Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Ian_D on 01 April 2009, 22:28:09

Title: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 01 April 2009, 22:28:09
I've been thinking about buying a boat on and off for a couple of years, and I've decided that I want one!  ;D

I’m after a 2-4 berth Cabin Cruiser, and I have seen a few I like. The most common ones I keep coming across are Norman 20’s and Norman 23’s (20 and 23 been the length in feet!). :P

I’m wondering if anyone on here has any experience with boats, and what they think of the above?

Has anyone towed a boat with an Omega? Should it be ok towing a 20-23ft boat? (I don’t THINK there very heavy, seem to think their only just above a tonne, and a trailer cant be that much, so say 1500kgs MAX for both maybe? Or could it be less? Dunno? :-/)

Any help will be appreciated!  :y
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Timbuk on 01 April 2009, 22:32:00
No boats on here, just barges ::)
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 01 April 2009, 22:35:15
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No boats on here, just barges ::)
Hehe.. I've alwaysed called my Omega a Barge.... But I guess I will have to call it a Tugboat soon!

Esp when I pickup the Derv Mig from ebay this weekend!  ;D
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Agemo on 01 April 2009, 22:35:23
Normans are nice boats, BUT by the time you put one on a trailer they are not to be towed by Migs, sorry but they are heavy. Try looking up boat weights, and that is before your Missus loads her stuff!!! ::)
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Vamps on 01 April 2009, 22:36:01
Why tow it, stick in on the river Ouse as I understand it you can get almost anywhere from there. :y
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 01 April 2009, 22:37:11
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Normans are nice boats, BUT by the time you put one on a trailer they are not to be towed by Migs, sorry but they are heavy. Try looking up boat weights, and that is before your Missus loads her stuff!!! ::)
Righo, wheres the best place to read up on weights?

As for the missus, I dont have one ;) So theres no problems there!
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 01 April 2009, 22:38:27
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Why tow it, stick in on the river Ouse as I understand it you can get almost anywhere from there. :y
I will be in there 99% of the time, but I was toying with the idea of taking to Lake District etc  ::)
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 01 April 2009, 22:42:04
Just found this info...

Norman 20
Overall Length        20' 3"
Overall Beam       6' 10"
Headroom        ?
Overall Depth        ?
Weight (complete)       1848 lbs (838.25 kgs)
Draught       1' 5"

Norman Conquest
Overall Length        20' 3"
Overall Beam       6' 10"
Headroom        ?
Overall Depth        ?
Weight (complete)       1963 lbs (890.58 kgs)
Draught       1' 5"

Norman 23
Overall Length        22' 8"
Overall Beam       6' 10"
Headroom       5' 101/2"
Overall Depth        6'
Weight (complete)       2350 lbs (1065.86 kgs)
Draught       1' 10"
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Tony H on 01 April 2009, 22:44:37
It's a big boat to tow even with a Meega I pull a 19'6" Pilot with mine (which tows o.k.)which I would think is lighter than the vessel you are thinking of. As for the lake new legislation has dramatically restricted the use of powered craft on the lakes.
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Agemo on 01 April 2009, 22:49:35
Just read the weights, less than I thought, but you have to add a trailer, ouboard motor, fuel, ropes, equipment, personal gear, it all adds up. I agree the Omega is a brilliant towcar, (It will pull 1700kgs) but it will weigh too much I am sure, anyone here towed a boat this size?
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: cam2502 on 01 April 2009, 22:52:48
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Why tow it, stick in on the river Ouse as I understand it you can get almost anywhere from there. :y
I will be in there 99% of the time, but I was toying with the idea of taking to Lake District etc  ::)
[/highlight]
Oi!!!!, thats too near scotland for me!!..... Back off boat boy!!!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 01 April 2009, 23:10:02
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It's a big boat to tow even with a Meega I pull a 19'6" Pilot with mine (which tows o.k.)which I would think is lighter than the vessel you are thinking of. As for the lake new legislation has dramatically restricted the use of powered craft on the lakes.
Didnt know about that, Must admit, I was the first place I thought of off the top of my head  ;D

Loch Lomond IS a place ive thought wof though...

