Owning and using a first boat
Discussion
After a week away spending quite a lot of time on the water, I'm quite taken by the idea of owning our own boat for family holidays.
Now I'm not talking luxury yachts or anything, this is more what I'm thinking. I like the idea of sail, but think it too big a commitment.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
To be used for nice days along the coast ideally.
What would I need to do to own/drive something like this?
Do you need qualifications? Driving, radio, nav etc.
Can you just rock up at a harbour and launch? (Oversimplifying I know)
Where else could it be used? Lakes, rivers etc?
Stupidest question. What do you do with the car and trailer while you are out in the boat?
Many thanks!
Now I'm not talking luxury yachts or anything, this is more what I'm thinking. I like the idea of sail, but think it too big a commitment.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
To be used for nice days along the coast ideally.
What would I need to do to own/drive something like this?
Do you need qualifications? Driving, radio, nav etc.
Can you just rock up at a harbour and launch? (Oversimplifying I know)
Where else could it be used? Lakes, rivers etc?
Stupidest question. What do you do with the car and trailer while you are out in the boat?
Many thanks!
Messing about in boats is very seductive and I can attest to the lure of the sea!!
BUT ... owning one is a very different experience and can be a frustrating (and expensive) business and unless your family is completely smitten with the idea, I would suggest a few charter or boating holidays where you can learn to either love or hate the whole idea would be a better start rather than jumping in to buy your own boat.
BUT ... owning one is a very different experience and can be a frustrating (and expensive) business and unless your family is completely smitten with the idea, I would suggest a few charter or boating holidays where you can learn to either love or hate the whole idea would be a better start rather than jumping in to buy your own boat.
marksx said:
After a week away spending quite a lot of time on the water, I'm quite taken by the idea of owning our own boat for family holidays.
Now I'm not talking luxury yachts or anything, this is more what I'm thinking. I like the idea of sail, but think it too big a commitment.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
To be used for nice days along the coast ideally.
What would I need to do to own/drive something like this?
Legally, nothing. If you try to insure it, then likely a bit more, probably a 2 day helmsman ticket minimum. Also, learn to understand the weather - when it changes quickly I would not want to sit it out at sea in that, you need to get out of it before it hits. You will also definitely need to invest some money in safety kit, and depending on your location, potentially a seastart subscription for when it inevitably breaks down before you can understand it’s issues and get it up to scratch.Now I'm not talking luxury yachts or anything, this is more what I'm thinking. I like the idea of sail, but think it too big a commitment.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
To be used for nice days along the coast ideally.
What would I need to do to own/drive something like this?
marksx said:
Do you need qualifications? Driving, radio, nav etc.
As above,no legal nee but if you want a 2 way radio, add RYA radio ticket, doable in a single half day. Nav electronic (easiest but costlyto do right) or paper chart understanding is handy for keeping your prop off the solid bits under the water. You would be amazed at how the water depth varies in just a few yards along the coast. You may also want to understand tides - Uk water vary by 5 metres or so around high / low at springs.marksx said:
Can you just rock up at a harbour and launch? (Oversimplifying I know)
Yes, but be prepared to pay 10-15 quid each way for any slipway you would want to use, plus extortionate parking of course.marksx said:
Where else could it be used? Lakes, rivers etc?
Lakes and rivers have very slow speed limits. IMO, this boat is not suited for lakes or rivers with draconian speed limits. Also, I would not take it too far along the coast from my safe haven as it really isn’t suited for the sea except for really close in.marksx said:
Stupidest question. What do you do with the car and trailer while you are out in the boat?
Pay lots and park it. Just worry about the 
s nicking it all the time you are out on the boat.Have you thought about a boat club? Wouldn’t be for me, but something like this (there are others) may make it easier for you if there is a location close to you. No launching or trailering to worry about, newer boats and no cost or hassle of boat ownership.
http://www.boatclubtrafalgar.com/index.htm?gclid=E...
marksx said:
Many thanks!
Edited by SeeFive on Sunday 27th May 01:15
Much has been covered above.
Consider storage charges in a secure facility if you are unable to keep it at home on the drive.
