The dog lady

Thanks to everyone who replied, it's put my mind at rest. Great advice on here.

He measured the terminal voltage. Are Numax good quality? Am new to all this as you're probably aware!

OK so we have to cough up for new batteries. Anyone recommend a good brand? The ones on the boat are Numax 110 I think.

Some advice please. We put in an offer on a boat which was accepted. Our offer was based on everything we could see about the boat, including a few bits of rust which need treating and we upped our price by £1K to secure the deal. THis took us to the limit of our budget to buy. We arranged a survey which revealed that all four batteries are seriously on their last legs and need replacing. On querying with the owner he said he knew the batteries were at the end of their life but he had costed that into his asking price. We pointed out that our offer was based on what we could see and anything else would be negotiated after survey. The owner refuses to budge so we are faced with having to fork out for new batteries or walk away and lose the cost of survey. Are we being reasonable to think the owner has been less than transparent with the facts?

Does anyone know anything about Cain Narrowboats, Hull based? Have seen a boat of theirs for sale but not heard of them before.

Hmm.....just found posts on here from 2014 about this particular builder. Nightmare stories by everyone who dealt with them. 'High-end' bespoke builder too.

Have been looking at a boat builder who says they shot-blast new hulls before epoxy blacking to remove 'mill scale' - a type of iron oxide which is formed during hot rolling process - which would otherwise eventually flake off taking top coatings with it and allowing pitting and corrosion. Is this common practice?

Is this a joke?

Thanks everyone who replied, that's been useful. We will need to sell on at some point as are both very ancient and sea legs getting wobbly!

Are you always so abrupt Alan? It is the same builder. I am trying to find out if 8mm is their standard or if used boat had been a one-off.

You're quick off the mark Alan! Just canvassing as many opinions as possible.

We have been looking at a new boat for sale from a small builder/fitter who buys in the hulls. They offer a choice of a few standard fit-outs with some options by the buyer. While we like the quality of interior finish on the layout we prefer, the steelwork comes with an 8mm baseplate, I'm guessing to keep costs down. We are a bit concerned that this will be a problem when we come to sell the boat as newer boats generally come with 10mm. The advice we've had is that 8mm is plenty and won't be a problem. Would anyone else buy a new boat with an 8mm base? Any advice please?

Alan..I think you are right about the 'economy' builders - small outfit, two men and their dog . I was with surveyor when he took measurements. It's annoying as I wouldn't have paid out for a survey if the spec details had said it was 8mm. The owner had signed off the sales particulars. The boat is still on broker's website despite now knowing about the discrepancy. Misleading to say the least.

Looked at a boat last week at a brokerage and decided to go for survey. Only five years old and looks in good condition. In the broker's info it gave hull bottom thickness as 10mm, surveyor's report says 8mm everywhere but down to 7.7mm in places. Also original invoice from boat builder says 8mm but fitter's spec says 10mm. No-one seems to know what's happened. Is an 8mm bottom on newish boat unusual? Is it a potential problem when selling on? Any advice please?

Thanks KenK. We will take a look at Aston and Ken. As you say, it's how probs are dealt with that matters.

Philjw...It's a narrowboat cruiser deck. Existing rail is wooden and falling apart. Flyboy..thanks will have a look.

Does anyone know where we might source a steel taff rail? ( I think that's the term? The safety rail around the aft deck). The boat we are hoping to buy has a wooden one which is starting to rot.

Thanks to everyone who replied. We've been quoted around £10K for a complete re-paint by two outfits - one hand paints and the other is emphatic that two-part paint and spraying is the answer. I accept we will have to wait quite a while but there is a fair degree of rust on the roof and aft deck and around some of the brasswork. We've been advised that it won't get any worse in the short term but it's unsightly and spoils the look of the boat. I will follow up some of the recommendations on here so thanks again.

We are thinking about a complete repaint for a boat we are in the process of buying. Can anyone recommend a good painter within reach of Crick? We have heard conflicting advice about hand painting v spray application. It's a huge investment for us so any input/advice at this stage would be very welcome.

Ditchcrawler - we are - if all goes well. But there was a lot of 'discussion' along the way re price, how much to pay, style etc. I favoured a cruiser, other half fancied himself standing proudly at rear of a trad, tiller in hand. So guess whose view prevailed? Just storing up info/advice for an 'I told you so' opportunity.

That was our thinking Neil. Big cruiser back - room for everyone! It's heartening to think that so many people buy their boat to suit their dog. We bought a gallumping great SUV just so the dogs could travel in comfort.

Thank you Cuthound that's interesting advice. I know what you mean about dear old departed dogs - been there.

Thanks to everyone who replied and for all the advice. It seems buying a boat as a novice is a minefield.

Probably to ancient to think about buying a second boat in future (if there is one). This purchase will probably be a one-off.

Settle a 'point of discussion' please. Could more experienced boatsters tell me their opinion on a reasonable amount to spend on a first boat, assuming money not too much of an issue? Looking at a boat for holidays, weekends, occasional longer cruises. Wanting to retain some of the investment so would the wisest buy be a 2009 luxury fit-out at £60K+ or an older £30K well-used example? Probably want to sell in 5-6 years.