Searching for a first yacht

[dism]

Hi All,

I'm Dean, 30, living up on the Clarence river in Nth NSW. Been on this site for awhile reading up, new poster.

So after many dinghies and some short yacht passages and a lot of small+ yacht adventures reading, I think I'm just about ready to start exploring short ocean trips/port hops/rivers etc.

So I'm seeking my first yacht. After much research (this site is a real trove) I reckon a Top Hat would do the trick (otherwise Compass 28, Searle 26, Holland 25 etc could do).

Basically I want to single hand it and explore out a couple days in ocean, do river camping/daytrips (inc. river pub crawls) with mates and toward checking out Morton/Broadwater/Pittwater. You get the drill, live the dream around the reality.

I welcome anyone's help to track down a suitable boat ($10k budget with focus on solid rig/hull/prob outboard and can upgrade bits across years). I want to jump straight into sailing or minor fixes, not ready for anything major fix. As reality is I would be sailing it back to the Clarence before any fixes. Typical champagne dream on beer budget thing.

Oh, and keep up with the awesome info on everything, makes thinking about this a lot more real and achievable. That round Oz trip last year was a awesome thing to follow live-time.

Cheers
Dean

[Peter57]

Top Hat is a great boat - I had a beautiful Mark 2 however admit that I would prefer a Mark 1 anyday - there is a beauty for sale in Batemans Bay and that woudl be great for you as after you have sailed her to the Clarence you would know her well - link is http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sal ... -25/184659 My view is an inboard diesel beats an outboard anyday especially on coastal passages. Right price for you as well. Cheers Peter

[dism]

Cheers Peter.

Yeah agree with inboard if it works and just needs regular normal service but otherwise think outboard for cheap/non-mechanically minded. Might ask more about 'tcl required' in that ad.

Always hard to tell in photos whether imperfections at cosmetic or an issue. Anyone seen this boat on the flesh (as I'm a long way away for a look)?

[Troppo]

Great dream you have Dean. What you are thinking of doing is achievable in a Top Hat. Budget wise, I am sure you will find something which will suit you. As you say, photos in an advert do not tell the full story about a boat. In my opinion, seeing as most boats of interest turn up some distance away, best to ask a seller if the photos are recent and if he or she has any more, and ask specific questions to clarify the condition of various items. Then if the boat still seems worthwhile, plan a visit. Take a torch so you can look into all the dark areas like back of storage areas etc. Take lots of photos as half an hour later things become a blur and they can help your memory. Especially if something needs fixing and you are chasing up possible costs, the pictures can prove useful. That's my thoughts anyway.

When it comes to the inboard/outboard question, it is not always simple. I would prefer a diesel inboard but would take a reliable outboard over an unreliable inboard any day. With outboards, I would prefer a four-stroke to two-stroke but I got an almost new 2-stroke with Windchaser. I would prefer a smaller motor than the 18 hp I got but above all else, I prefer to go boating than sit at home wishing life was different. I did 23 nautical miles on about 10 litres the other day (motor sailing) but regularly in the river with tide assist I motor 25 nautical miles on less than 20 litres while towing an 11 foot aluminium dinghy. So, to me, the important thing is to have a reliable motor no matter what type and to actually get out and use it.

Have fun with your journey.

troppo

[dism]

Thanks Troppo - I followed up as you advised but unfortunately that Top Hat has sold.

Anyone know of any other boat around?

[Phillip]

Dean,

Consider this also, with my inboard diesel I would have used about 8 litres of fuel for that 25nm of Troppos'

That means with 30 hours motoring [I have a 30 lt. tank] equals 120nm whereas

with the outboard you would require [and this is a guessimate] around 125 litres.

A lot quieter also.

[Miker]

Good luck on your search, there are quite a few around.

Regarding the outboard, mine as an 8hp Tohatsu 4 stroke. Uses about 4 litres to get to Sydney from Pittwater. I keep a 9 litre spare drum on board that I use for tipping off the main tank. Over the usual course of a year sailing around pittwater, it gets filled three times a year? The 4 strokes are almost as fuel efficient as diesels and as you say easier to service. That being said, if my boat had have come with a diesel it wouldn't have turned me off her. The choice of engine wasn't a consideration for me. So long as the engine is well looked after and starts on the key without the aid of any sprays, you should be fine.

[Troppo]

Phillip, that is an worthwhile comparison. Your estimate of my fuel consumption is good.

For the interest of our readers:
* Cruising: In 30 hrs Windchaser typically covers 150 nm. She easily sits on 5 knots, still water, not taking into account tides. Against wind and waves, there is reserve power left so I can increase throttle and maintain the 5 knots. However, for the sake of fuel economy I usually don't. If in a hurry with spare fuel, I do.

* Fuel consumption: From 120 litres, I would expect 150 nm and that is towing an 11 foot aluminium dinghy. In practice I don't use that much as I am conservative with fuel calculations and try to move with tides. Obviously if I was pushing the motor hard against strong winds and high waves I would use more.

* Noise: I was once on a 25 footer with well insulated diesel and I could hardly hear it even in the cabin. Another boat, the diesel rattled and thudded but I think probably a bit quieter in the cockpit than an outboard at full throttle. However, with Windchaser, I am often running the 2-stroke outboard motor at less than half throttle, it being a massive 18 hp and too big really, and I don't find it too noisy. Don't know how it compares to a 9.8 hp four stroke.

* Fuel storage: I run two fuel tanks, one lashed each side of the motor on the cockpit seats. When one tank gets almost empty, I don't stop the motor, just quickly unplug from the almost empty and plug into the full. The motor does not miss a beat. I carry spare 20 litre containers in the cockpit locker. Also I carry them on the cabin floor or starboard quarter berth. Only use the quarter berth if I can pack it so it does not tip over. The cabin floor is okay for storage when underway as the container can't fall anywhere. Most diesel motors have their fuel tank tucked away so less containers scattered around.

* My thoughts: In my situation with 35 nm to get out of the river to open sea, the outboard motor is far from ideal. As Phillip pointed out, the outboard uses much more fuel. Given that for any trip away, I carry 60 litres of fuel just to reach the sea, that becomes a challenge. On the other hand, the 2011 Tohatsu has performed faultlessly. I blew the fuse for starter motor one time when I hooked up the battery the wrong way and I had trouble starting after leaving the motor several months and the fuel-oil mix in the carby and hose became mostly oil as the fuel evaporated. Apart from that, the motor has always started easily, I often pull start it just for the heck of it as it kicks in before the cord has pulled fully out. The reliability is a major factor for me as in a previous boat the motor had numerous hidden problems from an owner who didn't service it properly and I ended up having to sell the boat. So, the outboard is not ideal but has its strengths and I have never had a drama with it. One of the reasons I share my experience is because I originally never bothered with any boat that did not have a diesel motor and I think my one-eyed approach meant I missed out on some good boats. I bought what turned out to be a dud as the diesel motor let me down then I bought Windchaser with an almost new outboard which has been great. So, I encourage people not to discount outboards on sailing boats as they can be a viable option.

troppo

[Phillip]

I agree Troppo, if Seaka had had an outboard motor when I brought her, I suppose I would be using an outboard today

The secret is: If you come across a boat that sings for you, that's the boat to buy. You will know when you find her!!

[dism]

Good thoughts on engines all. They all new and foreign to me. Where did you all learn to fix/maintain engines (just give it a crack/course/book)?

Miker - plenty around but hardly any for sale at moment!