Opinions and advice on my first boat

[mark99]

It's a bad sign the seller trying to persuade you she doesn't need a survey, it should be the other way round.

 

 

The seller pays nothing for a survey but if a survey takes place, the risk is the survey will put off the buyer or be the cause of downwards renegotiation. Hence if the seller is dismissive about a survey, I would take that as an underlined tick in the "must survey" box.

 

I would rather hear from the seller "surveyor hell yes, bring them on" because, if the survey is good it will underpin the sale.

 

Blacking a 4 year <in water> old boat = one recoat. Hardly religious.

Edited December 3, 2014 by mark99

[Loafer]

You could also use the cost of the survey as a bargaining tool. If successful, and as a result you buy the boat, the seller knocks off the price of the survey...

[sirweste]

Cheers for all the replies. I've emailed in reply to say I will get a survey post viewing.

 

Very useful advice about feeling for pitting.

Engine wise I'm confident, having rebuilt a couple of engines in the past.

 

Other boats I'm hoping to see I this weekend;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171547356602 Issue here is the headroom potentially. It is however about 2 miles from my family home which is a bonus!

http://www.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=394238 This I need to check isn't too long to get it where I might need to.

 

But both seem expensive compared to the original to me...

[matty40s]

Cattybrook looks like one of the old "...weed" hire boats from the Weedon hire centre.

The second one is 25 years old,however it has been used , you need to find out what the maintenance they say needs to be done this year is.

 

Both boats, hull survey non-negotiable for me.

[Bod]

No the boat has not had a survey, the reason being I have had the boat 4 years and blacked it religiously every 2 years, when I bought it, the boat had only been in the water 6 weeks from new. So it has only been in the water 4 years despite being 7 years old. When the boat went into dry dock in September I had the hull stripped right back ready for the hempatex and we didn't think it needed it since there was very little pitting let alone serious corrosion.

The boat is second hand and I bought it as a lined she'll, which I ended up ripping out and redoing because it was done badly.

I can try to get some photos of the engine bay, however it is pitch black and I don't think I have any to hand. I'll try to get some to you though.

If you would like a survey then please feel free to organise one and we can try to get it done, however I honestly don't think it needs it since it has only been I the water 4 years.

I hope this helps

 

 

Should this boat be R.C.D. compliant?

Hopefully others will know the correct answer.

 

Bod

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=68780&hl=%2Brecreational+%2Bcraft+%2Bdirective

 

Edit to add link to previous topic.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Bod

[Athy]

Both of them knock seven shades of sherbet out of your first choice, in my opinion. The first one looks a good bet in most regards: one owner fr9m new, so in all likelihood a well looked-after family boat, appears to be in good condition. It's nice to discover what the person who designed the interior sets for 'Downton Abbey' wa sdoing previously, too. To me this boat shouts out "home" and "comfort", though to some people it would shout out "fussy" and "old-fashioned".

 

Both the licence and the safety cert. run out at the end of this month, so I guess the owner wants a quick sale. There's something in the wording of his bit about sales procedure which suggests to me that he might be inflexible to deal with, but I could be way wrong here.

 

Cattybrook did probably start life as one of Concoform Marine's "Weed" hire boats but she has been considerably modified since her hiring days; the interior looks quite new from the photos, and appears well made. It does make the boat look like a shaker kitchen throughout, mind. She sounds rather under-engined for such a big boat.

 

Oh, and the first one (which seems to be anonymous) has central heating. It is not clear whether the second one has - and if not, a stove at one end is unlikely to heat her right through despite the open plan layout.

 

I would certainly view the first one if I were looking for that type of boat.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Athy

[wrigglefingers]

Should this boat be R.C.D. compliant?

Hopefully others will know the correct answer.

 

Bod

Not if she's seven years old.

[Bod]

Not if she's seven years old.

 

I think it is 5 years from compleation, not years afloat, that is the sticking point.

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=68780&hl=%2Brecreational+%2Bcraft+%2Bdirective

 

I've added this link to my post, hopefully it explains much better.

