Speedboat ownership
Discussion
Hello
I have been looking over the pages of eBay (as one example) for ages now staring rather longingly at boats, in particular speed boats.
I was just wondering if there was someone on here who would be prepared to have a chat about the real life experiences of running such a boat. I realise there’s 2 genuinely happy days of boat ownership-buying it and selling it, but I have wanted one for literally decades…
Could anyone help?
TIA
I have been looking over the pages of eBay (as one example) for ages now staring rather longingly at boats, in particular speed boats.
I was just wondering if there was someone on here who would be prepared to have a chat about the real life experiences of running such a boat. I realise there’s 2 genuinely happy days of boat ownership-buying it and selling it, but I have wanted one for literally decades…
Could anyone help?
TIA
bucksmanuk said:
I realise there’s 2 genuinely happy days of boat ownership-buying it and selling it, but I have wanted one for literally decades…
I owned by last boat for 13 years and loved every minute of it, I'm actively looking for its replacement.It is only worth owning a boat if you use it lots, more the use it the better value it becomes.
Keeping a speedboat on a trailer and launching each time you wish to go boating, will soon become tedious, look for a berth to keep it afloat and ready to go for 6 months starting Easter Weekend.
This was my boat for two years, it was fantastic to own and something I still think about a lot.
In my experience "Happiest days", "fly's, floats, or "f**ks" etc. usually relates to the cost and is said by those who have never had one or overextended themselves.
Feel free to drop me a PM, main recollections and things I would do differently:
1/ Choose somewhere interesting to moor it with a choice of routes. Mine was on the Thames so it was turn left or turn right, left was 2 hours to London where you could race about, right was a choice of lots of riverside pubs. Always fun but after a while though this becomes samey.
2/ Nothing is policed as heavily as the river, so make sure you have somewhere you can use it (ideally legally, if not ideally without getting caught). You will need a licence to use it on the river for which you will need a safety certificate.
3/ The nearer it is moored the more likely you are to use it. Mine was right outside my flat but even then working out the cost each time the key was turned was eye watering.
4/ A speed boat will usually be petrol, most fuel on rivers is diesel so make sure you have somewhere you can get it fuelled. River/sea filling stations are more expensive than the local BP. I used to have 3 x 20 litre fuel cans but I believe garages frown upon this now. Mine used to take 250 litres.
5/ It takes a long time to get anywhere if you use it on a river, Hampton Court to Windsor used to take a day but you could do it in the car in less than an hour.
6/ From recollection costs to factor in were; mooring fee, licence, servicing/maintenance, annual antifoul, interim cleaning, general wear and tear, fuel.
7/ They can take time to sell even at the right price as the market is limited, mine took over 6 months to sell. There is all a selling window so if you miss that you may have it for lots of extra months.
8/ Do your RYA Powerboat test. I did mine in Lymington, it was two days and about £160. Better to practice on someone elses boat and they are not easy to control especially at low speeds. Watching people moor at the pub is a national pastime, if you balls it up it will not go unnoticed.
The above is not to put you off; if you have always wanted one, have the money, and won't need to urgently sell it then get one. If you have an idea what you want to use it for and where then post it up to give us a better idea of what/where would be good.
Basically there is nothing better to turn up at the pub in or race around. I sold mine because I moved flat, but also as I was starting to enjoy it more vicariously than actually for myself.
I now have the below. It is actually just as fun and gets used more as it can fit in the back of the car, only needs a foot of water so can moor at he pub no matter how low it is, and 15 knots feels quick in what is in essence an inflatable tea tray.
Reading back the above I don't just spend my whole life going to the pub...
In my experience "Happiest days", "fly's, floats, or "f**ks" etc. usually relates to the cost and is said by those who have never had one or overextended themselves.
Feel free to drop me a PM, main recollections and things I would do differently:
1/ Choose somewhere interesting to moor it with a choice of routes. Mine was on the Thames so it was turn left or turn right, left was 2 hours to London where you could race about, right was a choice of lots of riverside pubs. Always fun but after a while though this becomes samey.
2/ Nothing is policed as heavily as the river, so make sure you have somewhere you can use it (ideally legally, if not ideally without getting caught). You will need a licence to use it on the river for which you will need a safety certificate.
3/ The nearer it is moored the more likely you are to use it. Mine was right outside my flat but even then working out the cost each time the key was turned was eye watering.
4/ A speed boat will usually be petrol, most fuel on rivers is diesel so make sure you have somewhere you can get it fuelled. River/sea filling stations are more expensive than the local BP. I used to have 3 x 20 litre fuel cans but I believe garages frown upon this now. Mine used to take 250 litres.