I'd suggest RYA Powerboat Level 2 which will mean you have an idea of what you are doing. There is no need to do Level 1 first.
Random Google link: http://www.seawakepowerboattraining.co.uk/rya-cour...
Radio is an essential they're not expensive, do the course.
Plotter/fish finder combo which will give you a better idea of what's underneath the boat & where the sticky-up/shallow bits are. Plenty around & you don't have to pay a fortune for them.
Paper charts of the areas you intend to visit as a back-up or for planning where you want to go - I have both.
Get a compass as well, in addition to the one fitted to my boat I use a Silva. Similar to this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silva-4-54-Compass-Mili...
Consider storage charges in a secure facility if you are unable to keep it at home on the drive.
I'd suggest RYA Powerboat Level 2 which will mean you have an idea of what you are doing. There is no need to do Level 1 first.
Random Google link: http://www.seawakepowerboattraining.co.uk/rya-cour...
Radio is an essential they're not expensive, do the course.
Plotter/fish finder combo which will give you a better idea of what's underneath the boat & where the sticky-up/shallow bits are. Plenty around & you don't have to pay a fortune for them.
Paper charts of the areas you intend to visit as a back-up or for planning where you want to go - I have both.
Get a compass as well, in addition to the one fitted to my boat I use a Silva. Similar to this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silva-4-54-Compass-Mili...
Go for it, a small boat like that will cost no more than a caravan to run and keep, plus some petrol...well as long as the engine is healthy.
Use it on fine days and if it's out of the water on a trailer the rest of the time then you don't need to worry about it.
This will be enough practical training
http://www.rya.org.uk/courses-training/courses/pow...
Plus this to get an awareness of basic tides and navigation:
http://www.rya.org.uk/courses-training/courses/nav...
Sailing a yacht in uk waters can be challenging even with the exteensive training. if you want to sample that side of it then forget the uk and do one of these:
http://www.sailingholidays.com/holidays/flotillas
Use it on fine days and if it's out of the water on a trailer the rest of the time then you don't need to worry about it.
This will be enough practical training
http://www.rya.org.uk/courses-training/courses/pow...
Plus this to get an awareness of basic tides and navigation:
http://www.rya.org.uk/courses-training/courses/nav...
Sailing a yacht in uk waters can be challenging even with the exteensive training. if you want to sample that side of it then forget the uk and do one of these:
http://www.sailingholidays.com/holidays/flotillas
Small trailer 'runabout' boats are fun, search for a list of slipways in your area. Most marinas will let you use their slip for a fee.
That Ebay boat has an expensive and elderly Mercruiser Z drive fitted. Bits and props are expensive, as are fuel costs. Then there's more expense as trailers corrode, wheel bearings sieze, props or entire Z drives get stolen, and the thing needs to sleep somewhere in the winter or be antifouled if it's left afloat for anytime.
Generally, if you 're buying anything with a motor you need to see and hear the motor run. Z drives and outboards can be started up with clip-on hose attachment for the cooling.
You'd need some training/experience for salt-water: lifejackets, radio training, etc. That can take up most of your first season, and be carried out on other people's boats.
Slipways tend to charge for launch and recovery unless you find a free or municipal one. Then you're often limited by tides and half-wits parking across them while they do a bit of shopping nearby.
Add in a decent towing vehicle.
We dragged 16 -18 foot trailer boats over most of England at some point. Smaller 'motor-cruiser' type trailer boats with two cramped berths and 'river-cruising' engines - 4-6-8-10 HP are fun until you're ready for salt water.
Navigable rivers with slipways are everywhere in the South: Medway, Thames, Arun, etc. River Ely is terrific and quiet. River Dart is brilliant from a small cruiser.
Suggest hiring something on a river/ Broads/canals for a week first or doing the RYA training for salt water.
https://www.onthewater.co.uk/Useful-Stuff/slipway-...
That Ebay boat has an expensive and elderly Mercruiser Z drive fitted. Bits and props are expensive, as are fuel costs. Then there's more expense as trailers corrode, wheel bearings sieze, props or entire Z drives get stolen, and the thing needs to sleep somewhere in the winter or be antifouled if it's left afloat for anytime.
