New to boating. Buying advice needed!

[Speeder]

Hi all.

I've always wanted a boat, and a suitable lump of cash has just dropped into my mits to buy one.

I've got upto £2,000 as a budget, and want someting 12-14ft, that I can pop on a trailer and tow behind an Audi A3 quattro.

Ideally I'd like to be able to use it for near shore fishing, and just for mucking about/ impressing girls with ( hey at least I'm honest ).

I don't really want anything I'd need great technical skills to use, or anything that I need to leave in a harbour, something I can stick on the drive when not in use under a cover.

Effectively a sort of summer-weekend-sports car on water.

I've been looking at this sort of thing on autotrader boats....

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/ZndvOTA0MzMxM35wdnQ%25...

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/ZndvODQ2ODM1N35wdnQ%25...

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/ZndvODk1OTk3M35wdnQ%25...


I really am a novice, and assume that this is a good time of year to start looking, any advice would be much appreciated

[mateus]

Speeder said:

Hi all.

I've always wanted a boat, and a suitable lump of cash has just dropped into my mits to buy one.

I've got upto £2,000 as a budget, and want someting 12-14ft, that I can pop on a trailer and tow behind an Audi A3 quattro.

Ideally I'd like to be able to use it for near shore fishing, and just for mucking about/ impressing girls with ( hey at least I'm honest ).

I don't really want anything I'd need great technical skills to use, or anything that I need to leave in a harbour, something I can stick on the drive when not in use under a cover.

Effectively a sort of summer-weekend-sports car on water.

I've been looking at this sort of thing on autotrader boats....

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/ZndvOTA0MzMxM35wdnQ%25...

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/ZndvODQ2ODM1N35wdnQ%25...

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/ZndvODk1OTk3M35wdnQ%25...


I really am a novice, and assume that this is a good time of year to start looking, any advice would be much appreciated

I think your looking at the right sort of thing, Fletcher are pretty bullit proof don't pick one with a johnson / OMC outboard, go for a yam or a merc. make sure they've had the impeller changed regularly and the mounts aren't buggered the engine shouldn't flap around like a dick in a bucket.... if they're keen to sell do a test run, offer to pay the fuel and that way you can check the water tell tail is strong and the engine runs sweet and starts when hot...

Hull, check the floors for de-lamination around the transom (arse end) and under the seats just make sure everything is secure.

Check the steering lock to lock there shouldn't be any play when you twist the engine too loose engine mounts or steering rack knackered. ~If you can get hydraulic steering..

Best o luck.

Edited by mateus on Wednesday 17th October 20:17

Edited by mateus on Wednesday 17th October 20:30

[Rum Runner]

Agree with what mateus said , just remember though at that money you are likely to find a few things a bit a so so . The shakespeare with the Yam looks ok (check painted trailer though) , these engines are almost bullet proof , the Merc with the round engine cover is real old school , you may find parts hard to get , mateus will probably in better position to tell you . Give the trailer a good looking at as well.
But to be honest its probably not going to be bird magnet !, One thing you don't want it a Lifeboat magnet !, be careful.

Edited by Rum Runner on Wednesday 17th October 21:56

[Schmalex]

What Mateus said. But if you really are a novice, set a little bit of cash aside for some lessons so that you don't become a danger to yourself!

[Speeder]

Thanks chaps.

[steven f]

The shakespeare with the Yam looks ok i had a shakespeare 15ft 6 magnum i think with a 115hp yamaha on it was a fantastic boat had more fun with that than my arriva. mastercraft barefoot 200hp yamaha. and then a formula 242 the shakespear was fantastic fun

[Speeder]

steven f said:

The shakespeare with the Yam looks ok i had a shakespeare 15ft 6 magnum i think with a 115hp yamaha on it was a fantastic boat had more fun with that than my arriva. mastercraft barefoot 200hp yamaha. and then a formula 242 the shakespear was fantastic fun

Cool. Like I said really I'm looking for something to muck about with on a sunny day, explore a few coves etc. Maybe take a rod and do some sea fishing. That won't break the bank.

Any thoughts on towing weight? Would a normal 2.0l diesel be upto it? Sorry if I'm sounding like a numpty, but I've not towed a trailer before.

And what about maintenance....if it's not stored on the water, and is stuck in the car port under covers I was assuming that costs would be low. Is this realistic?

[BigBazza]

Speeder said:

steven f said:

The shakespeare with the Yam looks ok i had a shakespeare 15ft 6 magnum i think with a 115hp yamaha on it was a fantastic boat had more fun with that than my arriva. mastercraft barefoot 200hp yamaha. and then a formula 242 the shakespear was fantastic fun

Cool. Like I said really I'm looking for something to muck about with on a sunny day, explore a few coves etc. Maybe take a rod and do some sea fishing. That won't break the bank.

