Considering a river cruiser

Eric Cartman

Looking to get into cruising on a more frequent basis, having rented a cruiser on the shannon a handful of times I have to say Ive caught the bug and can definitely see myself spending a lot of time on the water in season.

Ideally what im looking for is a 5 berth cabin cruiser, flybridge would be nice, im very handy so retrofitting bow and stern thrusters (have a lot of fibreglass experience) and an interior overhaul isnt much of a concern to me.


I just want to know what else i should be looking out for, what kind of money am I talking for something decent that will see me through the next decade , what kind of upkeep and fees should I expect , and really just to be pointed in the right direction overall.

fergal.b

Welcome Eric, something like these would make a good starter boats. https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/reduced-to-sell-bayliner-32/19331355
https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/broom-30-with-flybridge/18755786

You would be looking at about €1500 a year for a marina, you might also want to get a surveyors report for piece of mind and to get insurance €200- €300 a year.







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pH

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Looking to get into cruising on a more frequent basis, having rented a cruiser on the shannon a handful of times I have to say Ive caught the bug and can definitely see myself spending a lot of time on the water in season.

Ideally what im looking for is a 5 berth cabin cruiser, flybridge would be nice, im very handy so retrofitting bow and stern thrusters (have a lot of fibreglass experience) and an interior overhaul isnt much of a concern to me.


I just want to know what else i should be looking out for, what kind of money am I talking for something decent that will see me through the next decade , what kind of upkeep and fees should I expect , and really just to be pointed in the right direction overall.

I'd just say keep in mind the following:

Most X-berth layouts have 2 of those berths made up in the saloon, I would advise against this for long term ownership, it gets annoying very quickly.

Both private boats and ex-hire boats are available. If you want to sleep 5 people in cabins then very few private boats will be available.

A marina is going to cost between 800 and 2000 per year, depending on its location and facilities.

Twin-screw power boats can be fun, but your fuel bill will hurt, and on the rivers (especially when it's low like this Summer was) having a single prop well protected by a Skeg is a godsend.

Even if you are handy, you will still need the boat lifted and stored on the hard to do jobs like bow-thrusters etc, unless you're planning on getting it trailered to a workshop you have access to.

There's a winter lift-out to consider, many don't bother, but I always have, this is going to cost 500-600 per annum to pay for taking it out and putting back in.

If you can do the work yourself then then this will mitigate your costs, but in my experience putting the word "marine" or "boat" in front of anything doubles its price - pretty much every year, as well as servicing/maintenance I've needed to buy something like a steering pump, new anodes, throttle assembly, ropes, fenders etc.

I feel something like this is almost perfect for the shannon:
https://www.apolloduck.ie/boat.phtml?id=539726

But opinions differ greatly, some like barges or steel boats, more power, canopies etc etc .... there are lots of options.

You could probably get a started with something that sleeps 4 in cabins (+2 in the saloon) for 20kish (it will need work)
something like:
https://motorboats.apolloduck.ie/boat.phtml?id=570412

but realistically 40-50k would be a better budget (and will need very little work)
https://motorboats.apolloduck.ie/boat.phtml?id=565132

If you're interested in seeing a 50kish river cruiser and are around the midlands anytime (she's not for sale! - just if you want to see one and have a chat about them) then you're welcome to arrange to meet me in Cootehall and have a look. (send PM if you're interested)

If you have any specific questions I'm happy to help!

Ferris

Without an idea of budget to buy it is very difficult to propose a suitable boat. Anything with 5 permanent berths (saloon settee conversions are unsuitable long term IMO) will either be expensive to buy or will require a lot of work. I would advise getting something with an aft cabin layout as it will give you more berths for a given length, be more sociable and more suitable for single handed cruising than a flybridge.

The costs outlined by others seem bang on to me. You sound like you could service the engine yourself which is what I do - most slow river cruisers have low tech engines which are simple to work on. Other factors are commuting costs, fuel and tolls add up, especially if you are refitting over a time period. If refitting I would add up what you think and then add 50% in my experience.

If you are game for a project this (https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/broom-continental-37/19461871) is the same as mine, albeit in worse condition. Its rough and will need a complete internal and external refit which is not to be underestimated.
However, it has a single reliable and economical engine (perkins 4236 ~72hp) which will use 1-1.5 gal/hr, it will sleep 6 in permenant berths in 3 cabins with 2 heads and it will have all the essentials (cooking / domestic water / heating etc.) as it was a hire cruiser for ~25yrs. I actually think its overpriced as the refit and modernisation will be 20-30k based on what we've spent.

You should go ahead with it however, we are just back from a week on the river and it was great fun. I have small kids and they loved it. The boat never missed a beat - it never has. Its a good size at 37ft as it fits everywhere, up to Boyle, Acres lake, Camlin River, yet still has usable space inside and out. Additionally the full railings provide reassurance with the kids on deck.

Donie75

Ex hire single engined Broom 37 but it's a big project.
https://www.donedeal.ie/view/19461871

Or here's a nice original non-hire one for a bit more
https://www.donedeal.ie/view/19271277

These are a very popular boat too https://www.donedeal.ie/view/19513550

fergal.b

Or if you would like a nice classic that you will be working on the rest of your life this one has lovely lines https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/8-berth-45ft-boat-for-sale/19566447



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Ferris

Donie75 wrote: »

Or here's a nice original non-hire one for a bit more
https://www.donedeal.ie/view/19271277

Agree that that's a nice boat but anything with HT6354 engines has a limit before it runs into into issues with parts availability. Port and starboard engines are different as the port side contra-rotates. You cant get pistons for the port engines for example. In addition these have a dry sump with an oil scavenge pump that is no longer available, as is the majority of the fuel inj. system. Exhaust manifolds rot too as they are iron but this should not be too much of an issue in freshwater. Also they can blow head gaskets and generally leak oil everywhere, they do make a lovely sound tho.:cool: