Where do I start?

[SpottyDog5]

First rule of boating (and anything else for that matter) keep the her in doors happy.
If you intend to cruise with friends 2 loos and cabins at each end of the boat are a real bonus

 

[volvopaul]

Hi rigsy, I too live not far from BW though work as a volvopenta engineer mainly on the southcoast now where my boat is.

You will get loads of help from this forum, as your fortunate enough to spend that kind of money on your first boat be wise where and what you buy there are sharks in this game like any other market, decide where you really want to go boating and how much time you can devote to it, if your going to Holland to use the inland system then flybridges and sports boats may not fit the bill, as a flybridge is high, and unless you go over 45ft for a sports cruiser you wont get much space.

As you may well know the uk builds good quality boats so you wont go far wrong when looking here in the uk, if you need any engine info etc send a private message to me.

 

[rafiki_]

Hi rafiki, thanks for your reply, what type of costly mistakes can i look forward too as a beginner? I hope your not going to say crashes as i can see that being an expensive learning curve in a £200K boat.

When you are starting out, my experience is for the tendency to feel a degree of unecessary anxiety, which causes you to rush things, apply too much power/steering when close manouevering. You learn to slow down a bit and things become much easier. When mooring or locking, you can never go too slowly. Cross winds can also add to the anxiety, but again you soon learn to deal with these things.

As I said before, best thing is to learn to helm on your own without onlookers/passengers, learn the ways of the helm, and get in tune with your boat.

I dinged Rafiki in our first season mooring, but no real harm done, and no further incidents since.

 

[SpottyDog5]

When you are starting out, my experience is for the tendency to feel a degree of unecessary anxiety, which causes you to rush things, apply too much power/steering when close manouevering. You learn to slow down a bit and things become much easier. When mooring or locking, you can never go too slowly. Cross winds can also add to the anxiety, but again you soon learn to deal with these things.

.

This is so true, when I was coming on to my berth last Saturday, mid flood of a large tide, I watched a 50ft something in front, huffing and puffing with lots of revs, fighting the tide to get on the berth. I just turned to the flow, held it on tick over, in and out of gear to keep station and ferry glided on to my berth, so slowly, so relaxed its was a joy !
The tide and wind can be your best friend if you dont fight them.

Doesn't always go like that, but worth all training when it does, very satisfying....

 

[DavidJ]

we have close relatives that live in Valencia and Roses in Spain

Why not have your boat in sunny (but windy) northern Spain. There are several of us formunites in Empuriabrava Marina (near Rosas) loads of space and fabulous cruising ground just 10 mins away so saves on fuel. There are companies who will 'garage' your boat and put it in the water when you need it.
Simplest and I believe cheapest is to buy in the UK and get it transported out.
I'm out again this weekend 27 degrees forecast, £9 Ryanair flight to Gerona.

Tides? ah yes I remember tides.

 

[henryf]

Hi Harry, I'm a newbie too, infact this is my first post so hi to everyone else on here as well.

I am hoping to become a 1st time boat owner this winter/next spring and our requirements seem very similar. Before visiting a boat yard i'd already done a limited amount of research on the internet, and decided that my maximum budget is approx £250K although i think as a newbie i'd feel much more confortable coming in around the £150-£200K level. My plan is to use the boat in this country for about a year before going over to Holland and then hopfully the med, i'd also made my mind up that my first purchase will be a med spec boat.

Last weekend i dragged the better half around our local marina/sales office which is Burton Waters Lincoln (very helpful they were too), this visit is probably the first of many more to come including various other marinas/boat yards. I initially took a shine to a Sealine F33 from the outside but found it far too small and pokey inside especially the beam (width) of the boat. Next up was a F37, this was much more like what i was hoping for however the major problem with the F37 is that the master cabin was also very small and the door that leads from the cabin to the ensuite head is almost impossible to get through for a big guy. Finally the sales guy (Andy) suggested a Sealine F43 which has an aft cabin and apparantly they have much more room, unfortunately they don't have one in stock.

After my visit i returned home and started doing some more research and the F43's that i have seen for sale seem very reasonable. My initial reservations are mainly regarding the size of the F43, is a boat this size really suitable for a newbie? If it is suitable what is the maximum size a newbie should be looking for as i've seen some lovely boats between 50 & 55 ft? Which other boats with a large master cabin and shower room/toilet should i be looking at that meet my requirements?

Hi there and welcome. As Paul says a great font of boating knowledge. There isn't much you can't get answered on here. Certainly I've been given some great pointers.

As regards choice of boat I can't recommend the Princess P42 highly enough. Yes, I own one but ultimately I did my rounds before handing over the folding! I found it larger inside than the Fairline F43 (don't tell anyone but the P42 is actually 45 feet long!).

It will take you to the top of your budget, possibly a touch over if you opt for the 435hp D6 engines and a decent spec such as a genny and holding tank but a cracking boat and not one you will need to change in a hurry.

Whilst using inside space well and being a decent size it's still small enough to sneak into the tightest of places.

Good luck on your search.

Henry

 

[Rigsy_uk]

Hi rigsy, I too live not far from BW though work as a volvopenta engineer mainly on the southcoast now where my boat is.

You will get loads of help from this forum, as your fortunate enough to spend that kind of money on your first boat be wise where and what you buy there are sharks in this game like any other market, decide where you really want to go boating and how much time you can devote to it, if your going to Holland to use the inland system then flybridges and sports boats may not fit the bill, as a flybridge is high, and unless you go over 45ft for a sports cruiser you wont get much space.

As you may well know the uk builds good quality boats so you wont go far wrong when looking here in the uk, if you need any engine info etc send a private message to me.

Hi Paul, this is why i came to the forum before buying my first boat, advice like this is priceless, thanks for that. I haven't made my mind up that it's a flybridge that i definately want, i've seen some lovely sports cruisers (online) with electric retractable roofs. Suppose my next step is to have a travel around the country looking at some of the larger boat sales yards to get a feel for what it is that i really like, any suggestions as to where i can see a good selection of different style boats within my price range?

As for available time to devote to boating, i have plenty as i've just retired at 47 yo after running my own business for the last 20 years, so it's time to enjoy myself now. Ideally i'd like to be able to go pretty much wherever i want with my boat but that doesn't seem very practical with the size of boat that i'd like so that i have plenty of room. Spending time around the med is my goal so i suppose i should be buying with that in mind, maybe france and holland will have to be put on hold.

 

[MrB]

Why not have your boat in sunny (but windy) northern Spain. There are several of us formunites in Empuriabrava Marina (near Rosas) loads of space and fabulous cruising ground just 10 mins away so saves on fuel. There are companies who will 'garage' your boat and put it in the water when you need it.
Simplest and I believe cheapest is to buy in the UK and get it transported out.
I'm out again this weekend 27 degrees forecast, £9 Ryanair flight to Gerona.

Tides? ah yes I remember tides.

Yes it is tempting, i love Rosas. I have been to Empuriabrava Marina and it is quite impressive. There are some cracking houses on the main canal before the bridges with 30m+ private moorings. It also fits with me as I'm a huge Dali fan

 

[Rigsy_uk]

When you are starting out, my experience is for the tendency to feel a degree of unecessary anxiety, which causes you to rush things, apply too much power/steering when close manouevering. You learn to slow down a bit and things become much easier. When mooring or locking, you can never go too slowly. Cross winds can also add to the anxiety, but again you soon learn to deal with these things.

As I said before, best thing is to learn to helm on your own without onlookers/passengers, learn the ways of the helm, and get in tune with your boat.

I dinged Rafiki in our first season mooring, but no real harm done, and no further incidents since.

This is so true, when I was coming on to my berth last Saturday, mid flood of a large tide, I watched a 50ft something in front, huffing and puffing with lots of revs, fighting the tide to get on the berth. I just turned to the flow, held it on tick over, in and out of gear to keep station and ferry glided on to my berth, so slowly, so relaxed its was a joy !
The tide and wind can be your best friend if you dont fight them.

Doesn't always go like that, but worth all training when it does, very satisfying....

Sounds like the time & money spent on training is an absolute necessity, i'm definately going to spend as long as it takes to become proficient & confident, thanks guy's.

 

[Rigsy_uk]

Hi there and welcome. As Paul says a great font of boating knowledge. There isn't much you can't get answered on here. Certainly I've been given some great pointers.

As regards choice of boat I can't recommend the Princess P42 highly enough. Yes, I own one but ultimately I did my rounds before handing over the folding! I found it larger inside than the Fairline F43 (don't tell anyone but the P42 is actually 45 feet long!).

It will take you to the top of your budget, possibly a touch over if you opt for the 435hp D6 engines and a decent spec such as a genny and holding tank but a cracking boat and not one you will need to change in a hurry.

Whilst using inside space well and being a decent size it's still small enough to sneak into the tightest of places.

Good luck on your search.

Henry

Hi Henry, thanks for the info. I'll take a look at the Princess now.

 

[gus]

The advice I would offer to any novice and newcomer is welcome to the wonderful world of boating - but! Learn the basics first by getting yourself into a rowing boat and learn to row. Then a small motor boat to learn how a boat responds under engine. The courses are all good and well but there is no substitute for experience learned from the bottom up. There is much to learn if you wish to be fully competent and safe. It is too easy just to buy a 'nice' boat and get yourself into danger by not fully understanding the basics. Take time to learn and you will come to understand the passion and delight of the world of boating. Practice and experience equips you cope competently with all manner of challenges and your crew will appreciate your confidence.

 

[Rigsy_uk]

The advice I would offer to any novice and newcomer is welcome to the wonderful world of boating - but! Learn the basics first by getting yourself into a rowing boat and learn to row. Then a small motor boat to learn how a boat responds under engine. The courses are all good and well but there is no substitute for experience learned from the bottom up. There is much to learn if you wish to be fully competent and safe. It is too easy just to buy a 'nice' boat and get yourself into danger by not fully understanding the basics. Take time to learn and you will come to understand the passion and delight of the world of boating. Practice and experience equips you cope competently with all manner of challenges and your crew will appreciate your confidence.

Hi gus, thanks for your reply it's alway's good to get a balance of views & opinions although i must say i do feel a little flat after reading your post.

 

[benjenbav]

Hi gus, thanks for your reply it's alway's good to get a balance of views & opinions although i must say i do feel a little flat after reading your post.

Rigsy (I wrote Rigsby first - shows my age, Miss Jones!) - another way of putting it is that messing about in any sort of boat is a pretty excellent experience. But, if you make sure you get appropriate training and apply it sensibly, I don't think you will need to complete an apprenticeship in the merchant marine before thinking about buying the sort of boat you have in mind.

 

[Rigsy_uk]

Rigsy (I wrote Rigsby first - shows my age, Miss Jones!) - another way of putting it is that messing about in any sort of boat is a pretty excellent experience. But, if you make sure you get appropriate training and apply it sensibly, I don't think you will need to complete an apprenticeship in the merchant marine before thinking about buying the sort of boat you have in mind.

Hey ben, like i said in an earlier post i have recently retired so i have plenty of time on my hands so that i can make a serious commitment to any amount of training that i'll need.

 

[lisilou]

Go for it Rigsy...life's too short so if you're certain boating is your retirement dream and you have the budget just go for it! You've made it very clear you're not going to jump in with no training so I say great..live your dream...ain't nothing better as far as I'm concerned . Looking forward to seeing what you decide upon so keep us posted.
Lisa

 

[SpottyDog5]

Anyone who has the nonce to achieve retirement at 47, isn't going to struggle to learn how to handle a boat.
As Lisa said life is too short, Mr Jobs (bless him) has really made me think.......

 

[Rigsy_uk]

Go for it Rigsy...life's too short so if you're certain boating is your retirement dream and you have the budget just go for it! You've made it very clear you're not going to jump in with no training so I say great..live your dream...ain't nothing better as far as I'm concerned . Looking forward to seeing what you decide upon so keep us posted.
Lisa

Anyone who has the nonce to achieve retirement at 47, isn't going to struggle to learn how to handle a boat.
As Lisa said life is too short, Mr Jobs (bless him) has really made me think.......

Thanks guy's, i'll keep you informed with updates as i go, this may be a long process though as i'm not one to leap in without doing my research. I've come across one major problem already ........ there's far too many nice looking boats on the market, this is going to be tough!

 

[lisilou]

Thanks guy's, i'll keep you informed with updates as i go, this may be a long process though as i'm not one to leap in without doing my research. I've come across one major problem already ........ there's far too many nice looking boats on the market, this is going to be tough!

Yeh but oh so enjoyable

 

[Ripster]

Thanks guy's, i'll keep you informed with updates as i go, this may be a long process though as i'm not one to leap in without doing my research. I've come across one major problem already ........ there's far too many nice looking boats on the market, this is going to be tough!

Yeah but it's not one life's worst problems really is it.. some would say it is quite a nice one to have - so just enjoy it. in fact the chase is often better than the catch

 

[Rigsy_uk]

Yeh but oh so enjoyable

Yeah but it's not one life's worst problems really is it.. some would say it is quite a nice one to have - so just enjoy it. in fact the chase is often better than the catch

Oh yes this is definitely going to be a fun process. I'm starting to put together a short list of the different styles of boats that i like, my list is growing nicely but so is the size of the boats as well as their asking prices!