newbie new boat help

J

john_85

Member
hi i am john from ellington northumberland this is my first post hope its in the right place?

I am looking to buy my first boat tomorrow. I have never had anything to do with boat before... can anyone give me any advice what to look for? faults etc? the boat is a 19" bayliner with a 125hp mercury motor any help advice appreciated

also i am looking for somewhere local to launch? i have been down to cresswell boat club but cant find any info or contact numbers
 
Welcome to the forum mate,would advise you get someone that knows a bit about boats to go with you as if you dont anything about boats you are going in blind,there are a few things you really need to look for,ie hull engine and trailer if theres one supplied.
Hope this helps.
 
thanks for the reply it comes on a trailer. i know the guy selling it but have not known him long he said the only thing the boat could do with is a new wood floor but its not in desperate need of it just yet...
 
If it needs a new floor John, theres a possibility that whats below the floor may need replacing as well, plus the transom, unless you are going to do the floor yourself it could be very expesive ££££'s :o

Has the engine got service history ?
Has the hull had major surgery ?
Are you using it as a speedboat of fishing boat ?
What safety equiptment comes with it...i.e life jackets, flares etc ?
Check the trailer bearings, hitch, tyres etc ?
Why is your mate selling it ?

Might seem a damning list, but if some of these things need doing, you could end up with a massive bill.....

The best bit of advice already given is to take someone with you who knows about boats.......Good Luck mate...:)
 
he has only used it twice in the 4 year he has owned it due to not having the time.. it was not for sale i approached him to buy it as he never uses it.. as far as i am aware it does not come with any safety equipment.. i will be using it as a speed boat and occasional fishing.. as for service history i don't think it has any all he has for it is the hand books. hard when you don't no anything lol
 
John
firstly welcome to the site, now, if you have never had a boat before that boat is far to much for you, you are asking for trouble, safety wise that is, unless you are going to do a recognised course before you even think about going to sea, and you want full safety gear lifejackets, flares, etc and don't forget a dead mans switch. Don't want my son fishing more bodies out the sea.
 
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I think what Alan is saying is getting into a boat with 125 horses behind you is a bit like getting straight onto a 1000cc motor bike, with no experience it could be dangerous. If you hit a rouge wave and happen to accidenly shove the throttle forward you could end up in a world of trouble...If you are planning on taking the family out on it, you want zero risks and plenty experience.....that boat will probably do 50mph, which in our waters that are strewn with partially submerged logs etc, wouldnt give you much time to react...
I've never seen a post on here where someone has bought a speed boat with a 125hp engine as a first boat...
All the lads on here just want to see you be safe mate.....:)
 
One thing to remember its a speed boat so wont be very stable drifting or at anchor as its made to be on the move, the engine does not look that new so could be a very old tech two stroke, Talking of thirsty you may need to figure on about 12 gallons per hour for running costs + two stroke oil so even a couple of hours speeding around and you could be possibly burning 100+ in fuel

Speed boats are fun but no way are they any good for fishing.

Sean
 
Buy a Reiver Sportsman, Explorer Elite, Wilson Flyer, et al.

Look for a 60/70 main engine and 6hp back up.

All these boats are fun practical and SAFE for inshore waters round here.

115 hp is massive and will cost a mint to run.

I've seen one of these boats leave the water when hitting a wave. The fella told me he ......... Himself


Good luck.
 
john_85 said:
to much in what way? i am not planning on going daft with it as i have my wife and kids on it
Click to expand...

you want a great deal of experience before you take your family out in that John, I would say at least a year, you have a heck of a lot to learn, not just how to handle a bot in calm conditions
 
John, I'm pretty new to the boating game as well. We started off with just a 16ft boat with just a 15hp engine until we found our feet. We have now got a reiver with a 50hp engine on it, which us more than enough for what we need it for. It still gets us from A-B at a canny rate of knots. I would take every bit of advice you get off the lads pal, I have and it's been invaluable info. Safety is paramount out there as the lads have said its not always a mill pond out there. They are just making sure you are safe. I can recommend a reiver, had ours a short while but it's ideal for fishing, safe, fun and fuel efficient.
Good luck pal
Mark.
 
john_85 said:
he said its thirsty.. £120 to fill it and is lucky to get a full day out of it
Click to expand...

You will also find that a full day is actually possibly only an hour or so's running. Be very carefull for 100 on my boat i can go 50 miles off and back and thats with 3 onboard


Sean
 

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