Making the leap into boat ownership: Pursuing a watery family adventure, as parents seize the opportunity to spend a few cherished years together aboard their new vessel, acknowledging the impending departure of their daughters.
How to dive into the boating life: Everything you need to know to set sail
Top Tales
Living in sunny Essex's Chelmsford, our boating-loving family hit the jackpot - the county boasts the second longest coastline in the UK (besides Cornwall). As a kid, I spent countless hours on family boating trips. However, owning a vessel remained elusive until recently. Satisfying my desire for nautical adventures through paddleboarding along the Essex shores and joining a club, I stumbled upon a life-altering chance encounter...
Stuck indoors during lockdown, I impulsively picked up Motor Boat & Yachting magazine. This seemingly innocuous purchase seeded the idea of purchasing a boat, a notion that soon grew into an insatiable curiosity as I delved into local marinas and the various motorboat types we might afford.
Embarking on a post-lockdown voyage to the Norfolk coast, I clambered over numerous used boats with my family, igniting each member's interest in pursuing this new endeavor. I honed my practical skills by earning my RYA Powerboat 2 qualification with Essex Outdoors on the river Blackwater, deeming it the ideal place to moor our boat due to its proximity to our home (only a 40-minute drive) and wealth of fascinating sights within the estuary. Beyond this area, we could explore the Suffolk and Norfolk coastlines to the north, and the Thames and Kent coastlines to the south.
After investigating berthing options and several excursions along the estuary, we decided the Blackwater offered the best balance of aesthetics, convenience, and adventure opportunities. We investigated other options on the river Crouch and Thames, but the Blackwater won our hearts.
initally, we set a budget of around £100k to purchase a boat, envisioning two cabins and a functional galley for weekend retreats. We scrutinized a series of rather weary second-hand boats but found them wanting, both in terms of appearance and amenities.
Even if we located a boat we admired within our budget, we'd still need to invest significantly in updating the upholstery, electronics, and dingy teak decks. My mechanical engineering background enabled me to handle hardware issues; however, the prospect of perpetually tinkering with 20-year-old diesel engines and fuel systems wasn’t appealing.
We discovered the so-called “Goldilocks effect,” realizing that many older boats had minimal outdoor space - the tiny bathing platforms and restrictive bow areas proved challenging. Boats that sported better outdoor spaces often came heavy with vast canvas covers that required constant stowage. With full-time jobs, we desired a vessel that offered quick, easy operation and minimal maintenance.
Owning a boat became more than a distant dream when we discovered modern boats like Axopar, XO, and Saxdor. These crafts gratified our yearning for ample outdoor space, manageable outboard engines, and accommodations for sleeping and cooking if needed. This shift in perspective led us to reconsider how we would actually utilize the boat, understanding that day trips and the occasional overnight stay held more significance than multiple cabins seldom used.
We zeroed in on the Saxdor 320GTC as our top choice, its foldable sides ideal for paddleboarding excursions. We saved up throughout 2022 to buy a new boat and visited the NEC Boatlife show in February 2023 to confirm our preference. Adding optional extras, delivery to the UK, VAT, and exchange rates upped the price significantly compared to the manufacturer's website, prompting us to consider opting for a single engine instead of twins.
Despite the double our initial budget, with two teenage girls nearing the age of leaving home, we took a leap of faith and decided to purchase the boat, hoping to share several years on the water as a family before they left for college and beyond.
The Essex coastline offers ample cruising opportunities
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We opted for a 400hp engine, which the dealer fitted in the UK due to a global shortage of Mercury engines following the pandemic-induced boating boom. For added conveniences, we opted for a bow thruster and auto trim tabs. To cut costs, we used Platinum Marine in Southampton for some factory-fit electronics such as AIS, VHF radio, and extra Fusion sound system speakers. We overlooked the side windows (a whopping £5,500) since the two doors and full-length sunroof provided adequate ventilation.
Unforeseen expenses arose during the voyage, such as the omission of antifoul in the boat's price. Arriving in late May, it was time to prepare for life afloat. We gathered necessities such as lifejackets, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and kitchenware in a large pile in the shed. I embarked on studying the RYA Day Skipper Theory course with Skippers Online, realizing early on that it required a marathon-like approach, rather than a sprint.