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Why tow it, stick in on the river Ouse as I understand it you can get almost anywhere from there. :y
I will be in there 99% of the time, but I was toying with the idea of taking to Lake District etc  ::)
[/highlight]
Oi!!!!, thats too near scotland for me!!..... Back off boat boy!!!! ;D ;D
Sorry!  ;D :P
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: cam2502 on 01 April 2009, 23:13:17
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Quote
It's a big boat to tow even with a Meega I pull a 19'6" Pilot with mine (which tows o.k.)which I would think is lighter than the vessel you are thinking of. As for the lake new legislation has dramatically restricted the use of powered craft on the lakes.
Didnt know about that, Must admit, I was the first place I thought of off the top of my head  ;D

Loch Lomond IS a place ive thought wof though...

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Quote
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Why tow it, stick in on the river Ouse as I understand it you can get almost anywhere from there. :y
I will be in there 99% of the time, but I was toying with the idea of taking to Lake District etc  ::)
[/highlight]
Oi!!!!, thats too near scotland for me!!..... Back off boat boy!!!! ;D ;D
Sorry!  ;D :P
Go for it mate,beautiful :y :y
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 April 2009, 23:18:39
Would be easy with an Omega - my parents used to have a Norman 18ft 5in with a Mariner outboard.

They had a knacker old Mk4 2.5 Zephyr to tow it and was OK and not a brilliant car - kept overheating

As to weight - our van is about 900kg and we can put a payload of 200kg in it and are fine. I think 20 foot will be fine with an Omega
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Gaffers on 02 April 2009, 06:15:09
I agree the 20 footer no problem with a meega.  You may have to consider how you load the boat while trailering it, I would suggest keeping heavy stuff in boxes in the boot.  

What about the Jaguar 22 (boat not car!) Seal 22, the Seal Sinbad Westerly Jouster or the Pandora.  All are trailerable by a meega I reckon as long as you are smart with loading it.

If you ever need crew or a hand refurbing/fitting out give me a shout, I have just finished building a dinghy from scratch and I like to play on a 38 footer I have access to in Greece  8-)
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ken T on 02 April 2009, 09:49:27
The Seal is a nice class of boat. My father in law built a Seal 28ft and we spent quite a time sailing around Rothsay, great fun !. And the time we got the mooring rope caught in the rudder hinge, and it was blowing a gale, and I had to go out in a dingy to get the rope off, all good fun !.

if you fancy a challenge, how about : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120397687170    

it sounds as if its watertight and all the bits are there. It looked good a while back, and the Snapdragon is a popular boat.

ken
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Gaffers on 02 April 2009, 14:39:51
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The Seal is a nice class of boat. My father in law built a Seal 28ft and we spent quite a time sailing around Rothsay, great fun !. And the time we got the mooring rope caught in the rudder hinge, and it was blowing a gale, and I had to go out in a dingy to get the rope off, all good fun !.

if you fancy a challenge, how about : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120397687170    

it sounds as if its watertight and all the bits are there. It looked good a while back, and the Snapdragon is a popular boat.

ken


ooooh how tempted am I...........  :-/

The wife will kill me!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 02 April 2009, 14:47:44
I read the title and thought you were referring to a Range Rover
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 02 April 2009, 16:41:06
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The Seal is a nice class of boat. My father in law built a Seal 28ft and we spent quite a time sailing around Rothsay, great fun !. And the time we got the mooring rope caught in the rudder hinge, and it was blowing a gale, and I had to go out in a dingy to get the rope off, all good fun !.

if you fancy a challenge, how about : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120397687170    

it sounds as if its watertight and all the bits are there. It looked good a while back, and the Snapdragon is a popular boat.

ken

I think that would be a little bit TOO much of a project for me, I don't have the space to keep it at home, so I would make it hard for me to work on the boat (ie powertools etc)
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ken T on 02 April 2009, 16:55:16
It just went for £340, in good nick they are going for £5000 :o

Ken
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 02 April 2009, 17:01:59
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It just went for £340, in good nick they are going for £5000 :o

Ken
Now you tell me there worth 5k!  :o

 :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Gaffers on 02 April 2009, 19:17:16
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It just went for £340, in good nick they are going for £5000 :o

