Which boat for next summer?
Discussion
pequod said:
Simpo Two said:
Not always, Norfolk Yacht Agency and others are professional. In fact have a look if you haven't already: https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/
No MF for sale I note! Are you suggesting our new boat chum should consider a Broom?Louis Balfour said:
pequod said:
Simpo Two said:
Not always, Norfolk Yacht Agency and others are professional. In fact have a look if you haven't already: https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/
No MF for sale I note! Are you suggesting our new boat chum should consider a Broom?Personally, I'd be looking at Sunseekers, Fairline and Princess boats rather than Brooms if you are after some thing 30-40ish ft and between £30-60k
Louis Balfour said:
pequod said:
Simpo Two said:
Not always, Norfolk Yacht Agency and others are professional. In fact have a look if you haven't already: https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/
No MF for sale I note! Are you suggesting our new boat chum should consider a Broom?
An elegant and sedate Duchess who can pick up her skirts and trot along quite swiftly when required, with a bit of old style luxury about her, would be my description!
You need to have a wardrobe of double breasted blazers with salmon pink sailing trousers and a selection of cravats to carry it off though.
Not sure you're ready for that rarefied experience just yet!?
IforB said:
Personally, I'd be looking at Sunseekers, Fairline and Princess boats rather than Brooms if you are after some thing 30-40ish ft and between £30-60k
At that price range the examples of those brands will be very old and used....Perhaps OP should redouble the budget plus modest cherry on top (go on take a big brave pill) and buy a well appointed Sunseeker luxo-cruiser. Simply cut out all the intermediate baby steps of boat ownership and go extra large up front :-)
HocusPocus said:
IforB said:
Personally, I'd be looking at Sunseekers, Fairline and Princess boats rather than Brooms if you are after some thing 30-40ish ft and between £30-60k
At that price range the examples of those brands will be very old and used....Perhaps OP should redouble the budget plus modest cherry on top (go on take a big brave pill) and buy a well appointed Sunseeker luxo-cruiser. Simply cut out all the intermediate baby steps of boat ownership and go extra large up front :-)
A friend of mine bought a Sunseeker Martinique earlier this year for the princely sum of £22k.
It is in remarkable condition and whilst it is definitely a classic in many ways, comparing it to another friend's new Sealine which came in at many multiples the price, then, well, I'd have the classic every day of the week!
A well looked after one is a fine thing and they fundamentally depreciation proof as long as they are kept fully functional. The fuel bills are a bit higher, but that's an easy trade off for me.
Louis Balfour said:
But I am quickly realising that boat advertising makes Gumtree appear the paragon of probity, currency and accuracy.
Haha, reminds me about looking for a Swan 53 before lock down. Using local jungle drums we found out where the boat was laid up and sneaked a pre-appointment look in the yard. Hilarious sales pitch as a lovingly cared for boat. 
IforB said:
You can get an astonishing amount of boat for 30ishk if you are willing to go for it.
A friend of mine bought a Sunseeker Martinique earlier this year for the princely sum of £22k.
Yes, but a Martinique will be 30 years old and not really a suitable risk for a newbie boater.A friend of mine bought a Sunseeker Martinique earlier this year for the princely sum of £22k.
HocusPocus said:
IforB said:
You can get an astonishing amount of boat for 30ishk if you are willing to go for it.
A friend of mine bought a Sunseeker Martinique earlier this year for the princely sum of £22k.
Yes, but a Martinique will be 30 years old and not really a suitable risk for a newbie boater.A friend of mine bought a Sunseeker Martinique earlier this year for the princely sum of £22k.
Though I completely take the point that knowing a good boat is more likely if you have experience, so therefore it is more of a risk from the start.
pequod said:
Simpo Two said:
Nope, they sell all sorts. I had a great test drive on a Sheerline 950 which very very nearly got my wallet open.
Very nice yachts and made for cruising the Broads in some luxury. What dissuaded you from buying it?I have to conclude that there is no such thing as the Perfect Boat, unless I design it myself!
