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K.J

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48 minutes ago, K.J said:

I have renovated shops/houses before so thought maybe the inside of a boat wouldn’t be as much work but from what people are saying on here it’s hard work ?

 

The first difference is that spirit levels will ensure all the fit out looks drunk. Then there is the problem of manoeuvring 8x4 boards into the boat and manoeuvring them to cut etc.  You will need to cut a lot of templates so fixed furniture, kitchen units and bulkheads fit snug to the hull/cabin lining. The template may need to alter every foot or so along the cabin depending upon how well the original fit out was done. 12/24 volt electrics are so different from ordinary  domestic systems that far too many  domestic electricians make all sorts of mistakes on 12/24V DC. With gas systems most qualified domestic gas fitters produce a system that will fail the BSS. Unless you can be termed competent to do gas work you will need a Gassafe bod endorsed for LPG and marine work.

 

Luckily you are sensible enough to not to try to live in the boat at the same time but many do. When I was involved in fitting out hire cruisers I found the time needed was between three and five times longer than first thought.

4 minutes ago, K.J said:

I am just on about the inside living space not refurbishing everything i.e kitchen space bathroom bedroom or would you still give the same advice....buy one ready to go? 

Yes, until you have lived on it for a year or two, then you might know exactly what you want in the light of experience.

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42 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

Redecoration is one thing but start changing the layout, moving bulkheads etc is something else. You can't just plaster over where a dividing wall has been removed like in a house, the place it was attached is probably scared for life.

Well, it would scare me...

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Just now, WotEver said:

What’s behind the wobbly boards? What condition is the hull in? What engine does it have?

Im going to go and have a look at it this weekend and hopefully get all those questions answered ??

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Louvre windows - not Ideal I would think for liveaboarding in winter because they are draughty. Plan for fitting seasonal double glazing panels

 

I think those plastic patio doors would not help keep the boat warm in winter.

Edited by Tony Brooks
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A lorra lorra work - rip out the 'front doors' and patio walls, rip out the main wall linings, and resolve the damp problem - in addition to the wood staining already mentioned there is another apparent 'leak' on the RH side (of the picture) between the smoke alarm and the window.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't a 'bottom end of the market', 70's or 80's 'wooden top' on a steel hull.

 

You would be buying a money-pit which will cost you many £1000's to 'sort out'.

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Looks like a scary amount of work.

Bought an old book,"Lifeboats and Their Conversion"byC.E Tyrrell Lewis.First published 1935.Not thinking of converting a lifeboat,but there is an interesting introduction by a Major L.Stafford Shallard Commodore Converted Cruiser Club.I quote a bit of it:

"The old craft at a bargain price has a fatal fascination for the in-experienced.Only too often she is a white enamelled sepulchre whose rot and rust only become manifest when the neophite has parted with his money.

This is probably as true now as when that was written in 1935.

 

  • Greenie 2
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I bought a new shell 22 years ago and fitted it out myself...Fitting a boat out when you are living on it is a nightmare!.You need to work off the boat,so you will need a mooring and the majority of marinas do not allow you to work on your boat in their marinas.I used the towpath,but 20 years ago it was under B.W. control and there were far fewer towpath users.Crt will be straight onto you if you use them these days!.

Fitting out boats is completely different to houses,I have worked on both,and definatly prefer houses!!..(only to work on,I wouldnt be seen dead living in one!).

Probably best looking for an online mooring out in the sticks with electric if possible ,if not,a generator.However,if you have a good 12/240v charging system on the boat,you can use most battery tools and some 240v tools via the inverter.

If you are good with your hands and can get your head around basic plumbing,electrics and carpentry,(and are willing to learn some new swear words!),its not too difficult and you will save alot of money when something inevitably goes wrong on your boat!.

As far as second hand boats are concerned,sorry,but it is a minefield you are walking into if you have no experience of boats!.

I am assuming you are on a limited budget,as you are asking about fitting out.

Here are a few things to check for,I am sure others may add to the list!...

Read as much paper-work on the boat as you can if there is any..Hull blackings,safety certs,engine works,anode fittings,gas safety,battery renewals,licences,hull supplier/fitter,year built.steel thickness......

Check the waterline on the outside of the hull for corrosion and blistering.

Be sure the engine,charging system and batteries are in good order,a dirty filthy engine and battery bay speaks for itself!.

Boats can rust from the inside out.Check inside gas locker for corrosion (common) and base plate under the floor if accessible,boats have differing ballasts,and some can trap water.Basically,you dont want to see large pieces of rust anywhere,if you do,ask the owner to clean it off so you can see the extent of it.

