thinking of getting a boat

[edewer]

hey guys. seeing as my boarding has progressed to a level at which the family boston whaler is no longer a challenge, i'm looking at saving to get myself a boat solely for boarding behind.

my budget is about 4000, so i just wondered whether anyone had any ideas as to whether i'll get something decent for the money or whether i should wait til i've got a substantial amount of money to buy something like a MC?


ed

[j3r3m7]

Ed,

Have you got 4000 USD or 4000 Francs ... let us know where you live as it affects the cost of boats, and also their suitability for you local waters.

[edewer]

hi mate, sorry i thought it said it in my profile but i obviously need to change it.

i live in hertfordshire but i am at uni ion winchester, so owuld be using the boat primarily in poole harbour

ed

[saltwater_cowboy]

4k will get you a useable boat but if your going to be a coastal rider you'll need something which is more seaworthy than the 4k mastercrafts, nautiques, sportiques and a like. You can use them on the sea but you'll find anything other than really smooth conditions will see waves and spray over the bow like crazy.

If you spent a bit more maybe 5-6k you might be able to get a 17ft-18ft searay/maxum/bayliner inboard with stern drive and this would be a great basis for future upgrades like tower, ballast etc.

You could get youself a cheap fletcher or similar with an outboard but I think you'd out grow that too soon as its not ideal for wakeboarding.

[edewer]

saltwater-cowboy - speaking of fletchers, i've seen a few with the 3ltr inboard on them for around 3k. they're the 17ft model. would something like that be any good, as the boston whaler has about a foot wake when fully loaded, if that, soi can really have much fun with it

ed

[saltwater_cowboy]

The fletcher won't have a big wake but with some ballast and time you could most likely tune it to make it better. The thing with some of the earlier fletchers are that they are pretty narrow. This makes the interior cramped and usually makes a very washed out narrow wake but they make ideal boats for coastal use. Most made from the late eighties onwards have a wider beam. Something liek this would be ideal : http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F105782/




The 3.0 inboard if in good fettle will be ok for a few of people and a fat sack which will help the wake size. With the smaller engines the prop that is running is going to make a big difference so budget £300 or so for a nice 4 or 5 blade prop with a slightly lower than stock pitch.

Another option is this very rare fletcher http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F100433/


Its an inboard with shaft drive and the mercruiser V8 so plenty of grunt for extra ballast. I've seen the hull of these and they look like they would be ok for some coastal use as the V hull extends to the stern and should give a nice wake if weighted correctly. This one looks good and could be a bargain!

Anyway you go though if your spending 3 - 4k keep some budget left for repairs and servicing, boat owning isn't cheap and boats which seem good value can often turn into money pits.