MrsM

That's a very exciting opportunity for someone.

How exciting and congratulations. I agree that you have secured very good value boating holidays compared to renting, and as a part owner your boat will soon feel like home from home. Hope you have many happy years exploring the network.

As did ours. I would absolutely say that a sacrificial link (cable tie) saved us from a potentially serious incident.

Reinforcing the importance of having a sacrificial connection on the fender. We had a scary moment a few years ago on one of the Chester locks when our fender caught on a protruding bolt while ascending and the bow was held down briefly until the link gave way.

Hope you have a fantastic time. We had a magical 4 years on the cut and created some of the happiest memories of my life. Enjoy x

My mistake - I had forgotten the age of the boat and therefore that the RCD issue is not relevant here. Apologies to the OP for the deviation.

I see, thank you. It really is complicated!

Have been following with interest. Having sold my boat I have to get my boaty fix vicariously nowadays. The recent thread highlighting issues with the RCD makes me wonder what the process of getting a self fit-out approved for the RCD/R is? Does one engage an appropriately qualified surveyor/assessor to sign off at different stages, for example when the wiring loom or gas installation is fitted and visible? A bit like how building control come and inspect ongoing work on a property? Obviously inspecting an installation is much easier before it is hidden away being panelling etc. How does one go about this?

So the last 2 letters of the HIN should date the hull. In the OP's case if this is 97 or earlier does this mean the lack of a RCD/R is no longer an issue?

From AdE on 29/11/23:- If you bought it as a sailaway, did you get the RCD approval to the stage it was sold at ? A boat (built to RCD compliance) must have the HIN / CIN marked in two places, the RCD specifies the 'public place' and the other should be in a hidden location only known to the hull builder. From memory the 'public' HIN / CIN must be made so it is incapable of being removed (ie stamped into the hull) at the stern on the starboard side. Typically it should be on the 'outside' of the boat, but I have known of them 'inside' the transom. The builder should be able to provide you with the HIN from their records (I don't think they are supposed to divulge the hidden location as you could have stolen the boat and tamper with the marking). The HIN should also be specified on the Bill of Sale, the Declaration of Compliance and in the Owners manual. Example of the HIN on the Declaration of Compliance (under technical data) The format should be :

I am probably wrong but I thought the hull number that is permanently built/pressed/welded into the steel includes the year that the hull was built?

I use this quite a lot in house restoration work. Very nice to work and sands easily.

Fabulous photo!

Yes that's a beauty! And I guess has insurance and a boat safety cert. What a character - good on him. And a proper CCer too 😄