[Original Dutch Barges - Looking for advice on buying one. New to boating]

6 minutes ago, Onewheeler said:

Chances are high that she'll need some overplating and welding, but that's normal for a boat of that age and needs to be factored in to your budget. Our barge is a similar age and there's always some hull work needed at docking. The engine at 44 kW might be a bit low powered but unless you're planning on taking it up the Rhine it should cope with the Thames (looks like the Thames from the pictures, but can't place where near Oxford unless it's an assortment of places - some of the pictures look like Oxford Cruisers at Eynsham).

How much does hull work generally cost on a boat this old?

[Original Dutch Barges - Looking for advice on buying one. New to boating]

Ah okay, thank you for pointing that one out. 

Yes I'm looking well out of London and looking to live full time in the boat

[Original Dutch Barges - Looking for advice on buying one. New to boating]

Just now, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Then before buying a boat - find a mooring.

Residential moorings in London are a combination of Hens Teeth and Rocking Horse Poo.

A residential mooring will cost you a minimum of £10k per annum and the ones that go to auction often make £15k per annum.

We have found a mooring nearby which is almost a third cheaper than that

[Original Dutch Barges - Looking for advice on buying one. New to boating]

2 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

It will not fit on some of the canals - where are you planning to be based ?

 

The 'South' (London to Bristol ish) will be OK, the North above Birmingham will be OK, but the 'middle bit' is restricted to boat 7 feet wide.

 

 

Maps showng where boats up to 12 feet beam can go (and not go)

I'm based in the south, I work in London so won't be too far from a communter line

[Original Dutch Barges - Looking for advice on buying one. New to boating]

4 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

That is certainly a better option than the one I was looking at.

Not been dry-docked for 8 years !

Steel thickness 'unknown' to be determined by Surveyor (so you are going to have to spend ~£1000 to find out if it insurable)

 

Where and how do you plan to use it ?

What boating experince do you have ?

How mechanically minded are you ?

 

BOAT stands for Bring Out Another Thousand (or in the case of early 1900s boats - BOATT - Bring Out Another Ten Thousand)

You need to be fully committed to an old boat and the work and costs that are involved - that is why it is costed at £77000 when a new widebeam boat of similar proportions will be twice the price and even up to £250,000 for a well fitted out on.

 

You will spend the same amount over time, its just a case of a 'lump-sum' up front and very little to pay in the future, or a Small up-front payment and huge bills every year or two,

 

There are one or two members on the forum who own, or have been involved in similar boats, it would be a good idea to see what they have to say.

Thank you again for the advice, fully taking on board.

 

To answer your questions,

Where and how do you plan to use it ? - I plan to live on it mostly and to travel a few times a year down the canals.

What boating experince do you have ? - Little to none boating experience, although very keen to learn.

How mechanically minded are you ? - Slightly mechanically minded but no mechanic 

The other perhaps more sensible option would be a newer WideBeam boat such as;

https://www.aquavista.com/buy-or-sell-a-boat/boats-for-sale/queen-of-the-isle
https://www.aquavista.com/buy-or-sell-a-boat/boats-for-sale/old-dutch

Thank you all for the help

[Original Dutch Barges - Looking for advice on buying one. New to boating]

6 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

I think it is safe to say that the advice will be 'varied', and, as is the norm, will be based on an indviduals experiences on similar vessels.

 

What is your experience ?
Are you 'a boater', are you experienced on Inland waterways in Europe or the UK ?

Have you had an steel boat before

 

Are you really ready to take on what the broker generously calls a 'Project' ?

 

Are you 'mechanically minded' and prepared to 'get your hands dirty'. Repairers for these types of boats are few and far between and costs reflect their expertise and lack of competition.

 

You are unlikely to need a 355hp engine on the UK inland waters

 

Are you prepared to (potentially) spend £10s of thousands to keep it afloat ?

 

Are you planning to actually use it as a boat, or simply as a 'floating flat' ?

Are you aware of the limiting factors for its use on UK Inland Waterways (6 feet + Draft and 14 feet beam) ?

 

The beam and Draft are almost identical to my boat and I have had to move it to coastal waters' as it is too big for Inland Waterways and Canals.

 

This is the one you are lookig at ?

 

Hi Alan, thanks for the info. No that isn't the one I'm looking at. Do you think it's a smarter idea to buyer a newer Widebeam boat? This is the one I'm looking at;

https://dutchbargesforsale.co.uk/barges_for_sale_in_the_uk/6299/17m_dutch_barge_aak_type.html

[Original Dutch Barges - Looking for advice on buying one. New to boating]

Hello! I'm new to boating and I'm looking for advice on buying a Dutch Barge, I'm looking at an advert for a ( 1912 AAK Type Barge ).

Generally speaking, how are the hulls on boats this old?

What are things to look out for when buying?

Should I buy a newer replica?

Where is the best place to buy one?

 

All advice is greatly appreciated

 

Thank you,

George