Which boat, and how big to tow?

[DJMC]

We're just considering buying a cheap motor cruiser 2/4 berth, to keep at our holiday home in north Norfolk and tow to the Broads
.
Don't need it to be seaworthy as we've no intention of going offshore. We last rented a 42' broads cruiser a few years back and have rented there many times before.

Any clues as to what boat to look for? I'd like to be able to tow it behind our 2016 BMW X1 2.0d xDrive, so I'm thinking 23' ?

I've towed our 12' dingy before but double the length and many times the height is a little daunting. Probably wise to get some towing training?

Needs to have cooking, toilet, washing facilities, ideally two fixed berths + two for occasional visits from family.

So, advice on good boats we won't lose a packet on, towing, and anything else you can think of such as "don't do it!"

Budget around £10k or less if possible. Don't need a style icon, something plastic and classic is ideal.

Oh... and air draft under 8' 6".

Edited by DJMC on Thursday 18th June 16:42

[Simpo Two]

23' plastic and classic points me very much to a Freeman 23. Loads about, and about £6-8K depending on condition. Like an MG they have a big following and knowledge base. There's also the slightly older 22, and the more wedgy 24 that came later.

If you can't find what you want on the Broads (I think NYA are the biggest broker), look on the Fens which aren't far away. Jones has the most there: http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/

If funds permit why not keep it at a marina and save the faff of trailering?

[rosejem]

I would suggest to look at something like a Shetland family four or Hardy 18 Navigator . Both are towable behind your X1. Any thing bigger then launch & recovery may be an issue you don't want be putting the car too far down the slipway. You should be able to get one well within your budget with a newish outboard.

[DJMC]

Sold... but this looks ideal, not sure of length?:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/88343837...

or

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/85362517...

or

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/19660520...

or

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/11340220...

Prefer these classic types for the Broads.

[Simpo Two]

You can get better accommodation and a better boat than those for your budget and in 23'.

Go to a broker, who will have several all in one place, and have a good snuffle about and ask questions. Don't buy a box of crap off someone's drive, that's my 4p

[rosejem]

Yes that's the Shetland range of cruisers, the blue one could be worth a look. The engine will be the heart of a boat of this value. Make sure you can see it running, ideally paperwork for a recent service.
Also check the trailer, make sure the wheel bearings are OK & brakes.
Good luck.

[Simpo Two]

rosejem said:

The engine will be the heart of a boat of this value. Make sure you can see it running, ideally paperwork for a recent service.

One thing the OP might like to ponder before going much further is - inboard or outboard? Pros and cons for each.

If day trips are the main thing then you can have a big cockpit and a small one-space cabin with basic amenities. However if you want to spend a decent weekend on it, then put accommodation first - two cabins can be done in 23 so there's some privacy.

If you can get away from the towing/trailer idea which is very limiting then you can get a significantly bigger boat for the budget, like an Elysian 27. But the interior won't be as nice as a Freeman.

ETA Skip towing and you get something like http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/birchwoo...

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 19th June 21:26

[DJMC]

I've seen forgotten boats moored on the Broads but then it's easier just to jump in the car and rive to the boat rather than have to check the trailer over and get it hooked up, plus fuel and time to get her there.

Any advice on moorings on the northern Broads, and is it charged by the length of the boat or the width of the stern? I'm guessing it could be either depending on the individual marina/mooring.

Let's say we use the boat 10 times a year, long weekend. Towing or mooring?

[Simpo Two]

DJMC said:

I've seen forgotten boats moored on the Broads but then it's easier just to jump in the car and rive to the boat rather than have to check the trailer over and get it hooked up, plus fuel and time to get her there.

Any advice on moorings on the northern Broads, and is it charged by the length of the boat or the width of the stern? I'm guessing it could be either depending on the individual marina/mooring.

The Broads are run by the Broads Authority and they have two options for paying: https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/owning... You can do the maths If kept on the water - either bankside or marina - you'll also need to pay whoever owns the site. So the usual thing is to decide where you'd like to keep the boat and make enquiries direct.

The Broads have an unofficial forum where you can ask people for advice: https://norfolkbroadsforum.co.uk/Forum/