 

 

Bod

[Athy]

 

I think it is 5 years from compleation, not years afloat, that is the sticking point.

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=68780&hl=%2Brecreational+%2Bcraft+%2Bdirective

 

I've added this link to my post, hopefully it explains much better.

 

 

Bod

Does this apply to boats which are not on CART waters, as this one isn't?

[wrigglefingers]

I think the RCD compliance rules apply to EA waters in the same way.

 

I would pay very close attention to he quality of the welding around the stretch on the TT Marine shell. It's not unknown for boats to end up with a kink in them. Equally, the heat from the welding can cause previously straight panels to decoil to produce buckling.

[Athy]

I think the RCD compliance rules apply to EA waters in the same way.

 

I would pay very close attention to he quality of the welding around the stretch on the TT Marine shell. It's not unknown for boats to end up with a kink in them. Equally, the heat from the welding can cause previously straight panels to decoil to produce buckling.

A good point, and one which I had not thought of. Would such a kink affect the boat's handling?

[sirweste]

Both of them knock seven shades of sherbet out of your first choice, in my opinion. The first one looks a good bet in most regards: one owner fr9m new, so in all likelihood a well looked-after family boat, appears to be in good condition. It's nice to discover what the person who designed the interior sets for 'Downton Abbey' wa sdoing previously, too. To me this boat shouts out "home" and "comfort", though to some people it would shout out "fussy" and "old-fashioned".

 

Both the licence and the safety cert. run out at the end of this month, so I guess the owner wants a quick sale. There's something in the wording of his bit about sales procedure which suggests to me that he might be inflexible to deal with, but I could be way wrong here.

 

Cattybrook did probably start life as one of Concoform Marine's "Weed" hire boats but she has been considerably modified since her hiring days; the interior looks quite new from the photos, and appears well made. It does make the boat look like a shaker kitchen throughout, mind. She sounds rather under-engined for such a big boat.

 

Oh, and the first one (which seems to be anonymous) has central heating. It is not clear whether the second one has - and if not, a stove at one end is unlikely to heat her right through despite the open plan layout.

 

I would certainly view the first one if I were looking for that type of boat.

 

See to me the first one (ebay) looks like not such a good by compared to the original boat. Way older with a interior and not somewhere I'd want to live! Other than personal preference for the kit out - is there a reason why you think these two are better? They both had the same amount of owners, so thats not a factor.

 

I'm going to try to view them all anyway, just to give myself a better grounding before I see the original

[wrigglefingers]

A good point, and one which I had not thought of. Would such a kink affect the boat's handling?

It can do, I knew a stretched boat that ended up banana-shaped and steered with a definite slip to the side. It required constant correction, it was manageable but not comfortable after a few hours. If you lost concentration for a few seconds, your next conversation would involve the bank or the trees. Not ideal. She underwent two surveys that resulted in the buyers withdrawing and she was eventually sold to someone without a survey. Memo to self ... Don't buy a boat down the pub when drunk springs to mind ...

 

In principle, a stretch should be okay, after all, you're just adding extra steel to the bow and stern, but in the hands of a less experienced or scrupulous builder, there can be problems.

[wrigglefingers]

See to me the first one (ebay) looks like not such a good by compared to the original boat. Way older with a interior and not somewhere I'd want to live! Other than personal preference for the kit out - is there a reason why you think these two are better? They both had the same amount of owners, so thats not a factor.

 

I'm going to try to view them all anyway, just to give myself a better grounding before I see the original

Go and see lots of boats - go to a broker - look at all of them physically. They won't vanish overnight and if they do, well, there's plenty out there. You can't rush this one, otherwise you'll regret it. Do your sums realistically, it's not as cheap living on a boat as some claim either, especially in winter and far harder work than you imagine. Ask yourself why you want to live on a boat, if it's just cheap living, you won't be able to sustain that for long, because it isn't particularly, especially if you need a mooring. If you like boats and water and are self-sufficient, well, that's enough. And take your time; we all enjoy playing fantasy boats, perusing boat porn and daydreaming but seeing and feeling them gives you a much, much better idea.

