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Help with things to check on project boat

Verboaten

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Verboaten

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Hello all,

 

Sorry for the long post and the rather basic questions, I am a genius with computers but a complete novice when it comes to boats.

I have recently become the owner of another cabin cruiser after receiving a second chance offer on eBay and am after some advice/guidance on renovating her.

 

This was the original advert:

20ft Cabin Cruiser

Chenise is a great little family cruiser ideal for both river and sea, she has a forward cabin equipped with sink, work tops, bench seating with storage under, top hatch with integrated fan and two under counter cupboards. The V shaped hull is designed to form a bed with the appropriate cushions and boarding. A 12v inverter is fitted to power 240v equipment via the solar charged battery such as dvd player, radio etc.

The rear deck has a full canopy witch has recently been re-proofed, the flooring is decking planks with an access panel to the electric bilge pump. Bench seating with loads of storage under including manual bilge pump. Water from the bilge and sink is ejected via built in ports. Steering wheel and remote controls for the main engine, cabin door with padlock clasp, window and port hole with removable panel.

The decks have anti slip plates, bow rails, bow anchor roller, tie off points etc. 2x nav lights and 1x rod holder.

Main Engine.

Mercury 40hp (pull start) connected to remote steering and controls, last serviced November 2014. Great motor and moves her along on both river and sea. (see below)

Auxiliary Motor.

Mariner 2hp. Small unit but pushes her along to get you home if main engine should fail. Recent service with new impeller, oil etc.

Chenise is a great boat and has given us some good family weekend fishing / cruising etc. She is currently moored at Heybridge Basin in Essex offering great cruising and fishing and access to the sea via the manned sea lock. It is possible to sail to Chelmsford stopping off at supermarkets and pubs on the way for great family days out. (Moorings available)

Chenise was bought with the intention of a full refurbishment but enjoyed her so much we never got round to it and just enjoyed her “as is”. We have now purchased a larger boat hence this sale.

Bad Bits.

Used boat 2 weeks ago and all fine but now can’t start main engine, started to rub down cabin but never finished. Needs some TLC but will come good. Viewing welcomed and encouraged. Was purchased in this location so no trailer. If you buy to remove she will need to be sailed through sea lock to a slip way about 15 min sail at the cost of £30 to use slip way. (aux engine will get you there) Less than 10 feedback score please contact me before bidding! UK buyers only. You bid to buy, not view or haggle so please come and view if you have any concerns as this is now relisted and I really need the mooring for new boat

Pictures can be viewed here: http://s287.photobucket.com/user/southeastbikers/library/Chenice?sort=3&page=1

 

The pictures are from two adverts, the original sale in August, which apparently fell through (and then the Mercury outboard unit stopped working) and how it looks now with the yellow/green interior, sink, and worktop units.
She is cosmetically a tidy cabin cruiser but I need help with creating a 'plan' of things required to have her canal/seaworthy as I wish to take her from her current moorings out of the sealock and around to other rivers/routes (she is currently on a 13mile navigation that does not connect to anything else)

So far I have secured the rights to her moorings and insured her with AIG (Insured her as a Microplus, although any confirmation would be great!), and thankfully at this stage she does not require a BSC due to being moored at the Basin, but obviously this would be necessary to take her on either the current navigation or any other inland waters.

My first priority is to have the outboard repaired and hopefully have this running, having no experience of outboards and limited experiences of boats in general this will certainly be an adventure/challenge, I am currently attempting to contact the previous owner to obtain the 'auxilary engine' mentioned in the advert as this was not left on the boat, nor were any batteries or other marine items.

 

My questions are:

  • The boat apparently has 2 navigation lights but I have not seen a fuse panel like we have on our other boat, infact I am not sure how any of the electrical components are being powered so would like to fit a fuse panel, are these panels difficult to wire in yourself and do they need to meet any sort of requirements? What one would I require?
  • According to the advert, there was a small auxilary engine (which we are still attempting to obtain), other boats we have seen have these mounted on a square block that protudes from one side of the transom, but our boat does not have this, is there a specialist mount we require to mount this next to the main engine?
  • I aim to kit out the interior further, do I require a particular foam/wood for this purpose?
  • I am not a fan of the padlock/clasp cabin lock, are there any issues with fitting a general yale-type door lock to cabin doors?

