Boat Swap???

[warlock]

Hello Folks,

 

Subject to a few small things (ie can I make it liveable) I'm very tempted to do a boat swap. Mine is a quite nicely fitted out narrow boat.

 

The swapper is a 1930s dutch barge that needs a lot of work doing on it by the sounds. It's also had a bit of over plating on the hull although I'm not sure how much. It's got an 18 month old survey and was recently blacked and new annodes.

 

So my question is would you take it on? it's got no shoreline mains, bathroom and not much of a kitchen so I'm not holding up much hope for the rest of it. But what do you think the kind of problems would be with a boat of this age?

 

It's an old but lovely boat and I've been told by the owner when it's finished it'll be worth twice what it is now.

 

The way I see it is like this, as long as I can quickly find a corner of the boat and make it liveable and get the bathroom sorted asap I could live with the rest and slowly do it up but would the other FMs consider such a swap?

 

Discuss...Cheers, Rob.

[wrigglefingers]

Hello Folks,

 

Subject to a few small things (ie can I make it liveable) I'm very tempted to do a boat swap. Mine is a quite nicely fitted out narrow boat.

 

The swapper is a 1930s dutch barge that needs a lot of work doing on it by the sounds. It's also had a bit of over plating on the hull although I'm not sure how much. It's got an 18 month old survey and was recently blacked and new annodes.

 

So my question is would you take it on? it's got no shoreline mains, bathroom and not much of a kitchen so I'm not holding up much hope for the rest of it. But what do you think the kind of problems would be with a boat of this age?

 

It's an old but lovely boat and I've been told by the owner when it's finished it'll be worth twice what it is now.

 

The way I see it is like this, as long as I can quickly find a corner of the boat and make it liveable and get the bathroom sorted asap I could live with the rest and slowly do it up but would the other FMs consider such a swap?

 

Discuss...Cheers, Rob.

 

Whoa there Trigger!

 

I gather you haven't seen it yet, and personally I would be inclined to take the owner's valuation of it finished or not with a pinch of salt.

 

Going over it with a interested but critical friend might be a good idea. Some thorough questioning might be in order before you leap in with both feet and really good surveyor is also needed. Not sure where you are but if it's in the south I was really impressed with Chris Berry who did the survey on Surprise last weekend - he's a full marine surveyor. As for potential problems .....

 

All I can tell you is that some friends bought a 1928 Schaltjalk (think that's right) and are still 'renovating' it some eight years later. It's cost a fortune (twice the initial purchase cost), she's still not finished but she does look lovely.

 

Good luck, but have a really close look first.

 

Shep

[carlt]

No contest!

 

I'd take the real boat but that is my own personal preference based on entirely emotional reasoning.

 

I'd rather have a semi derelict classic than a brand new luxury clonecraft.

[warlock]

Obviously a GOOD look will be had, and more than a peruse over the last survey. I think all old boats are unfinished aren't they? I mean, Colin ain't that old but I've still got a list as long as my arm of jobs I'd like to do!

 

But if it's just interior and cosmetic stuff then I'm with Carl, I need a boat to keep me out of the pub when I'm skint and shouldn't be there!

 

I'll be honest, she ain't the prettiest but as a live-a-board she'd be great...when she's finished!

 

But calm down Warlock..You've not seen her yet.

Edited September 21, 2009 by warlock

[Smelly]

No contest!

 

I'd take the real boat but that is my own personal preference based on entirely emotional reasoning.

 

I'd rather have a semi derelict classic than a brand new luxury clonecraft.

 

And me, but I am, after all, a fool so don't listen to me...

 

Bagpuss probably would as well and the cats would love lots of hidey holes.

 

My bank manager would kill me tho (but sod him)

[warlock]

And me, but I am, after all, a fool so don't listen to me...

 

Bagpuss probably would as well and the cats would love lots of hidey holes.

 

My bank manager would kill me tho (but sod him)

The bank manager need never know!

[fuzzyduck]

No contest!

 

I'd take the real boat but that is my own personal preference based on entirely emotional reasoning.

 

I'd rather have a semi derelict classic than a brand new luxury clonecraft.

 

Me three, although it would have to be lumpy water capable.

[warlock]

I dunno how lumpy water capable it is.

 

It's just dawned on me that it's 80 years old!!! How worried should I be?

[Chertsey]

I dunno how lumpy water capable it is.

 

It's just dawned on me that it's 80 years old!!! How worried should I be?

Well, I've just bought one that's 73 on the strength of a half-hour viewing. Youth isn't everything.

Surely the thing to do is set aside the swap element, and approach it as if it were a straight purchase, the price being the value of your current boat.

That's the sensible thing, of course, so possibly not relevant in the circumstances.

Edited September 21, 2009 by WarriorWoman

[warlock]

Well, I've just bought one that's 73 on the basis of a half-hour viewing. Youth isn't everything.

Oh sweet lord!!! I assume you had a survey etc. What's the interior like? Is it a fixer-upper?

 

And you're right about treating it as a sale..that's what I intend to do.

Edited September 21, 2009 by warlock

[Chertsey]

Oh sweet lord!!! I assume you had a survey etc. What's the interior like? Is it a fixer-upper?

 

And you're right about treating it as a sale..that's what I intend to do.

Survey? Interior?

 

But admittedly, I did take a very well regarded boatbuilder/restorer with me in lieu of a survey. With two other people viewing at the same time and an ad due to go in Waterways World the next day, I couldn't really be seen to faff around.

 

Good luck with yours.

[andywatson]

And me, but I am, after all, a fool so don't listen to me...

 

Bagpuss probably would as well and the cats would love lots of hidey holes.

