A 'What boat' thread...
Discussion
Right chaps, I've been thinking about buying a boat for a couple of years now and have decided to take the plunge next year. We have 4 kids, so want something with a decent amount of seating and I am currently thinking along the lines of a 'bowrider', maybe a Bayliner 170 or similar. The budget is £10k max, including all the gear - trailer, life vests etc.
I will be keeping the boat at home and launching and recovering from a trailer in Stonehaven (Aberdeenshire) and I already have a suitable 4x4 for this job. General use really, from pootling down the coast to maybe pulling a few toys but no overnight accommodation required.
Am I looking at the right type of boats for coastal use? Obviously I won't be planning to be out in rough weather but it needs to be safe/stable enough to handle the east coast waters. These bowrider seem to be able to seat up to 8 or so people which would be ideal if we have a few friends with us, but I imagine they will struggle to get up on the plane with people in the bow?
I'd be happy to keep to freshwater lochs but I think the nearest to us are Loch Earn in Perthshire or Loch Lomond on the West Coast - have I missed anything local to Aberdeen? Stonehaven is 20 minutes from us.
I'm going to look into some basic training courses but I have friends with some experience.
Anyway, all suggestions welcome
.
I will be keeping the boat at home and launching and recovering from a trailer in Stonehaven (Aberdeenshire) and I already have a suitable 4x4 for this job. General use really, from pootling down the coast to maybe pulling a few toys but no overnight accommodation required.
Am I looking at the right type of boats for coastal use? Obviously I won't be planning to be out in rough weather but it needs to be safe/stable enough to handle the east coast waters. These bowrider seem to be able to seat up to 8 or so people which would be ideal if we have a few friends with us, but I imagine they will struggle to get up on the plane with people in the bow?
I'd be happy to keep to freshwater lochs but I think the nearest to us are Loch Earn in Perthshire or Loch Lomond on the West Coast - have I missed anything local to Aberdeen? Stonehaven is 20 minutes from us.
I'm going to look into some basic training courses but I have friends with some experience.
Anyway, all suggestions welcome
.Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Similar thread also running here in the last week or two.
I am not able to offer much, but I believe a lot of people worry about the safety of Bowriders (and Bowwaves more to the point.
A lot may try to suggest a RIB instead.
+1 on the RIB idea, should suit your situation better. I am not able to offer much, but I believe a lot of people worry about the safety of Bowriders (and Bowwaves more to the point.
A lot may try to suggest a RIB instead.
Some like the idea of a 'Miami Vice' type speedboat. This is Britain. RIBs make more sense here.
Wrong end of the country, but here's a good RIB example. Plenty left over for kit and training. Personally, I'd aim to buy off a knowledgeable rib.net member.
http://www.rib.net/forum/f21/valiant-dr-520-rib-pa...
ETA: Not a loch, but the Tay offers a bit of shelter in the estuary and a nice run up to Perth. Good slipway at Broughty Ferry. And of course a whole lifetime's worth of cruising around the West Coast & Islands
For slipways, boatlaunch.co.uk
http://www.rib.net/forum/f21/valiant-dr-520-rib-pa...
ETA: Not a loch, but the Tay offers a bit of shelter in the estuary and a nice run up to Perth. Good slipway at Broughty Ferry. And of course a whole lifetime's worth of cruising around the West Coast & Islands
For slipways, boatlaunch.co.uk
Edited by richardxjr on Tuesday 11th September 12:38
I have never been to keen on the RIB idea until last week,I was on an offshore survival course and we went for a run down the Tees and then out to sea in decent 4-6 ft chop/swell. 200HP outboard 8 seat RIB,it was fantastic,Cruising 8 up at 35 knots on the river and 20+ knots in the chop and it handled it better than anything I have been on of a similar size. I think I would rather have a bowrider of some description but if I was ever going to be out in any dubious weather a RIB would be my choice.
One of many reasons for leaving the marina was the damage inflicted by Binliners to my boat. They are probably the mst difficult boat to handle. At the new moorings, a Binliner went past too fast, too close at low water. Only missed us by inches.
Go for a RIB. More fun, easier to handle and don't inflict so much damage to other boats.
