First boat advice needed.

[Corin Denton]

Evening All, I'm thinking of trying out boat ownership for a season, all I want is a cheap little speedboat for a season to but I have zero knowledge about the subject, my budget is a max of £2k.

Can anyone give any advice?

[Mikey G]

Make sure it floats..

sorry

I had a jetski but it doesnt quite compare great fun to go splashing on the water

[cotty]

Im taking cover before the whole sail v's power debate/all out riot kicks off again

[thebluemonkey]

www.yachtworld.com has some pretty good classifieds running from old cruise liners to blow up dinghies.

[t1grm]

cotty said:

Im taking cover before the whole sail v's power debate/all out riot kicks off again

Try here for starters:

<a href="http://www.boats-for-sale.com/">www.boats-for-sale.com/</a>

Or get a copy of buy a boat for under 20K from any good newsagent (however this only has the same ads as on the website).

Edited to add: For that sort of money you're looking at a 10 year old 14-16 foot Fletcher or similar. Fletcher have a good reputation. You may also want to consider a RIB - sort of a cross between an inflatable dinghy and a speedboat.

>> Edited by t1grm on Sunday 5th December 17:49

[Pigeon]

Bath tub
Propellor
V8

...what else do you need?

[Corin Denton]

Pigeon said:

Bath tub Propellor V8 ...what else do you need?

Funny you should mention it Pidgeon but I did find this....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=23808&item=7118982413&rd=1

[vixpy1]

clapham993!

[markmullen]

Me and a few lads at work are going shares on a little Fletcher next year, with out days off being staggered to keep coverage in the showroom we can each use it and never clash.

[Mikey G]

Can someone lend me a few quid? just checked my lottery numbers and a tenner wont do it...

I NEED THIS BOAT

[bga]

For 2k you are looking at the ropey end of the market bu tthat's not to say you will be looking at a death trap.

If you want a "speedboat" you should be able to find something like a Fletcher Arrowsport or a Shakespeare for that money. Whatever you do, budget for getting the engine and any hydraulics serviced. Many coastguard calls are for occasional powerboaters who decide to go out without having their stuff checked over at the start of the season.

For my money I would look at a Rib or track down a Dell Quay Dory - plenty around and pretty tough. Even a 40hp on the back of one of these is enough for a giggle.

[$lowpoke]

Whatever you go for, the most important vitalist essential is to check the engine most thoroughly.

Get a knowledgable mate or a professional to help if you reckon you aren't sure enough.

The rest you can live with or fix up.

Engine, that's the thing.

[Lois-PIE]

dingy?

[Corin Denton]

mungo said:

Lois-PIE said: dingy? Corin - that boat on Ebay looks about right - for the money anyway >> Edited by mungo on Sunday 5th December 20:34

Did you read that it's powered by a Rover V8!

[Corin Denton]

Thanks for all the help so far folks!

[Corin Denton]

I think all boats are expensive to run mate, even Lois' dinghy!

[JonRB]

Boating is (and I quote) "a big hole in the water into which you pour money".

Believe me. I have grown up with boats.

[alexkp]

Here's my little gin palace.

www.oceanswirls.com/boat_large/luxury_yatch.jpg


And here it is after I attempted a handbrake turn at speed...

www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/misc/yacht.jpg

[Corin Denton]

Who cares, for the amount it would get used the V8 wins every time!

Ooh ya beauty! imagine that with straight through pipes!

[king arthur]

Don't forget to buy a pair of oars. And rowlocks.