New Boat Advice....Noobs Alert!!

ShinyDiscoBall

Hi

Help required!! I am in the process of purchasing a boat with some
friends of mine, the sole purpose of the boat is to allow us to do
some off shore fishing along the east coast. (Howth, Skerries,
Malahide, etc)

Is there any requirements in relation to launching a boat, can I just
show up at any of these harbours and launch my boat?

Also is there any certificates/licenses required to operate a boat at sea?

Realistically we will be going no further than a mile of shore. Below
is some pictures of the boat I was looking to buy? Although he states
that this boat was mainly used on lakes, is it an appropriate sea
going boat for four guys? How stable are these boats at sea and in
what weather conditions can it be used?

The boat had been damaged near the hull but has since been fixed and
he assures me it is not taking on water.

Why exactly are bilge pumps used, surely boats should not be taking on
water or am I being stupid?

All advice/criticism welcome!


Link to possible boat: http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2929385

fergal.b

Hi shinydb most places have a public slip and are free to use. If you are new to boats I think you should start with a level 1 powerboat course http://www.powerboatschool.ie/ and a VHF / navigation course http://vhf.ie/ Boat insurance is also handy that way if you run over someone with your prop you won't have to pay for it the rest of your life. :eek:
I have fished a lot off Skerries and the east coast and even though you say you are only going a mile off shore and may not need these YOU DO things can change very quick and if a fog bank comes in it's handy to be able to find your way home or if your engine brakes down one mile can become five very quick.
The boat your looking at would be fine for your needs but I would be worried about the engine it looks like the head gasket is leaking so do a compression test you should also change the impeller on any engine you get and if going to sea bring a backup engine.
Thats my two cent, bring enough lifejackets for everyone "check cylinders if automatic" and make sure they wear them.

P.S. The bilge pump is for any rain water, wave water, spray, and wet fish also handy if you put a hole in the boat

Happy boating.:D


.

orion50

Good advice from Fergal - the reliability of the outboard engine is so important most folks would consider a second smaller engine as an auxuiliary to get you home. a few items you might need, if not included you might have to buy them seperate.

Anchor and good length of chain/rope.

Life ring

lifejackets for everyone on board.

VHF radio preferably fixed with aerial mounted.

proper fuel container with feed to o/b.

Depth sounder

fish finder (!!)

Lighting board for boat when on trailer. which reminds me how good is the trailer particularly the bearings? Do they need replacement?

Boat would be fine for your purpose if all the other boxes are ticked!

ShinyDiscoBall

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

Hi

Help required!! I am in the process of purchasing a boat with some
friends of mine, the sole purpose of the boat is to allow us to do
some off shore fishing along the east coast. (Howth, Skerries,
Malahide, etc)

Is there any requirements in relation to launching a boat, can I just
show up at any of these harbours and launch my boat?

Also is there any certificates/licenses required to operate a boat at sea?

Realistically we will be going no further than a mile of shore. Below
is some pictures of the boat I was looking to buy? Although he states
that this boat was mainly used on lakes, is it an appropriate sea
going boat for four guys? How stable are these boats at sea and in
what weather conditions can it be used?

The boat had been damaged near the hull but has since been fixed and
he assures me it is not taking on water.

Why exactly are bilge pumps used, surely boats should not be taking on
water or am I being stupid?

All advice/criticism welcome!


Link to possible boat: http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2929385

Thanks Fergal - do you think that a repaired whole can cause problems or is there any thing bad i should look out for with a dodgy repair job?

Have you had much luck fishing off skerries?

I might see of i can get out with an experienced sea man before launching my own boat!

ShinyDiscoBall

Tks Orion


I have a trailer board already. VHF radio- is there any specific make or range I should be looking out for as this is something i will need to buy?


I will defo consider an auxillary engine. What is the smallest i could get away with on this boat?

The bearings have been replaced on this trailer or so I have been told.

My only real concern before i head off and buy this is if it would be stable at sea for four big guys to be out fishing on and all the moving around that comes with sea angling :-)

Orion do you sail off the east coast?

fergal.b

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

Thanks Fergal - do you think that a repaired whole can cause problems or is there any thing bad i should look out for with a dodgy repair job?

Have you had much luck fishing off skerries?

I might see of i can get out with an experienced sea man before launching my own boat!

If a repair is done right it should be no problem, I would not buy that boat because of the engine it just looks like it was not looked after and will end up breaking your heart there are a lot more boats out there so look for the one with the best engine even it it cost you a bit more now it will save money in the long run. This looks good http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2954313

There was a good run on the mackerel last year but everything else is very slow except for dogfish.:D

ShinyDiscoBall

fergal.b wrote: »

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

Thanks Fergal - do you think that a repaired whole can cause problems or is there any thing bad i should look out for with a dodgy repair job?

Have you had much luck fishing off skerries?

I might see of i can get out with an experienced sea man before launching my own boat!

If a repair is done right it should be no problem, I would not buy that boat because of the engine it just looks like it was not looked after and will end up breaking your heart there are a lot more boats out there so look for the one with the best engine even it it cost you a bit more now it will save money in the long run. This looks good http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2954313

There was a good run on the mackerel last year but everything else is very slow except for dogfish.:D

Looks a beaut! I just need to convince the others.

Ya a lot of smoothound & dogfish alright think you need to be further south for more consisent fishing!

tin79

The Seahog looks a much better package though I dont think it actually is a Seahog.

Similar hull though and overall design to A seahog.Has all the extras you will need too, only downside might be the trailer but for an extra 300 each it looks a better bet.

The Mayland certainly wont be enough to bring 4 out in and, from Personal experience, older Suzukis can be troublesome and that one is old. 1980s at least.

I would not even consider the mayland. What is your max budget?

ShinyDiscoBall

tin79 wrote: »

The Seahog looks a much better package though I dont think it actually is a Seahog.

Similar hull though and overall design to A seahog.Has all the extras you will need too, only downside might be the trailer but for an extra 300 each it looks a better bet.

The Mayland certainly wont be enough to bring 4 out in and, from Personal experience, older Suzukis can be troublesome and that one is old. 1980s at least.

I would not even consider the mayland. What is your max budget?

Hey max budget is probably 2,200 euro, mortgage and wedding commitments will not stretch the kitty. There is another boat on done deal for 2,150 down in Roscommon. What you think?

orion50

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

Tks Orion


I have a trailer board already. VHF radio- is there any specific make or range I should be looking out for as this is something i will need to buy?


I will defo consider an auxillary engine. What is the smallest i could get away with on this boat?

The bearings have been replaced on this trailer or so I have been told.

My only real concern before i head off and buy this is if it would be stable at sea for four big guys to be out fishing on and all the moving around that comes with sea angling :-)

Orion do you sail off the east coast?

Might be a good strategy to ask the seller of any boat you are considering if he would bring you for a trial run - gives you a chance to see how the boat and engine feels. If he is not that keen to show off his wares on the water walk away. I wouldn't be overly concerned about the age of an engine as long as she is starting and working well - most boat engines suffer from under use rather than over use. Try and start her yourself a couple of times particularly from cold. It's a buyers market and their will be guys out there biting the hand off you if you are a cash buyer! Take your time - no mackerel around for another few months!

davlacey

there looks like there is 2 engines on that boat is he only selling it with 1?

tin79

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

Hey max budget is probably 2,200 euro, mortgage and wedding commitments will not stretch the kitty. There is another boat on done deal for 2,150 down in Roscommon. What you think?

Do you have a link?

Wont be easy finding a decent fishing boat that will safely hold 4 for sea fishing at that price. I would look for stability rather than speed as a larger engine will add cost.

Something in the orkney longliner mould might be best (an open boat with a displacement hull and an engine around 10hp).

Still at 2200 it wont be easy to get a good one, And dont forget the older cheaper boats will need more in maintenance. You might pick up the boat in fergals link for 3k, looks a really good package to me ticks all the boxes.

ShinyDiscoBall

davlacey wrote: »

there looks like there is 2 engines on that boat is he only selling it with 1?

he is selling it with no engines that is just for the boat.

Ned_led16

This boat might be of interest if you can pay a bit more. I am tempted myself at this one and wonder how hard it would be to really clean her up! i
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2865149
you MIGHT be able to water ski off htis one too??????/ (WHAT u reckon lads)




Buy a compression tester and check the engine b4 buying it - i believe all you do is put it on to the piston switch the engine on in a big bucket of water and rev the sh*t out of the engine! lol

Ned_led16

What about these two boats:
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3009926

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3031344

good for sking and fishing but no way 1 mile off shore

davlacey

the first one in courtown is fairly decent and 1-3 miles out is grand depending on the weather

tin79

If it was me I would beg,borrow and steal and get this

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3020906

I have an Orkney Strikeliner which we have never had a problem with. I was advised to break the bank to get it (co-bought with 2 others) we were glad we did.

The longliner in the link would suit you on all counts. Stable, cheap to run, good resale value, easy to launch and will have you 1 mile out in under 10 minutes. Drfit well too and dont roll much, also good at anchor

Ned_led16

davlacey wrote: »

the first one in courtown is fairly decent and 1-3 miles out is grand depending on the weather[/QUOTE

i wonder is that engine sh*te though - the yam 55 looks old

Alkers

Ned_led16 wrote: »

What about these two boats:
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3009926

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3031344

good for sking and fishing but no way 1 mile off shore

There is no way that four people can fish from either of those boats, they would sit four people without much room for moving about never mind bringing any equipment with you.

ShinyDiscoBall

Simona1986 wrote: »

Ned_led16 wrote: »

What about these two boats:
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3009926

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3031344

good for sking and fishing but no way 1 mile off shore

There is no way that four people can fish from either of those boats, they would sit four people without much room for moving about never mind bringing any equipment with you.

I agree, think we getting out of hand here. Its an off shore fishing boat we are looking for not a speedboat - sole purpose is fishing for four guys! No pun intended!

fergal.b

This one is in your price range he is asking €2200 that means €2000 if your lucky you might get it down to €1800:D and that will give you a few quid to buy a good AUX engine and some bits.http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3036455




.

tin79

fergal.b wrote: »

This one is in your price range he is asking €2200 that means €2000 if your lucky you might get it down to €1800:D and that will give you a few quid to buy a good AUX engine and some bits.http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3036455

I think the first one you posted looks a great package. Got to be worth the extra grand for the aux, extras and overall condition. Plus it looks in good nick and any restoration/mods look to be well done.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2954313

The one you posted in the quote above looks decent too though and mercs of that vintage are pretty solid. No PTT though it seems, but a 50 might just be managable without.

Still for 4 blokes and going one mile off I would look at a displacement hull like the longliners for stability on the drift. A cuddy boat is also going to be tight to fish 4 out the back of.

Buying boats is never easy!

weatherfish

tin79 wrote: »

I think the first one you posted looks a great package. Got to be worth the extra grand for the aux, extras and overall condition. Plus it looks in good nick and any restoration/mods look to be well done.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2954313

The one you posted in the quote above looks decent too though and mercs of that vintage are pretty solid. No PTT though it seems, but a 50 might just be managable without.

Still for 4 blokes and going one mile off I would look at a displacement hull like the longliners for stability on the drift. A cuddy boat is also going to be tight to fish 4 out the back of.

Buying boats is never easy!

IF youthink buying boats is not easy wait until you try to sell one

tin79

weatherfish wrote: »

IF youthink buying boats is not easy wait until you try to sell one

Not always, read my recent posts - sold two in the last 18 months and 2 more in the 3 years prior to that.All sold within a week.

Look after them and price them well, good pics, clean boat, good description and a few extras and they will sell. But having said that I think being in Dublin helps with such a big population being close by

orion50

Why not negotiate a trip on any of the more suitable boats for a try out? There is nothing like seeing how a boat behaves on the water and you will be learning about boat types as you go along. One thing that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that the bigger engines can consume considerable quantities of fuel, heavy to lift on and off and it is always a pain trying to secure an OB against theft. So a medium size engine say 9 - 15 HP is ideal IMO if you want steady rather than spectacular performance without having to fill your fuel tank every time you go for a spin.

ShinyDiscoBall

weatherfish wrote: »

tin79 wrote: »

I think the first one you posted looks a great package. Got to be worth the extra grand for the aux, extras and overall condition. Plus it looks in good nick and any restoration/mods look to be well done.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2954313

The one you posted in the quote above looks decent too though and mercs of that vintage are pretty solid. No PTT though it seems, but a 50 might just be managable without.

Still for 4 blokes and going one mile off I would look at a displacement hull like the longliners for stability on the drift. A cuddy boat is also going to be tight to fish 4 out the back of.

Buying boats is never easy!

IF youthink buying boats is not easy wait until you try to sell one

Thanks fergal I was strongly considering this aswell. Just looking at the hull is this suitable and stable? I not sure about planeing someone mentioned that this may be a factor and needing enough speed? I read this somewhere else? Can you explain?

ShinyDiscoBall

weatherfish wrote: »

tin79 wrote: »

I think the first one you posted looks a great package. Got to be worth the extra grand for the aux, extras and overall condition. Plus it looks in good nick and any restoration/mods look to be well done.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2954313

The one you posted in the quote above looks decent too though and mercs of that vintage are pretty solid. No PTT though it seems, but a 50 might just be managable without.

Still for 4 blokes and going one mile off I would look at a displacement hull like the longliners for stability on the drift. A cuddy boat is also going to be tight to fish 4 out the back of.

Buying boats is never easy!

IF youthink buying boats is not easy wait until you try to sell one

What is a PTT?

breghall

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

What is a PTT?

Power tilt and trim is what PTT stands for

http://www.showa1.com/en/product/boat/power_tilt_trim.html

fergal.b

ShinyDiscoBall wrote: »

Thanks fergal I was strongly considering this aswell. Just looking at the hull is this suitable and stable? I not sure about planeing someone mentioned that this may be a factor and needing enough speed? I read this somewhere else? Can you explain?

Getting a boat on the plane is when the engine lifts the boat out of the water and the least amount of drag is caused saving on fuel, not all boats are made to go on the plane it's more the high powered boats, with four big lads going fishing I don't think you have to worry about it unless you have a big engine and you want to get the top speed out of your boat.

Yep they are a very stable hull.

tin79

The dory type hulls are stable on the drift and are quite speedy. They also wont easily roll when you lean to one side.

The downsides are that they slam a bit over waves when you are moving along and they are noisy at anchor (as the waves slap at the flat-ish front). If there are any waves and you do plane you should be prepared for a somewhat rough ride as you come over the crest of the wave and down into the trough or onto the nest crest. But slow it down and either of the boats in those links will dig in and will be more stable.

The displacement hulls essentially cut through the waves rather than over them and are generally the choice of small commercial potters and fishermen and they dont require a large engine (speed is limited due to the hull design) and are stable through waves, on the drift and at anchor.

I agree with the advice above if you are a relative novice then try to go see a few boats and if possible get out in one to see how it handles.

I am in Dublin and have a Strikeliner

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/2940310

Not that actual one but similar. If you want to come and have a look over it you are more than welcome. It would at least allow you to get a feel for size, space etc. Its 16.5 feet and to fish four really i think this would be minimum size.

Ned_led16

What about this one - personally im very wary of mariner engines but........
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/3040087

I have been warned by an RNLI service man - beware of mariner engines - he has scrapped many of them. he reckons
(1) Yamaha or Honda if u can afford it or Mercury - but not mariner he said he throws them in the bin all day long!!

Open to decent offers - give him 1200 as those engines are crap!