Traveller

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.

hi phil, thanks for that, i look forward to receiving those details :-)

Thanks All, Phil, is there anyone at Isleham I can contact? And re EA wild moorings is there a contact/information point? Thanks again Colin

We are thinking of buying a nb and mooring it on the Great Ouse navigations but so far the moorings look to be as expensive as on the cut. Any pointers? We won't be residential.

Used to moor on the Nene once about 10 years ago (Oundle Marina and Stibbington) and often found I had the river to myself, even in summer :-) Probably it's busier these days.

If that is the same Ian Jennings who also covers the Norfolk Broads then he is an ace guy IMO.

Interestingly the boat at Whilton we rejected as the survey showed it as a bit of a basket case is now not showing "under offer" but is still listed at over £19k, which is the original asking prices (we offered and had accepted a lesser amount sts)

Will be interesting to know.

I should have said a late 80s Colecraft of circa 45ft.

So, what is a reasonable price for say a late 80s Colcraft with a professional fit out with a solid hull or with a recently over-plated hull? One with all appropriate surveys and surveyor sign-offs for work done.

0r, based on 130 navigable miles, 100 boats per mile. Thankfully most boats stay stuck on their moorings but nevertheless the potential for congestion is clear, especially at designated moorings. That said a fair few number of the boats will be tenders, small day sailers and the like so it is hard to get a feel for the number of sizeable cruisers, say over 23ft.

The trouble, I think, is that if an offer is accepted and a deposit is placed on a boat it is hard when that boat fails the survey and is clearly not worth the advertised price. The broker will nine times out of ten get flack and justifiably so.......if they were responsible for setting the price. Apart from that the broker is only selling on behalf of the customer and has been said "buyer beware". Surveyors don't help with their flowery English, such as - hull is in good condition for its age. Now what the hell does that mean? Does it mean most boats of that age have sunk by now but this one will last a bit longer!

But not wrong this time Phil :-)

Thanks to all those who have offered constructive comment and advice. I am not new to the canals and was on them up until about 6 years ago when, upon moving to Norfolk, we took the decision that it would be a good idea to have a change from 20 years on the canals and move to Broads cruising. Things have probably changed since then but I am sure there is still plenty of towpath, north and south, where one can tie up and spend a few days without the nearest boat being within 20 feet (or less). The Broads cruising experience is different. It is a small area and a very scenic one. It offers some nice river cruising and some tidal stuff through Great Yarmouth and on the southern rivers. It can be and has been fun. But the fact remains it is a small area and for that reason many view it a social event. A sort of everybody knows everybody. To a great extent that is true as it is difficult to actually "get away" from it all. Mooring in reed beds does not cut it for me and in any event if you have animals, children or disabled aboad that idea and the idea of walking along planks or climbing banks is not an option. I have enjoyed my six years and made some good friends. On balance though I would rather the canals and connected rivers - nothing will stop me cracking a sail on Hickling Broad though!

And I never did mention Neatishead nor have I knocked the quality of Riccos service or their boats, old or new. In fact they are a very smart operation these days and even the yard gets better and better as they invest in their business. That does not mean I agree with their methodology or the methodology of other big yards or, inded, the BA itself. Oh, and what other forum? Incidentally, most boats in the basin I was moored in stayed put during the peak 6 to 8 weeks.

Where did I mention Neatishead?. That is certainly a dead end offshoot from Barton.

I guess it is different for each of us. We were on the canals for 20 years and the Broads do not give the variety of cruising ground or the space. There are many other issue also but that is outside my question which was are the canals generally crowded. The answer to that appears to be no.....especially up north :-). What the canals are though is expensive in terms of mooring costs and boat licenses. regarding Riccos, I have to say they have always been accommodating and helpful and I have never really found a better (or as good) a place to moor. And they are only up the road from home. They are a good outfit these days and get good press on a continual basis...they have too many hire boats in Stalham though.

There is no point to this debate, there will always be the exception but fact- wild moorings are decreasing; there are not enough moorings to go round; and I have had enough of it. Sure I can show you some lovely pictures where we have a nice spot - but the fact remains 1000s of boats into 130 miles does not go. And fact, BA are taking away the "wild" moorings. There are no official BA moorings (that I have found) that are anything other than 24 hours. Yes, wild moorings are great, they are also not maintained and GRP does not like sharp things. Thus there are moorings I might chance with a hire boat but certainly not with my own. And no matter where you tie up I bet there is another boat not far away. Solitude on the Broads in peak season can be no more than an illusion or a case of myopia.

I live in Potter Heigham and used to moor in Riccos so my encounters were/are close. For a couple of years things were quiet (bad if you are a business) because of the foul weather we have experienced over the recent spring/summers. This year summer picked up and from around about the middle of July it became busy (very) out there and certainly we could never find a mooring spot at Sutton Staithe, for example. It is not all hirers of course - there are thousands of boats registered on the Broads.......all within no more than 130 cruising miles (and that is if they can get under the bridges). Don't get me wrong I love Broadland; if I didn't I would move away. Cruising under those big skies and wonderful sunsets is heaven. BUT, where can I stop and quietly enjoy nature? Where can I tie up for a few days and enjoy the solitude? The answer is I can't, except if I cruise early or late in the year - in fact as far as mooring for a few days is concerned I cannot even really do that as the BA seem hell bent on removing casual moorings and replacing them with 24 hour jobbies. The reason undoubtedly is because there are too many boats using a confined space.