I'm sure I will come across more on a closer inspection over the weekend, but all help for now is much appreciated!

Edited by Verboaten
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W+T Influencer

W+T

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hello all,

 

Sorry for the long post and the rather basic questions, I am a genius with computers but a complete novice when it comes to boats.

 

I have recently become the owner of another cabin cruiser after receiving a second chance offer on eBay and am after some advice/guidance on renovating her.

 

This was the original advert:

 

20ft Cabin Cruiser

Chenise is a great little family cruiser ideal for both river and sea, she has a forward cabin equipped with sink, work tops, bench seating with storage under, top hatch with integrated fan and two under counter cupboards. The V shaped hull is designed to form a bed with the appropriate cushions and boarding. A 12v inverter is fitted to power 240v equipment via the solar charged battery such as dvd player, radio etc.

The rear deck has a full canopy witch has recently been re-proofed, the flooring is decking planks with an access panel to the electric bilge pump. Bench seating with loads of storage under including manual bilge pump. Water from the bilge and sink is ejected via built in ports. Steering wheel and remote controls for the main engine, cabin door with padlock clasp, window and port hole with removable panel.

The decks have anti slip plates, bow rails, bow anchor roller, tie off points etc. 2x nav lights and 1x rod holder.

Main Engine.

Mercury 40hp (pull start) connected to remote steering and controls, last serviced November 2014. Great motor and moves her along on both river and sea. (see below)

Auxiliary Motor.

Mariner 2hp. Small unit but pushes her along to get you home if main engine should fail. Recent service with new impeller, oil etc.

Chenise is a great boat and has given us some good family weekend fishing / cruising etc. She is currently moored at Heybridge Basin in Essex offering great cruising and fishing and access to the sea via the manned sea lock. It is possible to sail to Chelmsford stopping off at supermarkets and pubs on the way for great family days out. (Moorings available)

Chenise was bought with the intention of a full refurbishment but enjoyed her so much we never got round to it and just enjoyed her “as is”. We have now purchased a larger boat hence this sale.

Bad Bits.

Used boat 2 weeks ago and all fine but now can’t start main engine, started to rub down cabin but never finished. Needs some TLC but will come good. Viewing welcomed and encouraged. Was purchased in this location so no trailer. If you buy to remove she will need to be sailed through sea lock to a slip way about 15 min sail at the cost of £30 to use slip way. (aux engine will get you there) Less than 10 feedback score please contact me before bidding! UK buyers only. You bid to buy, not view or haggle so please come and view if you have any concerns as this is now relisted and I really need the mooring for new boat

 

Pictures can be viewed here: http://s287.photobucket.com/user/southeastbikers/library/Chenice?sort=3&page=1

 

The pictures are from two adverts, the original sale in August, which apparently fell through (and then the Mercury outboard unit stopped working) and how it looks now with the yellow/green interior, sink, and worktop units.

She is cosmetically a tidy cabin cruiser but I need help with creating a 'plan' of things required to have her canal/seaworthy as I wish to take her from her current moorings out of the sealock and around to other rivers/routes (she is currently on a 13mile navigation that does not connect to anything else)

 

So far I have secured the rights to her moorings and insured her with AIG (Insured her as a Microplus, although any confirmation would be great!), and thankfully at this stage she does not require a BSC due to being moored at the Basin, but obviously this would be necessary to take her on either the current navigation or any other inland waters.

My first priority is to have the outboard repaired and hopefully have this running, having no experience of outboards and limited experiences of boats in general this will certainly be an adventure/challenge, I am currently attempting to contact the previous owner to obtain the 'auxilary engine' mentioned in the advert as this was not left on the boat, nor were any batteries or other marine items.

 

My questions are:

 

  • The boat apparently has 2 navigation lights but I have not seen a fuse panel like we have on our other boat, infact I am not sure how any of the electrical components are being powered so would like to fit a fuse panel, are these panels difficult to wire in yourself and do they need to meet any sort of requirements? What one would I require?
  • According to the advert, there was a small auxilary engine (which we are still attempting to obtain), other boats we have seen have these mounted on a square block that protudes from one side of the transom, but our boat does not have this, is there a specialist mount we require to mount this next to the main engine?
  • I aim to kit out the interior further, do I require a particular foam/wood for this purpose?
  • I am not a fan of the padlock/clasp cabin lock, are there any issues with fitting a general yale-type door lock to cabin doors?

I'm sure I will come across more on a closer inspection over the weekend, but all help for now is much appreciated!

 

 

Hi there, good to see a cruiser about, not many about on here.

All i can offer is decide first what you want from it and what needs changing, then decide which changes can wait. In other words prioritise the jobs.

 

To answer the Q`s

 

1 what i would do si to follow the leads from battery to where ever they go, a fuse box is easy to fit, very basic things for boats.The wiring in need to be a certain size for the BSC, but most good chandlers will sell the size needed.

2 For the aux engine you jsut need a bracket as in this type of thing

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUXILIARY-MOTOR-BRACKET-15HP-40KGS-ALUMINIUM-OUTBOARD-ENGINE-BOAT-/360471395687?hash=item53edc4fd67

 

3 For the interior, use what ever your taste and budget allows really, you can use ply, lamniated MDF, basic MDF, best to use water prrof MDF, but aslong as you dont let the boat get badly damp or sink it will be fine as you can still seal basic MDF whilst painting it. For the cabin top i am going to use a carpet as used in camper vans and wagons when they line them out. Dont use polystyrene for insulation, it reacts wire electrical cables and is nasty when set of fire. seating foam is better for seats and Kinspan or Celotex is best for insulation, or the cheaper makes, all do the same.

 

4 For locks you can use anything but the more secure you make it the more damage will be made when/if they break in. I would just keep all expensive items off the boat when not in use.

 

As said by Alan, i would sell the engine you have and get a 5-10hp enigne, plenty of power for rivers and canals, if going out to sea then a 25hp could be a good all rounder if the boats transom is in good nick.

 

Enjoy, i am smile.png

 

EDIT FOR ENGINE SIZE 25hp not 2hp

Edited by W+T
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Verboaten Explorer

Verboaten

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Thank you so much for the replies and for confirming what I previously thought regarding the outboard, I'm not looking to head out to sea at any point but more into estuaries and onto the thames.
I do not leave any expensive items on the boat and from what I've seen the neighbouring boaters are quick to challenge anyone they do not know, I simply wish to secure the cabin better than an easily removable padlock/clasp combo.

I don't believe the cabin is that much of a project that it needs everything doing, short of completing the rub down and repainting I think it is pretty manageable as is, just need to add a few more bits of wood to cover storage holes and a table for the middle that can be dropped to create a bed. :)

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W+T Influencer

W+T

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Thank you so much for the replies and for confirming what I previously thought regarding the outboard, I'm not looking to head out to sea at any point but more into estuaries and onto the thames.

I do not leave any expensive items on the boat and from what I've seen the neighbouring boaters are quick to challenge anyone they do not know, I simply wish to secure the cabin better than an easily removable padlock/clasp combo.

 

I don't believe the cabin is that much of a project that it needs everything doing, short of completing the rub down and repainting I think it is pretty manageable as is, just need to add a few more bits of wood to cover storage holes and a table for the middle that can be dropped to create a bed. smile.png

 

Thank you so much for the replies and for confirming what I previously thought regarding the outboard, I'm not looking to head out to sea at any point but more into estuaries and onto the thames.

I do not leave any expensive items on the boat and from what I've seen the neighbouring boaters are quick to challenge anyone they do not know, I simply wish to secure the cabin better than an easily removable padlock/clasp combo.

 

I don't believe the cabin is that much of a project that it needs everything doing, short of completing the rub down and repainting I think it is pretty manageable as is, just need to add a few more bits of wood to cover storage holes and a table for the middle that can be dropped to create a bed. smile.png

 

 

Are you going to paint the inside of the cabin sides/roof, not a good thing to do due to condensation, maybe ok for a day boat but not for overnight as condensation will be bad, carpeted and stuck down with contact adhesive, not spray glue will help there ;).

Sounds and looks and easy project, one that you can cruise and enjoy at the same time.

Good to know when you have concerning boating neighbours isnt it.

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Verboaten Explorer

Verboaten

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Are you going to paint the inside of the cabin sides/roof, not a good thing to do due to condensation, maybe ok for a day boat but not for overnight as condensation will be bad, carpeted and stuck down with contact adhesive, not spray glue will help there wink.png.

