Which type of Boat

[masimcox]

Hi Everyone

I am due to retire in 2 years time. My intention is to navigate a boat from UK to the Greek islands and then do some Island hopping for about 4 months of the year. I intend to live on the boat. Ther will be 2 of us initially with my son an daughter joining us at various times.

My questions are:
1. Which type, make, size of boat do I need?
2. Where do I get the correct training?
3. Any other suggestions?

 

[Wiggo]

Oooh, that's a lot of variables. I guess that you will be going to the Med via the French canals rather than across Biscay, in which case air draft is the constraining factor. I guess you are going to need something substantial to be a liveaboard - at just under 40' we're good for a couple of weeks max before the size limitations really hit home, so maybe a biggish Dutch steel jobbie might fit the bill, though others will be better placed to advise.

Training is the easy one: Look on the RYA website for your nearest sea school. You don't mention your boating experience, but for that sort of passage I guess you should be looking at Coastal Skipper as a minimum.

 

[lovezoo]

That's a fairly major task to take on. How much experience do you currently have?

 

[jimg]

Wiggo has given you a good reply. I would only add that you need to focus on the type of boat first and not worry about make.
There are three types of hull type: displacement, planing and semi-displacement.
You should probably ignore the planing type as you will not be constrained by time and do not need to achieve high speeds. So focus on the displacement and semi-displacement designs.
Unfortunately most British manufacturers tend to be making planing hull designs, so you need to be looking at Dutch, German, Far East etc companies
You have not given any idea of budget and whether you want new or old, this would help. Size wise I would go for as big as possible, say 45 foot or over.

 

[Powersalt]

Unfortunately most British manufacturers tend to be making planing hull designs

er what about the brooms. Good strong boats semi d and designed for cruising!

 

[jimg]

I did say most!

 

[PlanB]

We had the same thoughts six years ago. With no boating experience we first spent six months researching boats and ended up with our Princess 435. We have never regretted the choice. Plenty of space, aft cabin - the list of plusses goes on and on. Once acquired, we immediately did RYA day skipper practical/ICC so we could actually use the boat and then spent the next three years planning and practising (and budgeting - a very important bit). We also did day skipper theory and first aid over winter weekends. Then, two years ago in June, we set off from London. We coast hopped all the way, including Biscay, taking over five months and enjoyed every minute. We took no undue risks with weather and the outside route gave us so much boating experience that we wouldn't have had through the canals. Of course, it cost a lot more in fuel. We have actually stopped in southern Spain till further notice as we are having such a great time here - we live aboard all year. Blueglass on this forum did the canal route at the same time as we were doing the outside, ending up near Marseille, so they can tell you about their trip, but feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

[masimcox]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I have no boating experience so intend to do that over the next couple of years. I have budgeted between 25-35K for the boat. but that seems not a lot after looking around the web. What can I reasonable expect to do for this kind of money. My main aim is to be able to island hop around the Greek islands. if the berthing is an issue what should I look for.

 

[PlanB]

As you say, your purchase budget is pretty small for a motor boat and it's difficult to see that you'd get a liveaboard suitable for travelling down to and around the Med for that amount . Once we started looking seriously, our budget increased dramatically. I'd recommend you visit lots of boatyards and see what's available - nothing beats actually getting on boats to understand what you get for your money.
But as well as purchasing costs, I'd seriously look at your annual budget going forwards, in particular fuel costs, berthing fees and insurance. On top of that, there's maintenance, which on a mature motor boat is always likely to be much more than you bargained for! If you search this forum, you'll find lots of info on all these things. PM me if you'd like to discuss specifics.

 

[Nick_H]

Are you clear that its a motor boat you want rather than a sailing boat?

 

[lovezoo]

For the kind of money you are talking about and also the kind of cruising you want to do, how about something like this:

Its a Colvic Watson motorsailer, so it can be motored or sailed. You should have a look at Practical Boat Owner - one of the contributors spends four months of the year living on his (slightly larger) Colvic Watson in the med with his wife.

Two years is plenty of time to learn how to sail one of these and get enough experience to do what you want. A sail boat also has the advantage of lower running costs and is more self-sufficient. Here's the link to the ad, should give you some ideas:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/WYL051

 

[Sundays_Child]

Hi Sam,

I like the old Chris Craft Conquerors, though I must add that I've never been one one!

http://www.wheelbynet.com/docs/boat/view_ad2.php3?ad_ref=boat80S81O0R2DAC

I don't know the difference in condition, but they are still asking good money in Europe:
http://www.ibsgroup.it/scheda2.php?id=48

Though this looms nice too:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/b...d=59909&url

This looks marvellous!

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/b...id=4624&url

 

[carlton]

[ QUOTE ]
This looks marvellous!

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/b...id=4624&url



[/ QUOTE ]

What a beautiful boat for a tad over £60 k. - not sure about maintenance costs, 'though......