What is the best boat to buy for the Thames?

[starusanrc]

I am looking to buy a boat for use over the summer. It would have to be able to fit around 8 people for cruising up and down the thames enjoying a drink or two in the sun. What kind of boat would be the best for this kind of use? I am not looking to spend too much. I am willing to buy a run down boat and do it up. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Couple of easy questions to start with

Q1. Do you need/want to stay aboard overnight
Q2. Do you envisage keeping the boat afloat or launching from a slip as required?

 

[byron]

Couple of easy questions to start with

Q1. Do you need/want to stay aboard overnight
Q2. Do you envisage keeping the boat afloat or launching from a slip as required?

Q3 Budget

 

[Captain Coochie]

A bloody big one to fit eight people on board safely

 

[Gavi]

RR_123 has let me down. I anticipated a full reply by now. Isn't this question the same one that led you to buying Twisted Pulpit?

 

[boatone]

A bloody big one to fit eight people on board safely

Not necessarily. II had a ride in a delightful little electric launch recently - a little over 20 feet long and seven of us plus the dog with room for several more.

 

[apollo]

Not necessarily. II had a ride in a delightful little electric launch recently - a little over 20 feet long and seven of us plus the dog with room for several more.

Agreed, ALSO - those "clipper" type boats that Val Wyatts and Bushnells are selling, seem very popular and will certainly sit that many people.

 

[Brayman]

Not necessarily. II had a ride in a delightful little electric launch recently - a little over 20 feet long and seven of us plus the dog with room for several more.

...and I was there in spirit!

 

[boatone]

...and I was there in spirit!

It was alleged that the spirit was in you !

But you were clearly there in spirit with all those text messages wink wink nudge nudge

 

[Ian45]

As someone who only today has finally taken charge of a boat after a 20 year gap I can give you the criteria we set ourselves. Having said that my wife and I had different views on what we were looking for so we managed to find some middle ground and still stay married

1: Set your budget. Don't forget to take moorings and surveys into account if applicable.

2: One engine or two? For us we chose one engine as nearly all our cruising will be on the Thames. Having said that we still have 205hp engine which is way more than we need for the river but will be good when we take it on the tidal Thames at some point. One engine for us meant half the servicing costs.

3: Petrol or diesel? We were unsure ourselves but found a boat that suited all our requirements that happened to be a well kept petrol engine.

4: Will you want to stay on it overnight or for holidays? If so then more room inside is a priority as opposed to some smart looking boat that can't accommodate you all.

Hope the above helps in some small way.

I'm now looking forward to my first weekend of owning a boat for many years.

 

[Glorfindel]

A big ex-hire boat: low maint, easy to handle and plenty of built on fendering