I'm going to buy a boat, please advise

All, I've been looking to buy a boat for a while now but I haven't much experience.
I have a National Powerboat certificate Level 2 and have been out in a few different boats including sailing etc.
Total times out is about 15 I'd say but I'm sure I want to take the leap.
I've looked at a thread on here and link to 'Buying a boat guides' so I've filled in some info below to help understand what I'm look at.
I'd also like a nice looking boat, I dont really want old man of the sea type thing.

What is my budget?
8k for the boat, about 2k for extras.

What do I want to do with my boat and when?
Mostly I'll be fishing, I'd consider it the reason I'm getting it to be fishing, but I also like just bopping about the sea/lakes.
Dont need to be out in the middle of the ocean in all weather but am hardy enough and will use all year round.
I don't need a below deck but I would have to have a area that I can close off and cover up in for bad weather.

How many people will I need to carry usually?
Ideally 4 adults, 5 max.

How far from home base will I be operating?
I live in Dublin city, I'd like to be able to take it to the south coast if possible.

Will I be mooring the boat, tying up at a marina or launching and retrieving each time?
I'd hope to get pontoon mooring but also want to be able to put it on a trailer and move to lakes also.
I drive a 1.4tls newish Golf so not sure if I need a bigger car?

Do I need a turn of speed?
Ideally, I dont mind paying a little extra for a bit more juice.

Inboard or outboard engine?
Preferably outboard and with a small spare.

Hope somebody can help me out with some direction of what type of boat I might be looking at and when I shold buy.

Fair dues, you are thinking and planning about it.
All you can do is watch DoneDeal, boats and outboards, apolloduck and suchlike.
If you are on FB - join the SeaHog, Warrior, Endeavour, Orkney and suchlike pages.
Judging what you are saying - you need a Warrior 165, Seahog seatrooper, seahog samuari, seahog commodore, Alaska 500, endeavour 500, predator 165.... or suchlike.
Have a look at these online and see which floats your boat (see what I did there ).
Then you sit back, watch and wait, put the word out and drive around looking for boats etc. It’s a good time to buy. Especially if you can do a few jobs etc yourself.

Thanks and if you have any advise on how I'd go about getting mooring that'd be great.

What do you think of something like this? This is kind of what I'd like, but with maybe an outboard engine.
https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/ ... t/26522143

Also, how can I tell how old a boat is and how important is that?

That advert is gone already!!
Where abouts are you based?

Jim is spot on -
Id highly recommend the warrior 165 also comes in a 15ft version which is very handy to move about but there is no closed cab on them , Ive a 17ft boat with 60hp outboard (4t )which i use for the sea and bring it down the shannon (its an Oldenburg) and has a small cabin at the front which is ideal when out fishing for pike etc but not much use while out at sea. I drive a jeep but i would reckon you will want to up your car to at least something with 4wd and if your towing with the golf it will need to be a braked trailer if im not mistaken

https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/ ... n/26551858

Just some added notes,
If you are planning to tow the boat you will need to have a BE on your driving licence. This will allow you to tow a boat, trailer and caravan.
While the Gardai may not ask about it there have been cases where lads were asked to unhitch their boat and get some one with the proper licence to tow it.

Also it would be important to get marine insurance on the boat. A lot of lads use Porthcawl Insurance in the UK

Best of luck with the purchase.
.

Thanks for all replies.

I've very torn between having something with a small cabin or something with a cuddy.
I really like the look of the Oldenburg fwiw, similar to this I assume (https://www.adverts.ie/boats/17ft-olden ... y/14037226)?

I'm conscious that I'm probably asking for a bit much, but I probably don't want something that's too 'fishing boat' looking, so
the Seahog Commodore probably wouldn't be right for me.

I'm in Dublin city centre and have applied for pontoon mooring in Poolbeg Marina.
I will defiantly get marine insurance and while I prefer not to get a diff' car I understand that I probably will have to.
I see myself way more out at sea than on lakes. Can't imagine I'd do more than on or two lake trips a year.

Maybe something like this?
https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/boat/24168491
Not sure what that would be like on Irish coastal waters though.

Or this:
https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/ ... -/26348077

You should look at UK sites like www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk and if you find one on the west coast of uk add about 1k to collect and you normally get a boat in good condition and most seem to have service records from day one. This is my opinion having done it 3 times myself.

Would love the potion of going to UK, not sure that'll happen soon.
I'd be very worried as I don't know what I'm looking for with regard to potential issues.

Any pointers would be great, just for pitfalls to look out for.
A friend knows a guy selling a Maxum 2300 SCR, which I'm hoping to look at soon, any thoughts on that?

I think the Maxum are stern drives and not outboard engines but nice boats. Im not sure what to tell you with regard to the boat except a good visual inspection on the fibreglass, instruments and if at all possible for the large investment I would want to see it under power in water cos while an engine can be seen running in a barrel theres nothing to compare to when its under a full load. There is no difference really after doing these checks whether you are in the UK or 50 miles from home cos once you buy it that kind of ends the deal and all Im saying is that I found the UK tend to keep better logs on their boats.For example my last purchase was a warrior about 5 years ago and I got service logs and whatever odd days it went to the garage from day one of the previous owner and he had it for 9 years before me. I was also talking to 2 other guys at the same time and they seemed to have records as well but as it happened the guy I ended up getting it from was in Wales and I made it over and back nearly on the same boat (just missed it).

ok, thanks, that's good advice. I'm also looking at different versions of the Shetland , the 19, 21 and23.
Not 100% sure it's right for the coastal sea or more of a lake boat?
Going to make a call to Mourne motors about one now.

Wondering how important the year of the boat is?
Like the year of a car is important, is it only the year of the engine on a boat that I should be weary of?

Year of boat, or more importantly condition of boat is very important. Many are plywood glassed over as a floor. This can become rotten over time giveing a "soft " floor. Some are foam filled and this can become waterlogged. A GRP boat that had been afloat for a long time may suffer from osmosis..... it goes on

ok, thanks, that's good and bad to hear, make buying tougher!

I was looking at these, one is a '78, so I'm guessing too old.
Is there any questions I should as re' it being a sea boat v lake boat?

http://www.mourneboatsales.co.uk/pages/ ... ly_cruiser
https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/ ... k/26378415
https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/ ... 3/25882058

Going to look at this today, let me know you guys have any thoughts on it.
Never been in the sea but I hear they are good seagoing boats
https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/ ... t/26657541

That would be a lovely hull. The top end is more suited to picnics than angling!

Going to look at this today, let me know you guys have any thoughts on it.
Never been in the sea but I hear they are good seagoing boats
https://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/ ... t/26657541

I would steer clear of that for fishing you will get a much better boat for that money

Thanks, it needs a lot of work but he engine is in very good condition.
There is a holder for spare engine, but not real kit and electrics need a little tidy.
The boat interior does need a lot of work but could be done fairly easily.
Guy said there was an extra bar fitted for safer fishing, and they are fishing guys so maybe that's helpful?

More pics and videos below if you're interested in review, understand that's a lot of work.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO ... RwN3hRMTRn

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO ... RwN3hRMTRn

Just my opinion but I think its way too pricey for that boat.