Generally, if you 're buying anything with a motor you need to see and hear the motor run. Z drives and outboards can be started up with clip-on hose attachment for the cooling.
You'd need some training/experience for salt-water: lifejackets, radio training, etc. That can take up most of your first season, and be carried out on other people's boats.
Slipways tend to charge for launch and recovery unless you find a free or municipal one. Then you're often limited by tides and half-wits parking across them while they do a bit of shopping nearby.
Add in a decent towing vehicle.
We dragged 16 -18 foot trailer boats over most of England at some point. Smaller 'motor-cruiser' type trailer boats with two cramped berths and 'river-cruising' engines - 4-6-8-10 HP are fun until you're ready for salt water.
Navigable rivers with slipways are everywhere in the South: Medway, Thames, Arun, etc. River Ely is terrific and quiet. River Dart is brilliant from a small cruiser.
Suggest hiring something on a river/ Broads/canals for a week first or doing the RYA training for salt water.
https://www.onthewater.co.uk/Useful-Stuff/slipway-...
Thank you all for the replies, a lot to take on board!
I'm smack in the middle of the country in West Yorkshire, local to the eBay boat as it happens, so there are no local clubs or marinas.
I like the idea of finding one that hires boats out though, and trying before I buy so to speak for a while. I'll have a closer look at clubs along the east coast, see what I can find. The majority seem to be sailing clubs geared toward racing.
Also need to spend some time researching what sort of boat I need to suit my needs. Something that would be suited to different types of water. The eBay boat was a quick scan for the purposes of this thread really.
I'll certainly go down the route of the RYA training. I've pootled around on the broads before, a long time ago, but never anything at sea, other than crossing an estuary, and I've never launched anything.
I'm trying to get my head round the associated costs now other than boat and fuel. Launching, mooring etc. Lots of terminology I don't understand!
Thank you again
I'm smack in the middle of the country in West Yorkshire, local to the eBay boat as it happens, so there are no local clubs or marinas.
I like the idea of finding one that hires boats out though, and trying before I buy so to speak for a while. I'll have a closer look at clubs along the east coast, see what I can find. The majority seem to be sailing clubs geared toward racing.
Also need to spend some time researching what sort of boat I need to suit my needs. Something that would be suited to different types of water. The eBay boat was a quick scan for the purposes of this thread really.
I'll certainly go down the route of the RYA training. I've pootled around on the broads before, a long time ago, but never anything at sea, other than crossing an estuary, and I've never launched anything.
I'm trying to get my head round the associated costs now other than boat and fuel. Launching, mooring etc. Lots of terminology I don't understand!
Thank you again
pequod said:
Messing about in boats is very seductive and I can attest to the lure of the sea!!
BUT ... owning one is a very different experience and can be a frustrating (and expensive) business and unless your family is completely smitten with the idea, I would suggest a few charter or boating holidays where you can learn to either love or hate the whole idea would be a better start rather than jumping in to buy your own boat.
Agree with this .... (have sailed for 10-15 years but never actually owned a boat)BUT ... owning one is a very different experience and can be a frustrating (and expensive) business and unless your family is completely smitten with the idea, I would suggest a few charter or boating holidays where you can learn to either love or hate the whole idea would be a better start rather than jumping in to buy your own boat.
The two happiest days of owning a boat are the day you buy it and the day you sell it
Don't dismiss lake sailing, unless you are determined to have a speedboat, as it is a fun holiday and if you want to own there are a number of sailing clubs and commercial operators where you can leave your boat safely ashore.
http://www.glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk/where-we...
http://www.glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk/where-we...
Also - I’d strongly suggest joining a sailing / boating club where you’ll meet other sailors and boaters .... who often may need crew.
... easy way of getting great advice and seeing how much you like it and how often you actually want to get out on a boat.
Co-owning is also an option ... that also has its good and bad points.
... easy way of getting great advice and seeing how much you like it and how often you actually want to get out on a boat.
Co-owning is also an option ... that also has its good and bad points.
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff