Trying to choose my new boat

benri · August 05, 2008, 20:10:37 CET

Thanks for all your patience and honest advice Nick (Both online and offline). Yesterday I went to RLT to have a look at the northstar 190 with the Etec 90 and it is a nice boat but tends to go over my budget which is Lm10,000. Without a trailer and cover we're already up to Lm10,500. There were also a couple of extras eg. a double seat instead of pedestal seats that have not yet been confirmed. Besides these then one has to look into the electronic gadgets etc. In my opinion it will easily take you in the Lm12K region which is too much.
I've also been to tar-Ratal boats which seem to be built very sturdily and in fact the minimum outboard they recommended for their 18 footer was a 150hp. When considering the size of this engine, the price will also easily shoot up to the Lm12K region.
Today I went to see the Buccaneer boats which also seem to have quite a good finishing and are built sturdily (not as much as tar-Ratal, those are impressive!) They seem to be good value for money but their only "drawback" was that it's either a 16.5ft or a 20ft with nothing in between. Equipped with a Yamaha 4 stroke this boat with trailer will work out in the region of Lm9000 with minimal extras. One must therefore not forget to add the prices of certain items eg. petrol tank, shower etc. however, I think it will still end up priced very competitively.
The last place I went today were at Hitec Marine and I must say, the staff are the best I came across so far as besides making you feel very welcome, they take all their time showing you through their different options and explaining every detail. The boat that caught my eye here was the Marinello Fisherman 19 which seems to be built quite nice with a centre console (unlike the other Marinellos). the only drawback I could find so far was the lack of storage space but, from all I've seen so far, when comparing value for money, it seems to be the best deal and I also got a good price for their demo model. I did my best to resist giving a deposit as before I take a decision I also need to visit Kaptan since they are also offering an 18ft centre console.

skip · August 05, 2008, 20:39:56 CET

Hi Benri, thanks for keeping us posted. Couldn't find the Fisherman 19 on Marinello's site which was strange so I'm guessing they haven't updated their website yet http://www.cantieremarinello.com/modelli.html

Came across this on Youtube

The drawbacks I'm seeing are the rear bench seat access isn't full width so if you plan on leaving and locking your rods on board you won't be able to get them in. And down the sides at the bow as you mentioned there seems to be a lack of storage space.

Dry weight is 650kgs so I would say you're looking at a minimum of 100hp but probably ideally 115hp. Whilst Hi-Tec push the Yamaha engines and their four stroke range are considered very good I would also look at the Suzuki Four Strokes as a very serious power contender.

Definately check out the Kaptan boats before making your final decision, you did good to hold back with the deposit.

Does the Fisherman 19 have an inbuilt fuel tank? Also factor in two batteries rather than one and make sure they dont get mounted near the fuel tanks if you're going to do external plastic tanks.

benri · August 05, 2008, 22:42:45 CET

The fuel tank isn't inbuilt on the fisherman 19 and I'll make sure to take your advice and get 2 batteries away from the petrol tanks.

benri · August 05, 2008, 22:46:42 CET

Hi-Tec Marine are insisting that the Marinello 19 does not need anti-osmosis treatment due to some gelcoat additive (if I correctly understood the reason). Is this possible?

skip · August 06, 2008, 06:57:48 CET

It's possible, I believe Shanook had some treatment during the construction of his boat, so drop him a line. Perhaps you won't need to put 5 coats, but I would drop International makers of Gelshield an email http://www.yachtpaint.com/UK/general/contact_us.asp

Get their opinion as I'm sure they know about these additives.

busumark · August 06, 2008, 13:21:55 CET

benri i would wait maybe till january to order a boat. during this time maybe you will find a second hand boat that is good for you. if you dont find one than you go and order. you can save a lot of money when buying a second-hand boat. always tke with you someone who knows about engines.

shanook · August 06, 2008, 18:37:30 CET

hi Benri read with interest all the posts and one always learns something. I agree with skip, emic and busumark. DONT RUSH. make your homework see the pros and cons off all options offered to you then see what you want from your boat. u had a boat so mostly u know what u want different from what u had. dont let sparkle and good looks override the other options. When you are on a boat 15 miles out and force 5 hitting your boat head on, u want to know that the boat can take it.
If u want to go fishing there are quite a few who u can go with.

