Which boat for next summer?
Discussion
We're going to buy a boat for next summer. It will be used on inshore waters and some coastal, it will ideally be towable.
It will be my first boat. Something to sharpen my boating skills and not so expensive that it matters when I crash it into some pontoons, quays and locks.
I thought we needed 6-8m cuddy cabin. The thinking being, it will be fine for nice days and if fit starts to rain we can shelter in the cuddy. A bow rider would, I think, be an error in terms of keeping Lady Balfour happy.
However, I was speaking to the chap that did my powerboat training and he said that what we need is a bigger cabin cruiser.
I don't want a floating caravan for use in any weather and I have no aspirations to spend the remainder of my life cruising rivers at 6 knots. This is something to do next summer if (as I suspect) travel will still be tricky. Once things become easier we will either tow it abroad or sell it and buy something else abroad.
Can anyone offer some guidance please?
It will be my first boat. Something to sharpen my boating skills and not so expensive that it matters when I crash it into some pontoons, quays and locks.
I thought we needed 6-8m cuddy cabin. The thinking being, it will be fine for nice days and if fit starts to rain we can shelter in the cuddy. A bow rider would, I think, be an error in terms of keeping Lady Balfour happy.
However, I was speaking to the chap that did my powerboat training and he said that what we need is a bigger cabin cruiser.
I don't want a floating caravan for use in any weather and I have no aspirations to spend the remainder of my life cruising rivers at 6 knots. This is something to do next summer if (as I suspect) travel will still be tricky. Once things become easier we will either tow it abroad or sell it and buy something else abroad.
Can anyone offer some guidance please?
Badda said:
Louis Balfour said:
Ideally I would spend £25k but I don't want to spend time fettling an old boat, so I may need to increase.
A planing hull is what I want.
Why a planing hull for mainly inland use? A planing hull is what I want.
pequod said:
As I have explained before on this subject, deciding on a 'perfect' boat for the many and varied required use, is almost impossible and one therefore needs to compromise. However, my golden rule when buying is 'who will buy this from me' when I'm thinking of selling?
If you are serious about getting a boat for next years' holidays you must be prepared to be flexible and that Jan 595 looks to be a good bet to me and will still be marketable after you've had a summer of fun with it, as it's a well known brand and model and is still popular for the rod fishing community.
Yes I can tell it would be popular with the fishing community. Rod or net!If you are serious about getting a boat for next years' holidays you must be prepared to be flexible and that Jan 595 looks to be a good bet to me and will still be marketable after you've had a summer of fun with it, as it's a well known brand and model and is still popular for the rod fishing community.
But what about the Binliner I posted above? Are they not popular?
4Q said:
We did the same thing this year. We bought a Jeanneau Leader 705 which has been a fantastic boat. Does 38 knots and has a small cabin with toilet and small kitchen area. It’s also got a category b hull so could cross the channel if you wanted.
These two below are not pics of my actual boat but give you a better idea of what they look like as I don’t have any of mine on the water as I’m always in it.
At 7.1m it’s small enough to tow with a decent car and plenty of room for the family.
Edited to add another pic which giver a better idea of size
Yes I like that and so would my children. It looks sporty and not as though we are trawling for cod. A cursory Google suggests that they are mostly available abroad, though.These two below are not pics of my actual boat but give you a better idea of what they look like as I don’t have any of mine on the water as I’m always in it.
At 7.1m it’s small enough to tow with a decent car and plenty of room for the family.
Edited to add another pic which giver a better idea of size
Edited by 4Q on Wednesday 21st October 18:53
Audis5b9 said:
Having bought and sold a Jeanneau 705 this summer I can recommend them if you want an inboard. They are underpowered, but are comfortable for 4 adults. Great to have a toilet down below, and when made up the bed is huge.
Make sure you get one with the big bathing platform and a good service history. Most of them will be almost 20 years old now so will need some money spending on them.
We're now looking for a 805 or an outboard Jeanneau Cap Camarat 725 or 7.5 or 755 or similar... which can accommodate more people for day trips while still having a toilet and small cabin if the weather turns.
Yes, the age concerns me. I don't get off on DIY.Make sure you get one with the big bathing platform and a good service history. Most of them will be almost 20 years old now so will need some money spending on them.
We're now looking for a 805 or an outboard Jeanneau Cap Camarat 725 or 7.5 or 755 or similar... which can accommodate more people for day trips while still having a toilet and small cabin if the weather turns.
Badda said:
If you’re worried about image, most people will sneer at you in a Bayliner.
Have a look at Searay, Maxum, Regal etc instead. Better quality.
Something like this, then.Have a look at Searay, Maxum, Regal etc instead. Better quality.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Bowriders-for-...
4Q said:
You are going bang your new boat about quite a bit as you get used to berthing or loading on to the trailer if you’re new to boat handling so I wouldn’t get something too smart first off.
This is my thinking. I cannot think of any new sport that I have taken up where my early days were not hard on my kit. Be that mountain biking, windsurfing, driving etc.HocusPocus said:
Think practical usage. I have a Robalo 180 with 150hp outboard for trailering to visit places. It is unashamedly an open day boat, but with toilet cubby, seating space, and 42kt pace. It is for fun, so we won't go out coastal in force 5+, ie lumpy cold wet days. This hard boat has more internal space and higher freeboard than a rib for given length. If towing with 4x4 be aware of the beam being a limiting factor on country lanes like the steep hill approach to Mylor. The last mile to many marinas are tiny roads. Don't go so big that you shudder whenever a panel van comes the other way.
Decide whether you will use it only as a day boat or overnight/warm cabin comfort. Cuddies are the compromise option, but how often will you really be out all day (especially if you launch/recover 2 hours either side of high tide) and tie up to an overnight mooring bouy? Unless you plan to overnight or go out on lumpy days, I would not buy a cabin cruiser. If you plan to go boating from one location, a dry stack is an excellent secure storm-proof solution.
I had to look up "dry stack" but thank you.Decide whether you will use it only as a day boat or overnight/warm cabin comfort. Cuddies are the compromise option, but how often will you really be out all day (especially if you launch/recover 2 hours either side of high tide) and tie up to an overnight mooring bouy? Unless you plan to overnight or go out on lumpy days, I would not buy a cabin cruiser. If you plan to go boating from one location, a dry stack is an excellent secure storm-proof solution.
Yacht Broker said:
I picked up a 2013 Jeanneau Merry Fisher a few weeks ago to sit alongside the 'mothership' (my 40ft cruiser racer yacht). It looks deeply deeply uncool but I absolutely love it. Nice powerful Suzuki outboard, sleeps 3 if necessary, all-weathers, all-seasons ability (I've had water over the cabin too when pushing through the Needles), and uses chuff all fuel.
I do lust after 'cooler' boats (I have a company website full of them), but on an January day in the Solent, I know what I would prefer to be aboard as I blast across to The George for Sunday Lunch.
No they aren't cool. But my head is being turned by the number of people who know what they are talking about saying they are good boats. I imagine residuals are good too?I do lust after 'cooler' boats (I have a company website full of them), but on an January day in the Solent, I know what I would prefer to be aboard as I blast across to The George for Sunday Lunch.
Okay, I am coming round to the idea of a Merry Fisher. My children WILL buy me a chunky knit sweater and peaked cap.
There seems to be a plethora of options. Would something like this be the way to go? I would prefer to pay £25k, but the ones I have seen at that level are the older ones.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Cruiser/jeanne...
or
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Offshore-cruis...
There seems to be a plethora of options. Would something like this be the way to go? I would prefer to pay £25k, but the ones I have seen at that level are the older ones.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Cruiser/jeanne...
or
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Offshore-cruis...
Edited by Louis Balfour on Saturday 24th October 09:38
Thankyou4calling said:
It’s worth considering a Bayliner.
In the world of boats I’d say they are the Ford in that you get a lot of boat for your money, they are easy to work on and widely available.
The one I’ve linked to is a typical example, this is a bit big to put on a trailer but the 2455 is a metre less.
I’d also consider keeping it on the water, a marina will cost around £250 - £300 a month (depends on location and length) but it means you can be on the water in much smaller weather and time windows. It makes an afternoon or evening trip feasible rather than the whole day.
I know launching can be part of the fun but for me it’s a faff I don’t need.
Not read the whole thread so if something like this isn’t right apologies.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Sports-Cruiser...
I am not against a Binliner. In fact earlier in the thread I expressed a liking for them.In the world of boats I’d say they are the Ford in that you get a lot of boat for your money, they are easy to work on and widely available.
The one I’ve linked to is a typical example, this is a bit big to put on a trailer but the 2455 is a metre less.
I’d also consider keeping it on the water, a marina will cost around £250 - £300 a month (depends on location and length) but it means you can be on the water in much smaller weather and time windows. It makes an afternoon or evening trip feasible rather than the whole day.
I know launching can be part of the fun but for me it’s a faff I don’t need.
Not read the whole thread so if something like this isn’t right apologies.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Sports-Cruiser...
That seems very cheap, doesn't it?
Our nearest marina will charge me £1400pa in or put of the water. It is a well equipped place. There is another nearly as close for the same money.
Louis Balfour said:
Thankyou4calling said:
It’s worth considering a Bayliner.
In the world of boats I’d say they are the Ford in that you get a lot of boat for your money, they are easy to work on and widely available.
The one I’ve linked to is a typical example, this is a bit big to put on a trailer but the 2455 is a metre less.
I’d also consider keeping it on the water, a marina will cost around £250 - £300 a month (depends on location and length) but it means you can be on the water in much smaller weather and time windows. It makes an afternoon or evening trip feasible rather than the whole day.
I know launching can be part of the fun but for me it’s a faff I don’t need.
Not read the whole thread so if something like this isn’t right apologies.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Sports-Cruiser...
I am not against a Binliner. In fact earlier in the thread I expressed a liking for them.In the world of boats I’d say they are the Ford in that you get a lot of boat for your money, they are easy to work on and widely available.
The one I’ve linked to is a typical example, this is a bit big to put on a trailer but the 2455 is a metre less.
I’d also consider keeping it on the water, a marina will cost around £250 - £300 a month (depends on location and length) but it means you can be on the water in much smaller weather and time windows. It makes an afternoon or evening trip feasible rather than the whole day.
I know launching can be part of the fun but for me it’s a faff I don’t need.
Not read the whole thread so if something like this isn’t right apologies.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Sports-Cruiser...
That seems very cheap, doesn't it?
Our nearest marina will charge me £1400pa in or put of the water. It is a well equipped place. There is another nearly as close for the same money.
pequod said:
Thankyou4calling said:
Hmmmmm
Still. Plenty of other options around that price. This is a 2455, a metre shorter but still a good size.
I’d say the vast majority of used boats will need something done to them. Whether that something stops it being enjoyable to use or stops it being used is the thing. A boat can take up a LOT of time just in tinkering. Be aware! That’s why I’d aim to keep the boat on the water to maximise use of boating time as opposed to prepping and launching time which I accept for some is all part of it.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Cruiser/baylin...
And that one is another scam as the boat pictures are of an American flagged vessel and it's registered in Palm Harbour, Florida!Still. Plenty of other options around that price. This is a 2455, a metre shorter but still a good size.
I’d say the vast majority of used boats will need something done to them. Whether that something stops it being enjoyable to use or stops it being used is the thing. A boat can take up a LOT of time just in tinkering. Be aware! That’s why I’d aim to keep the boat on the water to maximise use of boating time as opposed to prepping and launching time which I accept for some is all part of it.
https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Cruiser/baylin...
If you're serious about Bayliners then best to contact a known brokerage with one for sale in the UK such as this one.
https://motorboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/bayliner-...
I understand why an knowledgeable boat owner would buy the MF. I like that you can just close the patio doors and leave it.
If I can find one at the right money I may buy one. I would hope to get a decent one for £40-£45k.
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
I am at Burton Waters Marina as I type. We’ve just had a look over a Merry Fisher 695 and a Bayliner Ciera 8.
I understand why an knowledgeable boat owner would buy the MF. I like that you can just close the patio doors and leave it.
If I can find one at the right money I may buy one. I would hope to get a decent one for £40-£45k.
Well done for getting to see both in the flesh as it's very much down to your own personal preferences and which will suit your needs. Good healthy budget will help find a nice one and this 2017 model at Brighton would be worth a look over and is fitted with a bowthruster (an expensive option) which can make life a lot easier when trying to get it on a trailer or marina berth in any sort of crosswind. Incidentally, all up I believe you will be looking at 2.5 tonnes towing weight so it will need a decent 4x4 car to handle it.I understand why an knowledgeable boat owner would buy the MF. I like that you can just close the patio doors and leave it.
If I can find one at the right money I may buy one. I would hope to get a decent one for £40-£45k.
Although the asking price is above your max I would expect an offer of £45k to secure this one!
https://www.theyachtmarket.com/en/boat-for-sale/19...
Low hours though.
I wonder what it’s story is.
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