What boat to begin with!? Maybe gommone (inflatable)?

[Tracina]

What boat to begin with!? Maybe gommone (inflatable)?
Hi everyone, I have a lot of respect for the sea, and that is why, as a complete boat-novice, I am here asking all of you, more experienced ?captains?, for some suggestions. Starting in August, I will be moving to Malta, and for the first time in my life, I can consider buying some sort of SMALL boat. GIVEN THAT:

1)   I think experience builds up with time, so I would like to start off with something that simply allows me to move
        around within ?shore-sight?.
2)   Possibly that can be driven without a nautical driving license. (a toy)(but not a tender)
3)   That will allow me to do some basic fishing (light trolling, spearfishing, bottom fishing etc.)
4)   That will not cost me a fortune to maintain.

Here is my ?rain? of questions:

1)   What is the maximum size of motor that can be driven without a license in Malta? (I believe in Italy it is 40,8
        cv (30 Kw)).
2)   Given the needs above, should I orient myself towards a tiny wooden ?gozzo?, or should I go for a gommone
        (those inflatable boats I don?t know the name in English?). They look like totally different philosophies.
        Gommoni look unsinkable...and fast ; )
3)   What size would be good to start? I noticed gommoni come in nearly ?standard sizes?: 350, 380, 420, 430,
        450.... (consider I don?t think I would have more than 4 people on it...).
4)   What do you think is the right sum to invest in a first boat with these needs? (Could I pull it off for less than
        6000 euro?) What other costs would I be looking at annually? Mooring, fixing, insurance etc??
5)   Should I investigate locally, or go on ebay etc...?
6)   Any other drastic things I should consider that I have omitted?

Thank you all for the help. I thank you in advance for the patience needed with novices! : )

Tracina

[LapsiBoy]

with 6000euros you'll buy something nice Maybe a small fibreglass boat with a 9.9 outboard would be suitable. 13ft like the kaptan,albatross,scirocco etc..u have to check mate

[skip]

Hi Tracina,

Welcome to the forum. A gommone is as you rightly point out referred to as an inflatable or or a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Hull if it has a solid bottom Fiberglass GRP).

At the moment you do not need a nautical license for engines under 100hp (CV) but there has been talk of reducing this in the near future.

For your needs I think you are better off with a inflatable or maybe a GRP fiberglass boat rather than a 'gozzo' (Fregatina/Luzzu).

SimonG for example has a Maxxon 420 with a Tohatsu 30hp which he uses for spearfishing and he is very happy with the boat. It's fast across the water and capable of handling rough seas which is a bonus with inflatables. It doesn't have a rigid hull, I believe his is flat but it could be an inflatable bottom, am not sure.

In terms of GRP boats the Italian built Marino Egle 400 13ft6 with Center console and a nice flared hull costs for the boat only ?3195, I'm not sure if that includes the console. You then have to add the engine and trailer but you will manage for your budget of ?6000

If you want to go a bit bigger the Marino Atom 450 with max 50hp is a nice boat as well.

In terms of inflatables the Maxxon 420 RIB with no console or jockey console costs ?3750 for the boat so might be a good choice for you.

Marino and Maxxon are available from Mecca Marine, you can see a list of their boats in the Sponsor Section Mecca Marine. http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/index.php?board=53.0

Also have a look at Hitec Marine who offer Selva inflatables and Silver Marine Inflatables+RIBS along with Selva Engines (that are now Yamaha under the cover). They also offer various GRP boats like the Marinello 15foot which you might want to look at.

There are also locally built boats like Kaptan, Petecraft and Bucaneer but these are all GRP fiberglass.

Your other option is to bring a boat either new or used down with you from Italy or have it shipped, especially if you want to buy second hand you will have a bigger choice from home.

In terms of engines, choose either a Direct Injection engine like the Tohatsu TLDI, or a 4 stroke from Selva, Suzuki, Tohatsu etc they all make good engines that will be trouble free.

Insurance shouldn't cost you more than ?200 a year, mooring is likely to be more of an issue but you might find a place like Beachaven for say ?400 per season 1st June - 15 September or try and arrange to rent a floating mooring from someone (not so easy)

Don't bother with Ebay, but search locally and at home before you come down. Locally second hand boats you can check out www.boatshedmalta.com and www.boatlinkmalta.com in case they can offer you something and sometimes places like Mecca and Hitec have customer's second hand boats for sale. Also look at the classifieds on www.di-ve.com, timesofmalta.com, and maltapark.com

You will also need a place to keep your boat in winter and a garage will cost you somewhere like ?400-?600 per year or keeping it in a boat yard maybe ?350 approx.

Don't forget local registration S for the size of boat you are looking at, speak with Malta Maritime Authority www.mma.gov.mt for the 1st registration cost and the annual costs.

If you do decide to do the nautical license which sometimes is a requirement of local insurance companies even if the engine is less than 100hp, it's a two week part time course that takes place in the evening between 5.30-8.30pm and you take a written and short practical exam at the end.

Don't forget to factor in some ? for safety equipment, VHF, GPS, lifejackets, flares etc.

