First boat..

[Dan7357]

Thinking about getting a boat for one or two weekends a year.

Any advice on what to look out for ?

Size wise, it will be me and the other half (so just me) lauching it I would think up to 14 ft is ok ??

Looking around Fletcher, Simms and Concorde seem to be in my budget (upto around £1500).

Whats the best engine in terms of power(most seem to have around 40-60hp) and is any engine better than the rest ?

ANY advise would be great..

Thanks

[maser_spyder]

Hey Dan,

Done any boating before?

Where will you be putting to sea?

[Dan7357]

maser_spyder said:

Hey Dan,

Done any boating before?

Where will you be putting to sea?

Hi,

Yep, first boat.

I would think all I would be doing is taking out on the sea. I am around 30 mins from Brighton and 45 mins from Portsmouth.

Thanks

[maser_spyder]

Dan7357 said:

maser_spyder said:

Hey Dan,

Done any boating before?

Where will you be putting to sea?

Hi,

Yep, first boat.

I would think all I would be doing is taking out on the sea. I am around 30 mins from Brighton and 45 mins from Portsmouth.

Thanks

Sounds good.

What experience do you have? There's loads of RYA training centres in your area, plenty to choose from.

You say "all I would be doing is taking out on the sea", in such a way where it sounds like you have no idea what could happen out there...

OK, the Solent and South coast is pretty safe, and there's normally plenty of people around, but you really, really need to get some training before you even think about slipping a mooring.

It'll cost relatively little, be good fun (the instructor will teach you a few neat tricks, I'm sure), and could save your life.

Don't be yet another statistic in the RNLI annual figures.

And on that score, although it's not compulsory, you really should be donating to the RNLI if you're a boat owner.

Boating is actually pretty easy (heck, I can do it), but there are some simple, basic rules that you HAVE to learn before you set out on your own. These are not rules to learn from 'a mate who does a bit' (me included!), you should learn them from a professional.

Don't want to put a dampener on your boating aspirations, it's really great fun out there on the water, but it's also dangerous. A lot more so than people appreciate.

First thing to do, right now, before anything else, is book yourself in for a VHF (DSC) radio course. It should be about £99, takes a day. Loads of places in your area that will do this.

Worst case scenario, you'll be putting to sea with a working radio and the knowledge (and permission) of using it.

Don't mean to sound condescending, but nobody here should be giving you advice on boats to buy, which could potentially put you in serious trouble if you don't know what you're doing.

Plus, the training is fun!

[anonymous-user]

maser_spyder said:

Dan7357 said:

maser_spyder said:

Hey Dan,

Done any boating before?

Where will you be putting to sea?

Hi,

Yep, first boat.

I would think all I would be doing is taking out on the sea. I am around 30 mins from Brighton and 45 mins from Portsmouth.

Thanks

Sounds good.

What experience do you have? There's loads of RYA training centres in your area, plenty to choose from.

You say "all I would be doing is taking out on the sea", in such a way where it sounds like you have no idea what could happen out there...

OK, the Solent and South coast is pretty safe, and there's normally plenty of people around, but you really, really need to get some training before you even think about slipping a mooring.

It'll cost relatively little, be good fun (the instructor will teach you a few neat tricks, I'm sure), and could save your life.

Don't be yet another statistic in the RNLI annual figures.

And on that score, although it's not compulsory, you really should be donating to the RNLI if you're a boat owner.

Boating is actually pretty easy (heck, I can do it), but there are some simple, basic rules that you HAVE to learn before you set out on your own. These are not rules to learn from 'a mate who does a bit' (me included!), you should learn them from a professional.

Don't want to put a dampener on your boating aspirations, it's really great fun out there on the water, but it's also dangerous. A lot more so than people appreciate.

First thing to do, right now, before anything else, is book yourself in for a VHF (DSC) radio course. It should be about £99, takes a day. Loads of places in your area that will do this.

Worst case scenario, you'll be putting to sea with a working radio and the knowledge (and permission) of using it.

Don't mean to sound condescending, but nobody here should be giving you advice on boats to buy, which could potentially put you in serious trouble if you don't know what you're doing.

Plus, the training is fun!

I would agree with this - learn the "Rules of the road" and save yourself, and others, potential grief. I've done my day skipper and Powerboat Level 1 and 2 and am still learning You will also enjoy it so much more with the confidence that training brings.

[Stu R]

The RYA courses are pretty good fun too

[anonymous-user]

Stu R said:

The RYA courses are pretty good fun too

Agreed. Also a great way to meet other new boating people too!

[maser_spyder]

garyhun said:

and am still learning You will also enjoy it so much more with the confidence that training brings.

This is so true!

You tend to pick up odd little bits every time you go out, most of it makes you a better seaman.

[Dan7357]

Thanks guys,

But what boat and engine should I be looking out for ?

[maser_spyder]

Dan7357 said:

Thanks guys,

But what boat and engine should I be looking out for ?

You shouldn't yet. You should be looking for training.

If you're looking at an old boat, £1500, you really, really, really need to know what to do when it goes wrong (it will).

[Cupramax]

Seconded, I've been stuck once on my fairly new boat when the ignition switch broke and it brings things to focus very quickly when your sat in the middle of nowhere, you cant just call the AA/RAC

[maser_spyder]

Cupramax said:

Seconded, I've been stuck once on my fairly new boat when the ignition switch broke and it brings things to focus very quickly when your sat in the middle of nowhere, you cant just call the AA/RAC

Yup, and it's 8pm, getting dark, wind increasing, tide at 3H after high water, drifting towards a sand bank on an ebb tide, and your battery has gone flat so no GPS or VHF.

[Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

Pop quiz - What do you do? What do you do?

[/Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

I honestly can't believe that you would even think about buying a boat or putting to sea without doing the training first. It's crazy.

[Stu R]

maser_spyder said:

Cupramax said:

Seconded, I've been stuck once on my fairly new boat when the ignition switch broke and it brings things to focus very quickly when your sat in the middle of nowhere, you cant just call the AA/RAC

Yup, and it's 8pm, getting dark, wind increasing, tide at 3H after high water, drifting towards a sand bank on an ebb tide, and your battery has gone flat so no GPS or VHF.

[Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

Pop quiz - What do you do? What do you do?

[/Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

I honestly can't believe that you would even think about buying a boat or putting to sea without doing the training first. It's crazy.

Drop the anchor, and head for the helideck of course (or use the tender boat).

[maser_spyder]

Stu R said:

maser_spyder said:

Cupramax said:

Seconded, I've been stuck once on my fairly new boat when the ignition switch broke and it brings things to focus very quickly when your sat in the middle of nowhere, you cant just call the AA/RAC

Yup, and it's 8pm, getting dark, wind increasing, tide at 3H after high water, drifting towards a sand bank on an ebb tide, and your battery has gone flat so no GPS or VHF.

[Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

Pop quiz - What do you do? What do you do?

[/Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

I honestly can't believe that you would even think about buying a boat or putting to sea without doing the training first. It's crazy.

Drop the anchor, and head for the helideck of course (or use the tender boat).

Dropping the anchor is no use off a sandbank on an ebb tide, you'll still end up stranded. Even if it was possible, you'd have to hope for a good hold, which you're not going to get without engine power to dig it in (another thing you'll learn on a course). And then it might drag, and you're once again in serious trouble and having to call the coastguard. Assuming you can (which you won't be able to by VHF as you don't have a license yet).

No no no no no, putting to sea with no experience, and no training, in an old boat, is total lunacy.

[ecsrobin]

I was under the impression that in an emergency or under the supervision of a licensed VHF user then you can operate a VHF radio without a licence?

But agree with everyone here get yourself on a course or two first a good day can very quickly turn into a bad day. and remeber you want to spend £1500 on a boat, you need to also cater for life jackets for everyone, radio, flares, wet weather gear it all soon adds up. you dont want to be putting to water whilst cutting corners.

Take for instance this weekend 3 people capsized their RIB only 2 had life jackets so they had to support their friend which meant they couldnt get back to their boat. Thankfully the RNLI was there to assist.

[Stu R]

maser_spyder said:

Stu R said:

maser_spyder said:

Cupramax said:

Seconded, I've been stuck once on my fairly new boat when the ignition switch broke and it brings things to focus very quickly when your sat in the middle of nowhere, you cant just call the AA/RAC

Yup, and it's 8pm, getting dark, wind increasing, tide at 3H after high water, drifting towards a sand bank on an ebb tide, and your battery has gone flat so no GPS or VHF.

[Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

Pop quiz - What do you do? What do you do?

[/Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

I honestly can't believe that you would even think about buying a boat or putting to sea without doing the training first. It's crazy.

Drop the anchor, and head for the helideck of course (or use the tender boat).

Dropping the anchor is no use off a sandbank on an ebb tide, you'll still end up stranded. Even if it was possible, you'd have to hope for a good hold, which you're not going to get without engine power to dig it in (another thing you'll learn on a course). And then it might drag, and you're once again in serious trouble and having to call the coastguard. Assuming you can (which you won't be able to by VHF as you don't have a license yet).

No no no no no, putting to sea with no experience, and no training, in an old boat, is total lunacy.

Oi, stop squashing my jokes, and trust me I'm more than qualified when it comes to seafaring

Forgot to mention earlier, it's also worth pointing out that the RYA courses are very handy to have should you wish to do any boating around europe. It's probably not something you've given much thought to, but should you fancy chartering a boat or something when you're on holiday...

[maser_spyder]

Stu R said:

maser_spyder said:

Stu R said:

maser_spyder said:

Cupramax said:

Seconded, I've been stuck once on my fairly new boat when the ignition switch broke and it brings things to focus very quickly when your sat in the middle of nowhere, you cant just call the AA/RAC

Yup, and it's 8pm, getting dark, wind increasing, tide at 3H after high water, drifting towards a sand bank on an ebb tide, and your battery has gone flat so no GPS or VHF.

[Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

Pop quiz - What do you do? What do you do?

[/Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

I honestly can't believe that you would even think about buying a boat or putting to sea without doing the training first. It's crazy.

Drop the anchor, and head for the helideck of course (or use the tender boat).

Dropping the anchor is no use off a sandbank on an ebb tide, you'll still end up stranded. Even if it was possible, you'd have to hope for a good hold, which you're not going to get without engine power to dig it in (another thing you'll learn on a course). And then it might drag, and you're once again in serious trouble and having to call the coastguard. Assuming you can (which you won't be able to by VHF as you don't have a license yet).

No no no no no, putting to sea with no experience, and no training, in an old boat, is total lunacy.

Oi, stop squashing my jokes, and trust me I'm more than qualified when it comes to seafaring

Forgot to mention earlier, it's also worth pointing out that the RYA courses are very handy to have should you wish to do any boating around europe. It's probably not something you've given much thought to, but should you fancy chartering a boat or something when you're on holiday...

Ah bugger, I missed the



Just can't believe the OP is looking for a boat before knowing what he's doing....

[maser_spyder]

ecsrobin said:

I was under the impression that in an emergency or under the supervision of a licensed VHF user then you can operate a VHF radio without a licence?

Is it worth it? For one day of your life and £99?

And yes, you sure can use a VHF under supervision of a licensed operator, but that's not much use if it's just you and the Mrs, and neither of you know what you're doing, who to call, or how to respond and react in a bad situation.

90% of boating is prudence and planning. If you can't get your head around this, you really shouldn't be on the water.

[NicoG]

maser_spyder said:

Cupramax said:

Seconded, I've been stuck once on my fairly new boat when the ignition switch broke and it brings things to focus very quickly when your sat in the middle of nowhere, you cant just call the AA/RAC

Yup, and it's 8pm, getting dark, wind increasing, tide at 3H after high water, drifting towards a sand bank on an ebb tide, and your battery has gone flat so no GPS or VHF.

[Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

Pop quiz - What do you do? What do you do?

[/Keanu Reeves Speed mode]

I honestly can't believe that you would even think about buying a boat or putting to sea without doing the training first. It's crazy.

More to the point - what would Dave do?

[FUBAR]

garyhun said:

Stu R said:

The RYA courses are pretty good fun too

Agreed. Also a great way to meet other new boating people too!

I did my day skipper with an old seadog called 'Commander Mike' out of Lymington. All we seemed to do was set course for various excellent pubs/restaurants in and around the Solent. Had a great time