 

My bank manager would kill me tho (but sod him)

 

Don't worry about the bank manager's evaluation.

They don't know sh1t from hot butter.

If they'd invested in clapped out boats we'd all be in much better shape.

[mrsmelly]

Hello Folks,

 

Subject to a few small things (ie can I make it liveable) I'm very tempted to do a boat swap. Mine is a quite nicely fitted out narrow boat.

 

The swapper is a 1930s dutch barge that needs a lot of work doing on it by the sounds. It's also had a bit of over plating on the hull although I'm not sure how much. It's got an 18 month old survey and was recently blacked and new annodes.

 

So my question is would you take it on? it's got no shoreline mains, bathroom and not much of a kitchen so I'm not holding up much hope for the rest of it. But what do you think the kind of problems would be with a boat of this age?

 

It's an old but lovely boat and I've been told by the owner when it's finished it'll be worth twice what it is now.

 

The way I see it is like this, as long as I can quickly find a corner of the boat and make it liveable and get the bathroom sorted asap I could live with the rest and slowly do it up but would the other FMs consider such a swap?

 

Discuss...Cheers, Rob.

 

If u like it buy it, ya cant do it when your dead and this life is not a rehearsal...........!!

[wrigglefingers]

Survey? Interior?

 

But admittedly, I did take a very well regarded boatbuilder/restorer with me in lieu of a survey. With two other people viewing at the same time and an ad due to go in Waterways World the next day, I couldn't really be seen to faff around.

 

Good luck with yours.

 

 

Ooh! she looks nice ...... Spend the inheritance I say - that's what Ellen's resigned to ....

[warlock]

Survey? Interior?

 

But admittedly, I did take a very well regarded boatbuilder/restorer with me in lieu of a survey. With two other people viewing at the same time and an ad due to go in Waterways World the next day, I couldn't really be seen to faff around.

 

Good luck with yours.

Oh lordy!! A big job has broke out! (As we used to say on building sites)

 

If u like it buy it, ya cant do it when your dead and this life is not a rehearsal...........!!

Right, you're on.

 

Just a thought, as it's a 'real' boat rather than a luxury clonecraft will it make me more manly and attractive to the opposite sex?

Edited September 22, 2009 by warlock

[carlt]

Just a thought, as it's a 'real' boat rather than a luxury clonecraft will it make me more manly and attractive to the opposite sex?

It did the job for me.

[warlock]

It did the job for me.

Brilliant..I've got skinny girl arms and I need to 'butch up'.

[carlt]

Brilliant..I've got skinny girl arms and I need to 'butch up'.

Oh you'll need a wooden narrow boat, then.

 

Thirty foot planks of oak being lifted into the sides of hulls soon beefs you up a bit.

 

Of course, switching to girly double diagonal mahogany planks quickly turns the muscle to fat (from one who knows).

[warlock]

Oh you'll need a wooden narrow boat, then.

 

Thirty foot planks of oak being lifted into the sides of hulls soon beefs you up a bit.

 

Of course, switching to girly double diagonal mahogany planks quickly turns the muscle to fat (from one who knows).

Hang on a minute..I don't want to star in some kind of Diet Coke advert! I couldn't cope with a wooden boat, I can't cut straight!

[carlt]

Hang on a minute..I don't want to star in some kind of Diet Coke advert! I couldn't cope with a wooden boat, I can't cut straight!

This is me collecting some new fenders, when I had a wooden work boat:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this is me now:

[Barry]

Oi!!!

 

What are you doing with Janet's favourite picture?

[bargemast]

I dunno how lumpy water capable it is.

 

It's just dawned on me that it's 80 years old!!! How worried should I be?

 

 

The age of 80 years shouldn't really have to worry you, as long as it has been maintained and old steel doesn't rust as fast as the new stuff. I used to own a big fat "TJALK" that did the Baltic trade in the days that there was little inland work in Holland, to the Scandinavian countries with salt and back with wood. this tuff lady was built in 1897 and I bought her in 1975 cut-out the 10m that they had lenghtened her in the early 60 ties and made her into an hotel-barge, she has changed owners at least twice since, but is still going strong at the age of 112 now, and trading still as an hotel-barge in the laguna of Venice. So yours of 80 is still only a baby, but maybe not in as sound condition, have a good survey done, so you know what you are getting yourself into, and ENJOY it.

 

Peter.

[Janet S]

What are you doing with Janet's favourite picture?

 

Phwoarrrrrr!!!!!!!

 

Janet

[warlock]

The age of 80 years shouldn't really have to worry you, as long as it has been maintained and old steel doesn't rust as fast as the new stuff. I used to own a big fat "TJALK" that did the Baltic trade in the days that there was little inland work in Holland, to the Scandinavian countries with salt and back with wood. this tuff lady was built in 1897 and I bought her in 1975 cut-out the 10m that they had lenghtened her in the early 60 ties and made her into an hotel-barge, she has changed owners at least twice since, but is still going strong at the age of 112 now, and trading still as an hotel-barge in the laguna of Venice. So yours of 80 is still only a baby, but maybe not in as sound condition, have a good survey done, so you know what you are getting yourself into, and ENJOY it.

 

Peter.

WEll I'm now not so sure about the swap factor anymore. This only came up while chatting to the guy on the phone about it. If it really is as bare on the inside that I think I'm gonna need a lot of bread to throw at it. I reckon I can get 2k more for my boat than he wants for his so having that in the bank will go a long way towards making it habitable. I think I'm gonna tell him he'll have to wait until I've sold mine or he'll have to throw a few quid in my pocket to sweeten the deal. It's taken me 3 years to get mine cosy and there wasn't anything wrong with it's interior!

 

We shall see tho..somehow it will be mine!