Badgerpig Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Hi I'm thinking of buying a day boat for fishing, pottering, days out etc either a small RIB or Seahog type cuddy boat Would be using it in freshwater lochs and sheltered sea lochs on the west coast I've had boats before but not for several years as had two kids (5 and 7) just wondering peoples thoughts 1) are the kids old enough to go in it? (both can swim) 2) if yes would a rib or cuddy boat be safer? i know its not shooting related but normally some fairly level heads on here cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thelongwayup Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Cuddy looks the safer bet to me. I'd say they are old enough provided they can swim to a degree and have decent life vests on at all times when on the boat even if anchored up in a bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 From a professional seafarer: They're at the right age to be taught that wearing (proper) lifejackets is cool. Whatever first boat you buy, make sure it's stable and large enough for you all. From Conrad: “And yet I have known the sea too long to believe in its respect for decency. An elemental force is ruthlessly frank.” Teach them to enjoy and respect the sea, they'll thank you. Get them sailing ASAP, that's where you learn about the elements, plus the sound of silence (no engine) is enhanced when afloat. And always have a second "get you home" means of propulsion. There's so much more but I'll keep it short for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Will you take me out n all ? Lol! Wish someone had taught me to sail and fish as a kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 agree with all the points made by ChrisBb and yes a boat with an engine and sails and oars would be (and is) my choice I have an orkney yole type boat but something like a Drascombe would give hours of fun and is a good sea boat, plus automatic lifejackets of course ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Perfect age to start, as has been stressed, lifejackets are essential. Which boat you go for please please use a killcord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badgerpig Posted May 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 thanks fellas some sound advice, i did think they were old enough but always good to get others opinions cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 (edited) Islandgun: well we are both from the Blackwater! My best family boat was an old 13 foot (Vagabond) dinghy. I could sail it single handed or with 4 on board, I could row it and it handled very nicely with a small Seagull outboard. It could also be towed by a Mini. Further: carry flares, a marine VHF & a phone plus suitable clothing and ALWAYS CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST. Edited May 3, 2015 by Chris Bb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypig Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Kill cord kill cord kill cord Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Islandgun: well we are both from the Blackwater! My best family boat was an old 13 foot (Vagabond) dinghy. I could sail it single handed or with 4 on board, I could row it and it handled very nicely with a small Seagull outboard. It could also be towed by a Mini. Further: carry flares, a marine VHF & a phone plus suitable clothing and ALWAYS CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST. Indeed were are from ? I lived in Maldon, Steeple, and Tollesbury, and was often fishing for eels and herring or sailing my clinker boat about instead of having a proper job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Kill cord kill cord kill cord And again..Killcord. I see so many up here on Windermere without using one. Off shore use a fitted "mains" VHF, on lakes or estuaries you should be ok with handheld. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 A great web site with loads of boats for sale " boats and outboards" plenty of fresh water for those hot days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Once you've bought your boat, (and good luck by the way) the RNLI have a number of free leaflets on boat safety and will inspect your boat and equipment for free + offer advice. Until recently I ran a 5.2 mtr dive RIB with 90 hp Mercury and have had dive RIBs for 20yrs and IMHO the RNLI are always worth a punt if they're near you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Indeed were are from ? I lived in Maldon, Steeple, and Tollesbury, and was often fishing for eels and herring or sailing my clinker boat about instead of having a proper job Tillingham & Bradwell juxta Mare but long since emigrated to the Costa del Solent. Used to help out teaching at the Bradwell Sailing Centre when on leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 how does the Solent compare ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Too busy in the main shipping lanes otherwise OK. Better launching & access facilities. Marinas very expensive, probably because 45% of all Britain's boats are based here! Many, many idiots on the water, and I mean the wind powered variety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 sorry to hijack peeps, chris you should bring a dinghy up here for a few days, plenty of wind ! and lots of islands to discover and I can only think of 4 sailing boats in the south of Harris , PM if you want any info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 A great web site with loads of boats for sale " boats and outboards" plenty of fresh water for those hot days. Agreed but watch out for scams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 sorry to hijack peeps, chris you should bring a dinghy up here for a few days, plenty of wind ! and lots of islands to discover and I can only think of 4 sailing boats in the south of Harris , PM if you want any info That is truly amazing if there is only 4 sailing boats in the south of the island. There is some wonderful sailing in the Scottish islands, albeit the weather doesn't always play ball. I guess that the southern end of Lewis & Harris is probably the most exposed on the west coast especially, but in the inner sound the coastline is awesome sailing territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 That is truly amazing if there is only 4 sailing boats in the south of the island. There is some wonderful sailing in the Scottish islands, albeit the weather doesn't always play ball. I guess that the southern end of Lewis & Harris is probably the most exposed on the west coast especially, but in the inner sound the coastline is awesome sailing territory. yep 4, mine + 2 drascombes and one with a lid on, theres more at Tarbert maybe 6, quite a few inshore creel boats though, The sound of Harris is spectacular with unusual tides sometimes making in a different direction , shallows between islands, deeper areas with reefs, and many beaches on the islands, abundant wildlife, and usually a lee shore if its not too windy, great place with a sound dinghy travelog over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretagentmole Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) A Terhi 6020 is a great boat for what you want. No cuddy admittedly but it is plenty long enough, good beam, stable and floats in under 18 inches of water (fully loaded). Unsinkable to the point you can saw one in half and still row both halves back! Though if you try that trick I would recommend getting shot of the outboard first or make sure you are in the bow! Very stable, can handle a 7 ft swell easily. The base 6020 (non console version) will plane with a 15hp outboard on, we had a 25hp on ours and it bleeding flew. Damned economical on the petrol too! Get your kids life jackets and make sure you wear one as well. use a kill cord, get a hand help marine band radio and keep it on ch 16. Never to young for a boat, I started sea fishing on my father's boat when I was 5 (as well as helping him build it). Edited May 5, 2015 by secretagentmole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 my lad is 5 (and a half) and he comes out on my boat with me....lifejacket is a must and he knows he must have it on at all times and also get two outboards so a get home one aswell... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) I take my lads out, age 2 (only when the misses comes along) and 5, lifejackets at all times no exceptions (for anyone aboard) and all the safety gear needed aboard, they love it. Mines an old 70's ski boat, has only a foot and a half of free board, totally impractical really (I love her tho) but the kids are safe, you take extra extra exxtra care when the kids are aboard. Edited May 5, 2015 by thepasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lister22 Posted May 6, 2015 Report Share Posted May 6, 2015 (edited) with kids on board watch out for the cold I keep some use once heat pads onboard if they get cold pop one inside their waterproofs edit works for adults too Edited May 6, 2015 by lister22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickS Posted May 7, 2015 Report Share Posted May 7, 2015 We had sailing yachts before we had kids and for some time after. To paraphrase von Moltke, "no plan survives first contact with a child" so be alert for the unexpected. It may be too small for you to make use of but I still have an old but little-used toddler sized buoyancy aid that incorporates a proper safety harness an line that I would be happy to see go to a home that could use it. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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