grannykins

We were advised that if we could see any real rot, then there could be real problems as it could have spread throughout the top. That wasn't my exaggeration. Only repeated what more experienced people have advised. No, it wasn't the boat for us or our experience. And I don't have a problem with that. Or with saying it. But a couple of comments have made me feel that I shouldn't have said anything negative as he is a nice chap and the boat looks good from the outside. Yes, probably a bargain if you aren't daunted by the possible repairs necessary. But now I'm feeling 'got at' because I am repeating advice we were given. I have been following this forum for about 5 years now, looking forwards to the day we get our boat and with sharing that here. I am grateful for all the comments and advice we were given when we were going to look at this boat. But I wont be asking or posting anything again.

The owner was there when we visited, as well as the son. It was he who told us there was only shore power. Both very pleasant people. If son has been using it to live on that would probably explain the filthiness (it was beyond dirty!). I have had teenage sons and know what they are like. We were told it had been empty for 12 months though. And it probably would scrub up. Wouldn't scrub away the rotted would I could almost put my hand through though. Would make a good project for someone who was not worried about having to replace the whole top if the rot is all the way through. We didn't feel we were up to that.

When I asked him about power supply when cruising he told me there wasn't any. Just plug in shore power. To be fair, cosmetically I suppose it wasn't any worse than some of the others we have seen for 10k more, but with the visibly rotted wood by the side hatch, which could be extensive underneath, and the fact that we're not experienced boat maintenance people, we didn't want to take on more than we could handle.

We will have a budget of somewhere about 40k in August. This is the first 'cheap' boat that we have looked at seriously - something about the photos attracted us. Dont know when they were taken though, as its a right state inside now. I know thats just cosmetic, and the windows would be easy, but the rotted wood was worrying, as the whole thing might need replacing. And the general air was of a very neglected and run down boat. Didnt want to spend 20-30k fixing up a 15k boat thats never going to be actually worth more than about 20 and be difficult to sell if we get to the point that we needed to come back on land. And we would like to be living on board before winter sets in. Both still working at the moment, with bits of work still doing on the house before we put it up for rent.

The hull seemed ok to look at - rust by the waterline which I would expect as it was overdue to be blacked. But for 4 years the boat has been connected full time to shore power, and he wasn't sure if there were any anodes either. For the last 12 months (hes had it for 5 years) the boat has been unoccupied. The engine bay appeared dry. The engine started at the 3rd attempt, and wasn't as noisy as I was expecting. However it hadn't been serviced for over 5 years, and didn't charge the batteries at all. Though I would be planning to buy new batteries on any boat I get anyway. A few signs of water leakage by the window frames and at various other places internally, although he claimed there were no leaks at all. One area by the side hatch there was a hole that went almost all the way through to the outside that was obviously rotted wood. I could put 3 fingers into it. No idea how far it extended. Electrical systems set up for using only shore power. No systems in place for power generation at all whilst cruising. 240v fridge, water heater etc. Internally lots of half done panelling/ roofing etc. The whole thing was filthy, smelly and tatty. I'm not the most house proud of people, but the shower and toilet almost made me vomit. (I kn ow cosmetic only, but obviously not a well cared for boat.) How can someone show people around places that are filthy? Certainly not 'ready to move onto' as claimed in the ad - not by a long way! Got a bit worried at one stage - hubby is a d i y er, and the d i y gleam appeared in his eyes! If he just wanted a project boat to tat around with for the next year or two, we might have offered 8k for it. But we want to be onboard before the onset of winter. No way!

Ok - the stress is over. The boat did indeed speak to us! It said 'RUN!' very loudly. So we did. Very fast. Better luck next time. Thanks again for everybodys help.

Good idea. Thank you

Thank you so much for everybodys comments and help. Panicking a bit now. What kind of paperwork should we be signing if we leave a deposit whilst waiting for a survey? If we like it and can knock some off the price, do we still go for a survey? Half of me hopes we don't like it.

Just noticed that the time on the forum page is an hour out. Going out in about half an hour. Feel sick in case we like it.

We have both recently done the RCR engine maintenance course, as we intend doing all our own servicing etc. They didnt cover the Lister SR3, as no one on the course had one. Didnt realise it was an air cooled engine. Is it really that bad at charging the batteries? We do intend to install a reasonable amount of solar too. Definitely will need to run a fridge - can a Lister not even run a fridge?

Might go and look at it anyway. OH says he doesnt mind if its wooden top as long as its sound and doesnt leak. Not so excited now though.

Its not so cheap for a wooden top though.

Now I dont know what to do

Right - just re reading the ad. 'Steel hull with pine on oak cabin' Does this sound like it has a wooden top? Would hire boats back then have had wooden tops? Is it really really bad if it is?

Exciting times indeed! Thanks for all the good wishes. It says the ad was only placed 7 days ago. Is there anywhere I can look for a list of questions to ask that I can write down and take with me? If we like it, I will be so excited I wont be able to think of any! And any advice on what to look for and where to look in particular, apart from the usual cupboards/bilges etc?

Lol, will take our towels, just in case! Heres hoping head and heart agree on this one! Very aware of this. We have viewed hundreds of boats on the internet, and several dozen in real life over the past few years. It still surprises me when I walk onto a boat that looked really attractive on the ad, yet as soon as I step on board I think -no way'! Yet others I view just because they are there are sometimes surprisingly good. Won't buy it if either of us doesn't like it, as it is going to be our home.

AAAAGGGHHHH!! You may have a lot to answer for Mike! Your opinion is valued as I have been following this forum for several years now, and there are some people who I have sort of come to trust, even though I dont actually know you. We are going to see this boat tomorrow between 12.30 and 1. He says its so cheap because its 50 yrs old and was out for blacking about 4 yrs ago. He doesn't mind a survey. Our budget from August will be in the region of 40,000, though we could spend a bit more. Quite like the idea of a cheapish boat we can spend money on getting it to the way we want. A bit longer than we were thinking, but as a liveaboard for 2 of us and 2 dogs I suppose the more space the better. I don't suppose there is anyone in the know who could come and see it with us? Otherwise we'll just go with our feelings when we see it. Just an afterthought, - if it did need overplating, what kind of cost would we be talking about? Ish?

Ok, very cheap boat advertised here. Apart from the fact that it was built in the 70's, what am I missing? Wont have full funds till August, but we could afford this one now! http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=476598

They seem to do this every year.

We saw this boat last weekend, and quite liked it. It was one of the few that was still on our list after viewing in the flesh. Unfortunately not in a position to buy until August.

We are having one too - whatever is in the boat we buy will be coming out (hopefully a cassette, as thats much easier than removing an old poo tank!) and we are having a composter from Colin Ives, the chappie on the facebook page. Love the look of his loos.

Also look into the option of composting loos - becoming more popular now. As well as the standard commercial brands there is also a guy who makes kits for you to build your own, or will build one to your own specifications. Look at the facebook page of Compost Toilets for boats and off grid living. Might not be your cup of tea, but its as well to look at all options.

Guess we'll just go with the boat that says 'buy me', however long it happens to be

Thank you

We will be renting out our house when we move onto a boat. Have to use a letting agent though, as we will be cruising and not available to sort any issues out.