Boats

KierNet

Does anyone on here own a boat?

I've been on them before, but today was the first time when it wasn't as a child/working (kids care home in the past, day trips etc) so able to enjoy it and have a laugh.

I know it is going to be expensive, and I'm not able to afford to own one yet, but want to look into it a bit. So, what would I need?

Boat
Mooring point (think thats what its called?)
Not sure about a smaller boat to get out to it moored or if the boating club provide them...think they might do!

Do you need insurance? Never heard of boat insurance before.

What would be a good starter boat? I don't like the idea of a sailing boat, one today was some kind of power boat I believe.

Any help would be great!

Outpost

I'd imagine you need insurance yes.

rev_henry

What kind of boat do you want? A 100 ft ocean going cruiser or a little dinghy you can just tow behind your car?

KierNet

Well I went on some kind of power boat today, similar to this one. I wouldn't tow it, no need to as I live 5 miles from the sea and plenty to moor it. Plus I don't have a licence to tow lol.

rev_henry

If you want a mooring you need to find out how it works locally because its different in different places. Some places its free, others you pay annually etc etc. Your local sailing club would be able to help. If its not a pontoon mooring (like a parking space off a jetty) and is just a buoy you'll need a little boat as a tender to get to it, maybe an inflatable.

KierNet

Thanks! Local club has both it seems, pontoon and just a buoy...much cheaper to use the buoy, around £800 a year compared to around £3k! Think they provide the small boat as well.

pitkin2020

KierNet wrote: »

Does anyone on here own a boat?

I've been on them before, but today was the first time when it wasn't as a child/working (kids care home in the past, day trips etc) so able to enjoy it and have a laugh.

I know it is going to be expensive, and I'm not able to afford to own one yet, but want to look into it a bit. So, what would I need?

Boat
Mooring point (think thats what its called?)
Not sure about a smaller boat to get out to it moored or if the boating club provide them...think they might do!

Do you need insurance? Never heard of boat insurance before.

What would be a good starter boat? I don't like the idea of a sailing boat, one today was some kind of power boat I believe.

Any help would be great!

Do you have any experience of boating either river or sea, do you know what to do when in trouble, what safety equipment your going to need etc etc??

Seriously go and speak with your local sailing club before just going out and buying something your incapable of handling safely. Too many people buy a boat because they have been on one and don't take into consideration (especially sea) how quickly a nice calm day can turn into your worse nightmare. Unlike being on land if your boat breaks down you can't just leave it somewhere and get a lift home.

As for costs they will soon mount up, you can pick up cheapy fun boats for under a grand, add an outboard for a bit more. The real costs mount up with mooring fees or towing and launching costs and the ongoing maintenance needed. Insurance isn't compulsory as far as I am aware but it definitely worth having especially 3rd party, you plough into someones 500k gym palace in the harbour you'll wish you had insurance!!. VHF is a must also!!

paddedjohn

KierNet wrote: »

Well I went on some kind of power boat today, similar to this one. I wouldn't tow it, no need to as I live 5 miles from the sea and plenty to moor it. Plus I don't have a licence to tow lol.

Its a bit of a myth that you need a licence to tow, your full car licence will surfice as long as you stay within the weight limits and have cat B on your entitlement.



Motor vehicles with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg, no more than eight passenger seats, with or without a trailer - weighing no more than 750 kg
17*

As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 3,500 kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle

garethgas

I had a boat very similar to the one you linked to. It was a Wellcraft elite. 19ft 6", eight seater 230hp inboard V8.
If you think you can moor that onto a buoy, I think your going to be very disappointed when you discover expensive bits go missing on a weekly basis.
I originally kept mine at the local marina but then kept it at home where I could clean it properly, charge the batteries before going out, check all safety equip etc.
To be honest, buying the boat will be the cheapest part of your experience.
You seem to have no idea about boats, boating or indeed the sea. I suggest you befriend some boat owners who could take you out as crew for a year or two and you will learn enough to make you decide what type of boat you really want and also to sail it safely.
By the way, its also tremendous fun if done properly and responsibly.
Good luck

chris175

As has said before, buying the boat is the cheapest bit, the ongoing costs are the expensive bit. My dad has owned a 14 foot Fletcher Arrowflyte from new since 1978, and it is still in good working condition, but to keep it that way has been hard work, it is now maintained my Dad and Myself.

He used to keep it at a friends house in wales also about 5 miles from the sea, although he'd never leave it in the water, he always towed it home. If you've got a car licence just check the weights, I didn't pass my test until 2002 and I am fine with my car and boat combination, it is now kept in crewe and usually used off shell island near Harlech, North Wales.

You will need to spend alot of time maintaining your boat, as our boat only gets used a couple of time a year, it always needs the battery charging, engine checking, trailer servicing (bearings don't last long after being in salt water). You then go and have fun but when you get back you need to flush the engine through otherwise it will internaly corrode badly, presuming your going in the sea.

Yes you will also need boat insurance of at least 3rd Party cover, we're not allowed onto shell island without the cover note.

So to sum up, it is alot of hard work, but I my eyes it is worth it. But please please get some training from a club before you go and buy. It could save your life, the sea isn't a nice place when the weather turns nasty and your stuck with an outboard that refuses re-start.

reeac

There's so much to cover but here goes:
Insurance: we have comp. on a 29 ft. sailing cruiser for about £300 p.a. and TPO on an 18 ft. dayboat for £45.
Mooring: cost is very dependant on location. A swinging mooring [afloat at all stages of tide] costs us £20/foot p.a. in a Suffolk estuary. TPO insurance is compulsory for thesae moorings.
In general purchase and running costs are VERY dependant on boat size - stay below 20 ft. length as a beginning. As others have said: get to know local sailors. Our club holds "taster sessions" particularly for children but also for adults.