Go for a RIB. More fun, easier to handle and don't inflict so much damage to other boats.
Thanks for the replies guys. I've been speaking to Caley Marina (Loch Ness) and I am now considering mooring a boat there and using the loch through the summer. I think I may be suffering from 'budget creep' as I'm now looking at cabin cruisers!
I think you might be right in that I'd be best with a RIB if I'm going to use it in the sea.
I think you might be right in that I'd be best with a RIB if I'm going to use it in the sea.
I was on a course at Volvo Penta with the guys from Caley. A really good and knowlegeable bunch.
So, budget creep has set in? You're not the first. Get the basics and safety equipment first and then grow your kit as you see the need, not chuck money at rarely used stuff and toys. They're all too tempting.
So, budget creep has set in? You're not the first. Get the basics and safety equipment first and then grow your kit as you see the need, not chuck money at rarely used stuff and toys. They're all too tempting.
Loch Ness will still get choppy, as any large body of water of course, so you'll still need a decent hull.
I went from moored larger craft with accommodation, down in stages to very small trailered craft. I've found that each step down meant more fun, more use and less cost. I can keep a trailered boat in the garage and haul it about wherever I like.
I think I overnighted just once in about 4 years of cabin boat ownership
I went from moored larger craft with accommodation, down in stages to very small trailered craft. I've found that each step down meant more fun, more use and less cost. I can keep a trailered boat in the garage and haul it about wherever I like.
I think I overnighted just once in about 4 years of cabin boat ownership
I work for a big marine retailer on the south coast specialising in these sort of boats, ribs and sportsboats in your budget. I sold a rib a little while ago to a guy that charters it on Loch Ness and surrounding areas. Certainly a good idea to speak to Caley. We work with them a lot and they're a good bunch!
On my phone travelling at the moment but can offer additional advice if you want.
Dan
On my phone travelling at the moment but can offer additional advice if you want.
Dan
richardxjr said:
I think I overnighted just once in about 4 years of cabin boat ownership
Using a boat as a place to sleep needs a totally different mindset to 'day boat'. Mooring up for the night, opening the bar and firing up the grub as the sun goes down is quite a different experience to cruising up and down for a few hours and going home. Just because you like one doesn't mean you'll be keen on the other.Sleeping on board also vastly extends the cruising range of course.
Find yourself a Delta dash rescue boat. The best RIB out there.
The Guys who build them are a great bunch too.
If you wanted a new one, any colour gelcoat or tubes, are no extra charge. They do an unbelievable range of colours for the tubes !
http://www.deltapower.co.uk/new/ranges_rescue_550....
The Guys who build them are a great bunch too.
If you wanted a new one, any colour gelcoat or tubes, are no extra charge. They do an unbelievable range of colours for the tubes !
http://www.deltapower.co.uk/new/ranges_rescue_550....
Any RIB with superstructure bonded to the tubes is trouble.
The gelcoat will crack on the bonding flange when someone invarably steps on the softer tubes.
They look pretty, but they are toys. get yourself a nice rufty toughfty workboat.
As I said before, you have plenty of choice of fancey colours with the Delta RIB's, and the tubes are fitted with overpressure valves too, which you won't find on the pretty yachty type boats.
I did a lot of research when it was my job to find a decent crew tender for an 80m yacht I worked on, and Delta where the best of the best.
They built us an unbelievably nice workhorse which looked the dogs danglies.
It was also interesting walking around the factory in Manchester, and seeing some of the "top secret" MOD projects.
The gelcoat will crack on the bonding flange when someone invarably steps on the softer tubes.
They look pretty, but they are toys. get yourself a nice rufty toughfty workboat.
As I said before, you have plenty of choice of fancey colours with the Delta RIB's, and the tubes are fitted with overpressure valves too, which you won't find on the pretty yachty type boats.
I did a lot of research when it was my job to find a decent crew tender for an 80m yacht I worked on, and Delta where the best of the best.
They built us an unbelievably nice workhorse which looked the dogs danglies.