We viewed some Merry Fishers today. Four of them, new and used.
We definitely need the standard boat as opposed to the Marlin.
One of them was a second hand 795. Quite tidy with 280 hours on a 2017 boat. It has a bow thruster, plotter, vhf radio, sea toilet. Manual windlass though.
Tomorrow we are seeing a used 695.
I must say that whilst I liked the 795, the 695 has an appeal of its own being more compact. It seemed to find favour with the family.
We definitely need the standard boat as opposed to the Marlin.
One of them was a second hand 795. Quite tidy with 280 hours on a 2017 boat. It has a bow thruster, plotter, vhf radio, sea toilet. Manual windlass though.
Tomorrow we are seeing a used 695.
I must say that whilst I liked the 795, the 695 has an appeal of its own being more compact. It seemed to find favour with the family.
Louis Balfour said:
We viewed some Merry Fishers today. Four of them, new and used.
We definitely need the standard boat as opposed to the Marlin.
One of them was a second hand 795. Quite tidy with 280 hours on a 2017 boat. It has a bow thruster, plotter, vhf radio, sea toilet. Manual windlass though.
Tomorrow we are seeing a used 695.
I must say that whilst I liked the 795, the 695 has an appeal of its own being more compact. It seemed to find favour with the family.
This bit in bold is the most important hurdle to cross and the 695 is a easier size for towing and handling albeit the larger boat has more space.We definitely need the standard boat as opposed to the Marlin.
One of them was a second hand 795. Quite tidy with 280 hours on a 2017 boat. It has a bow thruster, plotter, vhf radio, sea toilet. Manual windlass though.
Tomorrow we are seeing a used 695.
I must say that whilst I liked the 795, the 695 has an appeal of its own being more compact. It seemed to find favour with the family.
As for the difference between engine makes, I wouldn't be concerned with either of those and provided they have been looked after, will cause you few problems for youe intended use.
Louis Balfour said:
I must say that whilst I liked the 795, the 695 has an appeal of its own being more compact. It seemed to find favour with the family.
Looks like some solid research there.But it is an accepted law that one always wants a bigger boat. So your preference for a smaller one makes me wonder if you have the hang of this yet
One practical note - when you own it and are using it for real, and maybe overnight, you'll have 'stuff' with you that will need to go somewhere - so a bit more space is always useful.
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
We viewed some Merry Fishers today. Four of them, new and used.
We definitely need the standard boat as opposed to the Marlin.
One of them was a second hand 795. Quite tidy with 280 hours on a 2017 boat. It has a bow thruster, plotter, vhf radio, sea toilet. Manual windlass though.
Tomorrow we are seeing a used 695.
I must say that whilst I liked the 795, the 695 has an appeal of its own being more compact. It seemed to find favour with the family.
This bit in bold is the most important hurdle to cross and the 695 is a easier size for towing and handling albeit the larger boat has more space.We definitely need the standard boat as opposed to the Marlin.
One of them was a second hand 795. Quite tidy with 280 hours on a 2017 boat. It has a bow thruster, plotter, vhf radio, sea toilet. Manual windlass though.
Tomorrow we are seeing a used 695.
I must say that whilst I liked the 795, the 695 has an appeal of its own being more compact. It seemed to find favour with the family.
As for the difference between engine makes, I wouldn't be concerned with either of those and provided they have been looked after, will cause you few problems for youe intended use.
And the 795 is already out of the water so I presume the survey costs would be lower.
Edited by Louis Balfour on Wednesday 28th October 19:55
Louis Balfour said:
I would add that the 695 and 795 we are viewing are about the same price...
And the 795 is already out of the water so I presume the survey costs would be lower.
It won't make any difference to the cost of a survey 'and' sea trial as both will need to be launched and recovered (or the other way round) to assess them properly.And the 795 is already out of the water so I presume the survey costs would be lower.
