First boat for family

baradcc

Any suggestions for a first family boat, preferably with a cuddy cabin.
What should I look for and what should I avoid.
thanks

Pigeon Reaper

baradcc wrote: »

Any suggestions for a first family boat, preferably with a cuddy cabin.
What should I look for and what should I avoid.
thanks

Orkney boats are generally considered to be among the best and will last many years of use/abuse. Check trailers over very carefully as a new one will add alot to the cost. Also try to get a 4 stroke engine if possible as they're quiet and more fuel efficent than a 2 stroke. Are you planning to use it on a lake or sea?

baradcc

It would be on a lake

Tabnabs

What's your budget, level of experience and how will you use the boat?

baradcc

About 10k.
No experience but will be doing powerboat courses.
For use on lake only; fishing, pulling kids on the ring etc

Tabnabs

If it's just a day boat you're after then something like;

http://sportboats.apolloduck.ie/feature.phtml?id=128690
http://sportboats.apolloduck.ie/display.phtml?aid=92208

But if you want to stay overnight at all, I would recommend a Shetland, very good brand and well sought after.

http://motorboats.apolloduck.ie/boats.phtml?id=18

If you are towing the boat, make sure everything is 100% road legal and safe, if you want to use a private marina, make sure you factor the costs into your annual budget. In general petrol inboard engines are to be avoided (they are a "bargain" price for a reason).

You'll get an awful lot of advice and tips over on http://www.powerboat.ie/forums/

john p

I think you might like my boat its a hardy 20ft with a nice cabin. Hardy make the lifeboats and are very well made, This was my starter boat, mine has a 90hp outboard does 20 knots most have only 50hp no good with more than 2 people on board, little sink,toilet,room for stove,table, lights and room for 4 to sit outdoors and it comes with a really top quality trailer all for €6500 google hardy 20 if you want to see what it looks like, I going after a bigger fishing boat 26 ft for deep sea fishing

garboard

Actually came on to see if people thought this was a good buy... but see a lot of people asking the same Q. I have a small sailing boat but am looking for a powerboat and this looked good value on the afloat mag site. But is it?

http://www.afloat.ie/podcasts/afloat.ie-family-finnmaster-cruiser-is-seriously-reduced/

Tabnabs

Seems like a good boat, the advice I was given about motorboats is that the engine is the most important bit, the rest is just packaging. So it would be worth asking how good the D3 engine is over here. There may be a significant reason why the price has dropped so dramatically.

baradcc

Would an Merry Fisher or an Ocqueteau be ok for wakeboarding and tubing?
Any recommendations for this type of activity on a lake?

Also, what type engine would be best option? Would need something economical.

Thanks

murphym7

Merry Fisher and Ocqueteau are both coastal/estuary boats - also fuel bill would be expensive for dragging kids around on a ring. They would both have the speed required but the amount of fuel you would use to drag the kids around for a bit of fun would be too much - much more than the cost of fuel for lets say a 60hp outboard on a smaller type boat. Also the manoverablilty of these would possibly make it unsafe for this kind of usage. IMO.

I would leave these type of boats for the coast/estuary - the engines have power suitable for sea condiitons and would be overkill for a lake - I'm open for correction though.

The Merry Fishers are a fantastic boat though - my buddy has one and its great - loads of power and comfort.

baradcc

Thanks for your advice

What boats would you recommend for tubing etc on a lake.

What size and type of engine would be required.

murphym7

baradcc wrote: »

Thanks for your advice

What boats would you recommend for tubing etc on a lake.

What size and type of engine would be required.

Something like these would tick the boxes for you I think - I am not a lake person though so its just an opinon:

http://motorboats.apolloduck.ie/feature.phtml?id=109602
http://motorboats.apolloduck.ie/display.phtml?aid=131108
http://motorboats.apolloduck.ie/feature.phtml?id=118830

WillieDonal

Guys,

I just got my first boat, an Orknet longliner with a 7.5 Mercury outboard.
All advice welcome, I left teh engin in for a service and will have to wait for the verdict. Is this a 2 or 4 stroke and where is a good place to get accessories in south dublin?

thanks

Hifive

Hi W/D and welcome to boards.

Orkneys are great boats and built to last.
I don't think there is a four stroke 7.5hp so I'm guessing its a 2 stroke. A four stroke will have an oil sump like a car engine. 2 stroke uses oil mixed with the fuel.
If the engine cover has a blue band around it, it's at least 25 years old. If it has a brown band it will be somewhat newer. late eighties/ninety's ish.

Killen marine in Dalkey are mainly Yamaha specialists but Bobby Killen there should be able to sort you out for Merc parts too.

Or there is also http://www.marineparts.ie/
They do mail order anywhere in Ireland (I think) for €5.00.

WillieDonal

HiFive
Many thanks, would you know where I might pick up a galvanised trailer for the same boat?
WD

Hifive

Wouldn't be sure where to look in Dublin as I live in Waterford, but I'm sure there are dealers. Parnell trailers springs to mind.
Here's one from Apollo Duck that would probably suit.
http://www.apolloduck.ie/display.phtml?aid=128602
Best of luck with the new boat.
Mark.

WillieDonal

HiFive,
Many thanks, also I was going to put a back plate on to protect the timber under the motor, would you recommend stainless steel or copper? Should I use rivets or screws?
WD

Hifive

WillieDonal wrote: »

HiFive,
Many thanks, also I was going to put a back plate on to protect the timber under the motor, would you recommend stainless steel or copper? Should I use rivets or screws?
WD

I've seen stainless checker plate used before, you know the stuff with the cris cross pattern in it, but I'd say ordinary smooth stainless would be fine.
Copper may be a bit soft?
Either way make sure the engine is attached to the boat with a rope just in case it works itself loose. I once had a Mercury 50hp take a swim due to transom problems:eek:

WillieDonal

Thanks again,
WD

Pigeon Reaper

A longliner is a nice sea boat and will look after you well. Best of luck with it.

dive master

Perfect family boat. It will pull ski`s or ring all day for around €30. Safe as house`s too.
I have it for sale with the ski`s and ring included.

http://cork.apolloduck.ie/display.phtml?aid=120441