Boat for newbie...

[richm1975]

Hey guys newbie here....just wondering if I can get some pointers on a boat I'm looking at...it will be my first boat(been out in rented boats loads of times) and it's an Orkney Fastliner 16+ with a Johnson 25 hp engine for about 5,500....it also comes with all the usual bits, anchor ,trailer, cover etc. and it's from a place in Westmeath(Nigel Orkney Boats)....it will be used in the Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey, Killiney area and will probably not go out more than a mile or two....basically want to know if you guys think this is a good deal and if this boat is suitable for what I want...thanks a mill....

[Tanglerat]

I run one of those, with a Mariner 25hp lump hanging off the back of it. 8hp aux with it also.

Excellent boat, will serve you well. By no means the fastest thing afloat, but will plod you there and back again.

Price, as with everything, depends on the value you put on it. What kind of condition is the engine & trailer in?

[JOHN1]

perfect set up for the aera your planning on fishing,i had a redbay fastfisher for years same kind of boat,it served me well on the same fishing grounds

[richm1975]

Thanks for the reply guys.....the engine and trailer look in very good condition but might get someone with experience to check them out...anyone heard about these guys in Westmeath(Nigel Orkney Boats), are they reputable???

[Tanglerat]

Been thinking about it.

(dunno the seller, btw)

For about 3.5k you can pick up an Orkney Longliner and have 2k left over to pimp it to your tastes. (No matter what boat you buy, you WILL spend more money on it afterwards!) The Longliner is a grand wee craft, ideal as an entry level boat. Not much difference between it and the 16 Fastliner - it would take an expert eye to tell them apart.

Also, how much do you know about driving wee boats safely? Spend some of the 2k on an IYA powerboat course (level 2 is good, level 1 kinda for complete noobs) and navigation course. I learned a lot of good stuff when I did my courses.

[JimC]

There always seems to be confusion over Orkney models.
Is it a Fastliner 16 or a Strikliner 16+ ?

[richm1975]

Yeh I've been out in a Longliner a few times and it's originally what I was looking for but just couldn't find a decent one....will definitely look into the IYA course...have a budget of about 6,000....is the 15hp engine ok for a boat this size and the area I'll be fishing....don't want to rush into anything but I'm really eager to get back out fishing again.

[Tanglerat]

Seen this one?

http://fishingboats.apolloduck.ie/featu ... ?id=203977

15hp is fine for a 16 foot displacement hull Orkney. It's top end of the hp range for the Longliner.

Different matter for planng hull boats.