Bowrider in the Solent?

[mlines]

What boats are you selling at the boat show James

[Ianfs]

Hi Tim

Glad you made it over here, I'm guessing it was you who posted on the MBY forum asking whether to buy inboard or Outboard? You'll get some really great advice here and meet lots of like minded boating people.

One of the good things for you would be that because you live so close to the Solent, when you have a calm morning, day or evening you can quickly poke your nose out for a blast, if you are free.

In answer to the question whether a bow cover would provide some protection, I would say from experience, absolutely. Although it probably wouldn't give as much protection as a cuddy cabin would, I have to say that I have had several dumps onto my bow rider cover and it has displaced what seems to be a ton of water easily.

Certainly on a good day, sitting in the bow at anchor is idyllic, in addition at speed on a calm see it is exciting and very quiet, apart from the wind in your hair.

If on the other hand you are limited to having to go out whenever you are able, I would say pick a boat with a little more protection and freeboard.

On the subject of inboard or outboard I think that outboards are easier to keep and more economical, but are noisier than stern drives. As long as you choose an engine over 70hp, you will be fine for wakeboarding, assuming of course you don't buy something like the Queen Mary and expect a 70hp outboard to make it go.

[tim.holling]

Hi Tim

Glad you made it over here, I'm guessing it was you who posted on the MBY forum asking whether to buy inboard or Outboard? You'll get some really great advice here and meet lots of like minded boating people.

One of the good things for you would be that because you live so close to the Solent, when you have a calm morning, day or evening you can quickly poke your nose out for a blast, if you are free.

In answer to the question whether a bow cover would provide some protection, I would say from experience, absolutely. Although it probably wouldn't give as much protection as a cuddy cabin would, I have to say that I have had several dumps onto my bow rider cover and it has displaced what seems to be a ton of water easily.

Certainly on a good day, sitting in the bow at anchor is idyllic, in addition at speed on a calm see it is exciting and very quiet, apart from the wind in your hair.

If on the other hand you are limited to having to go out whenever you are able, I would say pick a boat with a little more protection and freeboard.

On the subject of inboard or outboard I think that outboards are easier to keep and more economical, but are noisier than stern drives. As long as you choose an engine over 70hp, you will be fine for wakeboarding, assuming of course you don't buy something like the Queen Mary and expect a 70hp outboard to make it go.

Hi, yes it was me on the other forum. Have now looked at some of the better Fletcher type boats and i have been impressed. Ones i was looking at were about £2k and didn't look a patch on the bowriders I'd seen.
You're right regarding convenience. I'm about a 5 minute drive from the public slipways so could get on the water very quickly. Having said that i would want to get out as much as possible. If i waited just for a duck pond solent is hardly ever be out.
Thanks again for the advice.

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[tim.holling]

Hi Tim

Glad you made it over here, I'm guessing it was you who posted on the MBY forum asking whether to buy inboard or Outboard? You'll get some really great advice here and meet lots of like minded boating people.

One of the good things for you would be that because you live so close to the Solent, when you have a calm morning, day or evening you can quickly poke your nose out for a blast, if you are free.

In answer to the question whether a bow cover would provide some protection, I would say from experience, absolutely. Although it probably wouldn't give as much protection as a cuddy cabin would, I have to say that I have had several dumps onto my bow rider cover and it has displaced what seems to be a ton of water easily.

Certainly on a good day, sitting in the bow at anchor is idyllic, in addition at speed on a calm see it is exciting and very quiet, apart from the wind in your hair.

If on the other hand you are limited to having to go out whenever you are able, I would say pick a boat with a little more protection and freeboard.

On the subject of inboard or outboard I think that outboards are easier to keep and more economical, but are noisier than stern drives. As long as you choose an engine over 70hp, you will be fine for wakeboarding, assuming of course you don't buy something like the Queen Mary and expect a 70hp outboard to make it go.

Meant to say, I've noticed the Fletchers tend to have outboards that in sure even at 90-100hp will be more economical than a 3ltr mercruiser.

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[_Ed_]

I suspect a 115hp 2 stroke outboard would eat more fuel than a 3.0 inboard. But not too much to worry about.

[ColinR]

Having run a Larson 18ft with a 3ltr inboard on the Solent I can say that it is a perfectly safe combination but you will be restricted with the weather. A cuddy gives more security and a dry place to store warm clothes etc.

In terms of inboard vs outboard the newer outboards are very quiet and much more economical than the older ones. Out old Maxum bowrider with a 115 Merc on the back really guzzled fuel compared with the Larson.

