having a boat!

henda11

Well-known member
ive just recently thought about saving up for a fishing boat but i am not quite sure what it all involves...

do i need a license etc..? im not quite sure about it all, could a couple of you loads help me out ?
 
tis a slippery slope and no mistake!

no licence needed as such, but if you've never taken a boat to sea on your own, an RYA powerboat course might be worth while, or IMHO, better still, find someone with experience to come out with you a few times and show you the ropes. If you have a vhf on board (and you should) you need a licence for that, but amazingly, its one thing the government have now made free!

if its something that is trailable then no mooring fees to pay - 16 to 18 foot or so will set you back a grand a year in the marinas on the tyne or sunderland

there's slipways at sunderland and south shields, but theres an annual fee of 70 quid or so to pay to use them and you need insurance - depending on the boat and the insurance company that could be as much as a couple of hundred quid a year. Cullercoats beach is another option for launching. If its trailable, your options do open up much more in terms of being able to drag it around and about, to different places - couldn't imagine going up to scotland without a boat now

there's plenty of inexpensive boats out there to get you out and fishing, and if you can find someone to come along and have a look at potential vessels before you part with your hard earned, it would be a wise investment. Its all too easy to let your heart take over your wallet and buy something you shouldn't, then you get it home and realise how much extra your now going to throw at it!
 
aint straight forward as it sounds,but theres a few things needed before venturing out there,as the above says take someone along to check the boat out ,it will cost less in the end with a guidence of knowledge some who knows there boats ,goodluck
 
how longs a piece of string??!!

there's a certain degree of you get what you pay for.

have a shufty through: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/

might give you some ideas, if you want something that reasonably quick have a look for a seahog, if you're not bothered about speed have a look at an orkny or similar

the deciding factor is usually going to be the motor. good outboards are never cheap.
 
my mate has one for sale with 20hp mariner outboard its 15 ft/6 by 6 ft wide on nearly new trailer with fishfinder included
£800 will take £700 if offerd to him in cash
ive been out up to 14 mile off shore in this boat is a beauty if i could drive id buy it my self
the mariner 20 hp engine pushed us along at a good speed (2 fat fookers lol)
its a bargin honest.
woth viewing ( ps i never mentiond £700 cash in hand lol)
but he will take it???
 
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If you're thinking of buying a small boat (i.e. anything smaller than a charter boat!), see if you can get a trip out on one first, and not just for the ride. Fish from it a few times, if possible.

I absolutely love the experience, but it may differ from what you're used to.

Oh, and don't think of it as a cheap way of boat fishing. It will cost you far more than a charter :)
 
Go to your local Coastguard station and ask for a CG66. It's a voluntary form that you can fill in, but is a register of what the boat is, what it looks like, what communications devices and safety equipment you have on board in case heaven forbid, the emergency services are called out to look for you.

Some soud advice from Alan Charlton in his boat owning section.
 
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A little tale for you which might make you check boat fishing out before you buy. I used to go over the West Caost a lot with my boat, Luce Bay, Port Patrick etc and met quite afew boat anglers. There was one lad I saw a few times when out charter boat fishing, he lived over that way, and he enjoyed it so much over the years he decided to get his own boat. Next time i heard of him, he had bought his own boat, launched at Port Logan got a mile from the shore and crapped himself, came back ashore and sold his boat and sticks to charter boats. Small baots are not for everybody.
 
The opposite can also be said, I tend to feel more uncomfortable on a charter boat, dunno if it's the bigger engine, more vibration, more exhaust fumes etc.
 
I've got myself the virgo 144 which is about 15ft with a brand new 25hp on the back. Its makes a big diffrence to have a good reliable engine behind you. I started of with a smaller mayland mariner with a 10hp on the back. I still just stay quite close in around Amble way as the lads say it all down to feeling comfortable with the boat you have and the engine. It was quite daunting going out and to start with you will come back in because of the slightest ripple to start with.

Biggest help is to ask lads who have a boat and have a go.

You'll find that once you get a boat you'll be cursing every calm day you have to work.

Theres been a few virgo 144's on ebay but you take your chance !
 
Its certainly true that a boat is a hole in the ocean you throw £ notes into.

The RNLI do a free boat safety check (or they did ) which is worth having.

Make sure you go out with someone experienced at first...even if you do the RYA course. That way you can learn how to use the electrics to best effect.

I reckon even an afternoons fishing costs me £50 so dont reckon on saving money on charters. Also small boats move differently in the swell so check you dont suffer mal de mare or you will be wasting your cash.

Cheers
dave
 
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