Boat Project Advice

[ArmsteR]

Hi

I was wondering if some of you fine knowledgeable gentlemen could point me in the right direction....

I've been toying with the idea of getting a small fishing boat... however as i've never owned or ran one before, I've been thinking the best way to increase my boat knowledge in case anything goes wrong would be to get a small project boat to do up piece by piece from scratch...

Now before I look for boats, I've space issues at my place, so would need a yard/ area/whatever as a place to tackle this project. Can anyone recommend any places where you do your boat projects etc...? and approx whats the charges? I'm only looking at a 16ft boat max for now I think I'm in Boldon so ideally somewhere between the tyne and wear would be ideal but....nearish

TIA

Dave

[ArmsteR]

anyone?

[Kartonkel]

I guess it depends on your wallet, your workshop and your skills really

There is the old saying: If you have got an enemy...give him a boat ! there are lots of hidden costs and safety issues.

My suggestion is that you look for a boat within your budget which already offers as much as possible and then gather experience as a boat owner. Soon you will find out what you need/want and if a boat is the right thing for you.

Here are two boats that I have seen and are currently for sale:

http://www.nesa.co.uk/forums/sale/200778-17ft-wilson-flyer-70hp-trailer.html

Advantage: Trailor, well serviced, Wilson Flyer
Disadvantage: Outboard is old and thirsty

John Dory 16 ft fishing boat with snipe breakback trailer +hardly used 60hp Etec | eBay

Advantage: excellent outboard
Disadvantage: price

The next question is where to keep the boat. Trailer, pontoon or chain

all have their own issues

Trailer: needs space, effort to launch, good for repairs, cheap

Pontoon: expensive, easy access, safe, needs antifouling

chain: cheap, safe, convenient, bad for repair, needs antifouling

If I were you, I would do a few trips with the private boat owners and see what is important for you and what is not.

[kevr6384]

I would be having a nosy round the nearest boat clubs !

You will find loads of blokes there feeding the moneypit and having a great time with their projects !

Most have lowish memberships and storage facilities

[kingcod deano]

If you have never owned or ran a boat before then i would suggest you buy one that doesn't need any work as if you buy a project you could spend a fortune getting it to where you want it

[ArmsteR]

Thanks for the advice lads, I think I will have a nosey about the clubs, its a long term goal anyway, as i've a couple of other "projects" on the go at the mo anyway.



In whitburn theres a few boats stored near that fresh fish restaurant/shop (I forget the name now) but I couldnt see any notifications of woho or what club runs that place when i was down there last.... any ideas?

[Kartonkel]

Whitburn Angling Club

[phil1]

It depends how big a project you want to take on. I had never owned or ran a boat. Last winter i paid £1,500 for a 16ft boat with a 50hp engine. It needed sanding down and repainting, also needed a chart plotter, new battery, electrics up dating, new nav lights, new fuel line, new wheel bairings x4 and an engine service. Then there was the storage fees. Once all that was done i think the total bill was about £2,400, but it doesnt stop there, there are so many other things i would like to up date, replace or renew, things like the trailer, seat cushions, a new auxiliary engine and many other things. This was just a small project, i wouldnt like to imagine how much it would have cost if i had taken on a much larger project. Having said all that i have enjoyed doing the work and love owning my own boat. There is definately no such thing as a cheap boat.

[The Jester]

"There's no such thing as a cheap boat"......very true...

[hollygolly]

As someone already used the acronym in a tag line.
B. bring
O. out
A. another
T. tenner