Wooden Cruiser

[bottle]

Quality of steel (different grades)

 

Qualification of welder (just cause he says he is does not mean he's qualified/certificated).

 

I can weld but you would not want me to build a boat for you.

 

Quality control on build/steel and welds.

[Richard Bustens]

And dont walk over the roof on a LB shell you can see it move.

 

I looked at them 4 years ago and i think that was the main reason i did not go back for a 2nd look.

[phsycicdreamer]

And dont walk over the roof on a LB shell you can see it move.

 

I looked at them 4 years ago and i think that was the main reason i did not go back for a 2nd look.

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AH now thats the kind of answer im diggin for any more?

 

Bottle i see where your comming from mate but im talking all bases covered.

Like welders being certified.

 

Im sure anyone who owns a boat on here would agree 5 grand can go a long way towards a lot of fit out.

 

The boat builder who is charging more refered it to being a case of buying a Lada and a Bmw,although they both do the same job the difference in quality is massive.

 

The thing is i know about cars and the difference is very apparent but in respect of steel Narrow boats i pretend to know nothing what so ever hence my need for strong views why some of you may or may not buy one boat or the other.

 

Some one said to me the best boat is the best compimise IM yet to understand what they mean.

 

Cheers.

[DHutch]

Also, along with was i said before, you paying in part for the design.

- As well as looking 'boring' a less well deisnged hull with a badly balenced rudder, and the wrong prop wont swim nearly as nicely as a better set up boat.

- But that doesnt nessarly corespond with the cost of the boat, although it often can.

 

 

Daniel

[Richard Bustens]

It is dificult phsycicdreamer,

 

You need to go to all the manufactures you can find and look for yourself, there is a massive diferance between diferent builders LB bare shell £15,100 Hawkins, Tyler ,Evans Willson, etc etc . £30-35,000 and they all have full order books.

 

So there are a lot of people that can tell the diferance out there.

 

Fernwood probably the best boat fitter in he country, DONT buy LB hulls for fitting out, WHY?

[stuart]

And dont walk over the roof on a LB shell you can see it move.

 

I looked at them 4 years ago and i think that was the main reason i did not go back for a 2nd look.

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Not on mine you can't !

 

Not a flex in sight and very straight panels all round.

[stuart]

For example Liverpool Boats are offering a sailaway for around 22 grand where as another company are charging over 5grand more for what appears to be the same spec boat.

 

What should i be getting for 5 grand extra that should make me want to spend an extra 5 grand for what appears to be the same boat?

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There are a lot of re-sellers of Liv. boats. Make sure your not just buying a LB shell thats been "rebadged" or white labelled as we call it at work!

 

If the specification is/almost identical then its probably the same shell!

[phsycicdreamer]

There are a lot of re-sellers of Liv. boats.  Make sure your not just buying a LB shell thats been "rebadged" or white labelled as we call it at work!

 

If the specification is/almost identical then its probably the same shell!

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So now im totally confused guys.

 

How would i know if im buying a rebadged Liverpool Shell for 1?

 

Richard Bustens are you saying dont buy a LB for fitting out?

 

The boat firm that are charging 5 grand more for the same specs is a very nice person in my dealings with him called Lee's Narrow Boats.

 

Gosh this is starting to stress me now

[phsycicdreamer]

Please take a look at these specs and tell me if they are good or not if you are someone in the know.

 

http://www.liverpoolboatco.co.uk/id11.html

 

Thank you.

[John Orentas]

Phisy

 

Come on let's be fair to Liverpool Boats, they do not pretend to be at the top of the market but they do make good quality shells for a very competitive price. One problem that they suffer from is that as they sell many of their unfinished boats through the trade they are sometimes judged on the standard of fitting out that they have no control over.

 

It looks as though you will be going for a lowish priced bare shell for self fit-out, so look at as many of these as you can and don't let the fit out cloud your judgment.

 

I would endorse what has been said before, get the best shell you can afford, this is the only thing you can't change at a latter stage, you could even consider treating your project as a camping boat for a few years and fit in out as and when you can afford just what you want in terms of interior bits and bats.

