Which First Boat -For River/Canal Cruising

[jandnrowe]

I spent nearly 2-3 years looking for a craft with a shortlist of essentials - which these boats have.
I spent a week on her in May and never felt like I was cramped in despite her size. Having said that, I'm no giant, but the cross berth under the deck was very cosy and I had plenty of space for all my stuff.
We immediately liked our boat when we stepped onboard the first viewing, and though she is 30yrs old, she been well looked after. 'Yours' looks similarly well cared for.

 

[Alicatt]

You deffo don’t need A cert. What you definitely do need is support from Mrs Alicatt, happy wife easy life etc. I’ve found it make my boating life much happier if my wife likes what we have…! And, when considering changes, that her needs / expectations are met first.

O/T
It has taken a few years to get Mrs Catt on a small boat and in conditions that would not frighten her off, slowly been ramping up the conditions until last year I persuaded her to do a powerboat level 2 course at Largs, we were out in a force 5/6 with some nice waves and Mrs Catt loved it on a Merry Fisher 725, now we have the Placom 750 with a 13hp engine and Mrs Catt would like a bit more room and a bit more speed (not a lot mind you) it was coming back from Maasmechlen at 10km/h and the other boats were doing 12 - 14km/h and how quick they disappeared on the canal that finally she said "We need a bigger boat"
I would like something I can take to the sea and go along the coast so the Bayliner Contessa Command Bridge would fit that bill, in that it is slightly bigger, and the bed is a lot bigger, has a nice galley leading to the cockpit, and a 200pk VP diesel sterndrive to give it a bit of oomph

 

[Dannyc]

A good choice and you get a lot of stuff for a starter boat. I've got the Faircraft version and really like her. Easy to single handle too. If this has folding screens that's another advantage if low bridges need to be considered. Sadly mine's fixed.
Have you had a look at her yet?

I meant to ask, was your Faircraft version a shaft drive too? I’m just interested in the manoeuvrability as I’ve had conflicting advice on shaft vs stern drive in terms of that.

Regarding this particular craft, I’m going to view it tomorrow.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

O/T
It has taken a few years to get Mrs Catt on a small boat and in conditions that would not frighten her off, slowly been ramping up the conditions until last year I persuaded her to do a powerboat level 2 course at Largs, we were out in a force 5/6 with some nice waves and Mrs Catt loved it on a Merry Fisher 725, now we have the Placom 750 with a 13hp engine and Mrs Catt would like a bit more room and a bit more speed (not a lot mind you) it was coming back from Maasmechlen at 10km/h and the other boats were doing 12 - 14km/h and how quick they disappeared on the canal that finally she said "We need a bigger boat"
I would like something I can take to the sea and go along the coast so the Bayliner Contessa Command Bridge would fit that bill, in that it is slightly bigger, and the bed is a lot bigger, has a nice galley leading to the cockpit, and a 200pk VP diesel sterndrive to give it a bit of oomph

View attachment 179152View attachment 179153

Go for it!

 

[Alicatt]

Go for it!

Viewing booked for next week, it's in a private haven not too far from us

 

[jandnrowe]

I meant to ask, was your Faircraft version a shaft drive too? I’m just interested in the manoeuvrability as I’ve had conflicting advice on shaft vs stern drive in terms of that.

Regarding this particular craft, I’m going to view it tomorrow.

Yep, shaft drive but Perkins 29hp diesel. Not the original engine though. Happy viewing.

 

[Dannyc]

Viewed the boat yesterday but was sadly disappointed. I’m quickly learning that buying a used boat is exactly the same as buying a used car, with online photographs often being rather flattering.

I did however take the opportunity to view some other boats while I was down there, including a cuddy/day boat, which I think is the route I’m now going to go down. A season or two gaining confidence on the water, then look to move onto something a little bigger in the future for longer trips away.

 

[jandnrowe]

Viewed the boat yesterday but was sadly disappointed. I’m quickly learning that buying a used boat is exactly the same as buying a used car, with online photographs often being rather flattering.

I did however take the opportunity to view some other boats while I was down there, including a cuddy/day boat, which I think is the route I’m now going to go down. A season or two gaining confidence on the water, then look to move onto something a little bigger in the future for longer trips away.

Shame but all part of the research. There are some boats still for sale when I started looking. You'll know the right one when you see it. Can I ask what put you off the Falcon?

 

[Dannyc]

Shame but all part of the research. There are some boats still for sale when I started looking. You'll know the right one when you see it. Can I ask what put you off the Falcon?

Yes it was certainly worthwhile. I saw many more boats, and ultimately came away with a better idea of what I want to go for.

The Falcon was just a whole lot more tired/dated than it appeared in the photographs. Certainly at that money for a 30 year old boat, I was expecting it to blow my socks off. But onwards and upwards.

