which 1st family boat ????

Have a look at the Sunline 31. 31 ft, twin diesel (Volvo D3 or Merc/Isuzu) on outdrives, good for mid 20 knots. 2 permanent double berths, plus the saloon seat will make up to another double berth so sleeps 6. Large cockpit for cruising and lounging. Your budget should get you into about a 2002 example.

Good luck.
 
The comments about open cabins are pertinent, because that is one of the ways we get 5 on a Merry Fisher 645. At 6ft 6in I find that nearly all berths on boats are far too cramped for comfortable sleeping and this is usually made worse by having cabins. In reality I find a Merry Fisher 645 with it's open cabin is more spacious than something like a Sealine S25 or S28 that are impossibly small.

I take the concept a little further by including the open plan cockpit which is on the same level as the rest of the boat. With the cockpit enclosure up, I have a full size camp bed with memory foam mattress!
 
Large old boats are cheap for a reason.

The smaller and less complicated a boat is the less likely it is to throw up big bills.
 
I think if you sat and analysed that argument you'd find it's a fallacy. Old cheap boats are no more expensive to maintain over that length of time than newer more expensive counterparts, it's just the repair costs appear disproportionate to their value. However, it still represents a cheap entry into the hobby. The question is if you can scrape 40k can you still really afford the boat. There in lies half the problem AFAIC, because when they can't you really are left with spiralling out of control liability.
 
Slightly off topic for the OP but I have to disagree. Spend £40k on a 10 year old outboard powered boat for example and you'll have spent nowhere near the same amount of money over 10 years. Even with depreciation it'd be less than half the amount.
 
I'm thinking a Sealine S34 would fit your requirements. Sealine were good at making lots of family space for a relatively small boat.
Unfortunately they do seem to hold their price according to advertised prices. I wonder if you uped to £60 you might get a cheeky buy.
 
have a look at this:
http://www.newark-marina.co.uk/used-boats/bayliner-3255-avanti-express/
its a bit off the wall but I used to moor next to it in Farndon Marina for @ 6 years. It's had new engines in 2001 on bravo drives (simpler than volvo outdrives I believe). It was quick onto the plane too. The owner used to take it all over the humber estuary and east coast. I don't know if its the same owner now but it was very well looked after. I could never get my boat as shiny as this one.

PS. its got a webasto heater too, rather than the spawn of the devil eberspacher.
 
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wow, a big thank you to all of you who commented. I will read them all and come back with any question, which i think there will be many of.
thank you again
 
Whitelighter

yes i ment out drives, excuss my lack of knolage. the bavaria looks good and what i was thinking, shame about the pictures
 
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Sailorsam101

i did look at the targa 33 and yes very nice. there doesn't seam to be to many near £40k, i might take you up on that look around though, thanks. what's the accommodation like. also do you have any advice on berths in your area. :encouragement:
 
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Had a read through the comments and firstly thanks to all of you for replying.

I had made a mistake and should have said outdrive not out board, sorry for the confusion there. There seems to be a sway (me included) towards the fairline targa 33 and the sealine make. I will have to find some extra funds for the s34 so unfortunately that’s out for the time, unless I win the lottery. The s28 seems more in the price range but slightly smaller. The targa 33s are few and far between but they are out there in that price range. Both the targa 33s and the s28s seem to be made in the 91-98, is this old for a boat, I know it depends on how it has been treated but someone mentioned osmosis, could this be common with boats of this style and age.

In this price bracket we seem to have a selection of other makes sea ray, rinker, maxum, doral, bayliner, ect. are these the American brands BruceK mentioned. Bruce you seem to have a lovely boat and rate it highly so why would you be booed from the site, what’s wrong with these boats???

someone said i am trying to find a boat that fits all, the main thing i am looking for is a boat which will allow myself and my family to explore the south coast, day and night, comfortably and safely, and a bit of speed would be nice

thanks again and keep the info coming as it is certainly helping
 
Was going to keep out of this as people with far more knowledge. But there is nothing wrong with American brands. Just try to get a diesel version, they are more expensive to buy but cheaper on fuel. And you will get some of your money back when you sell because it's a diesel. You won't ever get your fuel costs back
. http://www.boatshed.com/maxum_3000_scr-boat-202074.html this may fit your bill. And I think you can take a big chunk of that price as it's been on sale for over a year. I viewed it when I was looking for my first boat. Decided against it as at the time it was out of my price range. In hind sight I think I would have put a cheeky offer in. Has full permanent double berth twin engines and a good size second berth. Which I'm sure would get 3 kids in. If not its very big on the deck and quite wide. My wife still goes on about it and what I learnt very quickly keep the family happy and it makes boating so much more enjoyable
 
midsurrey said:
Sailorsam101

i did look at the targa 33 and yes very nice. there doesn't seam to be to many near £40k, i might take you up on that look around though, thanks. what's the accommodation like. also do you have any advice on berths in your area. :encouragement:
Click to expand...

PM me if you are about any weekend in Southampton.

My boat is 1991 but has been reenginened and well looked after. A good boat will be easy to spot as will a bad one...my Hull does not have a single spot of osmosis..as per the survey I had done.

For me it was all about cabins....an open layout just would not have worked for me at all.

I'm on the itchen and there are a few cheap berths about but don't expect a decent marina for under 5k a year around here.
 
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