Leap of faith

So correct me if I am wrong and have got the wrong end of the stick. It is not the end of the world if I cannot reach the gearbox so can I reach the selector where it goes in the gear box - or put a spanner on the plug"?

Thankyou so much! I will take a photo of the pics and see if I can borrow a spanner from someone at the marina and have a go.....

Hypothetically if I am unable to do the following "gearbox can I reach the selector where it goes in the gear box - can I put a spanner on the plug"? what impact will it have on the boat's potential purchase for me?

I am viewing it tomorrow in reference to the comment "gearbox can I reach the selector where it goes in the gear box - can I put a spanner on the plug"? To be honest I have to admit I understand the word you are typing but I do not know what a selector looks like and I would not know where the plug is!! I will have to see if anyone is about who may be able to show me this!! I have to say that the guy I spoke to on the phone to arrange the appointment did sound quiet miserable, maybe I caught him at the wrong moment... I will try my very best!! wish me luck...

I can always email them about them and ask " Is access to the gearbox easy/straightforward to do an oil change on the gear box and lip seal if it becomes an issue on the gearbox selector" do you think it is something the previous owner /s will no? As someone on here mentioned that it has a 2015 and 2019 survey on it which may mean 2 previous owners in the last 8 years or there about. I have never owned a plastic boat called "Leap of faith" ... I will have a look at the other boat on with ABNB but I suspect it is a higher price and out of my budget... Just looked at the ABNB boat its now Sale agreed...

It regards to Rufus price wise ...any opinions? Just wondered when you say "slightly better maintained" would you be able to elaborate on that a little? is it to do with the engine or interior? Also someone mentioned the gear box access might be "interesting" what does this mean? could it be an issue?

I think that is funny..."pretending to be vintage" ......

I have not looked at it yet..thanks for the information regarding part supplies and offer of a copy of the operators manual....the question I need to ask is as a complete novice engine wise apart from the basic looking at oil, water, coolant etc.. which of course I did on my previous boat which had A BMC 1.8. Is it a doable option for me? Also would canal and river trust be able to get it going if needed e.g would they have spares/parts?

Yes I know about the 2015/2019. I wondered why it has gone up for sell 3 times with no takers? Maybe the surveys show lots of work needs? Just wondered when you say "this will be the 3rd time it has gone up for sale" do you mean this year?

Yes it is Rufus....

It is a BD3 I would not say that I understand engines that much. I do not want to get into the situation where parts are very difficult/expensive to source. Is this the kind of engine that needs a lot of tinkering with?...Does it have a good reputation? Does it sound nice?

Hi all, Could anyone tell me please is the Beta tug a vintage engine?

This boat layout looks good to me. Does anyone know about the engine - Perkins. I think as it is a 91 boat may be a bit overpriced but having said that the fit out looks solid. The link is https://www.abcboatsales.com/boat-sales/long-john-alvechurch-marina/

What do you think to the second boat/linked?

Hi Just looked at the link sent https://narrowboats.apolloduck.com/boat/narrow-boats-traditional-for-sale/740992. Yes does look a nice boat it is 1976 but if well maintained maybe not a problem. I am just not very confident about buying privately though... Just seen this boat online looks nice, I know it has been painted to an inch of its life... I have sent them a message asking if it has a galvanic isolator and a survey - it changed ownership 6 years ago. https://newandusedboat.co.uk/used-boats-for-sale/2170

I will put on my "brave boots" as you say and keep looking....I will try to find a boat that is not so neglected! Unfortunately I do not have a boaty friend to look at boats with. But thank goodness I have this forum full of boaty friends!

Is water cooled a positive or negative?

According to the particulars it has a lister STW2M engine I do not know if this is water cooled.

Hello everyone, https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/search.phtml?search=shortwood&exact=1&sr=1&q=1&x=0#result Please give me your thoughts/ideas for a live abroad boat. Is a stove possible opposite the Alde cupboard? I would a bench have to be removed. I would not really want to keep Alde.

I thank you all for your comments. The boat is not on with "the broker" you mention! and does offer to have all work done for insurance purposes(see 15 jobs) which would be reflected in the final price. But this does leave a lot of work left and a lot of unknown costs..... Back to the drawing board I think! This experience has dented my confidence a bit... but I still need to find the right boat....

I know this is alot to ask. But their is so much information in the survey. could I send it to you privately? If this is not possible I will understand..

I am not new to all this but would not considered myself an expert. I sold my first boat about 10 months ago. I think I got lucky with it really, it was a great boat! I did have a full survey done on it but did not view it in person. I am looking to buy just one boat to live on. As I say I have had a survey done on boat quiet recently and the survey made my head spin. The brokerage are prepared to negioiate on price if I want to go ahead. I am not sure what to do. The surveyor said the boat has been very neglected.

Hello everyone. I would like some advice on a couple boats I have seen for sale at a well known brokerage. I am not sure whether to name them/state what brokerage they are at here. Just in case they are really good and someone gets their before me! I had a survey done on another boat just recently and it was not a very good one, so my confidence is low! I think it really is the luck of the draw....anyway I am putting a call out their for some advice on the two potential I have in mind. Thanks in advance! Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice/thoughts on a couple of boats at a brokerage that I am considering. I am not sure whether to put the details on here. Just incase they are really good and someone gets their before me! Although, they have been on for awhile so maybe they are not! I had a survey down recently on another boat I was thinking of purchasing, but the report was a never ending list of things that were wrong with it and the surveyor said it was very neglected. Thanks in advance!

The boat is 1993. I am going to email and ask if the boat is available for survey. If it is a negative then I will not bother with it!

Hi all, Thinking of view a boat but the details stipulate the following "having recently invested in having the hull 2 packed, the seller is not willing to authorise a buyer to invade any part of this as part of their survey" There is a survey available to view from 2021. I would of course like to have my own done. Should I not bother looking at it?