New boat advice for a new poster

[slighty3]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and relatively new to the whole boating scene (2-3 years experience).
I have recently sold my first boat. It was a 16' day boat which I stripped back to the bare hull, repaired, re-painted and re-fitted myself.
We live on the Thames in Oxfordshire and used it for cruising up and down the river between pubs with friends. Generally on day trips but once or twice overnight, but as it had no facilities on board that's about as long as we'd want to go away for.
It did it's job though, which was as a stepping stone to something bigger and to see if we enjoyed the boating scene. Well we do, so are looking to make the step up.
My question is, what should we get next? I'm thinking of a sports cruiser style boat rather than a river cruiser, about 24' long with an inboard motor. Our priority is external 'socialising' space as opposed to internal living space. As long as it has a hob, sink and head and be able to sleep up to 4, even if it's a bit tight, then it's big enough. We would still be mainly using it for day trips but with a few more long weekends and weeks away.
Our budget is quite small, around the £5k mark, so it's not going to be a very new boat.
Does anybody have any suggestions? I'd like to have a look at a few to get an idea of what's around. The one that's been ticking most of the boxes for me is a Fairline Holiday (mk3 if possible). Does anyone have an opinion on these or is there something else more suited?
Any help would be very much appreciated.

[betty boop]

Hi and welcome,

we crusied abingdon in June for a 4days whilst trialing a new boat somewhat similar to what you want. I cant really advise what boat other than any of the US sports cuddies for 2 or what ever comes bigger for 4. one big thing we had in our tick box was a walk around ability. Majority of the US boats have walk thru screens & over cabin access. whilst this has benefits in the deck shelter area for me and mine it was a B'll ache and a danager going over the top at every lock/stop etc. 1 old dog, 1 old bird and 1 clumpsy old git = someone falling over board so we went for a walkaround Karnic fisher. at Abingdon high street we had a comment from the bridge of ' oh that boats a bit wierd for OUR river' tad bizzare but it is oxfordshire.

Not sure what you'll get for you cash but if that helps you're welcome. enjoy the search.
Ian

[slighty3]

Thanks for the info, it's something I hadn't thought about. I'm looking forward to being on the buying side of the fence rather than the selling.
Oh, and apologies for the comment. Unfortunately some people still point at planes in Abingdon!!!

Any more advice from anyone is most welcome.

[BruceK]

To be honest you are going to have to compromise. At your size and budget you cannot sleep up to four in a day boat such as a American sports boat. Maybe once or even twice but the pleasure will wear thin after that. Trust me. Two at most and then it's cramped. For the size you cannot have 4 sleeping and then loads of deck space. Even at 34 foot you dont have that. 40 foot is a more realistic figure. For your budget I would look at Freeman or Norman canal boats for the broads. They are a good fit for your budget.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Moto ... ds_pid=150

[ChrisH]

To be honest you are going to have to compromise. At your size and budget you cannot sleep up to four in a day boat such as a American sports boat. Maybe once or even twice but the pleasure will wear thin after that. Trust me. Two at most and then it's cramped. For the size you cannot have 4 sleeping and then loads of deck space. Even at 34 foot you dont have that. 40 foot is a more realistic figure. For your budget I would look at Freeman or Norman canal boats for the broads. They are a good fit for your budget.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Moto ... ds_pid=150

I love the later freeman's. Would be my choice if just for the river.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[stingrayfan]

slighty3 - a 25ft sports cruiser with an aft cabin will tick all the boxes for you. But you'll prob need to save a little more as with the extra living bits, you're essentially buying a floating motorhome.

We can sleep us and 2 kids comfortably in our 25' Sea Ray 250 Sundancer for a night or two. It's a 1997. They're worth a look. Cockpit is brilliant for socialising and build in the cabin is very good.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk