New to boating

merengueca

Hi,
Beg for help for a complete novice...
I'm thinking of buying a small cruiser as a joint family project. Found a small cruiser, 24' and 38 years old, for a reasonable price.
planning to store at home, and only moor for a few nights a year (Shannon).
Looking through the forums it seems that insurance maybe a concern, also would a survey be needed for a low value boat?
I guess I'd also need to register the boat with IW.

Is there other costs/concerns I've blinkered my eyes too?

Thanks in advance for any help, really appreciated.

fergal.b

Welcome to the world of boating You don't need a survey you can still get 3rd party insurance for under €100 but as you are new to boating and boats it would be worth getting a survey done for piece of mind.

You also don't need to register the boat but it's worth doing as it's free and you get a nice information pack about the waterways.

There are always hidden costs involved when it comes to boats especially when restoring one and fitting it out with ropes, fenders, lifejackets,batteries, VHF the list goes on and on even when you think you have everything you will probably never leave a marine shop without buying something

Best of luck, Maybe you could start a post on your restoration and we could help you along we love to see photos of boats.



.

pH

merengueca wrote: »

Hi,
Beg for help for a complete novice...
I'm thinking of buying a small cruiser as a joint family project. Found a small cruiser, 24' and 38 years old, for a reasonable price.
planning to store at home, and only moor for a few nights a year (Shannon).
Looking through the forums it seems that insurance maybe a concern, also would a survey be needed for a low value boat?
I guess I'd also need to register the boat with IW.

Is there other costs/concerns I've blinkered my eyes too?

Thanks in advance for any help, really appreciated.

If the boat has a 15HP or more engine it needs to be registered with WI.

Trailering, launching and recovering a 24' cruiser is not a particularly easy task, slimy slipways, low hanging stern gear, poorly maintained trailer winches all play their part. I watched a team of grown fit men (civil defense), in waders! struggle to recover a RIB for 45 minutes earlier this year. I also watched a family of 3 almost give up in despair recovering a 18ft cuddy type boat also this year. I think the stress, shouting and getting wet may well have put them off boating for life!

merengueca

Thanks for the advice Fergal and pH. It looks like we're gonna go for it. I'll post up the pics as we go... going to be a collective enterprise using everyone's skills. The boat will be at my parents house with each of the family doing what we can when we're home. Based on that arrangement I think the arguments could well be happening before we even get to the water 😂🙈

Going to see the boat tomorrow and hopefully take the plunge (bad pun, sorry!)

fergal.b

What ever you do don''t pick the sanding job give that to someone you don't like very much Boats are two a penny what you are really buying is an engine and gearbox so look for the best you can afford, get to see the engine running and pumping water and going into forward and reverse if possible bring someone with you that knows engines as an engine or gearbox rebuild could end up costing you a small fortune :eek:

Best of luck.





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