Hope this helps,

Skip

[Tracina]

Lapsi boy, thank you for the suggestions. I went to check the boats you mentioned out and they are beautiful (even though when I googled "scirocco", I kept on getting the car ; )

To be honest, I think I might go for Skip's advice (RIB) though. But thank you anyways.

Dear Skip,
   first of all thank you for the long exhaustive response. Second of all, I am happy to hear my budget is enough to get something that floats ; )

    If I can sum up;
                            you suggest an RIB of length between 400-450 ~ euro 3500 (used?). Maxxon. Probably around 30hp (should I look at new or used?). Direct injection or 4 stroke. Insurance 200, mooring 400, winter 400-600 + a gather there is quite a bit of safety equipment...

                             ...and I seem to sense you suggest the nautical license anyways...

You have given me a lot to think (and dream) of for now. THANKs a LOT.

Tracina

[shanook]

tracina if u have a car to tow the rib u can save 400 on mooring.and probably if u trailer (if u have a garage where to place it) the insurance will be lower as well.

[skip]

Good point Shanook didn't think of that, nice post count of 1111

Maxxon 420 RIB seemed to be ?3750 brand new boat only and would work fine with a 40-50hp (which would then be above your budget), for the non RIB the 420 works well with a 20-30hp so you might manage there in your budget.

It's up to you whether you go for new or used see if you can get new for your budget, it all depends on the engine cost, otherwise you can try and look for a whole package second hand.

Nautical license is always nice to have but you don't have to straight away.

Get in touch with the various companies and get those quotes rolling in

[mellieha]

I would like to post a personal experience which might help in deciding. 

I have a non ridget hull rib (Maxxon) 420mm and is powered by a Tohatsu 30hp, inflatable bottom.  The major issue is weight distrubution.  Mine has a central consol, but this creates an issue of weight distribution.  Mine is balanced for two people.  When more people joint (i.e. 3 or 4)  the issue of weght has to be recalculated by trial and error. 

I use the jetties in the north of the island,  starting from Santa marija Estate, to Ghadira, Marfa, Arier and Little Armier.  The best is the little armier one but the road is a disaster.  As running cost Saturday from 15.00 and  a full sunday.  Going to comino, paradise bay and ghadira would cost a total of 15 Euro.  I have calculated also oil since mine is 2 stroke. 

We sleep on the dinghi and also cook on it. 

Regarding Insurance you will have problems if you intend to keep it in the water epecially if iot is a soft hull and without a cover.

If you are going for this type of boat, you have to maximise space and purchase everything as a savespacer.  I spent over Lm800 in additional accessories as I did not consider them before. 

[Tracina]

once again, thank you guys! I am trying to look into all of your suggestions. I hadn't realized how big the "RIB world" is... I have been looking online at some used "packages". Eventually I will have to make my mind up.

So, if I have a car to tow, I could bring it home every day (time to add the tow hook to the car, I guess)... but I need a big Garage. Still don't know if we'll have one...
Is "rigid bottom preferable"? Is it an issue of water "aerodynamics"/storing/price? Today I am checking out some of the motors manufacturers found on the mecca marine site.

THX again

[Lamacca]

( If i say something wrong please feel free to correct me)

Tracina ,

If the engine is 9.9 hp or below you do not need an insurance .
There are some rumors that S registered boats shall not be allowed to fish from.

If i had to buy another boat today it would be a different boat.
Here it's almost always windy ! or it is always so when i can go fishing! consider a boat that can break through waves (a v hull or at least something with a keel) rather than one which wobbles like my small planing hull thing.(or an inflatable which is just unsinkable).

If you're just going to be trolling you do not need a big engine you will be going at 4 knots most of the time anyway.

Consider getting a second engine it certainly beats 12 hours of rowing and might be saving your life.

As others have said consider a garage and trailer to avoid insurance and mooring costs but also consider that by keeping your boat dry when not in use you will avoid the expenses of cleaning your hull every 3 months.

A second hand boat is worth considering but a second hand inflatable is just not they have a tendency f disintegrating from the seams after a certain age.

If you get an inflatable cover the insides with a layer of canvas to avoid accidents with Hooks.

[skip]

I believe even with a 9.9hp you now need insurance on the water, but I am not 100% certain, interesting point to check on.

A good RIB will out perform just about any GRP boat in rough weather, it's why the RNLI and other coast guard/lifeboat organisations used them extensively and why they tend to be the only boat that can go out in a rescue in a Force 7 wind.

But it must have oversize tube and a rigid hull, hence RIB which always tends to be a deep V.....

[Tracina]

Ok, so definitely an RIB with v hull or with keel. Interesting point about used RIBs... I had found a lot of really cheap ones, but old! So maybe opt for a new one. Used motor?
Today I should finally know about the garage.
Considering a "400-20RIB" on the appropriate trailer, I guess I should consider 5-6 m...
Thank you again
P.S. if "S" boats will not be allowed to fish from, I'll have to completely re-plan the whole thing  !

[skip]

You would have to try MFC registration, but nothing is confirmed yet.