I've done it!!!!!

[Chris Pink]

To your first, there's loads of engines with oil underneath it's a lot easier to get it in than get it out. The condition of the oil in and (hopefully not too much) on the engine is more important.

 

And bilge pump on croc clips is also quite common.

 

Sounds like an old boat so should be cheap !

Edited April 18, 2013 by Chris Pink

[Grace and Favour]

Hi congrats!! Im not yet at your stage,but this topics been very useful for me! Seen a boat I really like,there's loads of oil beneath engine which owner said is because he accidentally pulled oil top off and all came flooding out!! Also weird little jump starter lead attached to battery which he said is to operate bilge pump,not sure whats going on there,if any one has any ideas would be very helpful?

Thanks!

If you have a friend whom is a knowledgeable boater, ask if they'd have a look at the boat for you.

 

As Chris Pink suggests - it may just be (very) poor housekeeping

But it could also be warning signs

 

If you do want to progress with a purchase - please get the boat surveyed by a qualified surveyor BEFORE purchase

[Chris Pink]

If you do want to progress with a purchase - please get the boat surveyed by a qualified surveyor BEFORE purchase

 

Gosh, a surveyor that checks the engine for oil leaks. Do tell where we can find such a human bean.

 

Though your first sentence: spot on, knowledgeable friends are much more useful for such things than surveyors - who usually just measure rusty steel - and find variable results at that.

[Moonchild]

thankyou guys your info is very useful! Boat is 70' narrow 2001 asking £36950 thought that was good price decor wise needs bit of tidy,new macerator,maybe replace kitchen,bathroom but liveable in its current state!

Is that reasonable i thought so?

Another question,must sound very naive,hey never mind..is it pos for someone to do locks single handedly..i was told by someone not feasible..yet ive read of people doing singlehanded...im 51 and female reasonably fit!!Also friend living aboard in France thought survey pointless!Perhaps for reasons mentioned theres a lot that maybe overlooked,or lack of detail..

Cheers for any advice )

[Tuscan]

thankyou guys your info is very useful! Boat is 70' narrow 2001 asking £36950 thought that was good price decor wise needs bit of tidy,new macerator,maybe replace kitchen,bathroom but liveable in its current state!

Is that reasonable i thought so?

Another question,must sound very naive,hey never mind..is it pos for someone to do locks single handedly..i was told by someone not feasible..yet ive read of people doing singlehanded...im 51 and female reasonably fit!!Also friend living aboard in France thought survey pointless!Perhaps for reasons mentioned theres a lot that maybe overlooked,or lack of detail..

Cheers for any advice )

Yes you can do locks on your own, just take your time.

 

I would recommend an independent survey for peace of mind, you can get the boat blacked at the same time.

[Chris Pink]

thankyou guys your info is very useful! Boat is 70' narrow 2001 asking £36950 thought that was good price decor wise needs bit of tidy,new macerator,maybe replace kitchen,bathroom but liveable in its current state!

Is that reasonable i thought so?

Another question,must sound very naive,hey never mind..is it pos for someone to do locks single handedly..i was told by someone not feasible..yet ive read of people doing singlehanded...im 51 and female reasonably fit!!Also friend living aboard in France thought survey pointless!Perhaps for reasons mentioned theres a lot that maybe overlooked,or lack of detail..

Cheers for any advice )

 

For £37,000 i personally would expect squeaky clean - clean engine bay and a proper switch for the bilge pump and everything working. £37,000 is a lot of boat in the current market.

 

A survey is not pointless. The steelwork is your main investment, the survey will show if there's any problems. The only exception to this is if you have a boat-savvy friend and sight of a recent hull survey. Even then there's room for doubt.

[ditchcrawler]

thankyou guys your info is very useful! Boat is 70' narrow 2001 asking £36950 thought that was good price decor wise needs bit of tidy,new macerator,maybe replace kitchen,bathroom but liveable in its current state!

Is that reasonable i thought so?

Another question,must sound very naive,hey never mind..is it pos for someone to do locks single handedly..i was told by someone not feasible..yet ive read of people doing singlehanded...im 51 and female reasonably fit!!Also friend living aboard in France thought survey pointless!Perhaps for reasons mentioned theres a lot that maybe overlooked,or lack of detail..

Cheers for any advice )

I would not call that old and I wouldn't expect to have to refit any of it. Maybe poor maintenance of poor fit out in the first place

[MtB]

Another question,must sound very naive,hey never mind..is it pos for someone to do locks single handedly..i was told by someone not feasible..yet ive read of people doing singlehanded...im 51 and female reasonably fit!!

 

I doubt you'll be having to boat 'single handedly' for long then

 

MtB

[Guest]

I doubt you'll be having to boat 'single handedly' for long then

 

MtB

 

Easy tiger...

[Moonchild]

ha ha

[ditchcrawler]

thankyou guys your info is very useful! Boat is 70' narrow 2001 asking £36950 thought that was good price decor wise needs bit of tidy,new macerator,maybe replace kitchen,bathroom but liveable in its current state!

Is that reasonable i thought so?

Another question,must sound very naive,hey never mind..is it pos for someone to do locks single handedly..i was told by someone not feasible..yet ive read of people doing singlehanded...im 51 and female reasonably fit!!Also friend living aboard in France thought survey pointless!Perhaps for reasons mentioned theres a lot that maybe overlooked,or lack of detail..

Cheers for any advice )

You could always do a bit of training before you buy your boat, bit like buying your first car, have a lesson or two.

[Starcoaster]

Don't mind MB, I'll put him back in his kennel now, sorry!

[Moonchild]

Thankyou Starcoaster,heavy duty chain could be solution!!

Anyway guys put deposit on boat sunday morning....Im feeling really attached already!!!Some people buy sports cars as a solution to mid life crisis and some of us buy boats!Know some of you may think im crazy..but she had a survey in 2010 which others have perused,nothing major on there..so went with intuition!

[ETS Jess]

Hi all

 

Thank you for your replies The deposit was put down last week and this sunday my partner and i are taking her for a spin with the current owner (CO).

 

I have a friend who knows boats, i'll ask if he will join us, he will know the right questions to ask and things to look out for - testing taps etc

 

I have the last survey in my posession, the only "advisory" was the wear in the counter plate needed attention. The CO has had the plate replaced - i've seen this. The engine bed is clean and tidy.

 

I will contact the CO and will ask him to show me proof of purchase - i know it is the right thing to do, but i don't half feel rude for doing so. The CO and his partner will be living on-site for 6 months of the year, i can't imagine he would have sorted me out a mooring with the site owner if he was trying to pull a fast one? BUT you never know i guess.

 

Is there any way of tracking ownership of boat via the BW number? Surely BW will know who owns the boat? He has a licence for it which i've seen. I signed the Change of ownership form last week, i assume i will receive a letter of confirmation? The form should have been posted by the CO by Tuesday this week, i've not received a letter yet, but it's only thursday.

 

Insurance!
I have put a deposit down now, and if the Change of ownership form has been posted and processed, surely that means the boat is my responsibility now? I have called for a boat insurance quote, but they needed more details - nots its travels at and horse power of the engine. I know she has a 1.5 BMC and is capable of traveling at least 4mph. i'll ask the CO on sunday and the insurance comp are calling my back on Mon.

 

Anything else?

 

I'm starting to get excited now, i move in (or on lol) on the 11th May