Buying A Boat

[daz]

hi guys

 

finally sold my bike me and leo now got enough funds to purchase a boat,were going to look at a dejohn 14 tomorrow, any body know of any pros and cons for these boats?

 

also been looking at the micro plus boats any body had any dealings with either boat and can give advice plz feel free to post,

much appreciated

Daz

 

 

FISH ON!!!!

[Mike Fox]

Hi Daz,

Fourteen foot is a little small, and might not meet all of your needs. Before rushing into buying, would suggest that you see a few, try to get a few trips out with others, and read up all you can.

 

One of the club members, Coddy, has an interesting site with some boat reviews. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me posting it here:

 

http://fishing_boats.tripod.com/

 

The club is a great place for safety tips too, and there's lots posted on various forums in here. I would strongly recommend a read, and also saving some of your funds to ensure your sea safety equipment is up to scratch - even if it means waiting to buy the boat.

 

Happy to advise on safety matters if you have any queries - but boat/engine suggestions are best from the others!

 

Mike

Safety Officer

Edited August 31, 2007 by Mike Fox

[daz]

thx for the quick reply mike

i thought 14 would be a bit small but going to have a look any way do no harm to look.

 

when u say 14ft is maybe a little small for what reasons ??space for people onboard or just handling issues or stability in a choppy situation??

thx for the advice much appreciated

 

FISH ON!!

[Paul J]

Take your time and don't rush into anything- there will be more deals to be had at the end of the season- a few weeks away for most non fishers

 

PJ

[daz]

im like a kid at xmas money in the pocket its got to be spent either that the wife and kids will

[Maverick Martin]

Daz

 

Dejon 14 is one of the most unstable little boats ever produced DONT buy one

 

Microplus are a 16' boat with a cabin and are decent little boats. I think Shetland now make them and call them the Cadet

 

As Mike said have a good look around and try to ge out with others who have similar boats to what you are looking at.

 

Take your time it will happen

 

Martin

 

 

[Gnasher]

Daz, we had a little 14ft Dory and providing the weather was ok, we done loads of fishing on it. We fished the IOW cod marks no probs and providing the conditions are ok, then its fine. It provided space for 2 of us, but i had to get a larger boat because my 6 year old wanted to come out meaning 3 of us onboard. The smaller boat (Gnasher) was fully loaded with electronics, stainless rod holders and was a proper inshore fishing machine that was ideal for xchurch ledge, or the xray areas.

 

You would be suprise what you can get for your cash..... I paid

Edited September 1, 2007 by Gnasher

[Coddy]

Hi daz

 

I would suggest 15ft is the minimum length you want to start with.

 

Seaghog's, even early Warrior 150's can be had for bargin prices if you look hard for them. Shetlands are good but watch out for rotton floors. They can be replaced but will affect the price.

 

Thanks Mike for the plug of the web site, I made this site as I learnt the hard way and could not find much help at the time. Forums and the internet were not so abundant then.

 

Would also suggest that you don't fall for the first boat you see, it is easy to fall into that trap and it could end up costing you loads of money!

 

Keep that money earning interest and don't forget all those little "extras" that you will need.

 

Size of boat needs careful thought as you may need to tow it so will your car cope? Can you store it at home? If not storage each month is an extra cost!

 

Can you get it in and out of your drive? Know it sounds stupid but turning in or backing in on a busy road will be a nightmare!

 

As others have said, look at as many boats as you can and see if you can have a ride/trial in similar boats to try to get a feel, some people feel ok in some others don't.

 

Good hunting and don't forget there is plenty of help here and in the club membership, just ask (nicely)

 

Coddy

 

 

[plaicemat]

I had a Microplus 501 before the Warrior and it gave great service; a good little sea boat and pretty quick with the 50hp on the back. In fact, much to my wife's annoyance, it's still parked on the drive!

 

Terry.

[Afishionado]

I must echo Maverics comment and hope I am not too late. Dont buy a Dijon they have too low a freboard for use at sea and are inherantly unstable. Badly made with an atrociously thin GRP hull.

 

Take your time and look at several types before parting with a penny. Ebay and Boats and Outboards are good places to look on line, not nessessarily to buy but just to start putting the types and shapes of boats with the names.

 

For a first boat any of the 'cathederal' hull types make a good choice. they are stable, good load carriers, easy to load and tow and rugged construction. Such names as ... Wilson Flyers, Del Quay, Capri, David Still, and many others cover this type of boat. All of these will need a 40hp or more engine to get them on the plane.

 

Slower more sea kindly hulls are called 'Displacement' hulls, usualy round bottomed with a bit of a keel. This type of hull is safe, sea kindly and slow. The advantage here is that an engine of about 8 to 10hp is ideal and the fuel consumption is very low.

 

I am sure that if you saw something that you want to go ahead with a request here would get you someone with a bit of boat know how to come and give it a once over for you.

