boat buying for newbies....
Discussion
Righty,
A while back I got the idea into my head that getting a boat would be a good idea. I'll point out at this early stage that whilst I'm unfamiliar with little boats and lots of stuff to do with them, I've spent a good few years at sea on ships so I'm not totally green.
However, when it comes to the buying of, and running of I'm somewhat out of my depth admittedly.
Obviously it would be wise to charter one for a little while and see what's what, and whether my other half likes it. We'll skip that bit for now and get to the "we've tried it, liked it and want to buy one" stage. with a view to buying in the spring of next year.
Running costs are the thing that I'm most perplexed about. Now I've done some back of a barmat type sums and got a few ballpark figures for what things would cost, and fully expect my numbers to be at least a few zeros out.
I've a very vague idea of what I / we want in a boat at this stage, the closest thing I've spotted after a very quick gander is a Sunseeker Monterey 27. Whilst I have no idea how good or bad this maybe at this stage, but that's the sort of boat I had in mind.
As much as I'd like to keep the boat in monaco, unfortunatly I'm not eddie irvine. I'd like to keep it somewhere in the UK initially, down south.
I realise this is possibly the most vague and difficult question ever, but could someone give me a 'typical' breakdown of a years running costs (aside of fuel) to keep / maintain / run a boat, assuming I get the best example I can for my budget (a paltry 20 grand for the boat itself I expect). I realise there's no set rule, but an idea of what expenses there are and what expenses there could be would be great. I do realise this question is as vague as can get
The boat would need to be stored is all the information I'm sure on at this stage, storage type / where etc is anyone's guess!
I've lots of stupid questions to follow, but I'm most interested in getting my head around the various expenses, hoops to jump through, maintenance and running costs before I go any further
I realise it's a very difficult pastime to do on a budget, and whilst I'm not frugal, I'm not ready for bankruptcy just yet
Any pointers / links / tips / places to investigate for someone new to this would be much appreciated, as said it's the costs I'm keen to find out about first
Chartering is definately on the cards, as is doing a hell of a lot of research before I even think about taking it any further, but it's always nice to know these things in advance
A while back I got the idea into my head that getting a boat would be a good idea. I'll point out at this early stage that whilst I'm unfamiliar with little boats and lots of stuff to do with them, I've spent a good few years at sea on ships so I'm not totally green.
However, when it comes to the buying of, and running of I'm somewhat out of my depth admittedly.
Obviously it would be wise to charter one for a little while and see what's what, and whether my other half likes it. We'll skip that bit for now and get to the "we've tried it, liked it and want to buy one" stage. with a view to buying in the spring of next year.
Running costs are the thing that I'm most perplexed about. Now I've done some back of a barmat type sums and got a few ballpark figures for what things would cost, and fully expect my numbers to be at least a few zeros out.
I've a very vague idea of what I / we want in a boat at this stage, the closest thing I've spotted after a very quick gander is a Sunseeker Monterey 27. Whilst I have no idea how good or bad this maybe at this stage, but that's the sort of boat I had in mind.
As much as I'd like to keep the boat in monaco, unfortunatly I'm not eddie irvine. I'd like to keep it somewhere in the UK initially, down south.
I realise this is possibly the most vague and difficult question ever, but could someone give me a 'typical' breakdown of a years running costs (aside of fuel) to keep / maintain / run a boat, assuming I get the best example I can for my budget (a paltry 20 grand for the boat itself I expect). I realise there's no set rule, but an idea of what expenses there are and what expenses there could be would be great. I do realise this question is as vague as can get
The boat would need to be stored is all the information I'm sure on at this stage, storage type / where etc is anyone's guess!I've lots of stupid questions to follow, but I'm most interested in getting my head around the various expenses, hoops to jump through, maintenance and running costs before I go any further
I realise it's a very difficult pastime to do on a budget, and whilst I'm not frugal, I'm not ready for bankruptcy just yet
Any pointers / links / tips / places to investigate for someone new to this would be much appreciated, as said it's the costs I'm keen to find out about first
Chartering is definately on the cards, as is doing a hell of a lot of research before I even think about taking it any further, but it's always nice to know these things in advance
Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 4th June 15:42
Ok, I've had a few boats. I love 'em and I love the freedom of the sea even more! My first was a new Rinker 270. I've gradually worked my way SMALLER over the years. Smaller boats costs less to buy and run, and generally are more fun, although you lose stability and rough sea abilities (when talking about rigid hull boats).