[sirweste]

Yep I am seeing a few first, point noted.

I have done some sums and research and it seems like £350 - £400 per month is a sensible figure. Which in my opinion is a good price, certainly better than continuing to throw money away on rent. The big motivating factor is that it's going to be cheaper and it can move! Boats wise I'm not too fussy, I do love the idea of punting along though. And finally work wise it doesn't seem too hard like, but I guess I'll have to try it to see aye.

 

Cheere for the replies

[bottle]

Sorry to not have come back about your question, I googled his phone number and another boat popped up on Apollo Duck but it was de listed, cannot find it now.

 

Just to add your monthly figures may be a little low, especially if you need to have a mooring.

[sirweste]

I just had a google for the phone number (only did the name before) and again I coulnt find anything in googles cache.

 

Interesting, what I'v read said that £400 per month is average. What do other folks feel the monthly cost is then?

[Athy]

. Do your sums realistically, it's not as cheap living on a boat as some claim either,

Sir W. won't know this, but we've covered this ground many times on the forum over the years. I think the principal saving, compared with a dwelling on land, is in the initial purchase price. Even oop North, £35,0000 (the price range in which Sir W. is looking) would not buy you many bricks or much mortar.

[Loafer]

What are you assuming to be 'costs'?

 

Just mooring, or all the other factors like maintenance, insurance, coal, diesel, red wine, etc?

[sirweste]

yep fair enough, I will dig further into costs then.

My costs include everything for the whole year, fuel, ins, licence, blackening (every 2 obv.) etc etc.

 

I still think it will work out cheaper than renting a place on my own per month, but definitely not cheaper per month than owning a house.

 

Either way I'll look into this, i figure it's come up many many times.

[Loafer]

I know people who live on almost nothing. I couldn't do it though. Your mooring needs will have to be studied - I can't tell from the above what you are planning to do with your boat. If you have no home mooring, then mooring costs can be removed. You then enter a contract with CRT that you will not remain in one place for more than 14 days. That may not suit your employment needs, although you might risk 'hiding under the radar'.

 

It's not easy to suggest how much you need to live on. My requirements may differ from yours. EG, food isn't a necessity. Red wine IS.

Electricity generation costs too. Petrol, diesel, solar, wind, they all cost.

License?

Insurance?

Is your suggested £400 a month needing to pay for all of the above?

 

This is a good forum for first-timers. I'm sure there are many past posts that refer you to exactly the information you're looking for. Hopefully someone will come along with the right links soon!

[Proper Job]

If your at work for 8 hours 5 days a week thats a lot of wasted heat and coal! Better to get an instant form of heating as well.

 

My stove gets lit in October('ish) and will stay lit for as many months as necessary

 

If you manage your stove properly, you close it in overnight and when you're away during the day (that gives a low level back ground heat). When you get in, open up the bottom - instant heat

[Loafer]

It's probably cheaper to keep it going, innit? Coming home to a freezing boat will cause lots of coal to be burned quickly, and will still take ages for the fabric and structure of the boat to warm up.

 

I don't care what coal costs. The boat has to be warm, or else I lose Mrs Loafer, and that means I die.

[sirweste]

I'll have another go at calculating to monthly costs, but even if I'm out by £100 per month it's still cheaper than renting so I'm not really arsed.

Will be a bit of fun to live on and tinker with a boat for a couple of years or so too.

 

I also plan to have the fire running constantly. No point letting all the latent heat dissipate is there.

[Proper Job]

It's probably cheaper to keep it going, innit? Coming home to a freezing boat will cause lots of coal to be burned quickly, and will still take ages for the fabric and structure of the boat to warm up.

 

I don't care what coal costs. The boat has to be warm, or else I lose Mrs Loafer, and that means I die.

 

And a lot more comfortable.

 

As you say, the internal fabric of the boat soon cools down and it takes a lot to get it warm again (no matter how thick your insulation is).