It was also interesting walking around the factory in Manchester, and seeing some of the "top secret" MOD projects.
onesickpuppy said:
Right chaps, I've been thinking about buying a boat for a couple of years now and have decided to take the plunge next year. We have 4 kids, so want something with a decent amount of seating and I am currently thinking along the lines of a 'bowrider', maybe a Bayliner 170 or similar. The budget is £10k max, including all the gear - trailer, life vests etc.
I will be keeping the boat at home and launching and recovering from a trailer in Stonehaven (Aberdeenshire) and I already have a suitable 4x4 for this job. General use really, from pootling down the coast to maybe pulling a few toys but no overnight accommodation required.
Am I looking at the right type of boats for coastal use? Obviously I won't be planning to be out in rough weather but it needs to be safe/stable enough to handle the east coast waters. These bowrider seem to be able to seat up to 8 or so people which would be ideal if we have a few friends with us, but I imagine they will struggle to get up on the plane with people in the bow?
I'd be happy to keep to freshwater lochs but I think the nearest to us are Loch Earn in Perthshire or Loch Lomond on the West Coast - have I missed anything local to Aberdeen? Stonehaven is 20 minutes from us.
I'm going to look into some basic training courses but I have friends with some experience.
Anyway, all suggestions welcome.
Do your RYA Powerboat L1 and 2, ideally in the waters you plan to do your boating. I'd hazard a guess up your way, like elsewhere, these courses will be run using RIBs around 6m. You'll then have an idea of what you're doing on the water, if you can get along with a RIB and if it will be suitable for the family. Get your OH to do it with you if you can as they can often dictate what boat you buy! Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club has a decent reputation in your neck of the woods.I will be keeping the boat at home and launching and recovering from a trailer in Stonehaven (Aberdeenshire) and I already have a suitable 4x4 for this job. General use really, from pootling down the coast to maybe pulling a few toys but no overnight accommodation required.
Am I looking at the right type of boats for coastal use? Obviously I won't be planning to be out in rough weather but it needs to be safe/stable enough to handle the east coast waters. These bowrider seem to be able to seat up to 8 or so people which would be ideal if we have a few friends with us, but I imagine they will struggle to get up on the plane with people in the bow?
I'd be happy to keep to freshwater lochs but I think the nearest to us are Loch Earn in Perthshire or Loch Lomond on the West Coast - have I missed anything local to Aberdeen? Stonehaven is 20 minutes from us.
I'm going to look into some basic training courses but I have friends with some experience.
Anyway, all suggestions welcome
.In terms of boats, I'd caution against a bowrider style sports boat...most are s
t. Lightweight, unable to handle any kind of sea and tend not to have a high freeboard (essential depending on the age of your kids). Bayliners offer a lot of boat for the money - there's a reason they're cheap - they're st. If you go down the RIB route, as someone else mentioned, join RIB.net - it's a great site and they're almost all a friendly and helpful bunch. There's also a for sale section that tends to have well looked after boats listed. Delta RIBs are exceptional deep V craft that out of the box aren't really family friendly in terms of seating layout. Fab dive boats and for mixing it in the rough, they're probably not what you need. I'd narrow your search to Scorpion, Ribcraft, XS-RIBs and a few other UK built brands. They tend to offer the best of both worlds - leisure styling but built as you'd expect. Here's a well priced Scorpion with a good set up (if oldish engine):
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/sportsdive-ribs...
I'd also look at centre console style boats - safe, high freeboards, tend to be well set up for family boating, tend to offer better seakeeping and in the case of Bostons, hold their money better than almost anything else.
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/motor-boats-for...
I've owned a couple of Ballistics and know the guys at ribs for sale in Pompey well - if I can help at all, let me know..hope that helps.
I was in a similar position to the OP last year - and decided on a RIB after considering all sorts of other boats. So glad that I went with a RIB rather than a Bayliner etc, as I have been out in a few heavy seas off the Scillies and wouldn't have felt at all comfortable in a bowrider. I ended up with a 5.5m Humber Destroyer - not pretty, but stable and safe (the family and the dog fit on it easily) - oh and with a 115HP Yamaha outboard, it is quite rapid too 
percy said:
I was in a similar position to the OP last year - and decided on a RIB after considering all sorts of other boats. So glad that I went with a RIB rather than a Bayliner etc, as I have been out in a few heavy seas off the Scillies and wouldn't have felt at all comfortable in a bowrider. I ended up with a 5.5m Humber Destroyer - not pretty, but stable and safe (the family and the dog fit on it easily) - oh and with a 115HP Yamaha outboard, it is quite rapid too
Good shout, Humber is a decent RIB
OP, how old are your kids? This will have a bearing on the type of seating you'll need. Our experience is that kids can only really support themselves properly on a jockey seat once they are about 5.
