This is probably a theoetical question now as I am starting to realise just how much it's going to cost, but....

I was thinking of saving up for a boat for fishing the Thames this summer, something I could launch myself, tow on a trailer behind my car, and probably use with a small outboard. I can get a good Crewsaver lifejacket off a friend so it's just the boat, outboard, trailer, and tow-bar bit for my car that i need to buy!!!!!!!

Do any of you know where I should be looking, and for what? I've been told something about 9ft long? Know any good web-sites or are you selling one yourself? Any info. would be greatly appreciated, even though it's probably going to cost far too much. And I'm looking for second-hand stuff just incase you were wondering!

Thanks very much

Fred

I was thinking of buying myself a Portabote until my wife 'persuaded' me to agree to sprog #2 last year. There is a UK distributer in East Anglia but they don't (or didn't) have their own website. Do a search for 'Portabote' on Google and you will get all the info. Very expensive though....Good luck.

Have a look at http://www.sea-nymph.com

9ft sounds a bit on the small side, I'm thinking of a boat myself and have been told not to bother with anything less than 12 feet.

The Sea Nymph's are Aluminium, the 12ft version is car toppable.

Have a look at the boat fishing forum on the P&P webiste as well.

I would'nt go any smaller than 12ft.Anything smaller and space will become a major problem.Also a 12footer allows you the option of bringing some-one else along.If finances are tight,forget aliminium and go for fiberglass.There are plenty about and around 500 quid should get a half decent boat,trailer and small engine.Check for cracks,splits and any weak spots in the fiberglass,Be prepared to put a bit of work into the boat though,sanding,filling and paint are the main things.As for the trailer,check the wheel bearings that they have no "play: in them.If in doubt change'em and give them a good slap of waterproof grease,also make sure there is no major rust on the trailer if it's not galvinised.Be sure you can here the engine running,and check it starts from cold on the first or second pull.
The one I have,needed a bit of TLC when I got her.I put in a few hours every day for about 2 weeks,sanding,painting etc etc,and now have a good boat for pike fishing.For the boat,trailer and a 4 horse engine 500 quid plus paint...Not bad I think...
Hope that helps a bit...Des

Portabote. 8,10 & 12 foot. No trailer, no painting, no towbar and no storage problems. Just lean it against the garage wall. Throw it up on the roof rack. Assembled in 5 minutes. Unsinkable with the built in ballast. Bulletproof, so they say. It`ll take up to 5HP.

Have you a deepish pocket?

Contact Jean Jackson at the below for prices etc.,

IntraMore Ltd
28 Regent Road
Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1PB
Tel/Fax: 01502 583844
Mobile: 07990 554292

Email: RCJackson@CompuServe.com or jjackson@intramore.fsnet.co.uk

[ 24. January 2003, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: The Reel Deal ]

Come along to the LAS conference on 26th April and both portabote and sea nymph should have stands there. You can see the boats and talk to the propriators about them.

http://www.lureanglers.co.uk

Have a Sea Nymph 12 ft, 2nd hand (like new)£300.00 and a Newbridge Angler 8 ft, 3rd hand (scrappy but sound)£30,00. Got to say it, prefer the Newbridge, but then I'm a selfish bugger, a small boat means being able to say no! It also means easy access to back waters, easy off car rooftop, easy to pass rod round both ends. Its horses for courses.

Look for something used at

http://www.boats-for-sale.com/find-a-boat.asp

suprising the variety of boats and how cheap some are.

Personally I would go for something on a trailer as opposed to car toppable as you will usually be safer when on the water in a bigger boat,especially if there are other boats around, and providing you have somewhere to launch from with a trailer they are easier to use. But if there are no launching facilities (or parking facilities for car and trailer) you need something you can carry to the water. You will also find cars aren't the best or easiest things to transport outboard motors in especially after use when they must be kept upright. It really depends on where you intend to use it and how much access there is to the water you want to fish.

Boating is fun and can be a very cheap sport so don't be put off by the prices you sometimes see, shop around and bide your time it is amasing what you can pick up for a few hundred pounds at the right time of year (ie. now) especially if you don't mind travelling to somewhere where there is no water or somewhere were there are lots of boats for sale.

This Style might work for you. Light enough to be an easy port. And to move around with either oars or a small electric motor. Stable and can go in very little water. If you do use an electric motor, you can get a small float designed to hold a battery and to be towed along behind the pontoons.

Thanks for all the help!

The portabote does look good, doesn't give any idea of price though.....how much am i looking at?!! anyone know off-hand?