WTD: Tender and/or outboard engine (or even kayak/canoe) for as cheap as humanly possible

Hello all,

Wasn't sure whether this would be better posted in the WTD thread, but went for miscellany as it feels more 'bike-unrelated' than anything else.

A few friends and I have just bought a ludicrously cheap sailing boat (23 foot) with the view to learning to sail. The boat we've got our hands on is definitely a project but our first big hurdle is actually getting to it. For this, we need to get our hands on a tender/dighy/inflatable that can get us out to the boat to start repairs on the engine.

I realise this has absolutely nothing to do with bikes but does anyone have an old outboard motor or dinghy or inflatable or canoe or kayak (in order of preference) they might be willing to sell? I have a car with a roof rack so can pick anything up. I'm based in brixton and happy to drive anywhere within an hour or two.

Any help would be hugely appreciated and can also throw in a day out sailing once this thing is going. Although its unlikely, always worth an ask!

All the best,

Leanyfreakkid

For this, we need to get our hands on a tender/dighy/inflatable that can get us out to the boat to start repairs on the engine.

My strong advice to you would be don't try and fix engine stuff / boats in general on the water.

Get it in a boat yard and repair it there. (Ease of power for tools, testing, not going to sink / lose stuff over the side etc etc)

And good luck, sailing and boats are great.

I would agree however miraculously the only thing that actually needs fixing mechanically is the pump for the water cooling system (new impellor). Because the pump itself is tiny, feels like overkill to get it out the water just for that (we’re also broke as hell). Otherwise there’s some carpentry to be done but that’s all aesthetic. For 250 quid, it could’ve been a lot worse!

Long term, we’ll need a tender anyways. Appreciate the guidance though, it’s much appreciated

My strong advice to you is to learn to sail first.

Thankfully, one of our group is a sailing instructor and we have a few sailing friends who are happy to get involved so (fingers crossed) there won't be any 'all is lost' style scenarios.

Well I can see your course is set.

As far as the dinghy question goes I would advise don't rely on any inflatable, they are basically dangerous esp in open water, no steerage because no keel. Also don't rely on an old outboard, it will fail when you most need it not to. In fact don't rely on any outboard, always carry oars that can get you back to shore. And lifejackets, lifejackets, lifejackets.

That's very helpful to know re inflatables. We were thinking that ideally we'd want a rigid tender for getting to and from the mooring and maybe an inflatable one for getting into harbours/the beach/the pub if we're anchoring somewhere with only a short distance to travel. Oars and life jackets, life jackets, life jackets are top of the agenda for both. Thanks for the guidance!

More importantly let's see a picture!

Project thread pls!

Should have got a boat survey ;)

I’m having a slight mare trying to upload a photo on my phone but will put some up tomorrow when I’m front of my laptop.

Great shout on the project thread! Will also do this

dibs if you sell (says partner over my shoulder)

In lieu of photos, I have managed to get a lil panning video uploaded (keep forgetting when I’m at home). Here she is in all her algaed glory!

She’s currently called nice berg ii but this needs to change (bad luck aside). Any name suggestions are welcome. Current front runners include ‘renegade master (and commander)’, plundererer of the high seas, and Hms yacht

https://streamable.com/z9mnfq

no, freakin, way! so cool! what about ‘wet willy’ for a name?

If you join your local canoe club you can borrow their boats whenever you need them. Probs less than £50 a year depending on where you are.

I'm a sucker for a little boat with a doghouse roof. This needs to be in projects.

Edit.

It's going to be more work than you think, and more expensive.

There are no cheap boats.

Remember whatever name you choose one day you will find yourself having to use it on the radio so all and sundry can hear ... my advice don't pick anything "edgy" or "clever".

Try and get hold of an Avon dinghy if you can, I have a redstart that I got for about £100 on eBay with wooden oars included. They are made of a different material to most inflatables so last a lot longer in the sun.

Also, buying a boat is a great way to learn, plenty of people do that, ignore the naysayers!

As for cheap - I bought a cheap boat, then spent 3 x the purchase price doing it up. Over the 4 years I’ve owned it, I reckon it’s cost me about 1/4 of a lufguss kitchen/5 mink coats not including marina and mooring fees. In that time I’ve sailed the Solent for a summer, crossed the channel, travelled through the French canals and had a summer in the med. Way cheaper than chartering and lots more fun I think!

Deleted.

This is great to hear! I’m under no illusion that some cash will need to be spent but we’ve been doing quite well so far pulling in favours/trading various IOU’s etc. nevertheless, fuck me are chandlery’s expensive.

Been taking tons of pics over the past week or two so will get a project thread set up asap. I’m on a deadline to get the engines cooling system working so we can move it to the new mooring, which means my comms have suffered somewhat

Ahh great advice! We’ve got a lead on a rich friend of a friend of a friend who might have a spare tender going but if that falls through then I’ll definitely look into Avons.

Muchos gracias, I couldn’t agree more. You can’t gate keep the sea!

@Leanyfreakkid I am one of the naysayers (my last yacht near enough bankrupted me) but anyway. When you get that engine running please remember it is only running as long as it wants to, not as long as you want it to. Never rely on any engine at sea. You must have a Plan B. So, are the sails ready to be rigged? Can you sail yourself out of trouble if you have to?

Also judging by the video you have a lot of weed on the hull. That will rob you of 40% of your sailing performance and might even foul the propellor. Taking the boat out of the water and anti-fouling is the only good way of fixing that but at a pinch you might find a scrubbing post (ie you tie up securely to some kind of a jetty at high water, then scrub off the weed at low water when the keel has touched down).

Good luck!

And just in case you don't have good luck be certain you are insured ...

Make sure you can all swim and go for it !