OldBerkshireBoy Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Hi all, After scouring websites and marinas for two months I thought I had my first boat only to be outbid or undone by some underhand nonsense by the broker so can I ask you all to keep your eyes open for anything that has a single engine, is around 35-37ft in length with low airdraft, easy to get on and off with minimal steps inside. Don`t mind travelling to view so wherever you are in the country please keep your eyes open. Finders fee offered and thanks in advance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulu Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 What is your budget? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldBerkshireBoy Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 6 minutes ago, Lulu said: What is your budget? Between 25k-45k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Recently I have noticed that Summercraft have been selling off by craft from their hire fleet , it may we’ll be worth ringing them to see if they have anything suitable for you , if you can get past the blue and yellow colour scheme you would be hard tasked to find better maintained and cared for boats. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgregg Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 3 minutes ago, CambridgeCabby said: Recently I have noticed that Summercraft have been selling off by craft from their hire fleet , it may we’ll be worth ringing them to see if they have anything suitable for you , if you can get past the blue and yellow colour scheme you would be hard tasked to find better maintained and cared for boats. That's not a bad shout, and they refuse to sell them in those colours, so it's not as bad as you'd think. Usually the yellow gets painted white so you're left with a blue which isn't too bad on its own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aboattime Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 50 minutes ago, Pumpmedic said: Hi all, After scouring websites and marinas for two months I thought I had my first boat only to be outbid or undone by some underhand nonsense by the broker so can I ask you all to keep your eyes open for anything that has a single engine, is around 35-37ft in length with low airdraft, easy to get on and off with minimal steps inside. Don`t mind travelling to view so wherever you are in the country please keep your eyes open. Finders fee offered and thanks in advance. Waterside marine have a good selection of Alphas ,single engine and low air draft.How many berths are you looking for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldBerkshireBoy Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 13 minutes ago, Aboattime said: Waterside marine have a good selection of Alphas ,single engine and low air draft.How many berths are you looking for? Thanks, just had another look and nothing new there today. Find them generally overpriced for what they are, as an example the Alpha 35 has a major roof problem (been dragging an experianced person around with me to viewings) and their customer service re "It`s in the workshop at the moment, I`ll get back to you" needs some improvement. Ideally 4 berth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scaniaman Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Anything in apollo duck ,click on motorboats,scroll down to more brands then click on whatever takes your fancy. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Norfolk Boatshed has what looks like a former Royals boat (only going by the colour) if it is then sure to be a cracking boat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldBerkshireBoy Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 11 minutes ago, CambridgeCabby said: Norfolk Boatshed has what looks like a former Royals boat (only going by the colour) if it is then sure to be a cracking boat Thanks but too big for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Probably a bit too small , and pictures are confusing as I’m sure the pics showing purple interior are from the former Ludham Bridge hire boats and not the one being offered for sale https://www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/used-boats/sheerline-24-brink-of-peace-2-608.asp also may be fruitful if you contacted Faircraft Loynes as they also have been selling some of their fleet (both Diplomat class for example to Richardson’s) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldBerkshireBoy Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 Thanks, looked at that one around the start of my quest. Will contact Faircraft Loynes though, see what they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 23 minutes ago, Pumpmedic said: Thanks, looked at that one around the start of my quest. Will contact Faircraft Loynes though, see what they say. Out of curiosity did it have the purple interior as suggested by the photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldBerkshireBoy Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 I've seen so many boats I honestly can't remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scaniaman Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Might be worth a look at thames boatyards see apollo duck again then click on marinas. Paul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 LH Jones at st.ives are always worth a look as broads type boats appear there from time to time and go for less than they do on the broads, they normally have a fairly busy sale line. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Sorry to hear you lost the boat you wanted, good luck with the search, the right one will turn up! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VetChugger Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Just in case you might miss a brokerage in your quest, Dans link page is useful though I'm not entirely sure how up to date it is! http://www.dhorner.horning.org.uk/page23.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Wasn't the Alpha 35 at Broadland Yacht Brokers you were looking at was it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldBerkshireBoy Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 Why do you ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnks34 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Chances are anything ex hire split level with a sliding roof could well have come to grief with a bridge at one time or another. We looked at the Alpha 35 when we decided to buy years ago and of the few we saw at the time the sliding portion of the roof had been previously damaged on most of them, one was so far bent out of shape you could have got your arm through a gap on one side, another had been fished out of the Bure by Wroxham Bridge, worrying stuff when you are a prospective purchaser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDTRIPLE Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Buying ex hire is always going to be full of pitfalls. If you can buy direct from a fleet, you will always have someone to go back to if there are problems that were not advertised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 When the lottery comes up (ha ha) a centre steer Alpha 35 (or even better the rare 32) would certainly be on my short list as would any Alphacraft. But like everything its always best to get the advice of an expert if you are in doubt. There is a design flaw with the centre steer Alphas in that the canopy is not a good fit and compounded by problems with the double cable arrangement which raises and lowers the canopy. However when properly maintained and set up they shouldn't cause any problem. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldBerkshireBoy Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 Yep, they crab if not set up square and can be an inch or so out. Could of been made longer as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aboattime Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 5 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said: When the lottery comes up (ha ha) a centre steer Alpha 35 (or even better the rare 32) would certainly be on my short list as would any Alphacraft. But like everything its always best to get the advice of an expert if you are in doubt. There is a design flaw with the centre steer Alphas in that the canopy is not a good fit and compounded by problems with the double cable arrangement which raises and lowers the canopy. However when properly maintained and set up they shouldn't cause any problem. On our Alpha 32 the sliding roof is a good fit and the electric switch makes the lowering etc really effortless,never had any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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