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[karma]

OR MAY BE ONLY '' BANANA BOAT'' ??

[zan]

That's the laziest work out video I have ever seen. How can anyone be so calm when the building is on fire???

[Kikapu]

One more thing Zan. It is commonly know that those who put money into boats, are like throwing money into a hole.!! For me, it's my only "bad habit" so I make justifications for having my boat, because I don't smoke or do drugs.

Just want something cheep to run that will make my boys smile and somewhere for my wife to sunbath. Just bare in mind that I am not into trashy/flashy type things so a modest boat will do. I am looking into sailing though as well. The site of those boats in full sail sends a shiver up my spine every time. I would love to chug down the river in the African Queen as well.....Romantic or what. Wanted to be a marine biologist when I was a kid.....should have stuck to my dream..

I think being on the water is a great thing, whether it is in a flashy boat or just a raft.

I think you have the same taste and adventure ideas as I do. Being on "African Queen" or on a raft just like "Huckleberry Finn", are good dreams.

OK, back to reality.

Zan, here are few things you need to consider.

1. How much do you want to spend.?
2. How much boat can you buy with that, that will suit the whole family.?
3. Is the boat going to be kept in the water tied up, or be towed home or a storage place.
4. If you want it for water skiing, then you need to get a boat with some "muscles". The more muscle you get, the more it costs to maintain and operate.
5. If you have a inboard engine, then you have to deal with water leakage through the propeller shaft seals. Less accessibility to maintenance. More likely for fire and carbon monoxide dangers. If you want work done on the engine, someone needs to come to the boat, or you need to take the boat to them, if at all possible. If only used on the Thames, then it's only fresh water and that's not so harmful to the engine. If you also want to use it on the coast in salt water, then you need to have an engine, that's not going to corrode by having zinc plates everywhere, or better still, have a "internal cooling system", much like your car engine, rather than using water from outside. In this flushing system, salt deposits will collect in the engines system.
6. An outboard engine is more practical for maintenance or replacement,
but not necessarily cheaper. One can just unhook it and take it to a shop to repair if anything is broken. They last a long time, if care is given to them. The problem is, when you buy a boat second hand, you have no idea what you are getting. It is always best if you know someone that you trust, who is selling the boat, and even then, things may go wrong.
7. Always get the boat inspected by a Marine Surveyor.
8. You need to know what the insurance is going to be on the boat you're buying.
9. You need to do some kind of a "boat course" to learn the "rules of the road" and Tidal & Current changes. I don't know if you need a licence to operate a boat in the UK or not. You do in Switzerland but not in the States, as long as, it is not for commercial use for hire. But you will need to do a boat safety and navigation course, even if you are on the River Thames. Nothing too intense, but the basics.
10. Power boat or Sail boat.??? Power boat is a good way to just lazy around and let the engine do all the work. It will be more like driving your car really. You don't need to get anything too big, if it's just for the Thames, but has enough space for you to spread out and get some sun (few times a year in the UK ). The boat will need to have a covered area, so not to be exposed to the elements when you had enough. If you intend doing some coastal motoring, then you need to get something substantially bigger and stronger. I have been on Power boats that belonged to others, and I have to be honest with you, I never really enjoyed it that much. Most Power Boat owners will spend a small fortune on the petrol/diesel by the way, is the reason, why most people do not take their boats out, but have a picnic on the boat, dock side.!!

But for couple of hours on the lake or river, can also be a lot of fun, if you are able to come ashore and have a family picnic, take a leak, and back off again. The advantage of having a small power boat is, you can tow it anywhere you want. Just stick to lakes and rivers.

Sail boats are more fun, specially if you have children who can all take part in making the boat move. It requires more than just turning the key to start the engine. Now, a small sail boat, say 25ft, will be ideal for a small family on day trips. It also has a motor, so you can still do some motoring if you don't have any wind. The only problem is, when motoring, it does not go that fast, perhaps 6 mph, so forget about water skiing. It also requires more knowledge than operating a power boat.

Buy one of those "Boat Magazines" in your local shop that has hundreds of boats for sale. As DT said, expect to lose money, but what the hell, you only live once.

You may want to join a boat club where you can try them out and see if you really like it. Often people buy boats, then realise it's just too much headache, or they get sea sick and try to sell it. It's always easier to buy than sell a boat, at the price you want. On the other hand, if you just want something small and cheap that can be stored at your home on a trailer, and the insurance is low, and able to tow it behind your car, then get something decent and safe for less than few thousand pounds, and have a ball. If you don't like it after a while, then get what you can for it, and sell it. This way, you have done what you wanted, and won't lose sleep over the loss of some money.

Hope this will help you a little Zan. Personally, I think you are on the right track with this idea..

[zan]

Thanks Kiks that is great advise. A friend of mine had a small boat years ago and we went down to the "Black Waters' near South end to do some water sking. It was great fun and my boys will love it. I can still taste the petrol in the water...

For me lazy afternoons along the Thames sounds great.

[Kikapu]

Thanks Kiks that is great advise. A friend of mine had a small boat years ago and we went down to the "Black Waters' near South end to do some water sking. It was great fun and my boys will love it. I can still taste the petrol in the water...

For me lazy afternoons along the Thames sounds great.

You are welcome Zan. As I said, get on the water any way you can. It is very therapeutic.

It helps me.

But also try to get your boys into sailing at some point.

[zan]

Thanks Kiks that is great advise. A friend of mine had a small boat years ago and we went down to the "Black Waters' near South end to do some water sking. It was great fun and my boys will love it. I can still taste the petrol in the water...

For me lazy afternoons along the Thames sounds great.

You are welcome Zan. As I said, get on the water any way you can. It is very therapeutic.

It helps me.

But also try to get your boys into sailing at some point.

Its being looked into Kiks. Saw the Cadets sailing out in small boats at Plymouth last year and they looked great...