any help

[hibb dogg]

what is a cheap safe small boat that could be used for inshore fishing less than a mile out in calm summer weather how much do they cost?

[ChrisP]

Sorry mate, that is the six million dollar question, I don't have the answer.

[caster]

First of all buddy you have to sort out how much you want to spend, then put aside enough for safety gear, before you buy a boat get some instruction on safety, handling, navigation and radio operating, getting out on the water is not a jolly it's a serious business because it can lead to a loss of life, sorry to pizz on your fire but i mean for you to be safe

[glasgowdan]

2 grand would get you a useable and safe set-up

[harpo]

what is a cheap safe small boat that could be used for inshore fishing less than a mile out in calm summer weather how much do they cost?

have a look at what their using in your area and have a chat with them the locals know

[albe2]

.I have a 16ft Longliner with 9.9hp and can get 6 or 7 miles off in the right conditions.Quite often the most hazardous conditions are found within a mile of the shore so don't think just cos you are not going far you are safe in a smaller boat.I have seen 12ft dinghys nearly sunk just from the wake of other small boats.Go for 15ft+ at least.

[blueskip]

I reckon that the smallest safe craft for your purposes would be a 13' 6" Dell Quay Dory, I had one for ages & they are very stable, & provided the hull isn't holed they are unsinkable! (try to pick it up at the bow or stern, if you can, its got an intact hull, if you cant, its full of waterfilled foam, leave it).
Stick a 6HP on the back, & it will take you fishing, once you have forked out for a spare engine (oars), lifejackets, flares, handheld VHF, etc, etc, etc, & although they are safe, they are not the "cleanest" boats, most of the waves that hit the bow, seem obliged to splash some part of themselves into your lap!
But that's all part of the joys of boating, good luck with your search, try either e-bay or for a more local option www.adtrader.co.uk they have a lot of boats on offer
blueskip

[wavelength]

Dell quay dories are fine if you want to test the unsinkable properties on every trip. The freeboard is so low (in order to keep the boat upright when swamped) th any passing water seems obliged to come and join you inside. Put it into reverse and it will immediatly swamp itself. Put it onto our local beach and cos there is no self draining splashwell water will come over the back and fill it up . We had a coastguard/lifeboat job with a 17ft dell quay last winter that had swamped on the beach cos of the transom. Not a beach boat.Something like a 14ft cjr or capri or a seahog 15ft hunter will do the job- but will go down like a brick if you manage to fill it

[Jon Law]

.I have a 16ft Longliner with 9.9hp and can get 6 or 7 miles off in the right conditions.Quite often the most hazardous conditions are found within a mile of the shore so don't think just cos you are not going far you are safe in a smaller boat.I have seen 12ft dinghys nearly sunk just from the wake of other small boats.Go for 15ft+ at least.

Wise words

Hibb dogg, you could do a lot worse, than get a longliner.

[Simon F]

If you are only going less than a mile your choice should include all sorts of "non-planing" hull types as well. For those distances speed is not vital.