Buying a speedboat

[rottie102]

Hello guys, my first time here

I'm thinking about buying something like that:

and would like to ask few questions, since I know aboslutely nothing about running and owning a speedboat.
1) do I need a some sort of driving licence, insurance, MOT etc? What are the costs?
2) I guess I would have a space where to keep it at home, that means I wouldn't need a mooring. Is it doable to just go to let's say...Poole and get in in the water whenever I feel like?
3) since it's not really good on petrol being a 5.7 V8, do people convert boats to LPG to reduce running costs and increase range?

thank you in advance!!

[Spitbarnatt]

1) You don't need a license but seriously suggest you get some training if you've never had a boat before. Someone will be along soon to tell you which course. Would suggest you get some insurance aswell, we have a similar boat and its about £350 a year, although that is moored in the water all summer.

2) Pretty much but depends on the slips in that area, most will be governed by the tide.

3) I think LPG conversions are becomming pretty common, I think someone on here does them? A 5.7 will probably consume about 12 gallons of petrol per hour at full chat!

Edited by Spitbarnatt on Wednesday 4th August 06:51

Edited by Spitbarnatt on Wednesday 4th August 06:53

[toppstuff]

Rather strangely ( as normally in the UK it seems that everything is regulated !) it is possible to get out on the water with no training whatsoever. The UK is different to most other countries in this respect, bizarrely.

However, consider a simple scenario. What if you are whizzing around a harbour, in site of land and feeling that all is OK, when the engine stops. You can't get it started and the boat is drifting towards a shipping lane..

What do you do?

Another example - What do you do if your wife / GF falls overboard ?

It is a cliche, but it is true to say that the sea is not a friendly place. People do get hurt ( or worse ) so get some training.

See the RYA website. http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/courses/powe...

[danyeates]

toppstuff said:

Rather strangely ( as normally in the UK it seems that everything is regulated !) it is possible to get out on the water with no training whatsoever. The UK is different to most other countries in this respect, bizarrely.

However, consider a simple scenario. What if you are whizzing around a harbour, in site of land and feeling that all is OK, when the engine stops. You can't get it started and the boat is drifting towards a shipping lane..

What do you do?

Another example - What do you do if your wife / GF falls overboard ?

It is a cliche, but it is true to say that the sea is not a friendly place. People do get hurt ( or worse ) so get some training.

See the RYA website. http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/courses/powe...

OR what if YOU fall overboard! Would peopleonboard know what they're doing. Well worth doing the powerboat level 2 course, we do them here. You and your other half/friend should do it ideally.

I would consider an outboard engined boat too. Sterndrives are typically heavy, thirsty and expensive to service. Outboards tend to produce more power for much less weight, they’re cheaper to service and are often much better on fuel. Having said that, if you think you need 260-300hp, then by all means, go sterndrive. Personally, if I was towing and launching it, I would go for a lighter outboard engined boat, rather than a heavy sterndrive. Especially in Poole where most of the slipways have a very shallow incline.

[Cupramax]

danyeates said:

Especially in Poole where most of the slipways have a very shallow incline.

And lots of idiots who decide to start messing about with their boat and block the slipway rather than just launching For my sanity mines now on a pontoon

[Cupramax]

Oh, and dont underestimate just how much running a boat costs (especially one with a 5.7 v8!), mines only an 18ft bowrider with a 4.3 Mercruiser but so far I've spend nigh on a grand on maintenance this year alone and thats on a well looked after 2005 boat !! To be honest I'd suggest you try something smaller to start with.

[danyeates]

Cupramax said:

Oh, and dont underestimate just how much running a boat costs (especially one with a 5.7 v8!), mines only an 18ft bowrider with a 4.3 Mercruiser but so far I've spend nigh on a grand on maintenance this year alone and thats on a well looked after 2005 boat !! To be honest I'd suggest you try something smaller to start with.

Yeah, my 10 month old RIB/Yamaha F150 outboard has cost me nearly £450 this year due to water in the fuel and a routine service. With a sterndrive bear in mind you have various gaiters and seals to transfer drive, tilt and steering from the engine inside the boat to drive outside on the transom. These need replacing at regular intervals as well as the usual service items.

Then there’s the trailer. If you’re launching in salt water, it will not last, and you will want a good braked trailer on a boat of that weight. Expect bills for around £500 on a single axle braked trailer if it needs brakes and bearings – which it will do after no time at all if it isn’t rinsed off thoroughly with fresh water each time. I just stripped the brakes and bearings on my trailer as it’s coming up to a year old and it all looked almost as good as new as I wash the whole thing with fresh water after each launch. I can’t believe the state of some of the trailers that come into work – unbelievable!

