What will I have gotten myself into?

[jmbutler]

I am considering buying my first boat. I am looking at a secondhand 2 berth for about £20-£30K.

If I was to use it regularly what am I looking at to spend each year? I would like to know all the possible costs. I am not sure that I know all the hidden costs.

Do motor boats fall apart every 5 minutes or do they last well? I have heard people say that the biggest cost is not the boat but the maintenance of the boat.

I wish to weigh up the cost of owndership in comparison to rental.

Thanks for any help.

 

[hlb]

Haaa. Heeeeeee! Owwwwwww. Well it dont matter how much you use the boat cos the cost of diesel (Hopfully) Or petrol. (Well you have'nt , Have you) is the smallest of the costs. First cost of course is the marina. Dont forget all the extras like, lifting out and putting back in. Then theres the dreaded V**vo's (Oh no no no. Not outdrives?). Course the heating will want mending every few months. But then theres the little extras, which of course you cant go to sea without. All this is not forgetting the divorce and then the eventual other woman. Na. There not expencive really./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<font color=blue>The X Invisible Volunteer/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif<font color=red>

Haydn

 

[KevL]

Welcome to the forum.

This very question is asked nearly every week by someone, try doing a search for "boat cost" and you should find plenty of stuff to keep you going.

KevL

--
It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

 

[BrendanS]

Your question really depends on what you buy (especially the length of the boat and number and type of engines) and where you are going to use it.
Lots of hidden costs, but it is the first year that gets expensive, depending on what comes with your boat, but you will want to consider:

Fuel, mooring fees, travel to and from boat, antifouling, engine maintenance and winterisation, lift out, visitor mooring fees (you'll want to visit places for lunch and overnight, and usually charged by length), electricity both at permanent mooring and visitor overnights, insurance, general repairs and upkeep, radio licence, maintenance of any kit on board (e.g. heating, generator, canopies etc), loads of batteries for any electronic kit you don't have wired in (hand held GPS, torches), cleaning materials (adds up after a while),

First year expenses:
Surveyor, training (general boat handling and navigation, VHF radio, radar) - optional but worthwhile, wet weather gear, mooring lines, fenders, life jackets, charts, GPS, fixed/hand held radio, radar?, flares, charts, fire extinguishers, torches...

not an exhaustive list, but will give some idea.

 

[kimhollamby]

There used to be a rule of thumb that said allow 5-10 per cent of capital value for per annum running cost. But that can get quite badly skewed, especially on a less expensive boat, depending on what you want to do with it, where you want to keep it and how fast you want to go in it.

At the kind of value you are looking at spending you are most likely to be heading in the direction of a secondhand boat on which the worst of any depreciation will have been suffered by the previous owner(s). GRP (fibreglass) boats don't generally fall apart unless badly neglected. That said, on a boat of that value the engine(s) form a significant part of your investment and so you need to be especially careful of the mechanical condition of the powertrain.

For some better estimates give us some further clues of your plans/dreams. And as suggested, also try some searches here on the forums as there is a lot of info already tucked away in the archives that may prove valuable to you.



kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com

 

[jmbutler]

Well, I was thinking of this boat as the previous owners appear to have added all the extras.

http://www.clickspeed.co.uk/ryb2/listings/234.html

I would probably keep it on The Broads with the occasional sea bound holiday. I must admit to "harbouring" ideas about very long stays onboard. I am a writer and the idea of seclusion whilst writing appeals to one.

 

[KevL]

Then take a look at

http://www.mby.com/mby/boats/100/10300110.htm

KevL

--
It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

 

[KevL]

Just typed in "sealine 215" into google and it brought loads of them up for sale, the most expensive being the one you showed us, there are some for sale at almost half this price.

KevL

--
It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

 

[hlb]

Just a little bit concerned about the five to 10% Kim. Mooring costs alone are going on 5% of my boat. Mending must be going on another 5%. Interestingly fuel is only 1% or maybe 2% at most. Not doing any more sums now. Tutts pays all the bills and she does the worrying!!

<font color=blue>The X Invisible Volunteer/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif<font color=red>

Haydn

 

[jmbutler]

I thought that a new engine (installed 2 years ago) and all the other additions would have brought the price up rather. I shall shop around.

 

[KevL]

Actually that's another thing that concerned me.

