PabloC

@Tony Brooks I didn't realise that was your website, I will certainly have a read! Thank you

Thank you all for the replies. Thank you, I'll do those things. Could you clarify what tank cooled is? I should have said I'll be in a marina so I'll make sure the batteries are charged from shore power if needed. I have a Victron charger and a charging unit from the solar (forget what its called). Could these be boxed in? Or covered temporarily in some way? Would you recommend I put a heater in there for the really cold weather? Thanks again for the replies!

Morning everyone, As a live aboard, is there anything I should be doing to winter proof my cruiser stern engine bay? Everythings looking quiet exposed under there when the temperature drops and things start to get damp. Thanks!

Thanks for all the replies, there's clearly alot to think about re gas. Getting quotes for a webasto which seems like the better option.

Hi all, I'm looking to install an instant gas hot water unit. I've seen Rinnai are fairly popular, but as far as I can see these require 230v and I know there are units that are ignited using replaceable batteries. Does anyone have any suggestions on alternatives to Rinnai? I've seen plenty, but unsure of the build quality. As an aside, we do have an immersion and calorifier fitted for hot water, but my understanding is this wouldn't be an effective system for a couple of brief uses of hot water a day. We have shore power available if necessary. Thanks in advance

Thanks again for the replies. The seller and broker replied with a very genuine response. They're adding back in the notice of defects section, and made it clear I'll have the right to withdrawl under any circumstances. I've requested either a lower deposit, or none at all - shall see what they say.

Thanks Alan, I'm currently replying to the broker/seller as I'm not happy. I'm suggesting that a survey at my expense should be enough to demonstrate my interest.

Thanks for the replies. I've been sent this from a contract used by ABC Leisure Group in Alvechurch, which seems more reasonable? Also, arranging and paying for surveyor/boat yard should indicate I'm serious about taking this further in my mind. Following the survey, the Purchaser may, at his/her sole discretion, by written notice to the Broker, either: 5.2.1 reject the Vessel outright; or 5.2.2 reject the Vessel but offer to proceed with the purchase ...... (a) to rectify specific listed defects or deficiencies in the Vessel or the Inventory before Completion; or (b) to a reduction in the Purchase Price to enable the Purchaser to rectify such defects or deficiencies after Completion.

Hi all, the latest ... The seller (through a private broker - not a marina) has accepting an offer and survey is penciled in. I've been sent a contract that asks for a 10% deposit, that states if work relating to BSS or steelwork with a cost to repair of over this 10% is needed or if the boat is un-insurable, then I can back out and get refunded. There's nothing about any cost of repairs that don't total the 10% being deducted from the agreed price. Would any damage to the hull be classed as un-insurable? how about if the boat requires blacking (which it will within the next year) - is this something to negotiate on? I've attached the contract below with sensitive info taken out. I've seen past receipts with the owner's name, the owner has included their address in the contract, I've searched the owner's email address and found work profiles - so I'm fairly happy she is genuine. So far the broker has also been very straight with me and I've seen two previous BSSs. Any thoughts? Thanks

does anyone cat show signs of motion sickness?

That's a bit worrying. I did intend on having a survey, but questioning if its worth going that far. I guess its whether its commonplace and will cause me issues down the line

Sorry my mistake this was under the floor. The photo attached now was under the bed.

That was under the bed. (Sorry short reply, still on my mobile)

Hi. I've just come back from a second viewing. I took these two photos. Is this condition normal? Slight rusting in the gas locker but only speckles. Thanks again (hopefully the photos works as I'm on a mobile).

Thanks, that's really helpful! The boat has one radiator in the bedroom. I'll look into an eberspacher, and possibly a blown hot air system. sorry, just to clarify - the immersion heater will be the cheapest way of heating water, unless I had the diesel stove on which could heat both water and air?

Thanks for breaking this down. - especially about the batteries. The boat in question, in a marina - Immersion heater Hot water via engine Solid fuel stove - smokeless fuel Gas cooker 680w Solar On shore if necessary By 'as I'd like', I meant mid-winter 3 hours in an afternoon before coming back from work and 3 hours early morning before getting up. 30p is what I was working to when considering the immersion heater from onshore - but I have no idea if people consider that a cost effective way of heating, or if there are alternatives. Perhaps I should have made it clearer that I would be connected to the shore line, or at least have access to the shore line if necessary. This is very much my thinking - I don't do well with hurly burly.

I'm just waiting to hear back from the marina, I guess this varies? This is why I'm here asking. I have a fair idea of the heating options and the practicality of them, especially in regard to the boat in question - am just trying to get as much info as I can. I'm happy to hear advice from anyone - if you think I have a lot of research still to do, please let me know what that research is - at the moment that comment isn't really that useful.

There will be a mains connection, but I'm expecting the cost to be too high to run as I'd like. So I should really be looking to get a diesel fired boiler fitted? Can these be run on a timer? I believe with the boat I'm looking at that there is the option to run the heat off the engine - not sure how practical this would be though, suppose it depends on how long the heat lasts after being turned off. Would an oil filled rad be trusted to be safe when not on the boat? I will have the stove which no doubt will go a long way, I'm just a little in the dark how long the heat would last for if let die down during the day/over night. I guess it comes down to how much I'm happy to spend using mains power. Thanks for the replies.

