BlueStringPudding

Here's another related question... Assuming I take a look at the boat and like it, that someone takes a look at the engine and gearbox and it's okay; and I put an offer on the boat (offer and deposit subject to full survey results of course)... Would it be appropriate to say that the offer is also dependent on the boat passing it's BSS examination (feasibly done at the same time as the survey, as it's due to be renewed in a year anyway) - and that I'd like current owner to meet the costs of fixing anything that doesn't pass / I'd reduce the offer accordingly? Or is that not appropriate or a waste of money getting the BSS done at the same time? What d'y'all reckon?

There's a useful glossary of everything Narroboaty here: Glossary

You're right - it's not an expensive boat. The asking price is £27,500 Here's what the terms and conditions say on the brokers website regarding deposits etc: The purchaser is responsible for satisfying him/herself as to the condition of the boat. No warranty is given in second hand boats, when they are sold on brokerage. Any survey and associated costs will be borne by the purchaser. The deposit (up to £25,000 purchase price, £500: over £25,000, £1,000) is returnable only if the conditions under which it was made are not met* If the boat is bought on hard standing, the re-launch costs will be the responsibility of the purchaser. Minimum craning £150.00 including VAT up to £244.00 for a boat of more than 65'. Details on request. Following the completion of the purchase, the boat can remain at Wincham Wharf, either in the water or on hardstanding, for a period of two weeks, free of charge. Following this period a reduced mooring/storage charge of 50p inc vat per foot per week shall be made, for up to two months. At the end of this period the full mooring fee of 65p per week will be due to Colliery Narrow Boat Co Ltd as long as space is available. Finance and insurance can be arranged at competitive rates. Tuition can be provided free of charge. Any work that is required on the boat whilst it remains at Wincham Wharf must be carried out either by the purchaser or by staff based on site. No outside contractors are permitted to work at the Boatyard without our express permission. *This bit (the third point) is suitably vague so as to ensure no-one knows where they stand. They've already given me misinformation which I can't help but wonder whether that puts them in breach of any legality somewhere already as it's taken a lot of questions just to get them to all sing from the same songsheet! Hence the advertised claim that the 2005 survey is available is nothing of the sort, but instead a mere receipt for blacking! Being a brokerage they have their system of working so I doubt I'd have much leeway if I paid for a full survey without putting a holding deposit down - only to find they sell it in the meantime! It's not like I'm buying the boat of some guy in the classifieds who might agree to honour the fact that I'm paying for a survey. Hmmm.... are the above T&C pretty much standard? It's not a small company: Harral sell from Northwich and Nantwich and always have huge double-page spreads in the magazines. So I'd have thought I'd be in reasonably safe hands there?

Good idea Malc, It's up to Harral Brokerage that I'll be going, in Northwich. There's Northwich Marina, Anderton Marina, King's Lock Boatyard and Moss Bridge Moorings all Northwich way apparently, and Vanetian Marine in Nantwich - all of which I've seen listed in magazines/websites. I think I'll make some enquiries for an engine-minded type!

Yes, I read that. Thanks. Alas I don't know anyone who knows engines... and I don't work in the kind of industry where you find fellers who know engines either (fellers who know how to perm an eighteenth century wig, yes... engines, no!) I think if I like the boat, I'll pay an engineer to come and look at the engine properly before I put in an offer. It's money spent, but it'd be impartial and cost me less than a wasted deposit if I miss something big. Next question: how involved with the engine and gears does a surveyor get? Do they mostly focus on the hull and structure or everything in detail?

When Kev and I returned from spending Christmas on a 35ft narrowboat, our two bedroomed flat seemed horrible large. The walls too white and plain and the ceilings much too high. We've since put pictures up on most of the walls to make it cosier!

Marmite..mmmmmmm

Thanks Nick. I know enough to be quite ruthless checking out the hull, and looking for pitted rust and marks beneath the window frames/water outlets etc, as well as signs of damp, condensation and so on inside. I've also a keen eye for botch jobs and disguised damage/repairs so I've got my wits about me in many aspects. Engines and gearboxes, however, is where I'm an utter dunce. I don't even drive a car, so I know nowt other than what I've read on this forum and in canalaboat magazines. I can turn my hand to most things and would thoroughly enjoy learning how to make the most of the engine once it's mine and I can spend time learning with it in front of me, but right now I know b*gger all. I've asked whether someone at the brokerage will start the engine up for me and they've said yes; so at least I'll be able to check if it smokes excessively. And I'll be able to get an idea of how much noise/vibration affects the living space inside. And I intend to get them to put in foreward and reverse - as I know to check the prop responds fairly quickly as I know a delay could mean gear problems. That's really as far as my knowledge stretches. I'll know from looking whether the engine's been cared for (and not just cleaned up for the benefit of a sale) and that an oily bilge is not a good sign. Beyond that it could be the engine from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and I'd be none the wiser - short of the broker bursting into a quick chorus of "Toot Sweets". Other than that, when it comes to the engineering, I really am at the mercy of the person showing me round the boat. I'd need to bring in the surveyor before I knew whether the engine was any good or not, which would obviously happen after having handed over £1000 deposit. Scary, but them's the facts! Am I walking into big trouble knowing as little about engines as I do? Or is common sense and natural suspicion enough to get me through to survey stage? Or am I risking p*ssing my money up against the wall if my deposit is down, the survey paid for, and the result say the engine's knackered? Any further advice you can all give me for what to look out for or to expect would be much appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Thanks Alan, The boat is currently out of the water anyway - great for surveying but rubbish for a test drive! Although general consensus on the forum has been not to worry too much about a test drive. (I'm aware that to pay for it to be lowered into the water and then craned back out again for a survey is more expense than might be necessary. (I hope that's the right decision)) But it does make inspecting the hull and paintwork easier when just viewing. So I'll have a jolly good look on Saturday and I'll be taking a lot of photos while I'm there. I'm not in any hurry so don't need to feel that I have to slap a deposit on it (and it's a grand deposit at this brokerage ) just in case someone else snaffles it - if it goes to someone else while I'm mulling it over, so be it. But you never know... could be the boat of my dreams! I'm aware it's a big task to paint it, but if I can do it in stages I don't mind that a bit. It'll be all the more worthwhile if it takes that much time and effort. Thanks for your words of wisdom. Thanks Pete - further to what I've just mentioned to Alan (posts have crossed), I'd expect to get the ultrasound survey since it's out of the water now anyway - but as part of the main survey. Are you suggesting this should happen before I put a holding deposit on the boat?