Ken
Now you tell me there worth 5k!  :o

 :'( :'( :'( :'(

You prob would have spent about 2k doing it up
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 02 April 2009, 19:30:20
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It just went for £340, in good nick they are going for £5000 :o

Ken
Now you tell me there worth 5k!  :o

 :'( :'( :'( :'(

You prob would have spent about 2k doing it up

And? Would make £2660 if I sold it, plus have the fun of using it over summer!  ;D  :y
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: GG on 02 April 2009, 22:20:00
Why boat when you can caravan  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: GG on 02 April 2009, 22:20:47
Notice the lack of towbar on mine  ;D ;D ;D ;D I have a HGV 1 licence, don't want to tow on time off, but know a lot about weight and axle weights and the weights you were suggesting would push the omega to its' limits  :y
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ken T on 02 April 2009, 23:15:44
Yes I remember when the Seal 28 went in the water, it tool a crane to get it out the back garden !. However sailing a decent sized yacht is fun, lots of nice places to explore.

There is a chicken and egg here, if you want to be able to hitch it up behind the Miggy and tow it, its gonna be small, and cramped and lacking in facilities. If however you want a boat that can take rough seas and sail in safety and comfort eg over about 24ft, then putting it on a trailer will cost in time and dosh and somewhere to store it. You will have to lower the mast for a start.  So boats this size really need a mooring that can cost a fair bit per year. However, you can have luxuries like decent gas cookers with ovens, and fridges (to keep the beer cool !) a proper toilet ( the Seal 28 even had a shower ), and several good berths, plus a reliable, electric start, engine  when the weather gets a little bit past it  :y ( no messing about with outboards and pull cord starters in force 6 gales).

It really depends on what kind of sailing you want to do. Its great fun moving without any engine, perhaps start off small and move up as and when you want. :y

cheers Ken

PS need any crew ?  ::)
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 02 April 2009, 23:17:44
Whatever boat you get, get a bigger one  ;D
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ken T on 02 April 2009, 23:26:24
have you got room round your lock up to park one ?.  'Cause I  got a mate who's got a smallish fixer upper.  I think its called QE2.

ken
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 02 April 2009, 23:28:18
Had ships and all sorts around that lock up believe me  ;D
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 03 April 2009, 00:14:06
I’m not sure what I’m after really! I don’t have a clue about sails / masts, so it would need to have an engine!  ;D

I’ve got my eye on a 20ft Norman, that is actually located in York, which is handy. It comes with a trailer too, and there is mooring available if I want it.

IF I decide to buy this, I would probably keep it moored in the water for say 9 or so months, and then put it on the trailer over winter (I guess that’s better/safer for the boat?)

As for sea going... again, I don’t have a CLUE about the sea... do you need a different license? Do you need radios fitted? Do you need permission to go in the sea? I don’t know anyone who has / had a boat, and thus the only small boat I’ve been on is a little hire dingy thing in Greece!   :-[

I guess at the moment, I'm after something 20ft ish as its not too big, and nor is it too small. I may have the boat 6 weeks before I decide to upgrade, or on the other hand I may have it 6 years! I just think I should walk (ok then walk quickly!) before I run! ;D

Back to the towing… this would mainly be to move the boat from the mooring to home / storage (max of 5-6 miles each way across town), the towing weights for the Omega are about 1650kg I think.

The boat I’ve got my eye on I 'think' is the Norman Conquest (890kgs) so lets say its got the engine on the back and a few other bits, I cant see it been more than 1350kgs at the most? And the trailer doesn’t look that heavy, and I would guess its under 300kgs (end of day, its 2 wheels, and a bit of box steel holding them together!).

As for ‘Need any crew’ … I don’t know! You’re based in Leeds area if I remember correctly? If so, and I don’t find anyone else willing to help who’s close by I may give you a shout if you fancy a giggle!  Hehe!

Ta Ken

Ian
Title: Re: Thinking about buying a boat!
Post by: Ian_D on 03 April 2009, 00:20:41
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Why boat when you can caravan  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Now thats another story...

I do actually own one, a small 2 birth, but its a very very long story, so at the moment its easier for me to say I don’t actually have one at the moment!

Confused... so am I!  :-/ :-?