Newbie - what do I need to own a sea boat?
Discussion
So you want to own a floating vessel with an engine.....
So first off, what type of boat, how big, will you tow it and pay launch fees or leave it bobbing on a mooring or a pontoon? All have costs, cheapest to expensive listed.
Then the size, how big, the bigger, the bigger engine required however the bigger, the more sea going and more facilities.
Then there is using it, without looking like a prat I would suggest the RYA Powerboat level 2 course. A course explaining what you need to know and how to use a boat safely.
So first off, what type of boat, how big, will you tow it and pay launch fees or leave it bobbing on a mooring or a pontoon? All have costs, cheapest to expensive listed.
Then the size, how big, the bigger, the bigger engine required however the bigger, the more sea going and more facilities.
Then there is using it, without looking like a prat I would suggest the RYA Powerboat level 2 course. A course explaining what you need to know and how to use a boat safely.
TroubledSoul said:
Other than paying for a mooring in a harbour, what else is required to own a small pleasure boat? Are insurance or some kind of licence mandatory? All I'd use it for is pleasure sailing and a bit of fishing. I've never gone anywhere near boat ownership before so I'm clueless...
Don't dismiss your statement in bold as a 'given', as finding a mooring and affording it, including all the associated costs including 3rd party insurance, haul out and storage ashore, etc., etc., are a major cost consideration whatever boat you buy.If you're looking at buying a small craft that you can trailer to and from a suitable launch ramp, and have somewhere to park the whole boat/trailer ensemble, then the costs are substantially reduced. You should always have 3rd party insurance, however, no matter how big your boat is.
And get some training!
TroubledSoul said:
Other than paying for a mooring in a harbour, what else is required to own a small pleasure boat? Are insurance or some kind of licence mandatory? All I'd use it for is pleasure sailing and a bit of fishing. I've never gone anywhere near boat ownership before so I'm clueless...
A few years ago i knew someone who saw an exciting twin V8 powerboat for a very modest price.and bought it. And discovered why it was in excellent condition but cheap.100 gallon fuel tank. Most moorings dont do petrol. A bugger to fill up with lots of 10 litre cans.
The LEGAL minimum is insurance.
OK somewhere to store/keep a given.
Equipment-wise: If you're going to sea you'll want decent lifejackets and flares, depth sounder, radio, compass. If you're doing more than pootling about across the bay then you'll want a GPS as a minimum, but maybe a chart plotter. A radar is useful if you're really doing lots. Depending on the type of boat and your intentions, a "get you home" engine isn't the worst idea in the world.
Being handy with the spanners is always useful.
Get yourself trained up. RYA are recommended. No point having all these tools and not knowing what the f
k they do.
Having owned a couple of boats, for practice before purchase you may want to get one of those hobo-braziers made out of an oil drum and shovel tenners into it.
OK somewhere to store/keep a given.
Equipment-wise: If you're going to sea you'll want decent lifejackets and flares, depth sounder, radio, compass. If you're doing more than pootling about across the bay then you'll want a GPS as a minimum, but maybe a chart plotter. A radar is useful if you're really doing lots. Depending on the type of boat and your intentions, a "get you home" engine isn't the worst idea in the world.
Being handy with the spanners is always useful.
Get yourself trained up. RYA are recommended. No point having all these tools and not knowing what the f
k they do.Having owned a couple of boats, for practice before purchase you may want to get one of those hobo-braziers made out of an oil drum and shovel tenners into it.
crofty1984 said:
The LEGAL minimum is insurance.
OK somewhere to store/keep a given.
Equipment-wise: If you're going to sea you'll want decent lifejackets and flares, depth sounder, radio, compass. If you're doing more than pootling about across the bay then you'll want a GPS as a minimum, but maybe a chart plotter. A radar is useful if you're really doing lots. Depending on the type of boat and your intentions, a "get you home" engine isn't the worst idea in the world.
Being handy with the spanners is always useful.
Get yourself trained up. RYA are recommended. No point having all these tools and not knowing what the fk they do.
Having owned a couple of boats, for practice before purchase you may want to get one of those hobo-braziers made out of an oil drum and shovel tenners into it.
Wise words.OK somewhere to store/keep a given.
Equipment-wise: If you're going to sea you'll want decent lifejackets and flares, depth sounder, radio, compass. If you're doing more than pootling about across the bay then you'll want a GPS as a minimum, but maybe a chart plotter. A radar is useful if you're really doing lots. Depending on the type of boat and your intentions, a "get you home" engine isn't the worst idea in the world.
Being handy with the spanners is always useful.
Get yourself trained up. RYA are recommended. No point having all these tools and not knowing what the f
k they do.Having owned a couple of boats, for practice before purchase you may want to get one of those hobo-braziers made out of an oil drum and shovel tenners into it.
We often walk past the local lifeboat station where they list the latest rescue by the inshore and offshore boats. Almost every time there is mention of boats being assisted because of engine or other equipment failure.
Paul the Painter said:
I did hear that the experience was much like standing underneath a cold shower tearing up £50 notes.
I believe it was Felix Dennis who said "If it flies, floats, or fornicates, it's always cheaper to rent,"
Every time someone has to trot this bI believe it was Felix Dennis who said "If it flies, floats, or fornicates, it's always cheaper to rent,"
ks out. To rent a boat like mine would cost £3-5k a week, mine costs me about that a year for pontoon mooring in a good marina, insurance & servicing.I own my house, my car, my boat and would happily buy a plane if I could afford one and I’m happily married so re the fornicates, if you’re happy paying some skank to pretend that she’s enjoying f
king you then you really are pretty sad. You can spend as much or as little as you like.
My laser was cheap, sits in my parents garden, and I launch it for free just down the road from their house.
My dad has two boats, a sailing boat on a shallow mooring (£300 a year) and a 13ft motor boat on an outhaul (free, he just pays for tackle). Neither of his boats depreciate particularly, so he pays for insurance, antifouling, fuel and servicing. Though he has just shelled out for a new outboard (£1k). He (and we) grew up sailing, however I have done a couple of courses. Personal sailing kit has a massive cost spread.
Most used boats will come fitted with safety kit, but don't rely on it.
If you want to be home based it will need a trailer and towbar. Otherwise you will need to pay for a mooring.
My laser was cheap, sits in my parents garden, and I launch it for free just down the road from their house.
My dad has two boats, a sailing boat on a shallow mooring (£300 a year) and a 13ft motor boat on an outhaul (free, he just pays for tackle). Neither of his boats depreciate particularly, so he pays for insurance, antifouling, fuel and servicing. Though he has just shelled out for a new outboard (£1k). He (and we) grew up sailing, however I have done a couple of courses. Personal sailing kit has a massive cost spread.
Most used boats will come fitted with safety kit, but don't rely on it.
If you want to be home based it will need a trailer and towbar. Otherwise you will need to pay for a mooring.
CanAm said:
We often walk past the local lifeboat station where they list the latest rescue by the inshore and offshore boats. Almost every time there is mention of boats being assisted because of engine or other equipment failure.
I wonder if they are allowed to state the ones that came from France?
In the UK you can buy whatever you have the money for, stick it on the sea & off you go. No knowledge, no experience, no safety equipment.
There is no legal requirement to have anything else & that includes insurance.
Recipe for disaster.
You may find that harbours & slips will want proof of a minimum third party risks insurance before they let you use their facilities.
Have a look through the RYA site for one of the courses that will best suit the type boat you are thinking of buying. You will then at least have a basic idea of what you're doing.
https://www.rya.org.uk/COURSES-TRAINING/COURSES/Pa...
There is no legal requirement to have anything else & that includes insurance.
Recipe for disaster.
You may find that harbours & slips will want proof of a minimum third party risks insurance before they let you use their facilities.
Have a look through the RYA site for one of the courses that will best suit the type boat you are thinking of buying. You will then at least have a basic idea of what you're doing.
https://www.rya.org.uk/COURSES-TRAINING/COURSES/Pa...
I suggest if you are a complete novice , write this year off as far as buying .
Hire a small self drive motor boat for half a day , few places in Cornwall you can do it .
If you like the feel of being on the water bobing about for a few hours , then look forward to next year hopfully all being well. Read books over the winter . Perhaps join a sailing club if sailing is your thing.
Start with a small boat & work your way up , I would not go to sea in anything under 14ft .
Insurance I would reccomend 3 rd part just in case you hit a swimmer .
Anchor & chain / rope 3 times the depth of water you may need to anchor.
Life jackets, flares , Knife just in case you get tangled up in a crab pot , boat hook , paddles. spare small outboard are just some of items I have on my 16ft fishing boat.
Hire a small self drive motor boat for half a day , few places in Cornwall you can do it .
If you like the feel of being on the water bobing about for a few hours , then look forward to next year hopfully all being well. Read books over the winter . Perhaps join a sailing club if sailing is your thing.
Start with a small boat & work your way up , I would not go to sea in anything under 14ft .
Insurance I would reccomend 3 rd part just in case you hit a swimmer .
Anchor & chain / rope 3 times the depth of water you may need to anchor.
Life jackets, flares , Knife just in case you get tangled up in a crab pot , boat hook , paddles. spare small outboard are just some of items I have on my 16ft fishing boat.
OK tha ks all. I'm only looking at something small and cheap to be honest. I have no storage currently so would have to pay but that will change eventually. Moorings at Scarborough are weirdly variable, having looked. The list states "Chain mooring, east harbour £150" which is nothing. But the other moorings are about £2k! Guessing I should contact them first to see if there is anything available and what the harbour master requires as far as kit, insurance and training go?
I'm thinking something with an outboard motor and just big enough to have an inside bit, that I can go out with a couple of fishing rods on and just have a bit of fun on a weekend.
I'm thinking something with an outboard motor and just big enough to have an inside bit, that I can go out with a couple of fishing rods on and just have a bit of fun on a weekend.
paintman said:
In the UK you can buy whatever you have the money for, stick it on the sea & off you go. No knowledge, no experience, no safety equipment.
There is no legal requirement to have anything else & that includes insurance.
Recipe for disaster.
You may find that harbours & slips will want proof of a minimum third party risks insurance before they let you use their facilities.
Have a look through the RYA site for one of the courses that will best suit the type boat you are thinking of buying. You will then at least have a basic idea of what you're doing.
https://www.rya.org.uk/COURSES-TRAINING/COURSES/Pa...
That is exactly my understanding as well. There is no legal requirement to have anything else & that includes insurance.
Recipe for disaster.
You may find that harbours & slips will want proof of a minimum third party risks insurance before they let you use their facilities.
Have a look through the RYA site for one of the courses that will best suit the type boat you are thinking of buying. You will then at least have a basic idea of what you're doing.
https://www.rya.org.uk/COURSES-TRAINING/COURSES/Pa...
A recipe for disaster is a bit strong though
The rya has the right stance as far as I am concerned "education rather than legislation" something they have advocated since the 70,s and a policy that on the whole seems to work.
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