Sounds and looks and easy project, one that you can cruise and enjoy at the same time.

Good to know when you have concerning boating neighbours isnt it.

 

That's a good point, I only said repaint as that is what it already had and what I presumed the previous owner was doing, although I believe he used the boat as a day fishing boat as opposed to the canal cruiser I hope to turn her into.

 

Would carpet like this be sufficient? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ACOUSTIC-CARPET-CLOTH-BASS-BOX-SHELF-CAR-VAN-TRIM-CAMPER-CARPET-FELT-GLUE-/171688478304?var=470657701558&hash=item27f96e4660

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RLWP Veteran II

RLWP

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I'd check what the abrasion resistance was like. Felt stuff often rubs up into balls and sausages which fall off

 

Richard

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John V Veteran

John V

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This might be of interest to you.

http://www.harrisonstrimsupplies.co.uk/

 

I bought the headlining material that I used on Shapfell from here

 

Incidentally if you are going to use your boat to go down the coast to the Thames from Maldon I would recommend that you have something a bit more powerful than the 2 Hp mentioned. I have a similar day fishing boat (Shetland) which has a 40Hp Suzuki which gets it up onto the plane quite easily but drinks fuel. Providing you only want sufficient speed to make a passage in good conditions, as Alan mentioned earlier a 10 or 15Hp is easily enough. A 40Hp Mercury though is a decent engine and if you can repair it fairly cheaply you would be able to sell it for enough to buy a newish 15Hp, however if you get it repaired, use it locally and for sea trips, as even throttled back you should pop along at a decent pace and you could find yourself wanting to keep it

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W+T Influencer

W+T

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This might be of interest to you.

http://www.harrisonstrimsupplies.co.uk/

 

I bought the headlining material that I used on Shapfell from here

 

Incidentally if you are going to use your boat to go down the coast to the Thames from Maldon I would recommend that you have something a bit more powerful than the 2 Hp mentioned. I have a similar day fishing boat (Shetland) which has a 40Hp Suzuki which gets it up onto the plane quite easily but drinks fuel. Providing you only want sufficient speed to make a passage in good conditions, as Alan mentioned earlier a 10 or 15Hp is easily enough. A 40Hp Mercury though is a decent engine and if you can repair it fairly cheaply you would be able to sell it for enough to buy a newish 15Hp, however if you get it repaired, use it locally and for sea trips, as even throttled back you should pop along at a decent pace and you could find yourself wanting to keep it

 

 

Just edited it, i was meant to put 25hp,

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Verboaten Explorer

Verboaten

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Thanks for your help, I think I'm getting it but more newbie questions to come! icecream.gif


Also I have a mad idea to turn the boat into a single person 'liveaboard'/weekender but obviously space is tight on her, I'm thinking of utilizing an internal pod/pop up toilet tent within the cockpit area that can house a portapotti.

So far my ideas are:
Secure cabin door using Yale style lock
Fit a table leg socket in the floor and create a adjustable table that drops to fill the gap to create a bed when lowered, all without having to be removed.
(I am presuming it is safe/ok to cut into the cabin floor to fit the table leg socket?)boat.gif
Cover the ceiling with campervan carpet as advised.
Create 12V power through a battery bank, I've currently got a 100ah deep cycle leisure battery that I plan on storing in its battery box inside one of the cupboards.
Fit a bigger solar panel to keep aforementioned battery charged when not in use.
Fit 12V Led lighting and fuse panel for all auxiliaries.

I'm not sure how long the 100ah battery would last hence my battery bank idea, the boat has a 300w inverter fitted which I presume would be ok for majority of things I'd use.captain.gif




Edited by Verboaten
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W+T Influencer

W+T

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Nothing wrong with the idea of a weekender livaboard, it what i am doing at the minute on my project, going to have a wet room full kitchen etc all in a 20 footer, but for two and a dog ;)

 

If your boat has a seperate floor that is bonded to the hull then i would think you will be fine to cut into it to fit he leg support. From my caravan days i would think a 100ah would be enough for the boat, all depends on what you want to run, LED`s take little power, its the TV`s that take the power and a fridge if they are 12v as to gas, the fridge that is not the TV lol.

I am looking at a solar panel for ours to keep the batterys toped up, not a clue on what to look at though..

  • Greenie 1
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