Your help please!

**yido** · 03-03-2006, 17:09

I am very close to purchasing a small 15 ft boat for me and my dad to hopefully enjoy some summer days fishing. I really want to buy a boat but I'm afraid that I should be looking into things far more before I make the decision.

I really know very little about owning a boat, the rules, regulations etc and I'm hoping you can help. I have read a thread from someone in the same sort of situation so that was a big help about using a VHF radio so my questions are a little different.

Firstly does a boat have to be registered with anyone?

Secondly, is it a legal requirement to have lights and all the electrical equipment there is on the market?

Where can you find out about fishing marks, is there a web site or just peoples knowledge. I wouldn't want to go out far, is it worth it in shallow waters off of Essex?

I live in Gloucestershire and would love to try fishing the Bristol channel. Do the huge tides only allow an experienced boat owner to fish here?

Finally to get the knowledge from people who know would be invaluable but is there a website that shows this basic information.

I really look forward to your replys and I hope it should be possible for me to get off the beach or pier soon.

Kind regards

Peter

flounder_al · 03-03-2006, 17:19

http://www.worldseafishing.com/boats/buyingaboat.shtml

http://www.worldseafishing.com/boats/boattrailers.shtml

http://www.worldseafishing.com/boats...ingaboat.shtml

All these found on this great site

**ChrisP** · 03-03-2006, 17:26

Welcome Yido, the medichlorians are strong in this one think I.

Originally Posted by yido

I am very close to purchasing a small 15 ft boat for me and my dad to hopefully enjoy some summer days fishing. I really want to buy a boat but I'm afraid that I should be looking into things far more before I make the decision.

I really know very little about owning a boat, the rules, regulations etc and I'm hoping you can help. I have read a thread from someone in the same sort of situation so that was a big help about using a VHF radio so my questions are a little different.

Firstly does a boat have to be registered with anyone?

No, you can register with the SSR but it is not a legal requirement.

Originally Posted by yido

Secondly, is it a legal requirement to have lights and all the electrical equipment there is on the market?

It is a requirement to comply with the Col. Regs. In your boat's case the minimum would be a torch and whistle. There is no requirement for electronics.

Originally Posted by yido

Where can you find out about fishing marks, is there a web site or just peoples knowledge. I wouldn't want to go out far, is it worth it in shallow waters off of Essex?

I live in Gloucestershire and would love to try fishing the Bristol channel. Do the huge tides only allow an experienced boat owner to fish here?

Finally to get the knowledge from people who know would be invaluable but is there a website that shows this basic information.

I really look forward to your replys and I hope it should be possible for me to get off the beach or pier soon.

Kind regards

Peter

I have answered the bits I can, someone else will fill in the blanks for you. I do not fish those areas so can't help with marks, local conditions etc. Have you considered joining a small boat club in your area, I am sure you would pick up a lot of information there.

The above is the law, however, for safety I would suggest an all round white light, a radar reflector, VHF, compass, depth sounder, life jackets, flares, suitable anchor and auxillary means of propulsion as a bare minimum of gear.

Good luck and tight lines.

Audrey S · 03-03-2006, 17:48

Originally Posted by yido

Where can you find out about fishing marks, is there a web site or just peoples knowledge. I wouldn't want to go out far, is it worth it in shallow waters off of Essex?

Hi Peter

Yes i reckon it's worth fishing in the shallow waters of Essex, myself and Stormy:B have had some reasonable catches steaming out from Brightlingsea or Bradwell, read some of my reports and you'll get an idea of what its like down this way

hth

Regards

Ubd

**alan t** · 03-03-2006, 18:13

The essex coast in summer is an outstanding area with good bass , smoothhound , thornback rays , stingrays , this is due to the numerouse sand banks and gutways in the area. but treat the area with respect as you can get cought out if you do not know the area. you only have to ask.
Alan t

**yido** · 03-03-2006, 18:47

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I really appreciate it.

ChrisP that is great. As you say if I am going to do this i'll make sure that I venture out with safety in mind. I'd rather spend that little extra and feel safe.

Urlybird I will probably be going from Brightlingsea as this is where the owner goes from at the mo and not far from my dads. Would you have any contacts who I need to speak to about a launch? How far do you find you have to go off shore? Can you tell me where your reports are please.

Thats really good to hear Alan T. As you say I only have to ask, could you point me in the right direction though. Are you a member of a club?

Sorry for all the questions but I think this could tell me more than I've learnt in the last 6 weeks!