What can we do with a cabin cruiser?

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TomatoSoup

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Hi there,
We are new to this (haven’t sailed a boat in our lives!) but we are wanting to start our adventure.

My other half wants to get a cabin cruiser, whereas I’m more drawn towards yacht/sailing boat type.

My question is: where would we be able to go with a cabin cruiser? More specifically a ESPRIT 2970 1992 model that he has his eye on?

My worry is that we couldn’t go very far in a cabin cruiser, or am I wrong? could we go around the U.K. coast without issues for example? Or would it need to be lifted to different areas?

Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time

Kelly
 
So many wrong answers can be given to this one. Both are as different as chalk to cheese with only a common love of being on the water. I think you both need to try both to see what you really want because within the two types there are again many permutations. Try crewing for a sailing boat for a short time. Plenty of skippers out there looking for crew. Motorboats is a tougher call to cadge a ride on.

In short though to answer your questions most motorboats will have a range of 200 miles. If the boat is seaworthy yes it could easily travel not just around the UK but further afield too. A sailboat obviously has greater range but not all sailboats are blue water ocean crossers either. Covering large distances in single trips is a bit of a speciality and you can find both sailboats and powered boats capable of both but the Esprit 2970 is not one of them. It is best suited to weekend trips or port hopping coastal cruising.
 
If its the one on ebay with twin 5.7l petrols, then for any distance both cost and availability of fuel will be a serious consideration.
Motor boats with twin petrols consume a LOT more fuel than a car!
 
We had a similar sized boat (Sealine S28) that went to the West Country, France, Holland, Channel Islands (in company with other boats), but that was with twin diesels. So £40/hr at cruising speed was not too wallet-busting.

Others can advise on what twin petrol V8s will consume at cruise speeds, but it will be “substantially more”, and finding petrol along the way isn’t as easy.
 
I suspect the whole diesel vs petrol debate might soon be moot next season. Certainly the rising dominance of 10m and under outboard powered vessels has got to have an impact.
 
As you are new to all this, before buying a boat, have you considered going an a couple of training courses.? That will give you a much better idea of what is involved and what different types of boat can and can't realistically do, an insight into weather and tides and how you both feel about that afterwards. They can be expensive but it will be a lot cheaper than buying a boat and realising it's the wrong one.
Cabin cruisers like the one on ebay "can" go around the UK no problem - if you know what you are doing. As others have said fuel is a big issue for motor boats, petrol availability at the UK coast can be difficult, diesel you can get anywhere.
Sailing is good fun but not everyone likes the leisurely pace. People tend to think sailing is cheaper than motor boating, however sail boats need a fair bit of maintenance, sail repairs, sail cleaning, new ropes, standing rigging needs checking properly etc etc.

Boats either new or old need quite a bit of regular maintenance whether you use them or not. It helps a lot if you are reasonably practical and not afraid of getting a bit dirty from time to time. Most things are not difficult but a bit of training goes a long way in keeping costs down and keeping you and the crew safe if something goes wrong.
You will also need to find a mooring to keep your boat and insurance.

Not sure where you are based but lots of sailing schools will do an afternoon out on a boat so you can have a go in safety. If that all goes well maybe try doing a suitable qualification to build your confidence and help in the buying decision. In the UK you don't actually need any qualifications to take a boat out - which is how I and I suspect many people start. With hindsight that's really not a good idea.
 
I’m on shaky ground here but based on a few decades of experience partners get fed up quite quickly on yachts so if yours doesn’t fancy one from the start don’t go there.
I see many yachts with only one person on board but motor boats nearly always with friends/partners.
My first boat was a Sealine 195. Very trailable. We did a lot on both sides of the Adriatic and Med Spain
 
Which ever way,best get some theory under your belts , then perhaps boat hire or try some local clubs and cadge a few rides, dont make any serious purchases just yet until your ideas are a bit more firm. How about boat hire short break or holiday to get you started??

you will rapidly find any boat is just a hole in the water that you fill with £1 coins!!!
 
If you haven't done any boating please don't just buy a substantial boat and start, get training. I would say do a powerboat 2 RYA course as a first step.
 
They are different skill sets. I don’t think you can just get on a sailing yacht and go somewhere. You need experience and knowledge, probably quite a lot.
A cabin cruiser is usually easier to master because it’s more car like. But I do not (repeat, I do not) recommend you go on the water without any experience or qualification. Just like a car, it’s about not killing other people.
But, all said and done, motorboating is easier to learn.
As for going anywhere. Why do you need to go anywhere? You go out, have a throughly enjoyable day on the water and then come home. That’s what we do.
Don’t forget, training is serious but fun ???
 
I would try a hire on the broads or Thames as a first step
I would avoid a twin PetrolPrices set up as it’s fuel consumption will make your eyes water
Do you fancy river boating?
A single engine river boat will sip fuel, £5 per hour compared to £70 + per hour at sea for a twin diesel
 
DavidJ said:
I’m on shaky ground here but based on a few decades of experience partners get fed up quite quickly on yachts so if yours doesn’t fancy one from the start don’t go there.
I see many yachts with only one person on board but motor boats nearly always with friends/partners.
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This is the most sage advice ever posted on this forum.
You will have to be be a very adaptable lady indeed to put up with the privations available aboard most sailing yachts, unless you are talking about a spanking new 50 ft megayacht.
Nowhere to fit a 50" plasma for a start.
You will very rarely find a lady aboard a yacht after the wedding. :)
 
I would suggest you can't just get on a sailing yacht and go somewhere even if you can work the canvas! Not without using the engine. Learn to boat then learn to sail, doing both together, particularly if one of you isn't that keen will sour the experience I suspect.
To me sailing, on a good day you might make 5kn but not in the direction you want to go!
 
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