Bogart

I really do appreciate you guys taking the time to let me have your views.

Maybe I should forget a boat and get a Kayak, no seriously understand your comments. A Viking or Shetland should get under everything except I believe Thorpe railway Bridges and the Old Potter Heigham

Definitely does help, this is the sort of info I need. Can I ask why you dismiss the Bounty and the Alpha?

When I started my search I was anti outboard and then some people said they have come a long way opposed to what they used to be. Then up popped the petrol availability, or lack of, problem. Have been given various bits of info such as fill it up then just bring 5 litres as a top up, sounds a bit of a faff. There is the stern on problem but some do have large 'bathing platforms' with cut outs that protect the outboard.

All the Vikings and Shetlands are well under 7ft it is the others that are causing me to be hesitant.

Have the the 29i and as it is an inboard one loses quite a proportion of sleeping accommodation and for a 2010 looks a tad pricey. Now looks to be sold, if we are talking the NYA one. Was on the market yesterday. There is a Shetland Owners Association who seem pretty useless. Very little input from members. Though I did get the impression that liaising with the owner of Shetland can be a bit problematic. In his defence I met him a couple of weeks ago and seemed a good guy.

Hi Right I am back with a lot more questions. Done a fair bit of looking at boats in the last week. Now the questions first few relate to prices. 1. One thing I have noticed is the wide variation in prices for basically the same boat, year condition etc For example there were, now both sold, two Shetland 27s,both 2010. Inboard version £64k outboard version £43K I was very interested in the outboard one but unfortunately missed the boat as deposit taken earlier the morning I visited. Anyway £20k looks a lot to me between inboard and outboard. 2. Again on prices have seen a couple of Viking 275s. 2021 model at £75k and a 2020 model at £77k I have been quoted £80k, open to a deal, for a brand new one direct from Viking. I know boats do not devalue like cars but to me the new one seems the obvious option. 3. Right now links to a couple of boats for your knowledgeable opinion as to value for money and suitability for Broads usage. https://www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/inventory/?post=12647 https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/alpha-26-8/ The second one was in my mind as to get me on the water and find out what I really need. Final link https://www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/nautic/ Looked over a new one at Brundall yesterday and my wife very taken with it, as she would be knowing her. Anybody ever heard of this company. The boats are Polish but very little info about them on the web., And finally a couple of more general questions. When viewing various boats am told following Oh yes will get under all bridges Will get under most bridges Will def not get under Wroxham or Potter Heigham How annoying will I find it to not be able to go north of Wroxham towards Coltishall or go east from Potter Heigham? And finally finally can anyone recommend a good boating map of the Broads. That is it for now folks. Many thanks in advance.

Not exactly as the crow flies

Was looking on google maps I could not see an obvious route. You have confirmed there isn't one.

Dopey question time again. Is it possible to get from the broads to say Ely or St Ives? by boat obviously.

My showing your age recalling those. Often were not particularly good as I remember many shops one could not see what was behind the window in winter.

Can I ask what the £15k would have been spent on?

Yes is a tube type sort found in greenhouses etc.

The more I look at it I keep asking why remove some interior to fit those armchairs. At least fit back before sale. Why the heater in the engine compartment? Just a winter precaution?

Thanks as I would not have a clue as to how to price such a boat.

Not madly keen on the 2 grey armchairs but each to their own. Also no idea on the price, does this seem in the correct ball park at £62.5K?

How strange no petrol on broads. Again in my naivety I just assumed there would be. There was on Wednesday when I visited St Ives, the boatyard had it... at £1.75 what a bargain.

Will have a look thanks.

Nope, but have now will investigate. Thanks

What do? The steps or the motor? Sorry if question seems very naive.

Hi My only concern with such boat is the height I am ma1ing a right hash of this reply, not sure how to delete and start again. I have looked up specs of this boat. Two concerns height and fuel consumption. All look to have a pair. of great big Volvo diesels.

No offence taken at all, not that you said anything offending anyway. Experience on a motor cruiser is NIL. Sailing yachts yes but always with an inboard engine. On looking over a Viking 275 yesterday was pointed out that the two side steps, as shown on attached piccy, offer some protection to the boat and motor when mooring stern on.

Answering Ray top of budget is £100K but preferably somewhat less. I was quite struck by the Shetland 27s, so yesterday visited Jones boatyard at St Ives to look over a Shetland 245, not for sale but to give me an idea on how it feels. Ticked all the boxes except one. We used to caravan and in the end decided we wanted a permanent bed made up and not have to fuff with putting table is gaps and rearranging cushions, same for the boat. The 245 has a double at the front but we do not want to be looking at a bed all day so that means there has to be a double somewhere else. So all that is left is a very, very small space on the port side in no way a double . Additionally very little room between ones head and the cockopit floor. Today looked at Shetland 29 and 27 they all suffer from the same, the classic "coffin berths" I believe they are called. Now enter the Viking Seamaster 28 and Viking 275. Bit more spartan than the Shetland but do have the option of a full sized double going across the boat with much more space between cockpit floor and ones head. They are doing currently a 295 and 300 so am going to ring them tomorrow as the literature on them is rather limited. Having seen various boats today and talked to salesman my original thoughts that I had to have an inboard engine would appear to have taken a back seat. Been told by one and all that modern outboards are very quiet, cheaper and much easier maintenance. So call to Viking in the morning.

The usual dilemma when jump in and go for it. Now where is that crystal ball?

Would not be a proper forum if not a madhouse to some degree.