Flynnigan wrote: » Thanks so much..... I'm only starting my research so all the above is great feedback. Budget is about 7/8k all in. I really like the idea of having a small cabin if the budget would allow as the kids are still small. Is done deal the best site to keep an eye on or are the other sites, companies to contact? What about other associated expenses, insurance, registration, servicing.... can this be expensive? Thanks again for all the info.
FintanMcluskey wrote: » I recently started boating with a 6m+ RIB. After the initial boat cost the rest was -Marine survey €250 -Insurance €250 -VHF radio €180 -Repairs to trailer €700 (as important as the boat as it will wreck the boat if suspension/rollers not working) -Automatic life jacket €75 each -Waders for launching €100 -Marina €800 per year What I've left to do -Power boat course probably €300 -VHF radio course probably €200 My engine is a 2 stroke outboard which is incredibly inefficient, but it is more reliable, simpler and much cheaper to service than a 4 stroke which is more fuel efficient, but is much more expensive to service. The engine is critical, and more than 70HP is needed to water sport with 2 adults and 3 kids Before parting money, pay for a marine assessment, mine was €250, and don't ever ever ever buy a boat without bringing it on a sea trial. (Trust me :pac:)
fergal.b wrote: » Keeping the family comfortable and happy is very important if they are not you will get to use the boat a lot less so going somewhere to play on the phone/iPad can make all the difference and the price of a cabin is not much more. Apollo duck would probably be a better site to look for a boat "less messing about" but a better option would be to go to a dealer where you might get a warranty or go around some of the marinas and have a look at their for sale page. what ever boat you buy be prepared to have a full service done this can include an impeller change and on a outdrive a full bellows kit as-well as your filters so quite expensive, after a while you might learn to do a lot of jobs yourself. Also check the towing capability of your car you may be restricted to 750kg and that may put out of reach of a boat with a V8. .
AndyBoBandy wrote: » I don't really know a whole lot about power boats, but is a good site with many boats for sale, both sail & power.. there are good filter's to select what exactly you are looking for This one is a boat only, and looks suitable for a small family as it has a small cabin. You'd obviously need to buy an engine separately... This one comes with trailer and 125HP outboard; This has a Mercruiser 3L inboard (I've no idea what that means in HP);
FintanMcluskey wrote: » After the initial boat cost the rest was -Marine survey €250 -Insurance €250 -VHF radio €180 -Repairs to trailer €700 (as important as the boat as it will wreck the boat if suspension/rollers not working) -Automatic life jacket €75 each -Waders for launching €100 -Marina €800 per year What I've left to do -Power boat course probably €300 -VHF radio course probably €200
Flynnigan wrote: » Yup, looks like I'm restricted to 750kg unbraked so that question is answered!
Flynnigan wrote: » So is it silly of my to just focus on power boats or should I keep an open mind? I suppose I'm thinking about using the boat for watersports for ourselves and the kids as they get older but maybe I should be thinking more about using a boat to explore more of the lovely coastline around Galway/Clare. Thanks
Widdensushi wrote: » 70hp in the add would not be enough for Alot of water sports, recreational boats are a thing that the price has shot up due to covid, it might be easier to buy one in the next month as the weather gets worse. What is your budget? Allow plenty in reserve as if it goes wrong they can be expensive to maintain.
AndyBoBandy wrote: » Just to add to all the above, I'd consider picking up a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), especially if you are going out with family, and don't have an alternative means of propulsion (aux engine). a VHF radio will of course be great for contacting the Coast Guard in the event of an emergency, but you wouldn't want to be relying on a phone GPS to provide them with accurate positional information,(of course a phone will give a fairly accurate GPS position, but I still wouldn't be relying on one in an emergency). You might easily see where you are on a nice day and be able to relay that position to the Coast Guard, but you'd be surprised how quick the land can disappear behind rain and fog when out at sea... PLB's come in around €200 and are far smaller/cheaper that their bigger cousins EPIRB'shttps://marineparts.ie/safety/emergency-equipment/epirb-plb/ocean-signal-plb1-the-worlds-smallest-plb/
FintanMcluskey wrote: » Andy, my VHF is a handheld ICOM which displays my GPS on the screen.It was my understanding that when I complete my VHF course, I will be given a code to input to my VHF which will allow the use of the distress button in an emergency, which will broadcast my position. I'm open to correction on that
Flynnigan wrote: » What hp would I need for watersports?
Flynnigan wrote: » Hi Fintan, how are you enjoying boating so far? Why type of Rib did you get and what are you using it for? The costs you've listed are pretty much what I expected although the insurance is a bit higher than I thought. Yes, sea trial is defo a necessity. Where did you buy your Rib? thanks
AndyBoBandy wrote: » I think you should definitely try a few different options first before committing to 1 type of craft. Powerboats can be great for watersports, and getting places fast, but for me personally, the drone of the engine gets tiresome after a while, and the actual journey from a to b can be boring. Could you get down to a local club and try out sailing (as well as powerboating)? (I know, difficult in these times). Sailing for me is the journey to a destination, as well as the destination itself. yes it's a little slower, but your always involved, and doing something. Then even further down the line you have club racing and teh fun that brings...
FintanMcluskey wrote: » Boating is great so far, best decision I ever made. I'm a bit nervous bringing 4-5 passengers as I'm not very experienced and I don't want to need to call the RNLI for any reason!! Although I find the water is very busy at the minute and everyone is helpful and friendly. It's a RIBTEC, using it for fishing and exploring so far, will be using it for skiing later on when I'm more familiar with it. One thing you need is to navigate, or navigate away from rocks! I use an IPAD mounted beside the steering wheel, and the Navionics App to see rocks and the recommended navigation channel. The Navionics App was €40 and I think it's excellent but then I've nothing to compare it to and I don't use it far off the coast. Kill cords are the most critical device on a recreational power boat, the boat must stop when the driver moves away from the controls. HP wise will depend on the boat length, weight and Hull shape, but I doubt on a RIB of 5.5M, anything less than 90HP in a 2 stroke of 115hp in a 4 stroke will suffice. But that's outboards of course.
Flynnigan wrote: » Ok, I need to do a bit more reading about HP, 2/4 stroke..... Were you always gonna purchase a Rib or were there any other types you were considering? Just wondering the pro/cons of a rib for what we're looking for.
Flynnigan wrote: » Sorry, I forgot to ask, what about Wintering boats in Ireland. Are they ok to be fully cleaned, covered and left at the back of the house over winter or do they need to go inside.... or does this totally depend on the type of boat?
fergal.b wrote: » Yep fine to leave outside, flush it with fresh water after being in the sea and leave the leg or outboard in the down position to drain, also open any seacocks and your drain bung if you have one , start the engine a few times over the winter. Some people also put the trailer on blocks to take the pressure off one point of the tyre and to stop it from being stolen. .