 

 

Mad Mike

[daz]

thx for all the advice guys much appreciated

 

me and leo went to look at a boat today out by wareham i phoned the guy earlier to find out what his reserve was and he said

[Gnasher]

I got them both when i was into buying and selling boats so i had a lot of contacts at the time. I only used B&O when i was selling but to get cheap boats i used to be a bit of a pikey and if i saw a boat on someones drive that hadn't been used for a while, then id just knock the door and offer a price. I think i sold about 30 boats with Chris (aka thats_biggun) over 12 months or so.

 

I also searched local papers and shop windows for deals. I found Dat Dam Boat advertised in Lonis Angling Centre. It was up for

[TomBettle]

The advise from all above is absolutely spot on.

 

Stay at 15 foot minimum ideally 16 foot plus.

The microplus is a fine starter boat, as is the Shetland range... the 535 for example.

 

Both can be had for sensible money if you look hard. Remember the engien that is bolted on is as important as the bit that floats and also remember you will need to put some of your budget aside for saftey gear, like lifejackets, flares, first aid kit, hand held VHF.

 

The Dejon is actually OK, but is purely for use as a lake boat or flat estuary / harbour fishing. It isn't built for going to sea.

 

Tom

 

[Sinbad]

Daz

One other point which has served me well, try and get a boat that someone has used for fishing, they are much more likely to be trading up or stopping altogether, so look for the extra gear as part of the price - like, Fishfinders, VHF, GPS, flares, rod holders, Anchor, warp, fenders,Trailer lights, straps etc it can add up to hundreds of pounds by the time you have assembled it all yourself. What usually happens on boats is you buy the extras for the person you sell it to. At least it might be reasonably sorted. First boat I bought had been used for picnics, and it cost an arm and a leg and loads of fishing hours to get it right. But it was alot of fun learning !

 

Paul

 

 

 

 

[Afishionado]

quote.........One other point which has served me well, try and get a boat that someone has used for fishing, they are much more likely to be trading up or stopping altogether, so look for the extra gear as part of the price - like, Fishfinders, VHF, GPS, flares, rod holders, Anchor, warp, fenders,Trailer lights, straps etc it can add up to hundreds of pounds by the time you have assembled it all yourself.

 

Bluddy good point and well made too.

 

Mad Mike

[Gazza]

Daz,

 

If your after a Shetland 535 my sister-in-law is getting rid of one on her drive

 

But it needs alot of workto it

 

But it will be cheap......why not take a look and make an offer

 

Bearing in mind it only owes what an exboyfriend spent on it allready,, Could be a bargain!!!!

 

Let me know what you think (Kinson area)

 

I will say again though it will be a challenge but if you have time could be ready for next years bream

 

Gary

 

[Afishionado]

A 535 is an ideal first boat and well worth the time invested if you can get her cheap enough.

I live in the Kinson area if you want me yo have a look with you.

 

Mad Mike

[TomBettle]

Daz,

 

If your after a Shetland 535 my sister-in-law is getting rid of one on her drive

 

But it needs alot of workto it

 

But it will be cheap......why not take a look and make an offer

 

Bearing in mind it only owes what an exboyfriend spent on it allready,, Could be a bargain!!!!

 

Let me know what you think (Kinson area)

 

I will say again though it will be a challenge but if you have time could be ready for next years bream

 

Gary

Excellent first boat and well worth a peak!

 

One word of caution, I get the idea from the post that it is being shifted off the drive way by an ex girlfriend who may not actually own it?

If that is the case, be very careful who is being paid the money for the boat.

 

If you pay the ex girlfriend for the money and she chooses to keep it then the ex boyfriend could quite rightly come and claim it back if he so wishes (this would usually involve the police and all sorts of unpleasantness).

 

If, however, the bvoat is owned by the ex girlfriend and she is a good'n (the boat not the ex girlfriend), then grab her quick.

 

Tom

[daz]

hi guys

thx a lot for all of your offers of help and boats to look at it is much appreciated

 

but alas my boat plans are now put back on the back burner due to the fact of the guy i was going in with to buy a boat has pulled out so my boat fund is now immediatly halved and also lost the place to store a boat ............

 

im still going to get a boat but it seems more in the future now, need to revise plan of attack,still got my part of funds just need to build a p.c or 2 and flog them on and add to my boat fund

 

ill still be looking though so i can see whats what and be asking for advise which is greatly appreciated

 

i think ill be looking at dory/shetland/microplus mainly as they seem to get the thumbs up??

 

sorry again for mucking you guys about but gratefull for all the advice from every one

 

p.s whos going to the meeting on thursday so i can put a face to these lovely people im chatting to??

 

 

FISH ON!!!

[Paul D]

Daz,

 

Will be at the meeting Thursday, so you should recognise me as the "little white boat" man from Sunday