If you want accommodation then smaller cruisers like these are fair enough, budget 1 litre per mile per engine. £2000 a year for engine & drive servicing & other maint like antifouling. Same again minimum for south coast marina berth (a lot more somewhere interesting like the Solent). Make no mistake: it will not be cheap, esp with fuel prices going the way they are.
Now I see you have a fine towing vehicle in your profile. 20k will buy you a hell of a lot of 6.5m RIB. Shove it in a garage, tow it and launch it wherever you like. Lots of fun family days/weeks out all over the country. Still budget for 1 litre a mile, but other costs will be negligable. Fast, fun, handle (inc the rough stuff), a lot of space (albeit without being able to overnight)
Now my missus hates boats and the sea so I've ended up the last 5 years with a (sit-down) jetski which I love. Even towed from Sussex up to Loch Lomond at Easter, stayed at a lodge on the loch. Heaven.
ETA: For browsing there is no better place than boatsandoutboards.co.uk (just watch out for the obvious scam ads)
If you want accommodation then smaller cruisers like these are fair enough, budget 1 litre per mile per engine. £2000 a year for engine & drive servicing & other maint like antifouling. Same again minimum for south coast marina berth (a lot more somewhere interesting like the Solent). Make no mistake: it will not be cheap, esp with fuel prices going the way they are.
Now I see you have a fine towing vehicle in your profile. 20k will buy you a hell of a lot of 6.5m RIB. Shove it in a garage, tow it and launch it wherever you like. Lots of fun family days/weeks out all over the country. Still budget for 1 litre a mile, but other costs will be negligable. Fast, fun, handle (inc the rough stuff), a lot of space (albeit without being able to overnight)
Now my missus hates boats and the sea so I've ended up the last 5 years with a (sit-down) jetski which I love. Even towed from Sussex up to Loch Lomond at Easter, stayed at a lodge on the loch. Heaven.
ETA: For browsing there is no better place than boatsandoutboards.co.uk (just watch out for the obvious scam ads)
Edited by richardxjr on Wednesday 4th June 16:39
Edited by richardxjr on Wednesday 4th June 16:49
Thanks for the reply
The kind of boat I've got in mind is a smallish cruiser, big enough to deal with the slightly choppier stuff, 2-4 berth ideally
something like this http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F182182
Though I've know knowledge of the boat itself, that's the sort of thing I'd be after (though that one really would be pushing the budget for the boat itself).
The child in me says find something with V8 power, or twin V8's, but I fear that would be my demise
I'm hoping that maintenance wise I should be able to deal with a fair whack of it myself, it's not essential by any means but i'm a hands on kind of guy and a marine engineer so I guess that's inevitable.
As for the tow car, sadly now written off by some mindless vandalism (break in, slashed leather and paint all over the interior
), however it shall be replaced with something bigger and even better for towing very soon with a lot more grunt
Thanks for the pointers, much appreciated :thumbs:
The kind of boat I've got in mind is a smallish cruiser, big enough to deal with the slightly choppier stuff, 2-4 berth ideally
something like this http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F182182
Though I've know knowledge of the boat itself, that's the sort of thing I'd be after (though that one really would be pushing the budget for the boat itself).
The child in me says find something with V8 power, or twin V8's, but I fear that would be my demise
I'm hoping that maintenance wise I should be able to deal with a fair whack of it myself, it's not essential by any means but i'm a hands on kind of guy and a marine engineer so I guess that's inevitable.
As for the tow car, sadly now written off by some mindless vandalism (break in, slashed leather and paint all over the interior
), however it shall be replaced with something bigger and even better for towing very soon with a lot more grunt Thanks for the pointers, much appreciated :thumbs:
Those merc V8s are solid enough. Remember you'll need to service the outdrives as well as the engines, plus steering and control cables etc. There are plenty US forums around to assist you here. You can do that at the end of season lift-out; antifoul youself too cheaply albeit a messy job.
I helped a friend of mine antifoul his triple engine Sunseeker Superhawk 48 which is a rather lovely 40+knot beast.
Most 27 footers have a single engine. Half the running & servicing costs and less potential problems. I had a proper 4-berth '92 Regal 240 (26 foot LOA) with a single Merc 250. Good family boat. Well built for a yank, good accoms; You'll also find the twin engined (merc V6) 28' Regal 260's within your budget. You'll get bigger and newer boat for your buck with an US one.
(I'm pretty sure that Monterey 27 is only 2 berth in the cabin, and no inside shower)
These are lovely: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F182702
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BS011616
ETA: If 2 berths will do I really rate the Rinker 232 as a good compromise between small cruiser & fast sportsboat. Nice big cockpit:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BS010246
Often available with trailer too.
I helped a friend of mine antifoul his triple engine Sunseeker Superhawk 48 which is a rather lovely 40+knot beast.
Most 27 footers have a single engine. Half the running & servicing costs and less potential problems. I had a proper 4-berth '92 Regal 240 (26 foot LOA) with a single Merc 250. Good family boat. Well built for a yank, good accoms; You'll also find the twin engined (merc V6) 28' Regal 260's within your budget. You'll get bigger and newer boat for your buck with an US one.
(I'm pretty sure that Monterey 27 is only 2 berth in the cabin, and no inside shower)
These are lovely: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F182702
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BS011616
ETA: If 2 berths will do I really rate the Rinker 232 as a good compromise between small cruiser & fast sportsboat. Nice big cockpit:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BS010246
Often available with trailer too.
Edited by richardxjr on Wednesday 4th June 18:01
I used to have a Fairline Targa 27. It had twin Mercruiser 4.2 V8's & went like a rocket ship (c.46kts flat out), but had accommodation for 4 people. As well as being able to blast around the Solent, my wife & I also took it to the Channel Islands / Weymouth / France etc many times & it handled lumpy seas with ease.
The marina cost me £7,500 p.a (Lymington Yacht Haven)
Fuel was £250 to fill up (marine unleaded was £1 / litre in 2000 / 2001). This lasted c. 90 miles
Engine services were c.£400 iirc
Lift out for antifouling was £100
Antifouling paint was c. £50
Insurance was £150 p.a
A good rough annual running budget is somewhere in the region of 10 - 30% of its purchase price (depending on whether you want marina berthing / river berthing etc)
The marina cost me £7,500 p.a (Lymington Yacht Haven)
Fuel was £250 to fill up (marine unleaded was £1 / litre in 2000 / 2001). This lasted c. 90 miles
Engine services were c.£400 iirc
Lift out for antifouling was £100
Antifouling paint was c. £50
Insurance was £150 p.a
A good rough annual running budget is somewhere in the region of 10 - 30% of its purchase price (depending on whether you want marina berthing / river berthing etc)
schmalex said:
...The marina cost me £7,500 p.a (Lymington Yacht Haven)
Fuel was £250 to fill up (marine unleaded was £1 / litre in 2000 / 2001). This lasted c. 90 miles
...
Ouch x2. Nice boat though.Fuel was £250 to fill up (marine unleaded was £1 / litre in 2000 / 2001). This lasted c. 90 miles
...
I'd guess marina unleaded is, what, £1.40 now? Actually looking at b&o, boat prices don't seem to have been hit much yet. I bet they tumble at the end of the season though (prob another 25p/l by then too)
Another advantage with a boat on trailer, you can fill up on the road.
ETA: Most boat owners I know, well those not retired, struggle to afford not the monetary costs, but the time you need to get the most out of a boat. Specifically being able to drop everything and run for the coast whenever it happens to be warm, sunny, light winds and a calm sea! Plus getting all the winter maintenance done during your 4-6 week lift out slot (some marinas)
Edited by richardxjr on Thursday 5th June 09:53
richardxjr said:
schmalex said:
...The marina cost me £7,500 p.a (Lymington Yacht Haven)
Fuel was £250 to fill up (marine unleaded was £1 / litre in 2000 / 2001). This lasted c. 90 miles
...
Ouch x2. Nice boat though.Fuel was £250 to fill up (marine unleaded was £1 / litre in 2000 / 2001). This lasted c. 90 miles
...
I'd guess marina unleaded is, what, £1.40 now? Actually looking at b&o, boat prices don't seem to have been hit much yet. I bet they tumble at the end of the season though (prob another 25p/l by then too)
Another advantage with a boat on trailer, you can fill up on the road.
ETA: Most boat owners I know, well those not retired, struggle to afford not the monetary costs, but the time you need to get the most out of a boat. Specifically being able to drop everything and run for the coast whenever it happens to be warm, sunny, light winds and a calm sea! Plus getting all the winter maintenance done during your 4-6 week lift out slot (some marinas)
Edited by richardxjr on Thursday 5th June 09:53
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