos of our S24 on holiday in Italy and zooming across to Elbe, dolphins and all.

 

[Drifter2406]

Thanks for the reply, i definitely want to go down the diesel route, this will be a boat that will be used on a regular basis, what sort of economy did you get?

 

[James723]

I've been looking based on similar requirements and a similar budget and had shortlisted both the S23/S25 and the Leader 805. Nick Burnham does a great tour of his Leader 805 on his Aquaholic YouTube channel.

You could probably get an early S28 for that money, although I'm not sure if you want to able to tow. You then have the option of twin engines, not sure if that appeals to you or not.

 

[BruceK]

Why are you looking at 25' ? Is it a trailer constraint or berthing constraint? The reason being is a small jump to 28 foot or even 32 foot would really open up your choices.

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

A vote for the Sealine option. I had an S24 for 8 years. Terrific boat and easily towable with a 2.8D Shogun. It’s a big beasty to launch and recover so suggest having it crained in/out. Saves on trailer maintenance too. I’ve only seen the diesel option on the S25, you may be constrained in choice.

Not sure what you mean by floaty.

During the lockdown, I’ve been looking at some old videos of our S24 on holiday in Italy and zooming across to Elbe, dolphins and all.

Had my S24 for 20yrs,... n STILL GOT IT ......... and its got the kad 32 ............just for informations sake ....................

 

[DavidJ]

Don’t get too hung up on diesel economy. From views on this forum and my own experience, fuel cost is small compared with service costs, new bits, toys, marina fees etc etc.
Steve can probably comment better on “economy”
Round figures for me S37
Cost per year ( not counting depreciation or cost of debt) £10k
Fuel £500-£1000

 

[BruceK]

Fuel £500-£1000

What! On a S37! You need to get out more and stay away from the influences of them static caravan marina queens. We bank on 200 litre in fuel per trip. On average ~5000 litres per year in diesel in a 34 footer

 

[DavidJ]

Bruce you’re probably right but our cruising ground in north med Spain starts just 10 mins from the marina and our day is just going to the many calas, snorkling, lunching and a beer or two.
This year will be zero fuel cost sadly

 

[BruceK]

That looks awesome. I suppose being a marina queen there would be perfectly justified. Here in the Welsh Med it just consigns you to a rather grotty ghetto whose only redeeming feature is you can plug into the Main Grid. Even that dive called Rhyl can boast that but apparently it's important to some. We will count on average a 60 nm return trip over a weekend as minimum with about at least 25 trips a year and a summer cruise on top of that. Not a lot, but gives a more realistic figure on fuel. The OP can expect similar pro rata so about 3k per year would be more realistic

 

[DavidJ]

At least you will see your boat this year Bruce. I will still have £10k going out.
I’ll attach another pic while I’m feeling sad.

 

[BruceK]

My boat is stuck on a hard until easement. I feel your pain. We have lots of that in the Welsh Med except the blue bits on top which only appear when it's still a bit chilly early season but that's what wetsuits are for

 

[DavidJ]

What’s the boat at the top. I think it looks quite classy.

 

[BruceK]

(Thunderbird) Formula 34 PC

and thank you she'd appreciate that in her dotage. She's a very old boat at 92 vintage

 

[Sticky Fingers]

My boat is stuck on a hard until easement. I feel your pain. We have lots of that in the Welsh Med except the blue bits on top which only appear when it's still a bit chilly early season but that's what wetsuits are for

"The Welsh Med"... looks fab. Is one of those yours Bruce?

 

[BruceK]

The Formula is, or as Kwakkers would delight in saying, Formula for Disaster is. I've spent a small fortune refitting her over ownership and quite delighted with her

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Looks teriffic, really like the pale blue stripe

 

[Scubadoo]

Had my S24 for 20yrs,... n STILL GOT IT ......... and its got the kad 32 ............just for informations sake ....................

+1 had my S24 for 21 years with an AD31, a great boat.

 

[simonfraser]

this ?

Aquador - 25c | Boats and Outboards

 

[Kawasaki]

Looks teriffic, really like the pale blue stripe

It was quite a dark blue but has faded / wilted/ almost vanished, like the contents of Bruce's wallet!