An end to boating

[argonaut]

After 48 years of Boat ownership, I decided to sell my boat, and I don't see myself buying another.
I don't seem to have a pic of my first boat

Here was an early one ... an 11'6' Fletcher.

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I had a few boats of which two had no maker's names - plywood construction.
Then the Fletcher above, a Simms Super Vee Jet boat, followed by a couple of Pictons, including Dave Pictons former offshore Ski racing Royale. A Ring 21, Regal, Maxum MXR, Monterey, then my current boat a FourWinns H210 SLX

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The FourWinns was definitely the best I have owned, I went through the tick list adding almost everything.
The twin counter-rotating stainless props were such an improvement on a single prop, coupled to the amazingly powerful VolvoPenta 280hp.
I added Digital cruise control for towed sport, a large Depthtrax depth display and a Monster MTX tower.
Even putting in a Carbon effect dash this year.

I'll certainly miss her when she leaves my drive on Monday.


Here to sign off is a vid clip of the boat, driving it and having fun on my SkySki

[ian h]

Sorry to hear that you selling and not replacing.

I sold my Hunton in 2020.

Keep looking for a boat but then ask about mooring costs and think it's all got very expensive.

[Ianfs]

I thought you were looking for something with a bit more accommodation?

[argonaut]

It was a consideration, but decided (at least for now) to sell up.

Yes I’d like a 30’ fly bridge, but prices being up in 200k and that is for something 20+ yrs old.
Plus local Marina charges are very expensive.
The fuel pontoon is also very expensive to use.

Out of my league.

[argonaut]

It’s also to me very apparent that the affordable end of boating has almost gone.

My local bay is almost devoid of small boats, the marina is full of 30-40’ boats, that just stay moored up, an occasional weekend floating apartment.
There are a number of sports fishing boats being used, but numbers way down.

Many British boat manufacturers have ceased trading since I started boating.
Picton, Shakespeare, Fletcher (as most know it) Broom, Simms, Hunton.

In my area Boat servicing places are almost all gone, no Chandlers any more.

Also telling look at ‘Boatbanter’ … how many are active or contribute ?


For me it’s now my kayak on the water.

[ian h]

I| now work part time at Bembridge harbour on Isle of Wight.

We have a visitors pontoon that can take over 100 visiting boats . so far this year it's been very busy some weekends 120+ visiting boats,
A big mixture from small 7-8 meter sail and motor boats up to a couple of 20+ meter motors and 16 meter sail. so for the marina still a lot of people coming to the IOW for their boating.