weed hatch needs extending

[coldor]

Hi all from a complete newbie in the Northampton area. We've just received the hull report on a boat we wanted to buy and all is fine except that the weed hatch requires extending upwards by 2 inches for the boat to be insurable. We'd be very grateful for any opinions on how easily this can be done and approximately how much it's likely to cost us. Thanks very much for any help with this problem.

(This is our 2nd try, the 1st boat we had surveyed had far too many problems so we went for a much "younger" NB)

[MikeV]

....the weed hatch requires extending upwards by 2 inches for the boat to be insurable.

Out of interest how high is the top of the weedhatch above the waterline? I believe 150mm is the recommended height. I know mine is less than that, and although my surveyor commented on it he didn't flag it as a major problem. Edited November 20, 2012 by MikeV

[Chalky]

Alternatively could you raise the height of the weed hatch by altering the ballast - is there too much?

[coldor]

Thanks very much MikeV & Chalky, I'll look into both suggestions today, cheers, coldor

[The Bagdad Boatman (waits)]

I had a box section made up with flanges at the top and bottom plus a clamp for the top plate then bolted the extension on.

[Boat&Bikes]

Id imagine the weedbox height will alter by several inches depending on how much fuel/fresh water you have on board? Im suprised the insurance company would ask for this measurement,is it part of the boat safety scheme?

 

Ian.

[Troyboy]

When I had my Peter Nichols built boat surveyed for insurance purposes a few years ago the surveyor commented on the height of the weedhatch not being as high as currently recommended but that didn't cause the insurers to refuse to insure it .

[coldor]

I had a box section made up with flanges at the top and bottom plus a clamp for the top plate then bolted the extension on.

 

That sounds like a very cunning solution, Bagdad Boatman, any pics available, please?

 

Id imagine the weedbox height will alter by several inches depending on how much fuel/fresh water you have on board? Im suprised the insurance company would ask for this measurement,is it part of the boat safety scheme?

 

Ian.

 

Hi Ian.

I doubt there's much fuel or water on board but there is an unused (ornamental?) Stratford 1910 stove in the stern area which we plan to get rid of and I suspect the difference in weight could well be significant.

The insurance requirement was only as stated by the surveyor so possibly due to new regs(?).

 

When I had my Peter Nichols built boat surveyed for insurance purposes a few years ago the surveyor commented on the height of the weedhatch not being as high as currently recommended but that didn't cause the insurers to refuse to insure it .

 

Hi Troyboy.

I've now been told by the brokers that we should be able to get her insured ok, even given the 2 inch extension requirement, she is actually insured at this time by the soon-to-be-previous owners. We'll probably go for Saga as we're oldies and my son & his missus both work for Saga.

[ditchcrawler]

That sounds like a very cunning solution, Bagdad Boatman, any pics available, please?

 

 

 

Hi Ian.

I doubt there's much fuel or water on board but there is an unused (ornamental?) Stratford 1910 stove in the stern area which we plan to get rid of and I suspect the difference in weight could well be significant.

The insurance requirement was only as stated by the surveyor so possibly due to new regs(?).

 

 

 

Hi Troyboy.

I've now been told by the brokers that we should be able to get her insured ok, even given the 2 inch extension requirement, she is actually insured at this time by the soon-to-be-previous owners. We'll probably go for Saga as we're oldies and my son & his missus both work for Saga.

Surveys for insurance normally only kick in at about 20 years old and then its up to the individual insurers what they want. I don't think you will find any regulation on a private boat regarding the hight of a weed hatch.

How old is the boat and who built her?

[coldor]

Surveys for insurance normally only kick in at about 20 years old and then its up to the individual insurers what they want. I don't think you will find any regulation on a private boat regarding the hight of a weed hatch.

How old is the boat and who built her?

 

Hi Ditchcrawler.

She was built in 1997 by Evans & son who I've been told are reputable boatbuilders.

[RLWP]

 

Hi Troyboy.

 

<snip> We'll probably go for Saga as we're oldies and my son & his missus both work for Saga.

