Dekers Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Some help would be much appreciated as basically I know nothing, except they are pretty much a bottomless money pit! I'm looking to buy a boat for river cruising, (NOT a Narrow boat) 25-35ft, yes, I know, that is a BIG difference, but these will be old, 70's or maybe early 80's. So what problem areas do I need to look for, any hints and tips on engines/props, I want a gentle river cruiser, not a ski boat with massive engines (and fuel consumption). . Also must have toilet, shower, basin and galley and at least 2 cabins, hopefully 3! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pigeon man Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Make sure there's no holes in the bottom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe soapy Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 to quote from somebody else,, If it flies, floats or f........ hire it From personal experience the idea is much much better than the reality. A quick trip around the marinas will show you many boats that are hardly used and are only kept because the owners wont admit to making an expensive mistake. Tis a bit different if you have a free mooring a few yards from your house though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masmiffy Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 (edited) As you say bottomless pit and as others say lots dont get used. Its a lovely thing to have 'if' you have the spare cash life on th river is so relaxed. It dont stop at the boat tho, mooring has to be considered, annual river licence, insurance, running costs etc etc If you go for it enjoy but it def aint cheap!! Oh just thought if I remember correct there was talk of 'banning' red diesel on rivers etc not sure if it was ever done Edited July 2, 2013 by masmiffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Owned a couple of cabin cruisers , its true that the happiest days in a boat owners life are the day they buy it and the day they sell it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 An owner of a narrow boat informed me that, although hiring seems expensive, unless you're on board for 200+ days each year then hiring actually works out cheaper. OK, as owner you get the joy of your own design, layout and equipment but it could be an expensive luxury. I love being on the cut but couldn't be there for 200 days each year, thus I hire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sha Bu Le Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 If you want to do someone a bad turn.....................GIVE them a boat. However on the serious side if you go ahead then take someone knowledgeable with you. He/she will know what to watch for which all depends upon if you are thinking about a wooden or a plastic boat. They both have their own possible problems which are quite different. As far as engines are concerned IMO you must go down the diesel route and the things to watch for are the usual things you would look out for on a diesel engine. If you are not sure again take someone who is. Good luck ATB Bri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff36 Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Dekers If you find a boat and have any concerns contact Mike at Thames & Kennet Marina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stroudwaterboy Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 If you buy an old wooden boat assume it is rotten, it will be somewhere even if not obvious. A plastic boat will be your best bet but you will need to see it out of the water if more than 5 years old, once out you are looking for osmosis which will show up as blistering of the top coat. If it has osmosis and you still want it that compare an area of the hull without and with, if the area with feel spongy walk away it gone too far. If it is still sound you will need to rub down the blisters, fill them and then put a new top coat over the whole hull. If you find a pastic boat of some age without osmosis and you like it buy it quick if the engine is OK. As was said previously Diesel only, you want to start it from cold, once its warm does it smoke, check for oil and water in the bilge if you find some where is it coming from? As always with specialised subjects if you know someone with experience take them with you but do not ignore your instinct. Do not buy the first boat you see but look at a good number you can always buy that first boat once you have had a look round. And it is good to see you have worked out already that a boat is a hole in the water you throw £20 notes into but never manage to fill the hole up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sha Bu Le Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 (edited) If you buy an old wooden boat assume it is rotten, it will be somewhere even if not obvious. A plastic boat will be your best bet but you will need to see it out of the water if more than 5 years old, once out you are looking for osmosis which will show up as blistering of the top coat. If it has osmosis and you still want it that compare an area of the hull without and with, if the area with feel spongy walk away it gone too far. If it is still sound you will need to rub down the blisters, fill them and then put a new top coat over the whole hull. If you find a pastic boat of some age without osmosis and you like it buy it quick if the engine is OK. As was said previously Diesel only, you want to start it from cold, once its warm does it smoke, check for oil and water in the bilge if you find some where is it coming from? As always with specialised subjects if you know someone with experience take them with you but do not ignore your instinct. Do not buy the first boat you see but look at a good number you can always buy that first boat once you have had a look round. And it is good to see you have