What's the best motor boat for a novice.

[hendfinlay]

What\'s the best motor boat for a novice.

I intend to buy a motor boat in the coming year, for using in the channel, around the south coast during the school holidays and at weekends. I have been recommended a Rinker 250. Is this the right choice for an absolute beginner? What will be the cost: berthing, insurance etc. Where can I find more info for first time owners?. Thanks for your help.

 

[Norman_E]

Re: What\'s the best motor boat for a novice.

Recommended by whom? The people who sell Rinkers at Sovereign Harbour?
Before you buy any boat, think long and hard about what you actually want to do with it. If you want to cross the channel in it you might find that a fairly low powered boat with reasonable economy and an inboard diesel (or two) is the best bet. Moderate seas that a sailing yacht copes with easily, will quickly become too much for a motor boat with a planing hull to cope with, and the result is that when the waves are too big you drop back to displacement speed.
If you want to tow a water skier then you need a fast planing hull and big (thirsty) engine(s).
Berthing is expensive and you might want to consider something you can keep at home, and launch off a trailer. This will limit you in size. I sail, so I won't be drawn into recommending particular motor boats, but if I wanted to pootle about the South Coast, and maybe cross over to France I would be looking at boats with an enclosed wheelhouse and small inboard diesel engine rather than a sports-boat like the Rinker. Most of the Rinker type boats were built with a choice of petrol or diesel engines. The petrol engines were cheaper to buy but even after the end of cheap red diesel a diesel boat will still be more economical, which is a big consideration if a petrol boat is consuming 25 or 30 litres of fuel per hour, apart from the safety aspect.
Before you buy anything, please do get some training, learn to navigate, learn the collision regulations, and how to solve common engine problems, and get a radio operators certificate. When costing boats, remember to factor in the cost of all the safety and navigation gear you will need.

 

[jimg]

Re: What\'s the best motor boat for a novice.

Try posting over on the motor boat forum, you will probably get a better response there.
We Motorboaters are not very practical you see!

 

[hendfinlay]

Re: What\'s the best motor boat for a novice.

Thank you Norman_E, your post certainly gives me lots to think about before jumping in.
Jimg, thanks for the tip, I shall try the motor boat forum and see what response I'll get.