 

 

Do shop around, Saga are not automatically the cheapest because you are an Oldie

 

Richard

[by'eck]

Hi all from a complete newbie in the Northampton area. We've just received the hull report on a boat we wanted to buy and all is fine except that the weed hatch requires extending upwards by 2 inches for the boat to be insurable. We'd be very grateful for any opinions on how easily this can be done and approximately how much it's likely to cost us. Thanks very much for any help with this problem.

(This is our 2nd try, the 1st boat we had surveyed had far too many problems so we went for a much "younger" NB)

 

Clearly the boat should have been built with the hatch top an adequate height above the water line. It might be worth investigating the ballast/weight distribution as mentioned, which may have caused a reduced clearance, since this could save a lot of work.

 

Remember that if necessary, after raising the hatch sides, the hatch plug/baffle will have to be extended similarly so its lower surface remains flush with the underside of the uxter plate.

Edited November 20, 2012 by by'eck

[Chris Pink]

Change your insurers not your weedhatch.

 

It makes absolutely no difference (within a foot) how much freeboard is in your weedhatch. If the cover's off while cruising you will sink.

 

As long as the top of the weedhatch flange is above your worst case waterline; full diesel, empty water it's fine.

[OldGoat]

Do shop around, Saga are not automatically the cheapest because you are an Oldie

 

Richard

 

 

Insurance is a comodity, brokers (that's who most folks have to work through) just don't have the specialist konwledge for some markets.

I'd have a look at what used to be Michael Stimpson now Towergate Mardon, now with his experience they have some understanding of the inland waterways conditions.

 

General yacht brokers aren't any better than the Saga type market - those nice people in Liverpool wanted me to have a drtyland survey every three years and it wasn't even an old boat....

[jelunga]

Try also Navigators and General.

[ditchcrawler]

Hi Ditchcrawler.

She was built in 1997 by Evans & son who I've been told are reputable boatbuilders.

Sounds good but at that age some insurance companies may be looking for a full hull survey, but a lot wont.

[David Schweizer]

Insurance is a comodity, brokers (that's who most folks have to work through) just don't have the specialist konwledge for some markets.

I'd have a look at what used to be Michael Stimpson now Towergate Mardon, now with his experience they have some understanding of the inland waterways conditions.

 

General yacht brokers aren't any better than the Saga type market - those nice people in Liverpool wanted me to have a drtyland survey every three years and it wasn't even an old boat....

Oh really? I have known Michael personally for years, but I don't rate his technical knowledge of boats very highly. Several years ago he was reluctant to insure our boat because the Hull survey stated that we had compression fittings on the sink waste pipes, he told met that we needed to change them to screwed fittings before he could insure it. When I challenged him it turned out that he thought compression fittings were the same as push fit! Doh!! I had to explain basic plumbing terminology to him.

Edited November 20, 2012 by David Schweizer

[coldor]

Wow, never expected so many helpful responses! Our grateful thanks to all of you who've responded (so far).

The gist seems to be to check out different insurers & to check the weight distribution both of which we will do.

I also like The Bagdad Boatman flanged box extension idea, very "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" style.

[ditchcrawler]

I also like The Bagdad Boatman flanged box extension idea, very "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" style.

That does depend on your hatch, It wouldn't be possible with mine as it backs on to the diesel tank and you can't get to that bit of the flange

[David Schweizer]

Wow, never expected so many helpful responses! Our grateful thanks to all of you who've responded (so far).

The gist seems to be to check out different insurers & to check the weight distribution both of which we will do.

I also like The Bagdad Boatman flanged box extension idea, very "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" style.

Yes a good idea, We have dropped Towergate Mardon because of their insistance that a perfectly sound boat be subjected to a totally unwarranted hull survey every five years at a cost of over £600. We have moved to SAGA who do not require a survey until the boat is forty years old (30 yrs for Springers!),and it was a few pounds cheaper.

 

Yes I know they don't know it is in sound condition, but I object to paying someone all that money for a few hours work especilly when they make mistakes in the report, and use the survey to try and drum up trade for their mates.

 

If I am still boating when I am 76 then I guess I will have to get a survey done, but I rather doubt it.

Edited November 20, 2012 by David Schweizer