New Boatowner

[Cerib]

Hello,
I am currently 16 years of age and wondering if i could have some honest advice from all that can give it. I am interested in boating but unsure for my first boat to purchase, i already have 2 years of Powerboating experience behind me and through-out the summer months go boating on my friends powerboat (60HP engine). What would be the best boat for me. Considering price and value etc. The plan for the boat would be leisure and towing a tow-toy. Any advice is welcome, the more advice the better in my stead. If anyone could also add possibly a few links to powerboat sites that'd be absolutely great. Thanks for reading.

Luke Patrick

 

[searay4me]

Re: New Boatowner

How big is your budget? If you have 5000 to buy a boat with, only spend 4000 on the boat. The other 1000 will magically disappear before you get the boat out 5 times. d

 

[Cerib]

Re: New Boatowner

Haha, well i was thinking along the lines of 4-7k , will take me a while to save up, but just querying at this early stage and by god i know how quick my friends 60 HP engine guzzles up the fuel!! :^

 

[QC]

Re: New Boatowner

4 - 7k quid? That's a lot for a first boat. You should be able to get something fairly decent for that. You should go hang around a local marina or two to see what's there. Since you are planning ahead buy in the fall or winter. Prices definitely drop. You're also gonna get a better idea of what boats to look for by the boats in your location. Pretty different than what we run here. There are couple of pretty good guys from the UK here. Maybe the will lend some thoughts . . . Good luck!!

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: New Boatowner

Go down to the launch ramp that you'll use and watch the boats being put in and out. In addition to some laughs, you'll probably see a lot more of one particular boat than others. There's usually a reason for this in that this boat best fits the conditions of the area. Ask the guys who own them--they're usally happy to ta;k about their choice. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Cerib]

Re: New Boatowner

There is a problem with that in my current location.. Not very many people own power boats, were are susceptable to wind, therefore there are much more sail users than there is engine. Although in my local harbor there are 'power-boat rides' I am unsure of what type / model of boat they use, but that would be something i am after, I know that those are going to be way out of my league, but if anyone can locate me to a second hand boat dealership in the UK i'd appreciate that. The better it looks, the more chicks i get so, I hope i can get a good deal at a second hand dealership in the UK! 8) Thanks for you input so far QC and Jack.

 

[calwldlif]

Re: New Boatowner

If you wrote about where you are going to use it
I missed it.
What boat will be right for you depends on
what water conditions are
how many people you want to take
Use... fishing, water toys, diving, cruising
maint needs, outboard, inboard, I/O
How fast
Many Many Many factors.
Post back what your dream list then
people will tell you what would satisfy you

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: New Boatowner

Like what was mentioned earlier, spend less than what you have purchasing the boat, use the rest to fix it up. If you do the work yourself (use this forum to guide you on the repairs) you'd be surprised what you can end up with. The foremost thing to look at is the condition of the motor, check the compression, do a sea trial. If the boat looks a little rough, elbow grease and determination can go a long way in improving the cosmetics. I paid 400 for my first boat, put about another 1000 into fixing it up right, and I was able to get plenty of chicks!!!8)
Good luck in your search and welcome aboard!!

Take a boating safety course and develop some good practices early-on; you will appreciate the knowledge as will your fellow boaters!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Boatowner

Cerib, how mechanically inclined are you, bike, cars scooters,etc? this is a concern because of maintainance. i recommend and outboard as they are much easier to service and require less maint. the proper set up of the boat is critical, seeing you are in an area that is windy, a deep V hull would give a better ride. if the water get really rough i would not recommend a bow rider, unless it had a substanial bow cover to apply in rough weather. goggle used boats and spend a while looking. HP is going to depend on the hull you pick. also consider who is in your area for service of the engine.
cal and studly type faster than i do.

 

[Cerib]

Re: New Boatowner

Thats not a worry for me Tasha, you see my friend i was talking about earlier has been working on marine engines for over 5 years now. And im looking for a 90-120 HP engine (gonna cost me a pretty penny) but im not sure where to get the basic frame for a boat, he mentioned to me earlier today that if i purchase the items seperately i will save myself a lot. So yet again, if anyone has any websites arround the UK with used / cheap new frames, engines, transom's etc. please just post it in here. The factors will mainly be:
Sea Use
2-4 passengers
90-120 HP engine
Look good
drag a tow toy
able to fit a VHF radio with ease

really, anything that you guys could suggest that covers even one of those would be very nice.

 

[KCook]

Re: New Boatowner

Lots of UK boaters on the message boards over at www.YBW.com

Kelly Cook

 

[calwldlif]

Re: New Boatowner

Deep V hull
17 foot
outboard
Runabout (not bowrider)
I don't know what brands avail in your area

 

[aspeck]

Re: New Boatowner

Several UK boaters that I know like their RIBS. Not the coolest looking boat on the water, but will service you well.

 

[12345]

Re: New Boatowner

iboats.com is a very good site, just got a 16ft 6 bayliner bowrider 130hp inboard with four wheel galv trailer at just £3000 and i only need to replace a few rollers and get an anchor

 

[Cerib]

Re: New Boatowner

Hmm, how do you find UK sellers? is ir forum or search based?