"Steyr 144 Diesel Turbo installed 1999. Serial No. 48217087. (56 hrs.) "

The present owner has gone to the expense of having a new (?) engine installed nearly three years ago but since then has only managed to put 56 hours on it - I'd have to ask why.

What made you decide that the 215 is what you are looking for? You mention that you are a writer and the idea of long stays aboard appeals to you, this sealine is just short of 23' long with a beam of a little over 8' and I think you may find that a little cramped for a "liveaboard".

All IMHO, AKAIK, FWIW etc

KevL



--
It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

 

[burgundyben]

Have you considered a classic? £30k buys a good Fairey Huntsman 28, you dont get fancy hot and cold water and deck showers and all the other crap that breaks down cos it was made for a caravan but you do get massive pride of ownership, twin shaft drive diesels, non volvo shite engines (usually perkins or ford sabre or mermaid), a fantastic looker, nice comments everywhere you go unlike plastic crap and the sea keeping is extraordinarily good.

For sale, 1970 Triumph Spitfire-sold, 1947 Lambretta, 1922 Great grandmother, PM for details.

 

[burgundyben]

Just thought of an expense none of the others mentioned, going over bugdet in the first place, I set out to but a boat and in less than a year needed a bigger one, which I've now got.

For sale, 1970 Triumph Spitfire-sold, 1947 Lambretta, 1922 Great grandmother, PM for details.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: That is odd

I thought you lot would all keep quiet about the costs. after first season new owner sits down tots it all up then hey presto has heart attack. another obituary
Jacl Dead Boat for sale at knock down price.

seems like a good way of ensuring cheap 2nd handers for those in the know.

max

Come on brain.get this over and i can go back to killing you with beer

 

[miket]

Many people like the idea of a "classic" but few have the time, money or inclination, when it comes down to it.

Some enjoy using their boat and others enjoy tinkering.
If you are a tinkerer, no problem.

 

[TerrifiedTony]

Hi

If you look at a post earlier this week entitled next boat you will see I was in exactly the same position as you 9 months ago. I think buying my Shadow was the most extended bout of retail therapy I have ever had and didn't sleep for a week after I handed the cheque over. Anyway, I am not sure if this helps but here goes for a 43 hp single diesel engine 26 ft Shadow costing 27 K running on the Thames.

a) One cost you should allow for is that you will absolutely love it and probably change withing 12 - 18 months, I managed 6 before I started looking and as I am looking to upgrade loks as though I have not lost a penny on the value of the boat based on part ex offers I have had.!

b) other costs

Inspection Lift £145.11
Inspection £244.00
River Licence £215.28 (if you launch now you only get two months before you pay again but I think its get reduced by a third after Sept)
Mooring at Bray £1500.26 (10.7.2002 - 31.3.2003 beware if you sign up late in the year as I did you can't do monthly payments, they want the lot up front.)
Insurance £145.00
Shore power cable £165.00
Bits n Bobs £300.00 (bedding/torches/kettles/cleaning stuff)

Hope all this helps but you will notice there is no maintenance, I was told to enjoy the boat until the end of the season which i did but now I am expecting to pay for lifting/winterising/anti fouling and Safety Certificate..my best estimates for all this doing the anti fouling myself is about £800.

Good luck its worth every penny

 

[joanne2]

Just went through the winterisation schedule - and cost. Too scary to contemplate so we won't

Joanne

Some day my boat will come..........

 

[Forbsie]

By far, your most expensive costs will be your internet access. Once you total up the costs of following the advice of this lot adding gold-plated rocker covers, bow-thrusters, air-con and a drinks fridge large enough to accommodate the expectations of the forum inspectors, it will come to, at least, double the cost of any boat you choose.

Best just buy Byrons Princess coz no one would dare suggest that it woz under-spec´ed. It even has it´s own Tutu wardrobe that even Desmond would be jealous of.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/forbsie>My Project Pics</A>

 

[TerrifiedTony]

But whats the alternative..heaters in the engine bay ? I put a couple of 700 Watt oil radiators on a frost stat in a week ago until I make my mind up whether to move upwards and onwards or do another season..surely (don't call me Surely) you cannot do anything preventative and simply hope for the best ?

PS is this on the new boat ?

 

[joanne2]

Yes. Its always nice to pay for some else's winterisation although they tell me its taken into account with our price. Having looked at the costs I'm not so sure now.

Some day my boat will come..........