Small boat

[Persues]

I've been going to North Tyneside (Rake Lane) Hospital a lot recently and there's a small boat on a trailer that I pass on the left as I'm going along the A192 (Seatonville Road) heading towards the hospital with Monkseaton High School to my right.

The possibilities of a small boat keep winking at me - I've narrowly avoided buying into kayak fishing purely because it would mean time spent away from my five year old daughter, which is not a trade-off I'm happy with. A small boat for pootling about inshore might be another thing entirely though.

Are there any local resources I could check out, boat clubs, that sort of thing, where I could get some general info on public launches, insurance companies, etc.

I'm well aware of the safety aspect and would obviously make this a top priority if I intended for my daughter to come along.

She likes fishing, and boats, but we have never combined the two mainly due to lack of opportunity coupled with my ability to be spectacularly seasick. I figure I can work around or with this by doing short trips round the back of St Mary's island and similar marks.

Cost is not an issue so much as doing it right, but I am not naive and I don't expect to become a safe skipper of anything without putting some time and money into it. If it turns out to be unrealistic then the idea will be shelved, but I'd appreciate some suggestions for a good starting point where I can begin gathering the information I will need.

Thanks in advance.

[canman]

Hi Perseus, I know the boat you mention, passed it many times. If your looking for one a similar size, have a look at the Bonwitco 449 which is just under 15ft. They are doubled skinned and are labeled unsinkable. A 20-30hp out board will push it along around 25mph. It has a cabin and spray screen as standard, and I can't fault them. I had one for 4years.
There is a boat club up the river Blyth, not sure south of the Tyne. I launch from Cullercoats harbour as do quite a few others. There's also a launch ramp at South Shields in the river at the yacht club.
I understand you can sit the test for vhf radio use at Blyth, as well as South Shields. Flares are available from boat chandlery shops. Once you are kitted out it would be worth getting the R.N.L.I. to check the whole outfit over, and they will give you the right guidance for everything boat related.
Good luck with the new venture. Arthur

[Persues]

Great stuff !

Just was I was looking for - thanks for the info and pointers.

Will let you know the end result...

[Kev1n]

The boat is only a small part of the equation you need to think about. A 15 or 16footboat is a good starting size to aim for and will probably be cheaper than the engine that moves it. Smaller boats will limit you to staying close in and only fishing on the calmest of days. You’ll need a trailer; check that your driving license covers you to tow. Next you’ll need to add the safety gear, life jackets, VHF radio, flares, GPS, anchor, rope, first aid and tool kits, insurance, etc. The RNLI website has a lot of good advice and information about what to take.
A VHF radio is a must-have and you need to complete a 1 day course and test to broadcast with it, everyone passes. VHF and Powerboat courses are available locally.

Read all that you can on the web about owning a small boat and keep an eye on the second hand boats for sale. Fishing Boats for Sale UK – New & Used | BoatsandOutboards.co.uk will give you an idea of what is available. If you see something you like then post the details on here and someone may own a similar boat and offer feedback.
A second hand package is probably your best bet until you decide if you like it.
Launching at Cullercoats is cheap and close but can be difficult especially single-handed.
Don’t be put off trying it, the freedom to spend a summer’s day afloat pulling out fresh run cod isn’t to be missed and it offers the option of heading straight back in if you feel uncomfortable.

PM sent

[Persues]

Again, thanks for the helpful information and the useful link.

I've got a boat rod and reel so that just leaves...


... everything else

PM replied to

[Axe]

having worked at rake lane alot too...i passed a few boats daily when i got the bus there...it was the highlight of my mornings lol

Good luck in your future boating ventures and get the catch reports up when you start!

[Gramas]

Just had the dreaded payoffs notice at me work so might be forced into selling my small Boat that I've done up over the winter before I've even had it out , be gutted if have too .

[big_sean]

Ther is tons of advice out there

my bit take it or not! do not buy a dejon as they are unstable

be carefull what you buy as well as people will sell you river boats which again are unstable at sea.

there was a guy on here doing up a boat and what a lovely job he was doing but the fact still remained it was a river boat totally unsuitable for the sea

budget will play a big part in what you get and also fuel economy as old engines are not very good on fuel

modern direct injection two strokes and four strokes are very good

Good luck in what you buy


Sean

[Davey1970]

Just had the dreaded payoffs notice at me work so might be forced into selling my small Boat that I've done up over the winter before I've even had it out , be gutted if have too .

bollicks with that graham, we only got the letters at 1.00, they have`nt said who yet. there`s jobs there man.

[Gramas]

Ther is tons of advice out there

my bit take it or not! do not buy a dejon as they are unstable

be carefull what you buy as well as people will sell you river boats which again are unstable at sea.

there was a guy on here doing up a boat and what a lovely job he was doing but the fact still remained it was a river boat totally unsuitable for the sea

budget will play a big part in what you get and also fuel economy as old engines are not very good on fuel

modern direct injection two strokes and four strokes are very good

Good luck in what you buy


Sean

You mean this one?????

Now


Before

[Scythian]

At the risk of getting a broken nose could I suggest the RYA Dayskipper shore based course. The course is regularly run locally through evening classes and is aimed at people with no previous boating experience. Details can be found here
Day Skipper | Navigation & Seamanship Theory | Courses | Learning | Courses & Training | RYA
As previously mentioned, a VHF course is pretty much essential (no point in having a VHF if you don't know how to use it) courses run regularly locally. Details can be found here
Marine Radio (SRC) | Specialist Short Courses | Courses | Learning | Courses & Training | RYA
Having done both courses myself I can thoroughly recommend them.

[big_sean]

You mean this one?????

Now


Before

No not that one it was a blue one

S

[Gramas]

Was hoping it wernt like haha, this is a SOLAR JIFFY, they bit more sea worthy than the dejons & has deeper hull. Project nearly finished too

[big_sean]

Was hoping it wernt like haha, this is a SOLAR JIFFY, they bit more sea worthy than the dejons & has deeper hull. Project nearly finished too

From reading i believe the solar Jiffy was a better boat than the Dejon (which is a death trap) and should be ok but get a RNLI sea check as they are free and they will advise


Sean