Which 14-16ft open family boat

[stigger]

So I'm quite new to this boating lark - I have a 14ft vintage speed boat which I intend to sell next year and move to a small summer family runabout for the coast. Picnics, spot of fishing perhaps and maybe in a few years towing something like a ring for the kids.

I've been eyeing up the Tehri boats as they seem to have a very shallow draft which is idea for the north Norfolk coast where we'll be launching. The thing is I really don't know what other makes there are out there of this style of boat to begin looking and comparing.

14-16ft, suitable for coastal use, open, multi-purpose, easy to trailer, idiot proof.

I'd pictured something like the Terhi 445 with a 15-20HP outboard to start us. If we did end up wanting to tow I'd probably upgrade the outboard to 30 or 40HP at a later date.

SWMBO doesn't want something big and flash, no cuddy (but some form of canopy would be ideal) and capable of 5-6 adults.

What other makes/models should I be looking at?

There's a local chap can supply new, above spec for around £6k (incl trailer) so I've also been debating whether to buy new or second hand - outboards seem to hold their price incredibly well so buying that new seems worth it, the boat... well if it's only about £3k to start with I thought I may as well buy that new as well... but your advice would be greatly appreciated on this point also.

Thanks,

Stig

 

[salar]

Orkney 452 in the Series II range? The Vanguard is lovely but pricy. I would also look at the many Scandinavian manufacturers, they have some great boats in that size range. 5-6 adults in a 14 foot boat would be OK in a river but you would have to be very careful what you did in the sea with that payload. A 16 foot boat would be far more versatile.

 

[stigger]

Great - thanks!

The Vanguard looks great... but no chance with SWMBO...

The LongLiner 16footer also looks like an option.

 

[ProDave]

Funny you should mention this. I started a slightly related thread a few days ago.

My friend has just bought a Longliner 16 footer to go fishing.

The point I raised in my thread is why spend so much on such a small open boat? Just a quick search revealed you could get a slightly larger boat with a cabin for less money. It seems people pay a premium for certain open boats which I am afraid makes no sense to me. Give me a dry cabin to store stuff in and escape the weather any day, and if it's larger and cheaper, then that's another bonus as well.

 

[stigger]

@ProDave... you omit one very minor (HUGE) detail in my scenario... SWMBO has an image in her head, that of a small, non-descript, modest, 'rowing boat' with a tiny putt-putt motor to take us on picnics twice a year... marry that up to my ambition of a spot of fishing with the lad, harbour hopping, maybe even towing a ring... capable of going out in something other than a flat calm... and I have to massage in the most appropriate boat which alas is not one with a cuddy.

I'm actually now coming to a Terhi Nordic which is 15 ft or just over. The very shallow draft is very appealing for the Norfolk coast where we'll be pottering around.

 

[salar]

The Longliner is very slow so no use for toys. The Strikeliner is faster. Ryds are similar to Terhi and there are probably other Scandinavian makers with similar craft.

 

[Beamishken]

Have you thought of a rib? Very seaworthy for the size & ideal for pulling inflatables too

 

[stigger]

I did consider a RIB but I think at this stage it's not the best option. The kids are only 5 and 7 so I'd not be keen about them sitting on the tubes and its practicality as a picnic harbour hopper doesn't seem to match that of a more traditional open boat. I'd sacrifice rings/towed-toys for ease and practicality at this stage.