Mitchellmoxo

this comment just saved me a whole load of hassle!

"The repairs have been carried out to a high standard; the work has included renewal of the weedhatch and rudder tube." The above is a quote from the surveyor about martins work who re-surveyed the boat this Monday.

To many hirers a canal boat is a canal boat as mine has already had a new paint job and will be getting fitted out so will seem like a new boat to any hirer. The only difference is probably a louder engine. I currently run a small printing business and exterior cleaning business in the summer, it seems that if you ever want to do something out of the ordinary or different people don't like it for some reason! Or just find negative things to say about it, the amount of times I have mentioned to people on the canal that it's going to be a hire boat and they start saying how I shouldn't do it and it won't be a good idea. Baffles me!! I haven't worked for someone since I left school so am used to it lol I plan to purchase a boat for myself towards the end of the ear providing I have the money and am looking forward to living on the canal, I have spent my hours and a few nights on mine and love it

Not a fleet i am trying to start a business, why is that an issue?

Think i agree with that!

Its a 74 harborough marine with a through bilge, hence the need for the base plate - the hull sides lost 0.9m or something in 40 odd years and was coming in at 3.8- 3.9 (had 2 different surveys done on it) baseplate was down to 2mm in places, one surveyor actually put holes in it with a hammer so we had to silicone a patch of metal for it to go back in the water so I could bring it up to martins workshop. Final bill around 6k + cranage 48ft boat. It will be a hire boat when its finished hence the need to be able to pass the insurance survey - Next boat I buy ill be getting a survey done on it BEFORE i buy it lol! Lesson learnt, we paid 8k for the boat in the first place so im not too upset but 7k i wish i didnt have to spend!!

Currently having my boat over-plated by martin @ kedian engineering - not finished yet but pleased with job so far and been receiving regular updates from martin too! So all looks good so far!! Looking forward to getting it back so the fitout can start and hopefully be ready towards the end of the hire season!

Thanks for your suggestions will try the more simple ones and see if it stops. Does the boat have to be out the water to change the bearing on the shaft? Mitch

I have an old 70's harborough marine with a squeek coming from the propeller shaft somewhere. I ran it for a couple of days without using the stern greaser as I was waiting for a replacement, on the last day it was squeeking really badly, now i have replaced the stern greaser and used it, however there is still a small squeek when in certain revs. is there anything I can do as its really annoying!! Mitch

Hi Kedian, What is your email address i will send you a copy of the survey. Mitch

Its a harborough marine 1974. Original plate thickness I beleive was 6mm, the sides on the waterline showed no corrosion at all, but the baseplate and where the sides meet the baseplate i think have rusted from the inside out due to the straight through bilge design

Hello yep I am aware of the non private bss requirements and all other aspects of owning a commercial boat, the openings are well above this level anyway so I should be ok! Thanks for the advice though Mitch

Thanks for the suggestions. I am due to receive a digital copy of the report tomorrow so will post it here. I dont beleive the surveyor has any motive in telling me the base plate is too thin (between 3 & 3.7mm plus pitting along the bottom. I could see the readings for myself as he was going round the boat. Will have to get on the phone tomorrow and get some prices in! Thanks for the suggestions. I am due to receive a digital copy of the report tomorrow so will post it here. I dont beleive the surveyor has any motive in telling me the base plate is too thin (between 3 & 3.7mm plus pitting along the bottom. I could see the readings for myself as he was going round the boat. The boat is ok to be in the water but as i want it to be a self drive hire boat i wish to have it insured fully comp! Will have to get on the phone tomorrow and get some prices in!

Captain fizz its a 48ft. Not so much that i liked the boat, i got it for a fair price and was stupid to not get a survey! But have learnt my lesson the hard way. Mitch

Hello, Disappointing day today Had a hull survey on my boat which i stupidly didnt get done before I purchased it, to reveal it needs a new base plate and about 3 inches up from the bottom around the whole side. Does anyone know of some good welders that are reasonable with their pricing? The boat is moored in Milton Keynes however I dont mind taking the boat along the canal someone who will do a good job at a fair price! Regards Mitch

Hello, My 70's harborough marine is coming out of the water next monday for a hull survey (which i didnt get done when i brought the boat which was stupid of me.) and if all goes well and its ok go to back in water i am going to black it aswell as it hasnt been done for about 2 years. May sound like a stupid question but is there a specific kind of bitumen needed to coat the hull with? Was thinking of using this: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Brush-Applied-Bitumen-Roof-Waterproofer-5L/p/241213 Thanks Mitch

Does anyone have a number for the aylesbury circus marina i cant seem to find a number online? Debdale wharf also seems like a decent option as its only 3 days cruising away

Great will try your suggestion & the aylesbury marina. Many thanks

Great thanks for the quick replys - matty40s are you reffering to the aylesbury circus fields marina when you say you are fully booked? Or is it worth giving these guys a call?

Hello, I have a 50ft long narrow boat currently moored in milton keynes. It needs to come out to be blacked - and it is now ready for paint. Is there anywhere along the canal (dont mind travelling) where i can get my boat put into some kind of indoor storage as its getting too cold to paint i think! Many thanks Mitch