 

[jandnrowe]

Yes it was certainly worthwhile. I saw many more boats, and ultimately came away with a better idea of what I want to go for.

The Falcon was just a whole lot more tired/dated than it appeared in the photographs. Certainly at that money for a 30 year old boat, I was expecting it to blow my socks off. But onwards and upwards.

Yeah we found that. Having said that I've found us spending several hundred quid with stuff to personalise the boat - but I think the new cabin upholstery will have to wait...I noticed a big difference from say a 25K boat to a 40k (which was my top budget) but when you weigh up mooring costs and other 'fixed' costs it soon becomes v expensive. We took the calculation of cost versus the number of trips - a luxury boat would be fab but I'd feel guilty if we weren't on it every weekend.
Although disheartening for now, you'll get something.

 

[Alicatt]

Yeah we found that. Having said that I've found us spending several hundred quid with stuff to personalise the boat - but I think the new cabin upholstery will have to wait...I noticed a big difference from say a 25K boat to a 40k (which was my top budget) but when you weigh up mooring costs and other 'fixed' costs it soon becomes v expensive. We took the calculation of cost versus the number of trips - a luxury boat would be fab but I'd feel guilty if we weren't on it every weekend.
Although disheartening for now, you'll get something.

We bought for €6k spent about €2k to bring it up to a level where we were comfortable with it, but it is a bit small for the 2 of us, so it's off to look at a 9.8m Bayliner and she is on offer for €25.5k it's only 10 years newer than our boat, now to see if the reality meets the pics on the website

 

[jandnrowe]

I meant to ask, was your Faircraft version a shaft drive too? I’m just interested in the manoeuvrability as I’ve had conflicting advice on shaft vs stern drive in terms of that.

Regarding this particular craft, I’m going to view it tomorrow.

Yes shaft drive. For slow waters that's more relaxing steering wise. Also no bellows etc to deal with. Apart from prop, all engine work can be done whilst in the water.

 

[Dannyc]

Well after setting out wanting a 4-berth, shower, etc, etc, I’ve settled for a day boat with a tiny cuddy, but great cockpit space that I just felt comfortable with as soon as I sat in it. I haven’t taken delivery of the boat just yet, but I will (hopefully) in a couple of weeks time. I’ll keep you posted.

 

[jandnrowe]

Nice one.
Happy boating!
I always remember the maxim 'You always want a boat 3ft longer than you have'.
But of course, a smaller craft is easier to find a mooring.

 

[Refueler]

Well after setting out wanting a 4-berth, shower, etc, etc, I’ve settled for a day boat with a tiny cuddy, but great cockpit space that I just felt comfortable with as soon as I sat in it. I haven’t taken delivery of the boat just yet, but I will (hopefully) in a couple of weeks time. I’ll keep you posted.

I've always said :

When you see a house / boat / car - you know as a gut feeling within minutes if you want or not ...

Sees you may have encountered that !!

Good luck.

 

[jandnrowe]

Well after setting out wanting a 4-berth, shower, etc, etc, I’ve settled for a day boat with a tiny cuddy, but great cockpit space that I just felt comfortable with as soon as I sat in it. I haven’t taken delivery of the boat just yet, but I will (hopefully) in a couple of weeks time. I’ll keep you posted.

I meant to ask; is the boat towable and where will you cruise?

 

[Dannyc]

I meant to ask; is the boat towable and where will you cruise?

It is towable (6.2 mtrs) but I have a home mooring. I’ll be on the Fossdyke, Witham, and the Trent towards Nottingham.

 

[Alicatt]

Go for it!

Covid struck us so we did not go for a look, then 3 Brooms popped up, 2 Ocean 37 and a Continental, and we had a look at all three, first one needed a lot internally it was basically stripped out, but the engines sounded good. Second one was the continental and my wife liked the aft cabin with the double bed and the pull-out double bed/ sofa in the lounge, she did not like the location of the galley, that plus the engines sounded different, one you could hear the turbo the other not so much.

Hunter was next and that we went for.

 

[jandnrowe]

It is towable (6.2 mtrs) but I have a home mooring. I’ll be on the Fossdyke, Witham, and the Trent towards Nottingham.

Sounds like a good spot. Enjoy your new toy!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Covid struck us so we did not go for a look, then 3 Brooms popped up, 2 Ocean 37 and a Continental, and we had a look at all three, first one needed a lot internally it was basically stripped out, but the engines sounded good. Second one was the continental and my wife liked the aft cabin with the double bed and the pull-out double bed/ sofa in the lounge, she did not like the location of the galley, that plus the engines sounded different, one you could hear the turbo the other not so much.

Hunter was next and that we went for.

Yes, am enjoying your discovery thread on her!