Check the electrics look in good order and are not randomly put together and there is no corrosion around battery terminals/wires.

Be SURE the gas system is in good order and certified safe.

Check the stern tube gear is in good order (where the prop goes out of the boat).

Leaks through bulkheads and deckhead (by windows,roof vents etc).

Check inside water tank is in good order.

If it has a switch,key or tap,turn it on to see if it actually works!...Engine,lights,water,inverter etc.

GET A HULL SURVEY done on the boat you choose to buy if it hasnt had one done,before the sale.And dont be afraid to walk away if it is in bad order.Its worth losing the cost of the survey over a re-bottoming.

If you buy from a private seller,you will avoid brockerage fees.

If you buy from a brocker,find out as much about them as possible before you do business with them.They are the estate agents of the cut!..Some good,some not so good and some down right awful!!.

Dont rush into it and dont feel pressured to buy,Im sure you know,there are thousands out there available.

If you buy now,batten down the hatches,light the burner,fix any leaks that let the rain in,and forget about it til spring!!!!.

 

 Thats my lot....

If I have missed something,Im sure someone will post!.

 

Best of luck  ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Greenie 1
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On 29/09/2020 at 16:01, K.J said:

Can anyone give any advice on a boat that needs a total re fit inside...I like the idea of a project and putting my personal stamp on ‘my new home’ 

am I jumping In too deep doing that to begin with? 
is it more cost effective to buy something ready to go? 
Also do I need to know al the ins and outs of the mechanics, engine etc side or is it something you pick up and learn as you go? 
I hope that’s not a stupid question ?
 

Advice is don't......

If you are going to liveaboard in a marina, you will need 240volts, in addition to 12 volt systems, you will probably need a good gas cooker, solar panels with controller and cables etc, all very specialist......

You will need to do a lot of research to prepare a short list, your first boat may not be your last.

I would advise a short boat handling course, and a RCR engine maintenance course on your boat when you get your own boat, and replace any consumables at that time.

It is quite common to have to buy a set of batteries shortly after boat purchase ...... See Battery Primer on here

Edited by LadyG
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You can't glue mirrors on the curved ceiling, makes you look terrible.

Buy thick curtains, keeps heat in and peeping Toms out.

Always remember which way out is into the cut.

Don't allow any overnighters, they won't leave and try to take over.

Sleep with a mooring pin down the side of the bed at one side and your arm out of the other, you will find out why.

  • Greenie 1
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I've done five fit outs over the years.  As a ball park figure, it'll cost at least £10-15K for a fairly simple  one and will take much, much longer than you think. 

 

Unless you are renovating something special - e.g. an historic boat, I'd definitely buy one that at least had all the basics in place - lining out, wiring, plumbing etc.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Edited by koukouvagia
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The other alternative is to buy a sailaway (basically a new hull, engine, windows, insulation) which you line and fit out yourself.  The advantage of this is you have a brand new hull and engine - the disadvantage is the research and work involved and legally you cannot sell it for 5 years as a completed boat.

 

If you want the challenge and hard work of a fitout consider a sailaway (from about £30k upwards) or even a shell (about £19k upwards).

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1 minute ago, garibaldi said:

the disadvantage is the research and work involved and legally you cannot sell it for 5 years as a completed boat.

Not quite accurate :

 

Only true if it is not built to the required specification. If you 'bodge' the build then you cannot sell it for 5 years to give it chance to kill you rather than some innocent 3rd party.

If it is built (properly) in compliance with the RCD then you can sell it the day you complete it.

  • Greenie 1
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5 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Not quite accurate :

 

Only true if it is not built to the required specification. If you 'bodge' the build then you cannot sell it for 5 years to give it chance to kill you rather than some innocent 3rd party.

If it is built (properly) in compliance with the RCD then you can sell it the day you complete it.

 

Or if the build isn't bodged but built in compliance with the BSS rather than the RCD.

 

My understanding is that the 5 year ruling was originally put in place to allow self-fit outs while preventing professional builders/fitters using that route as a loophole to avoid full RCD compliance. 

 

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On 29/09/2020 at 16:20, K.J said:

 

What if it’s not tired and old and I just want to re do it’s insides to my taste....that a better idea? ?

 

If you're just talking about putting new floor covering down, installing some new worktops or painting the inside of the boat that's fine, but if you know nothing about boats then please do take onboard what people here have said about not trying to completely re-fit an old boat. You'll end up hating it. Get something that's ok to start with. Get a survey on the hull, engine gas and electrics. Make sure the windows and vents don't leak, the sub-floor isn't rotting and the insulation is good. When you come to redecorate ask for some advice on here because even then it's different on a boat. Good luck. 

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