Poole is a lovely place to go boating. I regularly cruise over from Lymington and spend the day over there, wakeboarding and having a picnic on the beach.

[maser_spyder]

Ho hum, where's my soap box?....

I've said all this a couple of times already this season;



http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&amp...

http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&amp...

http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&amp...


Some long posts in there, worth reading!

[danyeates]

Cupramax said:

danyeates said:

Especially in Poole where most of the slipways have a very shallow incline.

And lots of idiots who decide to start messing about with their boat and block the slipway rather than just launching For my sanity mines now on a pontoon

Ha ha! I had someone have a right go at me and my girlfriend at Lymington slipway over the weekend. I was patiently waiting in the queue for the slipway, the slipway cleared, so I drove up and started reversing down. Cue some numpty deciding he had more of a right to use the slipway as he’d sailed his dinghy up and beached it on the side of the slipway and therefore didn’t have to wait in the queue with everyone else. He picked up his launching trolley and proceeded to walk behind my 6m RIB on its trailer and my car reversing down the slipway! He then yelled at me and my girlfriend and had a right go at us telling us we almost ran him over!

My RIB is a lot wider than my car so if you decide to walk behind it, that’s your fault, not mine!! Clearly I can’t see a person stood directly behind my boat when I’m reversing! It’s down to you to get out of the way.

[rottie102]

Thank you very much guys - that's all excellent advice.

I guess I should be sensible and think everything through - but it's difficult when you combine SUMMER - POOLE MARINA - SPEEDBOAT - 5.7 V8

Damn you Ebay!

I guess I'd be happy with hiring one when I need it, but the prices are absolutely horrendous! Just had a look on what can I get in London, for a tiny speedboat which they won't even let me drive it's £125 per hour! So I'm guessing two weekends hire would just buy me a boat

[danyeates]

rottie102 said:

Thank you very much guys - that's all excellent advice.

I guess I should be sensible and think everything through - but it's difficult when you combine SUMMER - POOLE MARINA - SPEEDBOAT - 5.7 V8

Damn you Ebay!

I guess I'd be happy with hiring one when I need it, but the prices are absolutely horrendous! Just had a look on what can I get in London, for a tiny speedboat which they won't even let me drive it's £125 per hour! So I'm guessing two weekends hire would just buy me a boat

We work closely with these guys:

http://www.rib-it.com/Images/Rib-it%20PriceList.pd...

and

http://www.solentribcharter.co.uk/page/18/1/Privat...

You should be looking at around £350 a day I would have thought, but will depend on the size of the boat. See if you enjoy it! I would get the course done though. It costs about the same as the RIB charter (although it's per person I admit) but you get a qualification out of it at the end. Plus you'll need it to charter anyway.

[rottie102]

You see, the RIBs just don't do it for me, I'd like to have a place to put my stuff in so it will stay dry, hide from rain etc.

[maser_spyder]

rottie102 said:

You see, the RIBs just don't do it for me, I'd like to have a place to put my stuff in so it will stay dry, hide from rain etc.

Shame! I'm selling this bad boy at the moment, could have done you a deal.

[Dunk1982]

Welcome!

Lots of good advice already here, a friend of mine a few years back was in your position, never been on water etc. He started out with a little bow rider with a 4cyl Mercruiser 140hp and after he built up confidence and importantly decided he liked boating went to a boat similar to your pic at the top but a bit smaller with a cuddy and a V8.

Before buying anything unless it has spanking service history with it up to its last recent service i would suggest getting a main dealer to carry out a survey on the boats engine and drive so you dont end up buying something sticking it in the drink and then finding the gimbal bearing gone or a problem with the gearbox etc.

Theres plenty of people here to help out with questions etc.

[Rum Runner]

Give me a shout I have plenty for sale, can advise and a RYA instructor....get hold of me via my profile...shamless plug but might save you time and a lot of money.
I have V8 Disco on LPG so have some knowledge of that to..
If you get something of that size in the first pic...put on park and launch or mooring....or it will be so much of hassle you wont us it...
Also that looks like a American launching trolley and are not legal on U.K roads..
Make sure it is CE plated...not a import.
Also original sales invoice as many boats are selling over seas and for that you need proof of VAT.
Plus a 'Bill of Sale'

Edited by Rum Runner on Wednesday 4th August 23:08