Restoration,Renovation,Modernization

[theskippy7]

  Hi,im a time served Coach Builder with 20yrs experience and C&G qualified Cabinet Maker. After spending the last 15yrs fitting kitchens i was asked by a friend to completely gut a 30ft Springer,and totally renew and redesign the interior. Being a cabinet maker with a lot of welding and spray painting experience,i jumped at the opportunity. Getting close to the end now,and im now looking at stopping kitchens and going into narrow boat reiteration/repair work full time.

  Is there much demand for tradesmen on the narrow boats,and where do people usually look for work? Any queries or advise would be gratefully received,thanks,Neil.

[Alan de Enfield]

That looks a 'tidy' job.

 

(If you are not a boater, you may not be aware that boats must pass a Boat safety Examination before they can get a licence, and then every 4 years - like a Car MOT)

 

May I just suggest that you read and absorb the safety requirements in the 2015 BSS documents, the two main areas that may affect your work would be :

 

1) Are the appliances (Stove, cooker etc) restrained / fixed so they cannot move

Section 8:4:3

Non‐portable appliances must be incapable of
unintended movement in any direction.
Securing systems must be installed on all non‐portable
appliances and securing systems and their fixing points
must be of suitable strength and must:
 show no signs of fractured mounting brackets;
 not have loose, missing or fractured bolts or nuts.

 

2) The areas around the appliances need to be non-combustable (normally achieved by putting stainless steel sheets around the wood work surrounding a cooker / hob. The Hob cover as shown would be a fail.

Section 8:4:1

Appliances and all their surrounding surfaces must not show signs of:
• scorching, blistering or discolouration; or,
• fuel leakage; or,
• smoke or soot deposits; or,
• heat damage or deterioration to appliance structure.

 

Other areas such as gas installation and connections may require compliance with GSIUR regulations (depending on the use the boat is put to)

 

To answer your question - yes there is a need for people with your skills.

 

Good luck.

Edited July 16, 2018 by Alan de Enfield

[Canal321]

You could think about buying a new sail away shell and fitting that out to a high standard, then selling. Work for your self sort of thing.

[PD1964]

  I would say it depends where you are in the country, down around the London area I imagine there would be a need reading the "New to Boating" threads from people in that area who have just bought an older boat and want to modify it to make it a livaboard.  It will also depend if it is in a Marina as most Marina's have a list of contractors with a proven record, gas safe, public liability insurance and experience with boats, it may be more difficult to do work on marina berthed boats.

 Where are you in the country? and  have you got the means of traveling with your tools and are able to work on boats on the towpath? I wouldn't expect to make a fortune as most boaters who buy older boats that need work do it for one reason, that being it's all they can afford and have little spare cash once they pay for license, insurance, moorings etc.

  Good Luck.

 

 

[Boater Sam]

That curtain over a hob is a real no-no too.

 

A word of caution, most boaters do things for themselves. Most boater don't spend real money. Those that do will be extremely critical and demanding.

Working on old wrecks of boats is not satisfying or profitable. You will struggle to compete with the boat fitting companies on price and style on any nice boat fitting.

You will have to work off the bank, marinas will not allow you to work on site usually, if they do they will demand a substantial payment and to see your insurances.

 

You will need gas and electrical qualifications, substantial insurance, and a very thick skin.

[Tim Lewis]

It depends how you want to work, starting out touting for business and working on the towpath may be a difficult way to initially carry out your business..

 

You may get better/faster experience working for a boatyard first of all to build up a reputation (Hopefully good) Worth noting though that  a lot of tradesman that work in boatyards are self employed but if this suits you it is still a good way to start out.

[Dave Payne]

2 hours ago, Boater Sam said:

That curtain over a hob is a real no-no too.

 

A word of caution, most boaters do things for themselves. Most boater don't spend real money. Those that do will be extremely critical and demanding.

Working on old wrecks of boats is not satisfying or profitable. You will struggle to compete with the boat fitting companies on price and style on any nice boat fitting.

You will have to work off the bank, marinas will not allow you to work on site usually, if they do they will demand a substantial payment and to see your insurances.

 

You will need gas and electrical qualifications, substantial insurance, and a very thick skin.

 

And the rain will fall from the sky everyday!