You may need a mix of jockeys and bench seats. Something like the Scorpion above would probably suit.
I took the bench out of my scorpion and put extra jockeys in prior to having kids. Could do with the bench back sometimes now!
Cobras also have a good bench in the rear.
Not sure you'd get a Delta anywhere near your budget - a tender for an 80m super yacht is likely to be £100k +!
Bayliners aren't all bad. True they are built down to a price and generally have a relatively shallow V hull. However this makes them great value both new and secondhand and the shallow V doesn't need masses of power to perform well.
To find a good one you will need to look at lots - many are bought by beginners who don't know how to maintain them and they then suffer neglect - hence Binliners.
Best advice before buying a boat is to do your PB level 1 and 2. You'll then have a better idea of what might suit you best.
If there any boats to charter in your area then half a day charter might also be money well spent.
You may need a mix of jockeys and bench seats. Something like the Scorpion above would probably suit.
I took the bench out of my scorpion and put extra jockeys in prior to having kids. Could do with the bench back sometimes now!
Cobras also have a good bench in the rear.
Not sure you'd get a Delta anywhere near your budget - a tender for an 80m super yacht is likely to be £100k +!
Bayliners aren't all bad. True they are built down to a price and generally have a relatively shallow V hull. However this makes them great value both new and secondhand and the shallow V doesn't need masses of power to perform well.
To find a good one you will need to look at lots - many are bought by beginners who don't know how to maintain them and they then suffer neglect - hence Binliners.
Best advice before buying a boat is to do your PB level 1 and 2. You'll then have a better idea of what might suit you best.
If there any boats to charter in your area then half a day charter might also be money well spent.
Thanks Searider! My kids are 8, 6 , 4 and 2 so I think I really need at least some bench seats. The younger two would only be out if was pretty much flat calm. What I'm having difficulty with is establishing the 'rating' for various boats ie. how many people they can (legally?) accommodate.
8, 6, 4 on jockeys with mrsonesickpuppy. 2 in pushchair strapped to boat, in lifejacket.
Job done - although a rear bench would be handy.
Regarding how many you can legally carry there isn't really a legal limit. All boats built since 1998 will have a CE plate stating how many persons the boat has been assessed for - I would stick to that as a maximum.
For your family of 6 I'd be looking at 6m as a minimum (20') if looking at a rib. A hard boat you might be able to go down to 18' perhaps.
The other way to determine what boat suits your waters is to look around the local moorings and see what everyone else uses!
Job done - although a rear bench would be handy.
Regarding how many you can legally carry there isn't really a legal limit. All boats built since 1998 will have a CE plate stating how many persons the boat has been assessed for - I would stick to that as a maximum.
For your family of 6 I'd be looking at 6m as a minimum (20') if looking at a rib. A hard boat you might be able to go down to 18' perhaps.
The other way to determine what boat suits your waters is to look around the local moorings and see what everyone else uses!
"Not sure you'd get a Delta anywhere near your budget - a tender for an 80m super yacht is likely to be £100k +!"
It was 150k. But I wasn't suggesting the 7.4 with 420hp inboard diesel and hamilton jet.
They do smaller boats with outboards, and they sometimes come up second hand.
It's not hard to put some lockers up forward of the helm with cusions on for extra seating. I made some out of plywood/epoxy which whent into the V of the bow, for a Novamarine we had on board.
It was 150k. But I wasn't suggesting the 7.4 with 420hp inboard diesel and hamilton jet.
They do smaller boats with outboards, and they sometimes come up second hand.
It's not hard to put some lockers up forward of the helm with cusions on for extra seating. I made some out of plywood/epoxy which whent into the V of the bow, for a Novamarine we had on board.
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