Edited by Louis Balfour on Wednesday 28th October 19:55
Incidentally, you won't be in charge of the boat during the sea trial as it will down to the owner/broker and surveyor to operate the boat at sea. Once clear of harbour you may be allowed to get your hands on the controls but the object of the sea trial is to assess whether all the systems work as advertised!
Edited by pequod on Wednesday 28th October 20:06
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
I would add that the 695 and 795 we are viewing are about the same price...
And the 795 is already out of the water so I presume the survey costs would be lower.
It won't make any difference to the cost of a survey 'and' sea trial as both will need to be launched and recovered (or the other way round) to assess them properly.And the 795 is already out of the water so I presume the survey costs would be lower.
Edited by Louis Balfour on Wednesday 28th October 19:55
Incidentally, you won't be in charge of the boat during the sea trial as it will down to the owner/broker and surveyor to operate the boat at sea. Once clear of harbour you may be allowed to get your hands on the controls but the object of the sea trial is to assess whether all the systems work as advertised!
Edited by pequod on Wednesday 28th October 20:06
How practical do you think it would be for me not to be involved with the sea trial? Is one even necessary?
If I decide to buy one of the boats I have seen today I was hoping to do it remotely and have it delivered.
Louis Balfour said:
Thank you.
How practical do you think it would be for me not to be involved with the sea trial? Is one even necessary?
If I decide to buy one of the boats I have seen today I was hoping to do it remotely and have it delivered.
No you don't need to be there for the survey and sea trial. As for whether a sea trial is necessary ask yourself how the engine will be assessed if the boat is not in the water, or the other equipment that can only be tested when afloat?How practical do you think it would be for me not to be involved with the sea trial? Is one even necessary?
If I decide to buy one of the boats I have seen today I was hoping to do it remotely and have it delivered.
I always attend the survey!
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
Thank you.
How practical do you think it would be for me not to be involved with the sea trial? Is one even necessary?
If I decide to buy one of the boats I have seen today I was hoping to do it remotely and have it delivered.
No you don't need to be there for the survey and sea trial. As for whether a sea trial is necessary ask yourself how the engine will be assessed if the boat is not in the water, or the other equipment that can only be tested when afloat?How practical do you think it would be for me not to be involved with the sea trial? Is one even necessary?
If I decide to buy one of the boats I have seen today I was hoping to do it remotely and have it delivered.
I always attend the survey!
If tomorrow’s boat is a possibility I will post up both boats for criticism.
As regards an out of water survey, some years ago friends of our bought a nearly new Benettau fin keel yacht. Lot of sailing experience (flotilla & solo hire mainly around Greece) & certificates but was their first purchase.
Did most things right but the seller said it had only just been relaunched after being cleaned & antifouled so they decided not to have it lifted out.
Kept afloat in the same marina (near Woolverstone) & they noticed as the season went on it was getting slower when on the engine & under sail.
Manoeuvering onto the pontoon under power became more difficult.
Lifted out at the end of the season.
No evidence of antifoul, new or otherwise.
Hull with long weed growth which after being pressure washed to remove as much as possible revealed a well barnacled hull which took a LOT of work to get them all off - one of those times when volunteering to help a friend perhaps wasn't one of my better ideas as we spent two weekends at it.
The prop looked like it was wearing a long dreadlock wig - which explained the lack of performance.
In short, trust no-one when buying a boat!
Did most things right but the seller said it had only just been relaunched after being cleaned & antifouled so they decided not to have it lifted out.
Kept afloat in the same marina (near Woolverstone) & they noticed as the season went on it was getting slower when on the engine & under sail.
Manoeuvering onto the pontoon under power became more difficult.
Lifted out at the end of the season.
No evidence of antifoul, new or otherwise.
Hull with long weed growth which after being pressure washed to remove as much as possible revealed a well barnacled hull which took a LOT of work to get them all off - one of those times when volunteering to help a friend perhaps wasn't one of my better ideas as we spent two weekends at it.
The prop looked like it was wearing a long dreadlock wig - which explained the lack of performance.
In short, trust no-one when buying a boat!
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