Any thoughts on towing weight? Would a normal 2.0l diesel be upto it? Sorry if I'm sounding like a numpty, but I've not towed a trailer before.

And what about maintenance....if it's not stored on the water, and is stuck in the car port under covers I was assuming that costs would be low. Is this realistic?

I agree with the above, the Shakespeare does appear to be the pick of those 3, check the trailer out properly though. You should be fine towing that with a 2ltr diesel, maybe add some nose weight if it wanders a bit on the M'way (We used to pack the bow with all the picnic stuff etc to make it behave on the road)

Maintainence shouldn;t be too bad at all, these little speedboats are very simple, engine and controls is all you need to worry about. Keep them lubed and in good order, winterise and de-winterise every year and costs will be minimal.

Good luck, where are you looking to use it?

Edited by BigBazza on Thursday 18th October 11:29

[Speeder]

BigBazza said:

I agree with the above, the Shakespeare does appear to be the pick of those 3, check the trailer out properly though. You should be fine towing that with a 2ltr diesel, maybe add some nose weight if it wanders a bit on the M'way (We used to pack the bow with all the picnic stuff etc to make it behave on the road)

Maintainence shouldn;t be too bad at all, these little speedboats are very simple, engine and controls is all you need to worry about. Keep them lubed and in good order, winterise and de-winterise every year and costs will be minimal.

Good luck, where are you looking to use it?

Edited by BigBazza on Thursday 18th October 11:29

Oh I'm a South Wales boy, so I was intending to take it out mainly down by the Gower Peninsula and Pembrookshire coast in summer as that's my local bit of sea.

By winterise, do you mean electicals etc, in the same way as you'd do putting a car to bed over winter?

Thanks for the tip about weight distribution I'll do that.

Oh btw, am I right in thiking that this is a good time of year to be hunting....I assumed that the small sports boat market would be similar to the sports car market....i.e. a summer toy.

I'll pop down to take a look at that one in Brighton I think, there's also one in the classifieds on here for £2k.

http://www.track-days.co.uk/sales/268095.htm

Thanks!

Edited by Speeder on Thursday 18th October 11:46

[BigBazza]

Speeder said:

BigBazza said:

I agree with the above, the Shakespeare does appear to be the pick of those 3, check the trailer out properly though. You should be fine towing that with a 2ltr diesel, maybe add some nose weight if it wanders a bit on the M'way (We used to pack the bow with all the picnic stuff etc to make it behave on the road)

Maintainence shouldn;t be too bad at all, these little speedboats are very simple, engine and controls is all you need to worry about. Keep them lubed and in good order, winterise and de-winterise every year and costs will be minimal.

Good luck, where are you looking to use it?

Edited by BigBazza on Thursday 18th October 11:29

Oh I'm a South Wales boy, so I was intending to take it out mainly down by the Gower Peninsula and Pembrookshire coast in summer as that's my local bit of sea.

By winterise, do you mean electicals etc, in the same way as you'd do putting a car to bed over winter?

Thanks for the tip about weight distribution I'll do that.

Oh btw, am I right in thiking that this is a good time of year to be hunting....I assumed that the small sports boat market would be similar to the sports car market....i.e. a summer toy.

I'll pop down to take a look at that one in Brighton I think, there's also one in the classifieds on here for £2k.

http://www.track-days.co.uk/sales/268095.htm

Thanks!

Edited by Speeder on Thursday 18th October 11:46

Winterising is basically spraying a special lube in your air intake to give all the internals a good coating before she gets put away for the winter. Take the battery off and grease everything up.

Have a look round local boatyards etc before you go all the way to Brighton, they always have little Fletchers kicking about and you might get a bit of after care if you're lucky!

Beautiful round the Gower, you do right to be looking now, get her ready for the spring and go for it!

[Speeder]

BigBazza said:

Winterising is basically spraying a special lube in your air intake to give all the internals a good coating before she gets put away for the winter. Take the battery off and grease everything up.

Have a look round local boatyards etc before you go all the way to Brighton, they always have little Fletchers kicking about and you might get a bit of after care if you're lucky!

Beautiful round the Gower, you do right to be looking now, get her ready for the spring and go for it!

Ah thanks, yes so similar sort of thing to hibernating a car. Thanks for the tip, I'll see if I can find where the local yards are.

Yes, the Gower is lovely, sort a mini Cornwall I always think.

Anyway, for a couple of grand it just seems like a nice, easy way in, I can always move onto more ambitious stuff.

Main thing is none of you have said "nutter", or "a boat like that will sink".

I'll pop back to let you know how I get on, and as you say fingers crossed come spring I'll have a nice new toy to play with

Thanks again guys.

[holmesy9]

i agree with everyone and watch your feul prices, buy a economical engine that is cheap to run,



i sujest a benateau flyer 12