Traveller

Is it worth worth rmentioning that that a narrowboat axis is, I think, about two thirds of the way down the boat? Someone told me that anyway.

Impressive stuff. Tks Colin

Thanks all Colin

I have been fine so far today

Have boated for many years but have never used one of these. The boat we are planning to buy has one and when i questioned what the Victron does I was told it charged the batteries when 240 volt is plugged in. Well yes and a CTEK marine charger does the same presumably and this is smaller and cheaper. There-again the CTEK does not include the word Inverter it its description so what am I missing? is it that if plugged in the Victron will drive 240 volt equipment via the batteries. Thanks Confused from Norfolk

Ditto,......,,one about 10 mins ago here

It seems to have become an accepted "condition" on the broads these days and anyone buying second hand expects Osmosis to be present and does not expect to have to take remedial action. Far cry from a few years ago when grp boats were deemed doomed on the basis that Osmosis would eat away at the integrity of the hull!

Neil2, I think that might be what Richardsons (of Norfolk Broads fame) used to "decorate" their awful (imo) pirate themed hire boat. That said, I have no idea what vinyl wrapping actually is!

As a matter of interest what is the broad brush price to rebottom/overplate a narrowboat (if there is one)? I am thinking of a 45 footer but maybe there is a per meter ballpark calculation that can be used. Just a thought. Colin

I was a regular at Napton, well the Folly, some years ago until I made the mistake of swapping the Nb for a cruiser on the Broads. Anyway, grp cruiser now sold and we are looking to buy another Nb - so is the Folly up, running and as good as ever?

That sounds like a sensible way forward, Gareth. Thanks.

Each to their own NC. Having just sold a GRP cruiser and having been on the end of several surveys of these vessels in the past, and by different surveyors, I can only say it as I see it. Yes, it is my opinion and the opinion of others more professional than I. But yes I doubt if it is a consensus nothing ever is. All I would add is that Osmosis is caused by moisture penetrating the gel coat and whilst the blisters are the visual evidence a lack of blistering does not mean Osmosis is not in evidence. It follows that unless the boat can be properly dried out any repair will be cosmetic and the problem will continue to evolve. Either way this is just my opinion and I have no great problem with Osmosis now as I have replaced worrying about it with worrying about corrosion :-)

I take your point G&F but I have seen many boats where the decks are painted that way :-)

It is worth reading up about it as those in the know (surveyors) will tell you that it is sometimes better to leave the blisters rather than trying to grind them out and fill. The blistering starts off small and there can be many of them (like a rash) and in any event it is not just a case of grinding out and filling with gel coat.

Lots of good advice here. I am re-opening an old thread, but one question, we need to repaint the decks on our narrowboat. I had originally thought of using something like Smoothrite or Hammerite but have heard that the former never really sets hard - or takes a very long time to do so. Hammerite I am not so keen on because of the "hammer" finish but others may have a good experience of it. This all got me wondering wether bitumen will provide a robust enough surface for the side decks. Certainly it will make touch ups easy. Any ideas? Thanks

I agree, Phil. Insight Marine (Steve Truss) have a website with some interesting stuff on Osmosis. It is certainly not the boat killer that everyone first thought.

Having cruised on the Broads for many years Osmosis is something that often comes up. The consensus amongst local surveyors is that it is likely any boat of around 5 years old will have it, albeit it only slightly. The problem however will increase with the years and especially so if the boat is not taken out of the water and allowed to dry out, preferably annually. The problem apparently is that gel coat is porous. All that said. Osmosis can be treated at a cost but it is hardly ever terminal, especially on fresh water boats.

Thanks BB, that was most helpful Colin

Any tips on buying privately? Working through a broker has some safeguards in that that body acts as a stake holder until completion. But what when buying from an individual, what is there to stop them running off with the cash for instance. Thanks

Regarding the talk about anodes being there to protect the hull in the even of below waterline paint loss, I read a survey the other day which said the hull was sound and the anodes were active. What exactly does the anodes being active mean - from the earlier thread I would take it that active anodes equal damaged paint coverings.

Update to previous post. Got an online quote from Haven and they have not asked for a survey (they did ask if it was a springer though). The numbers are in the ball park so it is all good but why would Haven not ask for a survey on a 1978 boat when others do - even if it was a survey within the last say 10 years. Am I missing something? Thinking back to when I did have a vintage 63 springer - that was insured with Haven and I was never ever asked for a survey on her. The boat was probably 25 years old when it bought it and it just went on and on. I finally had some over-plating done before selling her in 2007.

Am considering buying a boat that is vintage 1978 and last surveyed in 2006. The provenance of the boat is good and I am likely to buy without survey. However will I run into any problems insuring the boat? Thanks

We are looking at two boats a David Piper 1976 that was last surveyed in 2013 and had all work done followed by hull being shot blasted back to metal and then coated with 2 pack rather than plain bituman. Topsides have also been repainted. The boat of course is miles away from where we want it! The second is a Peter Nicholls hull of 1978 vintage. She was last surveyed in 2006 and all remedial work was completed. Since then the boat has been meticulously maintained by a yard on the Ouse that I do know. The proprietor says the boat is in good condition and a further survey would be a waste of good money. He is a genuine guy and as this is a private sale he will not get commission. We will also keep the boat there should we buy it so it is not in his interest to misrepresent. Two questions arise. The boats are about the same vintage so is there much to choose between the two builders. They are/were both well known on the cut and I believe they were at the higher end of quality. Now to surveys and insurance. What is the norm in terms of the timing of surveys on a narrowboat. I have heard every 10 years mentioned and also every 20 so is there a reliable rule of thumb? Maybe there is not for I have also heard that some insurers don't ask for a survey.