5/ It takes a long time to get anywhere if you use it on a river, Hampton Court to Windsor used to take a day but you could do it in the car in less than an hour.
6/ From recollection costs to factor in were; mooring fee, licence, servicing/maintenance, annual antifoul, interim cleaning, general wear and tear, fuel.
7/ They can take time to sell even at the right price as the market is limited, mine took over 6 months to sell. There is all a selling window so if you miss that you may have it for lots of extra months.
8/ Do your RYA Powerboat test. I did mine in Lymington, it was two days and about £160. Better to practice on someone elses boat and they are not easy to control especially at low speeds. Watching people moor at the pub is a national pastime, if you balls it up it will not go unnoticed.
The above is not to put you off; if you have always wanted one, have the money, and won't need to urgently sell it then get one. If you have an idea what you want to use it for and where then post it up to give us a better idea of what/where would be good.
Basically there is nothing better to turn up at the pub in or race around. I sold mine because I moved flat, but also as I was starting to enjoy it more vicariously than actually for myself.
I now have the below. It is actually just as fun and gets used more as it can fit in the back of the car, only needs a foot of water so can moor at he pub no matter how low it is, and 15 knots feels quick in what is in essence an inflatable tea tray.
Reading back the above I don't just spend my whole life going to the pub...
Re the fuel issue. I've never had a problem with filling 2x25 litre fuel tanks but if you try & do a third then you'll find the pump being switched off by the cashier.
AIUI from the HSE advice here there is no limit on the number of containers that may be filled BUT there is a link to another document 'The Red Guide' in that link which, on page 72 suggests that a maximum of two containers should be considered. It is at the discretion of the garage even though it does state there is no legal limit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum-r...
I have that issue in Helston every summer en route to the holiday destination when all tanks are empty. Fortunately Tesco & Sainsbury are within a mile of each other & it's not inconvenient to drive past both so I just do two at one & two at the other. 3 are straight unleaded as the engine automixes & the 4th which is only 5 litre is premix for the backup/trolling motor.
AIUI from the HSE advice here there is no limit on the number of containers that may be filled BUT there is a link to another document 'The Red Guide' in that link which, on page 72 suggests that a maximum of two containers should be considered. It is at the discretion of the garage even though it does state there is no legal limit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum-r...
I have that issue in Helston every summer en route to the holiday destination when all tanks are empty. Fortunately Tesco & Sainsbury are within a mile of each other & it's not inconvenient to drive past both so I just do two at one & two at the other. 3 are straight unleaded as the engine automixes & the 4th which is only 5 litre is premix for the backup/trolling motor.
The attendant can see exactly what I'm doing. Big red tanks which I've just carried from the boat are fairly conspicuous! I've asked, but it's a no.
I presume it's their policy & is in line with what's in the links - the Red Book being a guideline. Other garages may allow any number of containers to be filled. Either is legal.
I presume it's their policy & is in line with what's in the links - the Red Book being a guideline. Other garages may allow any number of containers to be filled. Either is legal.
Decide what you want to use the boat for & where you intend to use it. Should help to thin the field down a bit.
Once you've got a shortlist go & look at lots.
This time of year test drives may be problematic as most will be ashore & stored.
Be very thorough & if you don't know what you're looking at get someone who does.
Private is likely to be cheaper, but is riskier as there won't be a warranty. Be sure the seller is legitimate & can legally sell the boat.
Prices will be lower at this time of year.
Where do you intend to keep it? Storage can be expensive.
A RYA powerboat course is worthwhile.
Factor in the cost of safety equipment, automatic lifejackets, flares, radio (another course & a licence needed), insurance, anchor with chain & rope.
Cleaning & flushing after use esp in saltwater takes time. I usually take a day which includes both engines & stripping & checking/regreasing the trailer wheel bearings (twin axle with taper rollers) and brakes/brake cables. You'll be amazed how quickly saltwater can trash a bearing.
Once you've got a shortlist go & look at lots.
This time of year test drives may be problematic as most will be ashore & stored.
Be very thorough & if you don't know what you're looking at get someone who does.
Private is likely to be cheaper, but is riskier as there won't be a warranty. Be sure the seller is legitimate & can legally sell the boat.
Prices will be lower at this time of year.
Where do you intend to keep it? Storage can be expensive.
A RYA powerboat course is worthwhile.
Factor in the cost of safety equipment, automatic lifejackets, flares, radio (another course & a licence needed), insurance, anchor with chain & rope.
Cleaning & flushing after use esp in saltwater takes time. I usually take a day which includes both engines & stripping & checking/regreasing the trailer wheel bearings (twin axle with taper rollers) and brakes/brake cables. You'll be amazed how quickly saltwater can trash a bearing.
Edited by paintman on Saturday 14th November 00:06
First of all, thank you for your responses…
The main issue I have is being so far from the sea (Aylesbury), which means towing the boat to the closest point of launch, which is 65+ miles away. I think that would grate after time. I don’t really want to buy some huge 4x4 just so I can tow a boat about. Current vehicle is a 330d touring, so a reasonably small boat is the order of the day.
I have already enquired about storage, as it’s not practical to store it at home, and a fellow lad in the car club is a farmer, and he says they have a couple of boats and a caravan in the corner of a field now, and they don’t charge a lot for storage. Whether that’s a good place for keeping them – I don’t know. I could bring it home and do maintenance in the driveway, I just couldn’t store it there.
The other option is to have something more river cruiser-ish, as the Thames isn’t that far away (Abingdon), but I think I would get bored just going up river and down river on a regular basis. If I did get something like this, I would want to spend the night on it, so that means loo and cooking facilities – well to me it does, and that starts to mean a substantial boat.
I too have seen some people try to moor all kinds of boats, and it’s quite obvious they haven’t got a clue. I have enquired about the powerboat handling courses, and that’s going to happen next year. After that, I’ll see where I am financially, and have another think.
Once again – thank you
The main issue I have is being so far from the sea (Aylesbury), which means towing the boat to the closest point of launch, which is 65+ miles away. I think that would grate after time. I don’t really want to buy some huge 4x4 just so I can tow a boat about. Current vehicle is a 330d touring, so a reasonably small boat is the order of the day.
I have already enquired about storage, as it’s not practical to store it at home, and a fellow lad in the car club is a farmer, and he says they have a couple of boats and a caravan in the corner of a field now, and they don’t charge a lot for storage. Whether that’s a good place for keeping them – I don’t know. I could bring it home and do maintenance in the driveway, I just couldn’t store it there.
The other option is to have something more river cruiser-ish, as the Thames isn’t that far away (Abingdon), but I think I would get bored just going up river and down river on a regular basis. If I did get something like this, I would want to spend the night on it, so that means loo and cooking facilities – well to me it does, and that starts to mean a substantial boat.
I too have seen some people try to moor all kinds of boats, and it’s quite obvious they haven’t got a clue. I have enquired about the powerboat handling courses, and that’s going to happen next year. After that, I’ll see where I am financially, and have another think.
Once again – thank you
bucksmanuk said:
The other option is to have something more river cruiser-ish, as the Thames isn’t that far away (Abingdon), but I think I would get bored just going up river and down river on a regular basis. If I did get something like this, I would want to spend the night on it, so that means loo and cooking facilities – well to me it does, and that starts to mean a substantial boat.
The other side of the 'bored' coin is 'chilled'... if you want excitement get a speedboat, if you want to relax, get a cruiser. For starters budget £10-25K for something 24-27' and depending on how tidy you want it. Or hire one first if not sure, and see how you get on.Our family loves boats/speed boats, grown up with them!
First boat I can remember was a 17ft fletcher arrowbeau with a Chrysler 140 outboard,
Then moved to a 40ft sealine that never got used and was expensive for my old man
Now we have another 17ft arrowstreak it's a 98 boat with a 3 litre inboard
Personally the only costs for us have been general servicing insurance and fuel which isn't expensive tbh
They're very simple to work on so a lot can be done yourself and winterising is a peace of cake!
I also think these days you are best doing your powerboat licence as well I've got my powerboat level 2 and it was a lot of fun
First boat I can remember was a 17ft fletcher arrowbeau with a Chrysler 140 outboard,
Then moved to a 40ft sealine that never got used and was expensive for my old man
Now we have another 17ft arrowstreak it's a 98 boat with a 3 litre inboard
Personally the only costs for us have been general servicing insurance and fuel which isn't expensive tbh
They're very simple to work on so a lot can be done yourself and winterising is a peace of cake!
I also think these days you are best doing your powerboat licence as well I've got my powerboat level 2 and it was a lot of fun
We started the year thinking a boat would be fun. Our first was a 19ft Ranieri bought in April. An open boston whaler style with a 90hp outboard.
Loads of fun, the limiting factor was that you needed somewhere to go afterwards. Great when we towed it to the South of France for the summer holidays, not so great if it starts raining when you are out and about.
we swapped this for a 285 Bayliner which has beds for 4 downstairs, a kitchen and loo. This made the boat a destination as well as the journey. Most weekends we spend a night or two on it. It became a second home 45 minutes away.