I completed my Marine Radio VHF Certificate with Premier Sailing in Chelmsford and, with their guidance, managed to register with OFCOM for an MMSI number. Alison also earned her PB2 training, making a name for herself as the speed demon of her class!
Despite specifying twin electronic SIMRAD chart plotters, we found ourselves enamored by a set of paper charts for the Essex and Suffolk coasts. We portered over the intricate details of our local area, intrigued by the names and features of every tiny creek and tributary we could explore.
Our neighbors, expert sailors, offered countless helpful tips on the best places to moor, dine, retreat, and coping strategies for potential mishaps - great thanks to Alison and Dave for their sage advice! The East Coast Pilot guidebook has proven an invaluable resource, with an active Facebook group for the latest updates and observations on local conditions, as well as stunning photographs.
The Long Wait
The end of May delivery date approached swiftly, but unfortunately, the boat wasn’t ready! Several mysterious holdups on the production line prolonged the boat's arrival by over a month, causing anxious anticipation. We scheduled a boat-handling rendezvous right after our handover session with the dealer, but unforeseen 45-50mph winds canceled the training. With transport booked from Southampton to Essex, we had to accept delivery without ever having maneuvered the boat.
My contingency plan involved ordering dock fenders for the corners of our pontoon berth immediately. Alison and I promised a blame-free environment for any boat scuffs and vowed to embrace our new vessel wholeheartedly.
Mastering the Craft
The boat's first few weeks were marred by relentless westerly winds sweeping through the marina, but we persevered, managing our maiden maneuvers in and out of the berth without causing any damage. The bow thruster was crucial, though we soon mastered the boat's handling in the wind, sliding in and out of the berth under engine power alone.
We took each excursion as an opportunity to tackle a new practical training task, with Alison participating in a work meeting during our initial anchoring experiment off Osea Island. We bobbled around for a couple of hours, with me constantly checking the chart plotter to ensure we weren't drifting while the girls basked in the sun on the bow.
In the following trips, we improved our paddleboard launching skills and learned to lasso mooring buoys. We also benefited from being picked up by the launch at Mersea Island, taking us ashore for the island festival. Each outing boosted our confidence, and by extending invitations to friends, we welcomed several enjoyable cruises around the Blackwater.
Living close to the boat granted the opportunity for quick evening jaunts on the water as the sun set, making the most of our vessel while squeezing in time between work and family obligations.
The boat has performed admirably, with only minor glitches such as a poor fuel and hydraulic lines protection hose installation and some adjustments to the port folding platform locking mechanism. I managed to resolve both issues easily with a basic toolkit on board.
The amount of time required to master the boat's electronics took me by surprise. The excitement of hitting the water as soon as possible following the boat's arrival pushed the need for comprehensive electronics training to the back burner.
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Notable Decisions
Despite initial concerns about a single engine's performance, we've been pleased with the boat's speed and power. Achieving over 30 knots with trim tabs activated remains comfortable and efficient for traveling. However, pottering along at 8 knots, taking in the sights and enjoying leisurely conversations, has proven to be more relaxing.
We cherish the open, inviting space the Saxdor 320 GTC offers, prioritizing this over multiple cabin options. The decision paid off handsomely.
All in all, our boating adventure has been an intensive journey, fraught with training, logistics, and planning, but laced with scenic moments and learning opportunities. We're eagerly looking forward to our first full season on the water, now proud boat owners, wondering why it took us so long to take the leap!
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- The Saxdor 320GTC, featuring foldable sides, caught our eye, ideal for paddleboarding excursions.
- Embracing a modern boat design, we prioritized ample outdoor space, manageable outboard engines, and accommodations for sleeping and cooking if needed.
- Despite the double our initial budget, we purchased the boat, hoping to share several years on the water as a family before our daughters left for college and beyond.
- Prolonged by over a month, the boat's arrival caused anxious anticipation, leading us to order dock fenders for our pontoon berth in preparation.
- Despite initial concerns about a single engine's performance, we've been content with the boat's speed and power, reaching over 30 knots with trim tabs activated.
- With motorboat explorations and learning opportunities, our new lifestyle as boat owners has been an intensive journey, filled with scenic moments.