benri · August 06, 2008, 19:33:14 CET

thanks for all your opinions mates.... They're much appreciated.. I hope I won't rush at least I'm trying my best not to but, since when I sold my boat, would you believe me if I say it's like I lost a part of me even if I had nothing special!! Last weekend I was walking around the house like a mad guy knowing that my boat was no longer at me and thinking of what I'm going to do. The ideal would have been to sell at the end of summer but then I knew it would be more difficult to sell at that stage.
To be honest however I've ruled out second hand for my next boat. I had very bad experiences with both 2nd hand cars and also boats that nowadays I've decided that if I can afford I'll go for new and if I cannot I'll wait. It's true that some people get good bargains sometimes but I won't risk again. I've also decided to go for the type of boat I like i.e. an open boat that would be good for fishing and also for a family outing and not settle for anything else like I had done with the previous.
Please also believe me guys that this is a good time to shop! I never thought that it would be so. I'm trying to play calm with suppliers and would you believe that 3 of them phoned me back today offering better deals! Apparently, they want to get rid of their stock the same way I wanted to get rid of mine. So, it seems to be working both ways!

skip · August 06, 2008, 19:41:49 CET

You're in the bargaining seat then Bryan, so make it count

Let us know when you go down to Kaptan and also would be great if you could take some pictures or if he has some photo/brochure (even a paper) we put it up here as there's not much info on Kaptan's boats and nothing online.

benri · August 06, 2008, 19:49:31 CET

Yes Skip, It's unbelievable how many showers, electrics and accessories including installation can pop up f.o.c.! I will do my best to visit them tomorrow with a friend of mine. On another note, do you think a 100hp is adequate for a 19 footer weighing 650kg. In my opinion it should be but I'd like your views too.

fishfinder · August 06, 2008, 19:52:11 CET

Hello Benri,

Currently every dealer is complaining that they are not selling cars, outboards , engines and boats cause fuel costs are getting high and this reflect also world wide. I work in the automotive industry and I know what i'm saying. I fully agree with all my friends cause It happened to me as well and I always used to rush when I've wanted to buy something but now I'm learning at last

.

First write all down all extras that you wish on your boat and mark the costs of them cause when I bought my boat I was happy with it but didn't knew the costs of all the extras and fuel costs that I had to buy after. so first see what you need and what dimentions you're after and try to visit all local dealers and manufacturers before you put a deposit on something. and as Shanook says keep in mind that out there the weather changes without notice and you need to be safe on your way back home.

good luck

skip · August 06, 2008, 21:05:44 CET

Personally I would say 100hp with a decent loading of fuel and water plus people is on the low side for a 19 footer. I would rather a 115hp as a minimum especially if its a four stroke, maybe even a 140 depending on the price jump.

4 strokes like to run fuel effecient in the mid-range whereas a direct injection engine like mine is happy between 4000-5000rpm so quite high (WOT is 5850rpm). So with that in mind with a 4 stroke as you will be running less revs to keep fuel burn efficient you need more horsepower.

An ETEC 115hp would push a 19 happily with the right prop but going to a four stroke I would look at the Suzuki 140hp and try and bargain price a bit in light of what Fishfinder stated.

Take a look again at how my weight figures added up to get an idea of total weight

shanook · August 06, 2008, 22:39:12 CET

the hull can make a difference whether a 100hp is good but apart from that i would rather go for 140hp as u dont want to have a full throttle all the time. your three quarters gas is what u should consider as full gas at least thats the way i always reasoned.

busumark · August 06, 2008, 22:57:06 CET

i wouldnt but an open boat benri you are always going to get wet if the sea is a bit rough or a bit windy. it doesnt matter how much the boat is good for the sea. you have to decide if you are going to make an inboard or an outboard as an engine

benri · August 07, 2008, 09:38:50 CET

Hi Busumark. To be honest I prefer open boats as even with the family and apart from fishing I find them better. They have a disadvantage in rough seas over cabin boats but it's also a matter of taste. If I wanted a cabin, I would have had an easy solution by buying Shanook's boat as I think it's the only second hand I would buy. Based on your suggestions guys, I'll try and squeeze in the Suzuki 140hp - Now it's either I get sent to..... or we'll see! I've been on a handful of sales/purchasing courses and I'm using my best tactics. Will keep you posted.