ionayes

I know that it’s tempting to just go with your gut and buy what you like - it’s what I did! I didn’t think I could afford the high survey costs as you mentioned. However, I’m now in a position where to get the boat to a standard that it should be, it’s going to cost about 5k according to a survey I had recently - 3 months after purchase because I was having a lot of issues. I can luckily afford to do the work slowly and a lot of DIY which will reduce costs and I do love her, wouldn’t change it now, but if I ever decide to sell and upgrade I will definitely get a survey. It’s never simple but it’s much better than land life! Wish you all the best.

Thank you so much to everyone! here is a photo of the pulleys. yes, they are glove fingers covering the nuts that hold the spill rail in place. I’ve had to take it off to braise the rail back together and so I’ve covered it just to make sure nothing gets into the fuel line.

I’ve been told by a couple of professionals that is a springer, she has a fibre glass cabin so where it joins the hull there is a little wiggle room I think. does that sound like it would be a springer?

Ok, no problem . Thanks again, I will post another picture later today or tomorrow once I’m home. I’m not sure about the position of the pipe either, I’ll take a few pictures. all the best

Thank you, it seems nothing about this boat is normal! I've attached the only picture I can find as I'm away, but I'm heading home tomorrow so I'll add to it then. (I currently have no spill rail, please ignore my glove covers!) That's great advice, I'm near Reading on the Kennet and Avon if anyone has recommendations.

I bought a 40ft Springer 3 months ago without getting a survey 😅. It's my first boat too and the guy I bought it off had a springer spaniel in his car so, of course, I assumed the same! It wasn't until a mechanic came out and reiterated that I realised I must have confused the poor seller! She has her problems - small leaks where the cabin meets the hull and some engine issues, but I think she's gorgeous and feels very spacious compared to other boats I looked at. I have learned a ton in the last few months and my biggest piece of advice would be to get a survey. Tortuga marine services are excellent if you are between London and Berkshire. Wishing you all the best, float on!

Hey boaters, I need help identifying what my drive belt is called so I can buy a new one. At least, I think it's called a drive belt. Maybe an alternator belt? It's got 3 ribs and a small wide groove on one side and is smooth on the other. I have attached photos, if anyone knows please could you have a look and tell me what it's called? I'd love to know where I can get a cheap new one too, if possible. Thanks ever so much. All the best, Iona

Thank you - this is really helpful. The seller has disconnected his phone, but even if I could contact him I would only want information - I am where I am now with the purchase. I will take a picture of the exterior and the engine bay tomorrow and post it on here as it sounds like that might indicate the age. I am certainly a novice boater who's having to quickly learn!

My cabin is fibreglass with a steel hull, yes! The survey was commissioned by the seller in Sept 2021, I didn't get one before purchase. It was a private sale and I don't have a copy of any documentation, He said he had left it on the boat but it's not there and now his phone is disconnected. Yes, hopefully it was re-plated when it was refitted and the survey is correct. I'll take some pictures tomorrow as well as a pic of the company that refitted it and post it on here too. Thank you so much for all your advice on this thread, I really appreciate it.

No, I looked at it when I viewed the boat and the seller told me it was in a drawer when I picked her up. I didn't check at the time and it turns out he had taken it along with all other docs and he's now disconnected his phone. I'm clearly a bit naive! It would have been a good idea though.

Hi, Two weeks ago, I bought a canal boat. I was told by the seller that it was made in the 1990's. I also looked at a hull survey which said the base plate was 9.6mm thick. I have since found out it was refitted in the 1990's, but a boat engineer thought it was more likely made in the 1970's. From what I can find online, she was: Built by Teddesley Boat Co. - Length : 11.27 metres ( 37 feet ) - Beam : 2.07 metres ( 6 feet 9 inches ) - Draft : 0.61 metres ( 2 feet ). Metal hull N/A power of 48 HP. A boat surveyor I spoke to said it's very unlikely for a boat from the 1970's to have had 10mm baseplates which (after finding a lot of secret hidden issues) has made me wonder whether the hull survey was potentially faked. If anyone has any information on how to find out more about the boat without paying for a full survey I would hugely appreciate it as I'm suddenly quite poor, haha! Thank you so much. Iona