Used S23/25 reviewed in August Motorboat Owner

[Bigplumbs]

Yes I found that article very useful. I am afraid I cant go to 29 ft as that will cost me about £2500 a year for mooring and storage instead of £95. Also I don't want the added cost of 2 engines. I am also looking at the American boats but there are so many options

Dennis

[BruceK]

Everything is a compromise. So long as you do not find negatives after the fact that are then a disappointment. One good thing about the S23 apart from it's roomy config is it holds it's price reasonably well. I brought this up because in your original question you were looking for reasonable comfort over your current overnight squeeze in the Fletcher. The S23 will offer an improvement in spades but in a sacrifice to ride comfort. Also silly things like when Mrs Plumbs is making tea etc and you're walking around above. Or trying to sleep in a small chop, or trying to cruise but having to ballast all your cruising clobber just right. Personally I just think it's too much of a compromise you will quickly outgrow it. You really need to consider what it is you want out of the boat. If it's inland cruising all is well and fine, if it's coastal cruising you want 27 and above And it's not just to you I have said this. I said to Sprocker as well. Take his outlook on it.
If cost is the issue as well as size then dare I say it, but there are some superb boats in this class made in the 80's. Fairline Sunfury and Sunseeker Offshore 25 and 28's spring to mind. If you can find a good one they are very much worth a look. Finding a good one is the operative word though. Sadly to many have been neglected or ragged to death.

[BruceK]

I am also looking at the American boats but there are so many options

I've dealt with NYA and found them very good. This is a brokers boat P/ex available. No real knowledge of the model but it does give a counterpoint to the ubiquitous S23 and that American boats can be found with a single diesel.

http://www.nya.co.uk/glastrongs249.html

[Bigplumbs]

I am also looking at the American boats but there are so many options

I've dealt with NYA and found them very good. This is a brokers boat P/ex available. No real knowledge of the model but it does give a counterpoint to the ubiquitous S23 and that American boats can be found with a single diesel.

http://www.nya.co.uk/glastrongs249.html

Yes a nice boat and I am only 1.5 hours from Norfolk. That have the pre KAD 32 150 hp engine though.

[BruceK]

True it has the AD31 in it but why should that be a problem? Are you specifically looking for a KAD32? And if so why? They are good engines but there are a lot of advantages in not having an blown and stressed diesel engine and complex electro wizardry for only 20hp gain. As for age of engines the KAD32 came out in 1997 and ceased production in 2005 IIRC. You may well end up with a KAD 32 of exactly the same age or even older. I'd prefer the KAD32 myself but wouldn't turn away from the right boat with a AD31 or even an early D4 in

[sprocker]

I said to Sprocker as well. Take his outlook on it.

Absolutely agree with your advice then, and very happy that we followed it. Having moved from a 6.5 metre 1500kg boat to a 9.5 metre 3700kg boat the difference in living space, manoeuvrability and seakeeping is astounding. We found that we now actually use the boat much more, go further for longer and are not as critical of the weather conditions. Whereas last year we would be tied up to our home pontoon most of the time, this year we are out and about exploring and enjoying the boat.

Is the extra cost worth it??? Absolutely definitely most certainly yes!

[Ianfs]

At the end of it all (sometimes described as "at the end of the day". Cos at the" end of the day" it's night.. )

It all does remarkably boil down to what we can all afford, or in my case what has been set aside in the very rigid budget..

As an aside Dennis, Nick Burnham, a friend of mine and also Torbay Robs, who happens to write for MBY and has written a page in the August issue has recently bought a Jeaneau Leader 805. They have a great 10' beam and roomy interior. Not many good ones about as we speak but worth a look when you are ready eh?

[Bigplumbs]

805 is a lovely boat but too big and heavy to legally tow.

It is indeed down to what people can afford both in initial cost and later running costs

[Ianfs]

It is indeed down to what people can afford both in initial cost and later running costs

Indeed, and this is also why some buy small SportsBoats with Cuddy Cabins. They provide great speed with occasional comfort.

[BruceK]

This is very subjective but I dont really buy the "What you can afford" argument being a size restricter. My budget was the same. My running costs are more admittedly and I pump money into the boat in upgrades and refurbishments (but by choice it must be said) but I did buy my boat for 25k. Dont get hung up on age, just get hung up on quality and condition. As I said previously, there were some really superb boats in this class made in the 80's and early 90's that have stood up to time and have been well cared for, just takes a little searching. They have also reached a point where they will not really depreciate further and are reasonably easy to shift especially a few that are finding a retro demand like the Offshores and Portafinos. The quality of work and materials in some of these earlier boats is remarkable in juxtaposition to the more recent entry level offerings and dare I say, will probably as a result last longer. But it is subjective. I have never bought a new car either. The idea of haemorrhaging money in depreciation is an anathema to me.