This enticed us to look at a slightly more comfortable version. We have just bought a Atlantis 425SC. Two bedrooms with island beds, two en suites and indoor / outdoor griddles. This is quite a step up from April when we bought our first boat, but loads of room, and a very comfortable place to spend a week or two.
The first two boats cost us nothing to own, fuel is a lot less than you'd imagine as a lot of time you are relaxing on the boat, not hooning from bay to bay.
Apparently boats can be addictive though. be careful!
Loads of fun, the limiting factor was that you needed somewhere to go afterwards. Great when we towed it to the South of France for the summer holidays, not so great if it starts raining when you are out and about.
we swapped this for a 285 Bayliner which has beds for 4 downstairs, a kitchen and loo. This made the boat a destination as well as the journey. Most weekends we spend a night or two on it. It became a second home 45 minutes away.
This enticed us to look at a slightly more comfortable version. We have just bought a Atlantis 425SC. Two bedrooms with island beds, two en suites and indoor / outdoor griddles. This is quite a step up from April when we bought our first boat, but loads of room, and a very comfortable place to spend a week or two.
The first two boats cost us nothing to own, fuel is a lot less than you'd imagine as a lot of time you are relaxing on the boat, not hooning from bay to bay.
Apparently boats can be addictive though. be careful!
Simond S said:
We have just bought a Atlantis 425SC. Two bedrooms with island beds, two en suites and indoor / outdoor griddles. This is quite a step up from April when we bought our first boat, but loads of room, and a very comfortable place to spend a week or two.
It's got a lovely interior - I just wish they'd put more windows in them!https://clippermarine.co.uk/boat-for-sale/Gobbi/At...
Just my bit of input......
I too live some distance from the water near Bath but I'm lucky enough to have access to a house on the Isle of Wight. I keep my 18' Larson at an indoor drystack at Bembridge and when I'm at the house, it sits on a mooring outside that I can get to by dinghy.
Be honest with yourself as to how you'd use one. I started off by scratching an itch with an inexpensive but fun Fletcher. Blasting about on calm days water skiing is what we do and not much more. If the weather is duff, we don't go out. We really enjoy this decadence so upgraded but it's still a toy, nothing else.
If I had to tow it around, I'd get seriously cheesed off as did the chap I bought it from in Surrey who'd tried exactly that. By the time he'd hooked up and loaded, driven the family 60 miles to the slipway, finally got ready, the weather would of course have changed, welcome to England!
Plenty do this I realise but I can't believe it's fun. As for the money, it's best not to think about it because it cannot be rationalised, you'll lose every way you turn, it's just a question of how much!
Having said all that, I love it. Did my level 2 this year as did my kids, very worthwhile.
This is the way to chuck a boat in the water, to hell with that trailer nonsense.....
I too live some distance from the water near Bath but I'm lucky enough to have access to a house on the Isle of Wight. I keep my 18' Larson at an indoor drystack at Bembridge and when I'm at the house, it sits on a mooring outside that I can get to by dinghy.
Be honest with yourself as to how you'd use one. I started off by scratching an itch with an inexpensive but fun Fletcher. Blasting about on calm days water skiing is what we do and not much more. If the weather is duff, we don't go out. We really enjoy this decadence so upgraded but it's still a toy, nothing else.
If I had to tow it around, I'd get seriously cheesed off as did the chap I bought it from in Surrey who'd tried exactly that. By the time he'd hooked up and loaded, driven the family 60 miles to the slipway, finally got ready, the weather would of course have changed, welcome to England!
Plenty do this I realise but I can't believe it's fun. As for the money, it's best not to think about it because it cannot be rationalised, you'll lose every way you turn, it's just a question of how much!
Having said all that, I love it. Did my level 2 this year as did my kids, very worthwhile.
This is the way to chuck a boat in the water, to hell with that trailer nonsense.....
Edited by LFB531 on Tuesday 17th November 16:38
I bought my first boat this year but i have been around boats since i was little. i have been hankering for my own for years and this year i finally made it happen, firstly your 330d would pull my boat fine, i use a land rover but thats because i had one anyway, i tow the boat about 40-60 mins to the coast which whilst its not exactly close i can get the boat packed up, tow it to the beach and in the water in about 2 hours. Towing it is the easy bit but boat trailers do suffer from the sea, i.e. brakes and bearings and if you're towing longish distance then you need to look after it or it can cause you problems (Saw a boat on a trailer with a wheel missing on the m2 this summer)
i would recommend the powerboat 2 its worth the money, and i would say that a vhf, lifejackets and flairs are not something to skimp on.
i store mine on my driveway however i would have no issue storing on a farm as long as it was secure (bits for boats are stolen a lot as well as there engines), and i would recommend covering it with a good quality cover think thick lorry tarp over the boat.
overall i enjoyed last summer with the boat it was not without its problems but it was money well spent as it has got my girlfriend into boats more, I'm planning on selling it and upgrading for next season.
Here it is 1992 Ring 16 with a 140 Johnson 140
i can't work out how to turn this around if anyone could help!
i would recommend the powerboat 2 its worth the money, and i would say that a vhf, lifejackets and flairs are not something to skimp on.
i store mine on my driveway however i would have no issue storing on a farm as long as it was secure (bits for boats are stolen a lot as well as there engines), and i would recommend covering it with a good quality cover think thick lorry tarp over the boat.
overall i enjoyed last summer with the boat it was not without its problems but it was money well spent as it has got my girlfriend into boats more, I'm planning on selling it and upgrading for next season.
Here it is 1992 Ring 16 with a 140 Johnson 140
i can't work out how to turn this around if anyone could help!
Edited by Ben 89 on Tuesday 17th November 21:55
Some places like us run park and launch sevice. You keep your boat in the yard...we hitch you on...drop you on while you just sit there..drive off..give us a time for collection or call...drive your boat to the trailer...we do the trailer winch...back in the yard..wash off. You do not even need to get out of your seat fot the whole day. Most places here do up to 30ft.
If you want any help buying call me I have a good number and are main agents also.
One thing please make sure the boat is CE plated. Boats imported from the U.S need to be plated after June 98...if not walk away, it can be a real problem and likely to cost you 1 to 2k to get plated. If its a older boat ...pre 2005 and it does not make emissions after 05 then it will need a re-engine if you want to get it plated. Drinving around in none CE plate might void your insurance if you have accident with injury.
Do your RYA PB2.
Wear your killed cord
99% Of all road trailers are unroad worthy.
3lt or 4.3lt Merc or Volvo petrol is a good starter boat, 5.0lt and 5.7 v8 also good best in 350 Mag MPi form, big blocks can be a thirsty or 4 stroke outboard.
Get a marine engineer to do a engine report including compressions.
Survey as well on a bigger boat.
Fresh water boats are more likely to have osmosis.
Some of the small capacity turbo diesels in the 17 to 20ft sports boats are rubbish.
Stay with petrol on the smaller stuff.
It will cost you less overall given the likely hrs running in fuel with these old school motors than it will with a small diesel... they don't like sitting at 4.5k rpm all day and the bio in the diesel really can cause diesel bug issues.
If going bgger than mid to late 20's ft then diesel.
Petrols...manifold, risers, gimble bearings and bellows are main issues.
Plus folk not taking the bung out filling with rain water causing drowned starters and Alts and rusty sumps if left for long periods.
When you buy make sure you get a MCA Bill of Sale signed properly and witness. They are also signing it is free from dept.
If buying private you can download a blank from the MCA or RYA websites.
If you want any help buying call me I have a good number and are main agents also.
One thing please make sure the boat is CE plated. Boats imported from the U.S need to be plated after June 98...if not walk away, it can be a real problem and likely to cost you 1 to 2k to get plated. If its a older boat ...pre 2005 and it does not make emissions after 05 then it will need a re-engine if you want to get it plated. Drinving around in none CE plate might void your insurance if you have accident with injury.
Do your RYA PB2.
Wear your killed cord
99% Of all road trailers are unroad worthy.
3lt or 4.3lt Merc or Volvo petrol is a good starter boat, 5.0lt and 5.7 v8 also good best in 350 Mag MPi form, big blocks can be a thirsty or 4 stroke outboard.
Get a marine engineer to do a engine report including compressions.
Survey as well on a bigger boat.
Fresh water boats are more likely to have osmosis.
Some of the small capacity turbo diesels in the 17 to 20ft sports boats are rubbish.
Stay with petrol on the smaller stuff.
It will cost you less overall given the likely hrs running in fuel with these old school motors than it will with a small diesel... they don't like sitting at 4.5k rpm all day and the bio in the diesel really can cause diesel bug issues.
If going bgger than mid to late 20's ft then diesel.
Petrols...manifold, risers, gimble bearings and bellows are main issues.
Plus folk not taking the bung out filling with rain water causing drowned starters and Alts and rusty sumps if left for long periods.
When you buy make sure you get a MCA Bill of Sale signed properly and witness. They are also signing it is free from dept.
If buying private you can download a blank from the MCA or RYA websites.
Edited by RumRunner on Tuesday 17th November 22:16
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