Our Monterey (21ft) with a 4.3ltr inboard will take pretty much anything we're likely to throw at it and if you get caught out when the weather turns it will get us back perfectly safely. We came back from Poole in an F5 to F6 and, while it was a bit lumpy we never felt at risk. We did get quite wet though

Why not start with a smaller boat, accept the restrictions and see how you get on. You can always buy a bigger one later.
I can assure you that a 17ft bowrider with either engine choice will be great fun and would be more than capable of towing ringos etc.

[shibbs]

Having run a Larson 18ft with a 3ltr inboard on the Solent I can say that it is a perfectly safe combination but you will be restricted with the weather. A cuddy gives more security and a dry place to store warm clothes etc.

In terms of inboard vs outboard the newer outboards are very quiet and much more economical than the older ones. Out old Maxum bowrider with a 115 Merc on the back really guzzled fuel compared with the Larson.

Our Monterey (21ft) with a 4.3ltr inboard will take pretty much anything we're likely to throw at it and if you get caught out when the weather turns it will get us back perfectly safely. We came back from Poole in an F5 to F6 and, while it was a bit lumpy we never felt at risk. We did get quite wet though

Why not start with a smaller boat, accept the restrictions and see how you get on. You can always buy a bigger one later.
I can assure you that a 17ft bowrider with either engine choice will be great fun and would be more than capable of towing ringos etc.

I think, as always, some really good advice there from the guys on here. I think it's also worth noting that after getting your first boat you will realise that there is something different you will want for whatever reason or something about it doesn't fit or work with what you want to do anyway, so as Colin says, don't get too tied up trying to find the perfect boat for your first one, but just find one you like and see how it goes, I'd almost bet that after a year or 2 you may be looking for something slightly different anyway.

[tim.holling]

Having run a Larson 18ft with a 3ltr inboard on the Solent I can say that it is a perfectly safe combination but you will be restricted with the weather. A cuddy gives more security and a dry place to store warm clothes etc.

In terms of inboard vs outboard the newer outboards are very quiet and much more economical than the older ones. Out old Maxum bowrider with a 115 Merc on the back really guzzled fuel compared with the Larson.

Our Monterey (21ft) with a 4.3ltr inboard will take pretty much anything we're likely to throw at it and if you get caught out when the weather turns it will get us back perfectly safely. We came back from Poole in an F5 to F6 and, while it was a bit lumpy we never felt at risk. We did get quite wet though

Why not start with a smaller boat, accept the restrictions and see how you get on. You can always buy a bigger one later.
I can assure you that a 17ft bowrider with either engine choice will be great fun and would be more than capable of towing ringos etc.

Hi. Appreciate your advice. It's great to hear from people that have actually been there and done it. Cheers

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[tim.holling]

Having run a Larson 18ft with a 3ltr inboard on the Solent I can say that it is a perfectly safe combination but you will be restricted with the weather. A cuddy gives more security and a dry place to store warm clothes etc.

In terms of inboard vs outboard the newer outboards are very quiet and much more economical than the older ones. Out old Maxum bowrider with a 115 Merc on the back really guzzled fuel compared with the Larson.

Our Monterey (21ft) with a 4.3ltr inboard will take pretty much anything we're likely to throw at it and if you get caught out when the weather turns it will get us back perfectly safely. We came back from Poole in an F5 to F6 and, while it was a bit lumpy we never felt at risk. We did get quite wet though

Why not start with a smaller boat, accept the restrictions and see how you get on. You can always buy a bigger one later.
I can assure you that a 17ft bowrider with either engine choice will be great fun and would be more than capable of towing ringos etc.

I think, as always, some really good advice there from the guys on here. I think it's also worth noting that after getting your first boat you will realise that there is something different you will want for whatever reason or something about it doesn't fit or work with what you want to do anyway, so as Colin says, don't get too tied up trying to find the perfect boat for your first one, but just find one you like and see how it goes, I'd almost bet that after a year or 2 you may be looking for something slightly different anyway.

I bet you're right about not knowing what I'm really after until I've been on the water got a while. Helps though to hear from you guys that have been where i am now. Cheers.

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[ColinR]

One comment I would make about whatever boat you are looking at is to find out something called the deadrise.

It is the angle of the hull V at the stern and really makes a huge difference to the boat's ability to handle the chop.

My old Maxum (1991) was almost flat and slammed something rotten as would most older American boats as they were designed for lake use..

Fletchers are pretty good as are most more modern boats, built more for UK conditions,. I think my Monterey is 19degrees.

Try to get somewhere near 18 plus degrees if you can. The compromise is speed over comfort, Flatter is faster, higher cuts the chop better.