Marine Forum

Another newbie looking for advice

Anonymous user

07 December 2007 14:26:42

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi
I have been investigating inflatable boat options, to use as a first boat in the Salcombe/South Devon area.
However, as family of 5 we would need something relatively large if we wanted anything more than just a runaround.
Instead of inflatables I have now been looking at small bowriders (17 to 20ft), around the £5000 mark.
They look like the perfect solution, and though many of them look the same, the engines are all different specs.
Is there anywhere I could go to find out typical mileage I could expect out of these engines? Is inboard better than outboard?
Also, being a newbie, is there some sort of survey one can have done on a boat, similar to what the RAC do on a car?
And last but not least, I'd like to take some sort of training course before I go out on the water? Anyone know of any in the London area?
Thanks all!