Thanks for this! I'm going back and forth with offers at the moment and waiting on the marina to confirm a space. Something playing on my mind is the immersion heater. I've been reliably informed that 3kw of immersion heater and clarifier will cost a lot to run, so am thinking about other options. I'm unsure if this is 12 or 230v. Does anyone have any suggestions that are an easy replacement and cheaper? I'd be looking for a system that would heat the radiator in the bedroom and that has a thermostat and/or timer option to keep the temperature regulated when I'm at work and the stoves run itself down. Would a couple of tube heaters been a suitable replacement whilst I look at fitting something more permanent? A gas heater off the cooker supply has also been suggested, is this an easy swap and whats the cost? Would this be a webasto type thing? Thanks again! p.s if anyones in North London/London and would be free to come for a second viewing, I'd happily pay travel costs.

Thanks for the replies on this. I wonder if anyone's around London/North London who'd be free for an hour to come view with me, as a second pair of eyes. It would be my second viewing and I've already put in an offer that was too low for the seller. Happy to pay travel expenses.

Hi, you may have seen my posts in the new to boating section. I'm getting closer to purchasing but would be looking to move her down to West London from North London. Approx 18miles/7 hours on CanalPlan. Does anyone know of a helmsman who could help me with this? Or perhaps just an experienced hand who could be there as another pair of eyes for me? Happy to pay for the support. Thanks

Thanks, I'm trying to approach it cautiously. I don't want to rush into a lifestyle just because it looks peaceful, cheaper etc etc on the surface. Rose tinted glasses have caused me issues in the past lol That would be great! Am I ok to message you?

Thanks for these replies and thanks for the responses re heating. I went to view today, am now seriously considering it. The broker suggested to bring it out the water either at a place they know or a place I choose - need to finalise the quotes for this before I make an offer. The BBS was renewed in February and blacked in 2020. Then just need to decide if I'm going for a marina for 6 months first or straight into CCing. Will phone the marina tomorrow - Willowtree in West London if anyone knows it. I need to get my head around leisure or peid-a-terre mooring and what these offer and if they're worth the money. Also considering a general backwards and forwards around the corner of the Grand Union/Paddington arm. Thanks again though, smalls steps getting closer W

Thanks to yours and others here, I've moved on my thinking to something more reasonable (below) Something else I didn't consider, thanks. I'm trying not to wear rose tinted glasses too much, I realise there will be a change in how I organise my life but I am keen to give it a go. And I like a bit of an adventure. My experience on the water so far has been a few extended stays (3 weeks at a time) on a couple's boat (friends). Although this was during good weather and none of the ownership responsibilities. I've made peace with the portapotti, the two boats I'm viewing this week (below) - one had pump out, one is portapotti. Thanks, I feel it might work best for me to have that step in a marina, or at least a leisure mooring? I was actually watching that this morning. It all makes sense, but as a single 35 year old, even for a year or two - it's an idea that's getting me thinking. For anyone still interested, here's where I am in my decision - I'm viewing one boat tomorrow, this - https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/liverpool-boats-50-cruiser-stern-for-sale/694154 and hopefully another the weekend, this - https://england.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/hancock-and-lane-52-cruiser-stern-for-sale/695238 What I'm trying to work out is general fuel/electric costs, although I realise this is almost an unanswerable question - Cost of gas use across the year based on a minimal hot water as possible - using marina showers, short bursts of heating to keep a consistent temperate whilst I'm out and the stoves not lit, and one cooked meal a day in general. Stove for everything else. I've seen a general consensus of 13kg every 6 weeks, which I saw at £42 today? or close to. Cost of electric - both these boats below have 12v lights and fridge. I'm planning to make use of my employer's electric and charge portable electronics daily there. My computer will have to be on for work, but I'm hoping this'll be used at a minimum - instead using the charged laptop. No washing machine, no TV. Then it's just diesel costs? I'm unsure how much I'll be moving at the moment, but I do know one of these boats can heat water through the engine? Is that more cost effective that using the gas if I'm not moving? Mooring options - leisure but not sure of the limits on duration of stay. Pierre-d-terre, not heard this before but seems to be somewhere between leisure and residential. Or full residential. I'm also questioning if a general repetitive route from just south of Watford, down to Brentford then along the Paddington arm into London is a large enough area to be considered CCing. If it is, this may make me consider CCing rather than mooring as there are many train connections to work - in affect my work sits in the 'v' of the Grand Union/Slough branch junction. Depending if the marina charge extra for my car to be kept there with a leisure mooring - this may work as well. The second boat doesn't seem to have radiator heating - is this a bad thing? Could this be fitted? The second boat is also 40 years which scares me slightly, although the cost is significantly lower. Sorry these are the rambling of a newbie after a long day, not sure if I'm thinking about the right things when making my decision - if the BSS and surveys are good and it's been out the water fairly recently, it's making sure I can control/afford the fuel costs, can budget for unexpected costs (what could these be?), then know the fixed costs. Aside from that it's doing my best to guess if the boat will be comfortably heated at a consistent level through winter. I know I've mentioned heating a fair bit as a concern, am I being too soft? But I'd rather know the boat/my stuff isn't getting cold/damp and that the cats warm enough when I'm out and the stoves died down. Both boats seem to have a good time left on the BSS and both recently/fairly recently blacked. What do people think about getting a more experienced set of eyes over the engine if I can? Any suggestions? really appreciate the help so far.

yeh, sorry. I forgot what I wrote when I came from answering the door. 15K in total costs associated with the flat.