What Boat to buy?

[Gumpy]

Now what to do ?
SWMBO doesnt like sailing much so realisticly the Yot has to go
The question is what to replace it with?
I intend to be based on the Thames as its nearer to home than the east coast.
I could just remove the mast from the Yot as it draws less than 3ft and use that, but not sure......
Ideally I would like a diesel engine, dont care about age (Yot is 35years old), must be fairly stable and have dedicated head.
Have been looking at smaller Freemans anyone got any other ideas?

 

[No Regrets]

How big?

Birchwoods, Freemans, Seamasters, Brooms, all good for upper Thames, and available from £7000 for usable examples, up to £30,000 for prime 30 foot odd.

 

[Gumpy]

How big?

Birchwoods, Freemans, Seamasters, Brooms, all good for upper Thames, and available from £7000 for usable examples, up to £30,000 for prime 30 foot odd.

There's the rub
Top budget is about 8000 hence I am looking at smaller Freemans. So I guess 26ft is about the limit
I also prefer the rounded shape rather than the angular shape of the newer styles.
Its only for weekends, I can bring the Barge down for longer periods if I want to.

 

[No Regrets]

Birchwood 25, Diesel on shaft, only £7495?

http://www.thamesboatsales.co.uk/used.asp

Got to be a bargain, in terms of accommodation per pound, there's some serious space on board for a 25 footer, and the BMC Diesel is better than the original options. No hard top, but that could be a good thing!

 

[ms1]

I sold that particular Birchwood 25 in 2003 after 4 years of ownership (first boat) and it was in good shape with all new foam, upholstery and curtains, stainless sink and Techimpex cooker. And that Propex central heating was just fantastic. Frugal BMC 1.5.
She allowed us to cruise under Osney Bridge up to Lechlade which I can no longer achieve.

It was a dream sale - I dropped it off with Chris Manners at Penton early afternoon and by 1000 next day .. he had sold it.

 

[Sometime]

Can I be rude and ask how much you sold it for then?
These type of boats seem to hold steady on prices

 

[ms1]

10K or a fraction under as I recall. I am surprised to see it for just 7,500 to be honest .. but then you cant really know until you see it in the flesh I suppose.

 

[Ramage]

Looks like a really nice boat. The BMC 2.5 diesel is a good solid engine too.

 

[No Regrets]

I sold our last B25 for £11500.

Thats stinking cheap!!

 

[vandy]

Do you want something hassle free? no need to be worried about anti fouling etc., damp in the cabin, ....?

Buy a decent rib!

Easy, Fast, Cool!

But buy one with a working VHF radio!

I downgraded (and in fact in my mind upgraded to) to a RIB last January from a 4 berth Cabin Cruiser. It was one of the best decisions which I have made so far.

Just think, some of us maintain a 2 berth or 4 berth cabin cruiser, but how often do we really stay on the boat?!

 

[No Regrets]

A Rib would be my idea of a nightmare on the upper Thames!

No shelter, toilet or other facilities even for a good day out, and sitting down at River level, so no decent view, like a Flybridge or decent pedestal helm, and picking up all the fumes in locks.

...and then it rains...

Good fun downstream of Richmond of course...

 

[oldgit]

"A Rib would be my idea of a nightmare on the upper Thames!"



.............and stay away from sharp objects ?

 

[ms1]

I recall that the gentleman said, in his first post, that he wanted separate heads. That would seem to exclude a RIB.

 

[No Regrets]

Unless he meant 'Separate from the Boat'

 

[Gumpy]

Thanks for the ideas
I am going to look at something on Saturday not saying what yet........

Oh and why do sellers on Apolloduck never bother to reply, only one did and Im going to see him on Saturday and the ad had only been live 6 hours

 

[Gumpy]

Thanks for the ideas
I am going to look at something on Saturday not saying what yet........

Oh and why do sellers on Apolloduck never bother to reply, only one did and Im going to see him on Saturday and the ad had only been live 6 hours

And the barsteward sold it and didnt bother to tell me. It was only by luck that I called him before I left.....
Went to look at a B25 today have to say it was not worth the money asked. Going to look at another tomorrow hope that its better.

What I really want is this

but I don't have 30K

 

[SimonA]

There's the rub
Top budget is about 8000 hence I am looking at smaller Freemans. So I guess 26ft is about the limit
I also prefer the rounded shape rather than the angular shape of the newer styles.
Its only for weekends, I can bring the Barge down for longer periods if I want to.

Elysian 27? There is one at a local marina for £7k but it does say it requires some TLC. I have a Madeira 27, same hull as the Elysian. Great river boats.