charlieannear

Well, we stuck to our guns and are now (or will very soon be) the owners of 'Star Turn', a c1980 Shetland Family Four with a 2002 50hp Johnson electric start and tilt. I'd best join the club now!

Brilliant! I now have a boat, so wil get ringing. Thanks everyone. C.

Excellent, thanks once again. Will now have to get my boat in the water and do some exploring!

Thanks everyone! I am now the proud owner (well, Dad and I are the proud owners!) of a boat! Once I've got 'Star Turn' back to my driveway I'll draw up a list of what needs doing and send some PM's.

Hello everyone. An article in Practical Boat Owner (spontaneous purchase in Asda ) on wiring maintenance was in fact a barely disguised ad for "Pat Manley's latest book Simple Boat Maintenance". Does anybody know if it's any good, or have any reccomendations for 'Must Have' books for the small boat owner? Was thinking of maintenance or tips and tricks type of books for novices such as myself!

Afternoon All, me again... Hope I'm not breaking any forum rules but... Do people have favourite local (Poole area) vendors for boat supplies and services? Are there club members who offer particular services? (oooer missus ) Is there a Screwfix/Play.247 (i.e. cheap online place) for boat supplies? For example, might soon be looking for: Some minor gel coat repairs Outboard servicing (mobile?) Marine electrical supplies (wiring supplies and instruments) Window rubbers General chandlery items Deck paint Perhaps an idea for another section of the forum?

Thanks chaps. Any other suggestions or useful info from anyone most appreciated. Would be good to get 3 or 4 quotes for comparison.

I'm not sure who would be damaged most by a firemans lift!

Can anyone suggest a good inexpensive insurer? And what sort of cover do you guys have for your boats?

Hello All If I was to launch a boat off Baiter slipway, is there anywhere I could go to pick up passengers so that they can come aboard without wading? Poole Quay perhaps?

And why so many houses in Plymouth are battleship grey! Charlie (Also Cornish)

Sounds like your strategy to keep everyone happy is similar to ours Duncan! Our reasoning is the little cabiny bit on a Shetland (or similar) will: Provide shelter from the sun in hot weather. Have small comforts like a loo, sink and cooker. Allow a little lie down when anchored (we're not thinking of packing the cabin full of people whilst underway, Cuba-Florida style ) Provide an extra bedroom on the driveway (JOKE!) The family day sounds like a good day out. Hopefully we'll have found ourselves a suitable vessel by then!

Well this will be our first boat and we (my Dad and I) have thought through the pros and cons and think that this type of boat is the best way forward for us at the moment. As I've said before, the boat will not be used just for fishing, and for now this sort of all rounder is what we need if we're to get the rest of the family to come out with us. I realise that'll be a strange concept for some of you! "Why would you want to take the family with you? Boats and fishing are for getting AWAY from the family!" The size is important as we intend to dry store the boat, towing it to Baiter when we want to use it. So the size of my car and driveway determines the size of boat. Don't want to spend money on a berth/mooring as we really don't know how often we'll use the boat. There's also our budget. We don't want to go mad as we've not been boat owners before and in all honesty we might not take to it! Best of both worlds will let us work out what we like doing the most, and we'll learn what we do and don't like about the boat so that we can specialise more on our next one... if there is to be a next one! I appreciate the advice though, this is exactly why I have come to this forum! I certainly intend to equip myself with the the safety devices listed on this site, and get qual'ed up. I'm a pretty safety conscious sort, and don't like to leave much to chance. We don't intend to become another 'Novice boater causes havoc' article in the Echo! Once I've got something to go out in I will be parting with

Looks like a good specimen, but I can see the cabin has been chopped (to give more deck space for fishing?) Not trying to be awkward but I'm looking for one with the standard cabin and facilities as we want to use the boat for other things as well as fishing, and carry passengers who like a bit of comfort! Thanks though! C.

Thanks Adam, have been keeping an eye out on there and all of the other web boat sales places that I can find. Certainly helps get a feel for what is out there, but we're not wanting to go to far afield to get one, and living in Poole there's bound to be something suitable before too long! Was reading an article in Sea Angler at the weekend that said the majority of boats are sold by word of mouth, so thought I'd give this a try. We're looking for something of the Shetland 536 style (i.e. with a covered cabin/facilities) as the intention is to use the boat for 'trips out' as well as fishing, and this type of boat offers protection and some comforts to 'less robust' passengers such as my mum and 18 month old son!

Thanks Tom, have replied to your PM. But for other readers, have a budget of

Looking for a boat in the Poole area. Wanted to use for various things, not just fishing, so looking for a Shetland 536 or similar. Ideally with trailer and outboard. Anyone know of one for sale? Charlie