Edited June 21, 2005 by John Orentas

[phsycicdreamer]

Phisy

 

Come on let's be fair to Liverpool Boats, they do not pretend to be at the top of the market but they do make good quality shells for a very competitive price.  One problem that they suffer from is that as they sell many of their unfinished boats through the trade they are sometimes judged on the standard of fitting out that they have no control over.

 

It looks as though you will be going for a lowish priced bare shell for self fit-out, so look at as many of these as you can and don't let the fit out cloud your judgment.

 

I would endorse what has been said before, get the best shell you can afford, this is the only thing you can't change at a latter stage, you could even consider treating your project as a camping boat for a few years and fit in out as and when you can afford just what you want in terms of interior bits and bats.

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John I'AM being fair to Liverpool boats thats why IM asking why is someone else saying i need to be spending an extra 5 grand.

 

If Im to be frank i would love to buy a Liverpool Boat the price is a darling but someone else has put massive doubts in my mind making me very cautious.

 

Were not talking pocket money here are we?

 

If people would like to email or pm me i would welcome them to do so with their honest opinions and experiences.

 

Thanks.

[John Orentas]

Phisy.

 

My comments where not aimed at you, one thing you can be sure of is that LB are a perfectly reputable mass builder, although they have never won any awards for their boats I don't believe I have ever heard a justified complaint against them.

[Richard Bustens]

Aime going to start calling you PD as i can not keep typing the other.

 

Go and look for yourself, and look at others taking in the full price range, make your decision as to what is acceptable and what is not, talk to several builders and you will soon get an feel for what is right or not, make sure the man you are dealing with is the builder and not just selling someones product with a mark up on top.

 

If nothing else it will give you lots of ideas for fitting out, take a camera with you, it is surprising what you forget over the next 12-24 months.

[phsycicdreamer]

I was wondering if anyone has any idea how much spray foam insulation is?

 

Is it something that can be done succesfully with diy skills or is it specialised?

 

Thanks.

[DHutch]

I was wondering if anyone has any idea how much spray foam insulation is?

- Is it something that can be done succesfully with diy skills or is it specialised?

You need all the specialized kit etc, and so you cant really do it yourself (i dont thing the stuff is avalable for hire)

 

- Im dont know how much it costs tho, although im sure somone will.

 

 

Daniel

[ChrisPy]

you can't flex the roof on my LB either, and being a widebeam it's 8ft wide.

 

foam and battening on my 57ft widebeam was £1,100.

 

 

nobody else can judge what you see in a shell. you have to visit the yards and see for yourself. for me LB quality is OK. design is simple and traditional. value for money - excellent.

[Richard Bustens]

HI

Ipaid £15 per cabin foot last year,

 

Chris

I saw one 3-4 years ago and the owner was showing me round it, he was not pleased with the roof and walked the length of the boat, and i could see it flexing

[John Orentas]

Liverpool Boats have quite rigid roofs, probably because of the quite pronounced radius, but it is no big deal is the roof bends a bit as long as it twangs out again, gives you a good reason to ban people from walking on it.

[ChrisPy]

HI

Ipaid £15 per cabin foot last year,

 

Chris

I saw one 3-4 years ago and the owner was showing me round it, he was not pleased with the roof and walked the length of the boat, and i could see it flexing

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that was 3-4 years ago.

[DHutch]

Our roof bends a bit when you walk on it, but its really not a big deal.

- its comes back again when you get off it, and you can see it for junk anyway!

 

Daniel

[FrankP]

I've been toying with the idea of putting a copper roof over my GRP top. Ever seen one? They last 100 years on a house. They age to a nice green patina.

[John Orentas]

Hi Frank.

 

Why not but it would not be cheap, a 2 x 1 metre sheet 0.7mm thick would cost £38 (£380 for a 30 ft. cabin) you could solder the joints and make it 100% waterproof. I would paint it though, green oxide would look a bit naff.

[ChrisPy]

slates or pantiles would look nice too

[Richard Bustens]

Yes Chris, and if he really wonted to go to town, he could have one of those pointy things like on top of a mosk.

[bottle]

Why not thatch it and then have a weather vane also the thatcher could put his trademark up there as well.