What should I buy?

[chuckydooby]

Hi all,

I'm afraid I am a complete boating novice and know nothing on the subject and as such am hoping your good selves can give me some advice.

I am looking to buy (either new or used) a rowing boat for my dads impending birthday.

Having had a quick look online it quickly became clear that I need to know more before I look again.

Could somebody please enlighten me on the type of boat I should be looking for (and size), where is a good place to look (again either new or used) and what realistic price should I be expecting to pay.

To give some context - my dad lives on the river Tay opposite Dundee and we are looking to get him something he can take out just in and around his house with the grand kids (and perhaps on the odd day I could do some fishing from it as well). So nothing too big, nice and sturdy and simple to use (no sails - yet).

Thank you in advance for your help and of course ask me for any other info you might need to help with your suggestions.

Regards

Dan

 

[Pleiades]

What ever good dad deserves....

Buy dad something like this and I am sure he will bless you:-

http://www.riverteignrowingboats.co.uk/egret.html

No connection other than as an admirer. More pickies here:-

http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2173

Happy shopping.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5

 

[aquaplane]

Can I be your dad? One of those will be great.

 

[zalophus]

Chuckydooby? You've been watching old Kinder adverts, haven't you?

 

[chuckydooby]

Thanks Robin thats really useful - I'll get on to the company and investigate.

Are there any other suggestions people might have?

 

[chuckydooby]

Chuckydooby? You've been watching old Kinder adverts, haven't you?

Is that in reference to my name or the chocolate box idea of getting the old man a row boat?

 

[zalophus]

If you don't know it, try youtube and type in Kinder

 

[chuckydooby]

Buy dad something like this and I am sure he will bless you:-

http://www.riverteignrowingboats.co.uk/egret.html

No connection other than as an admirer. More pickies here:-

http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2173

Happy shopping.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5

Unfortunately this recommendation has not proved fruitful - clearly an excellent boat however as there is an 8 month waiting list!

I would really appreciate any other ideas people have

Thanks again

Dan

 

[Wansworth]

Macnulty boats,somewhere on a river in ne england..clinker dinghies if I recall an article in Classic boat(am I allowed to sy c.b)

 

[Babylon]

Try these links:

http://www.fyneboatkits.com/trolleyed/46/index.htm

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/listings.phtml?cid=364

http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/Boats...g+boat&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

The ebay listings include some interesting options. For what you describe you think your dad needs (does he indeed know anything about this?!), I'd look for an inherently stable (ie not to narrow) 10ft grp (fibreglass) rowing boat with built-in buoyancy. But where would he keep it? A 10ft fibreglass boat could be quite a heavy thing to haul into or out of the water.

One inexpensive option would be the 8ft Walker Bay tender described on eBay. For circa £200 you can't go too far wrong, and they're plastic so might be lighter to haul than grp, also have a buil-in little wheel in the skeg. You can also get sailing rigs for the Walker Bay boats, so there's flexibility there. Seller is in N Yorks, so not a million miles away from where you are.

 

[William_H]

Rowing dinghy

I am not in UK so can't suggest a type to buy however.
Will he need to carry /wheel the boat to the water? This will dictate size and weight.
If it is just for rowing a very narrow boat is easiest to propel. However for fishing, carrying other people (kids) etc you need some beam to provide stability.

Around here Aluminium is the go for dingies being lightest for strength. I had a 8ft fibreglass which I swapped for a 10ft Ali and both about the same weight. I can single handed drag the 10ft Ali out of the water and up the beach (10 metres) and tip it over for storage but at 65YO I apreciate some help to carry the dinghy. Easy for 2 people. There are available arrangements to fit wheels that fold down from the transom so you lift the bow and can tow by hand over some distance.

The 10fter can carry 5 adults at a pinch in close and shallow water. ie as a tender to big boat and is fine for 2 or 3 adults. It is pretty hard to row with 5 on board however. A head wind of course is biggest impediment to rowing.

Yes a rowing boat can be great for amusing grand children. Nice thought it will be a hiot if you get the right boat. good luck olewill

 

[Strathglass]

Hi all,

I'm afraid I am a complete boating novice and know nothing on the subject and as such am hoping your good selves can give me some advice.

I am looking to buy (either new or used) a rowing boat for my dads impending birthday.


To give some context - my dad lives on the river Tay opposite Dundee and we are looking to get him something he can take out just in and around his house with the grand kids (and perhaps on the odd day I could do some fishing from it as well). So nothing too big, nice and sturdy and simple to use (no sails - yet).

Regards

Dan

Hi Dan,

I would be quite concerned about sending a 'Dad with grandchildren' out on a rowing boat without an engine on the river Tay especially opposite Dundee. It is very wide and open water.

The currents there can be horrific and any trip out could be very dangerous. moored boats can seem to be moving sideways at a vast rate of knots even from a fairly fast powered
boat.

I do not of course know how experienced your Dad is but unless he has a background in boating I would suggest supreme caution and perhaps a rethink.

Iain