worked out already that a boat is a hole in the water you throw £20 notes into but never manage to fill the hole up. Spot on Stroud Worked for around 6 years on a Northumbrian coble and a prawn trawler on the North Sea, not going to repeat that experience but I did learn a little about boats. Edit - Dekers forgot to mention, one thing a marine engine has which other diesels don't; is a heat exchanger. The equivalent of a van radiator. It uses water brought inboard to cool the engine coolant keeping the water in the engine system separate from that used to cool it. They can be very prone to blockages and corrosion from the carp sucked up from the water you're sailing in. Not sure if this is the case on boats sailing in fresh water, suspect it will be cos at some stage boats will be in salt water, river deltas, tidal stretches etc. Edited July 2, 2013 by Sha Bu Le Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laird Lugton Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Call it PBR Streetgang, get a couple of forward mounted .50's and an M60 on the rear. That should go down a treat on the Thames..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE AD Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Look on boatsandoutboards.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pimpkiller Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 the phrase is - If it floats, flies or fornicates you're better off renting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Boats are really ridiculously cheap at the moment. Many more for sale than there are buyers. Never pay anything near the asking price, offer half at most and remember you are going to have to try to sell it one day. Do not buy 70-80s its simply too old. They still did built some wooden boats out of decent wood in those days but don't bank on it, it was perhaps the worst era for corner cutting. 30 year old GRP will be past its sell by date. my views, others will have theirs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 If you are new to boats it may be worth hiring one or two for a few days to give you an idea about the size and layout that would best suite your needs also do not forget that in this country at least half of the year is quite cold so it would probably be laid up for for the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Dekers If you find a boat and have any concerns contact Mike at Thames & Kennet Marina. I was there yesterday...looked at a couple of boats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 (edited) Been to 4 different marinas today, looked at 11 boats, what a difference in size, condition, price. GRP is what I'm looking at and have found a couple of possibilities, not surprisingly they are the biggest, best condition and most expensive. Yeah, NEW boats are absolutely daft money, so are some of the pretty new used ones. Today I found a 1981 Birchwood 33 Viceroy and 1982 Birchwood 31 Commodore, top of the list so far (just a coincidence they are both Birchwoods). Any comments? Edited July 2, 2013 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 I've had cruisers for five years now and love it. got a new to one coming on Friday a fjord27. Yes they cost money but what doesn't these days. Iam on the great Ouse and it costs me about £1300 a year all in, how many holidays can you get for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge911 Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 definition of a boat ......................................................................... a hole in the water that you pour money into ....................................................or.................. Bring Out Another Thousand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 buy a wood, it'll probably be cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stokie Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 It's amazing how many people try to dis your ideas . I live on a narrowboat and the only expensive things are marina and licence fees . They will be the best most relaxing days you can spend . Have you tried searching on appollo duck there are plenty on there . As has been said don't buy one that's too old as it will be past it's shelf life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) It's amazing how many people try to dis your ideas . I live on a narrowboat and the only expensive things are marina and licence fees . They will be the best most relaxing days you can spend . Have you tried searching on appollo duck there are plenty on there . As has been said don't buy one that's too old as it will be past it's shelf life Mooring is daft. Simple mooring charge, no hook up etc! £1664 - £4161 mooring fees so far, and guess what, the cheapest is full and a waiting list of dead mens shoes! Edited July 3, 2013 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stokie Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Ouch . Are there any boat clubs with linear mooring near you . I pay £2300 for a 55 ft boat in a posh marina with electric and full amenities Look on canal and river trust website for moorings aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Mooring is daft. Simple mooring charge, no hook up etc! £1664 - £4161 mooring fees so far, and guess what, the cheapest is full and a waiting list of dead mens shoes! yes but you, I think, are looking at the Thames. A lot of those floating gin palaces hardly ever move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Mooring is daft. Simple mooring charge, no hook up etc! £1664 - £4161 mooring fees so far, and guess what, the cheapest is full and a waiting list of dead mens shoes! That's the Thames for you mines 168/quarter for 24ft less 10% if you pay for a year up front but this is on the great Ouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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