Hi guys,
I am toying with the idea of buying a new (old) boat. I have actually
been seriously considering the motorsailer I posted earlier this week,
but I have my reservations.
Anyway, I thought you guys might have some ideas.
What we want is a boat that will take my whole family - 2 adults, my
17yo daughter, 10yo daughter and 8yo son. I like to sail but the
missus prefers a stinkboat and I think she is probably right. What we
would really like is a classic launch, somewhere between 26 and 34ft
with enough berths for the 5 of us for occasional overnights plus a wc
and enough space to lounge around without being stuck down in the
hull. I am in WA, mostly we would be messing around on the Swan and
Canning rivers, ideally able to make the hop over to Rottnest (with an
eye on the weather). A trailerable boat would give us access to the
Peel inlet, maybe occasional jaunts further south like Walpole. I
prefer a slippery hull with a small motor - I am not in any hurry.
However, our budget means that we would be looking at a pretty old
boat in need of TLC. I plan to quit work later this year and take a
year off, so I have the time for cosmetic work (paint and varnish) but
I don't have much affinity for engines and I would want a sound hull.
An old timber hull needs to be kept in the water and moorings are
pricey (the guy selling the motorsailer reckons moorings on the
Canning river are selling for about $8K). On the other hand a boat on
a mooring is certainly going to get a lot more use than a boat in my
driveway. We should like to make a habit of getting out on the water
every Friday afternoon as a minimum.
So, suggestions? Feel free to be creative. I would consider a small
houseboat or even a partyboat-type thing like you see around Mandurah,
but they seem to command remarkably high prices. I am toying with the
idea of building a small trailerable houseboat. Ideally budget would
be under $10K, maybe I could squeeze a little higher. Where do I look?
I keep an eye on www.boatsonline.com.au and the quokka. Ebay is crap
for WA.
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