looking for some opinions and advice

[scrappapertiger]

Hi everyone, we are new to the community and new to boating, so looking for some advice on a boat we are considering buying (for a small business with commercial mooring; not live aboard).

 

Before viewing the boat we were advised (by boating friends, sadly not local so couldn't come along) to look out for rust on the waterline and in the bilge. There seems to be rust in both areas (see pics), though we're unsure how superficial. The owner unfortunately has not had a survey done, though it has been out for reblacking about three years ago and he says should be slightly overdue another three coats now (Comastic). It's a 55ft 1999 narrowboat which will also be needing a new engine. Obviously we'd be looking to get a full survey done before commiting anything, but my question is, based on these issues, is it worth it at all or would it be better (particularly given our inexperience) to walk away (or possibly try to haggle down substantially)? We're not shy of doing the work, but would like to pay a fair price and know what we might be walking into.

 

Perhaps estimated price ranges (for boat or work) would also be useful, though I know this might not really be enough info to go on.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Attached are some pics we took of the rusty areas:

Edited July 11, 2015 by scrappapertiger

[Southern Star]

You really cannot tell how bad the corrosion is from photos, or even by looking at it, only an out-of-water survey using ultrasound equipment can tell you this. If it needs a new engine then you really need to factor in anything up to £5,000 for this. My gut instinct would be to walk away, there are plenty of boats out there for sale.

[RLWP]

How can it need a new engine in just sixteen years?

 

Richard

 

MORE: because it hasn't got one!

Edited July 11, 2015 by RLWP

[Southern Star]

Looks like it hasn't had an engine for quite a while, normally the little drips and drops of oil here and there help with the rustproofing. Doesn't appear to have an engine bund either, I may be wrong but I thought boats had to have one?

[scrappapertiger]

I guess the big thing making us look more is that the mooring, business prospects and interior of the boat itself are all somewhat unique and very well suited to us. It's the structural integrity (how much fixing) and related asking price that's a concern - weighing up the two is the big issue.

 

The current engine apparently blew out after a botched job fixing a kinked cooling pipe about four years ago and has been having overheating issues since, despite a rebuild... The owner is recommending selling it on and getting a new one (though given he hasn't been able to figure out the exact cause of the overheating, the resale price doesn't feel like something we can count on).

[DHutch]

Sounds like a minefield, but at the right price anything can be a good price.

 

Are you sure the mooring rights are transferable, and included in the sale? They might well be but sometimes even if the current wants to pass them on they can be non-transferable.

 

 

Daniel

[scrappapertiger]

Yup, seen the last transfer docs and will be calling Scottish canals to confirm, but that bit all looks fine.

[Richard10002]

After 3.5 years since the last survey and blacking, my boat came out of the water in May. Lots of superficial rust on the hull which wire brushed off with a bit of effort. Lots of superficial surface rust where I can see into the bilges, but no big deal.

 

If it hasn't been blacked/out of the water for 3 years, it will be rusty.

[scrappapertiger]

Thanks for the helpful comments. I forgot my login so haven't got back in to comment for a few days

 

We're going back to having a serious think about this...

[Athy]

What is the nature of the business, and what makes this boat particularly suitable for it?

[matty40s]

Comastic , properly prepared, does NOT strip along the waterline like that has. It gets knocked off during bashes under and above water but areas of non contact remain true.

 

This also seems to be the 2nd query about the same boat??

Edited July 21, 2015 by matty40s

[haggis]

Make sure you check and get a reply in writing from Scottish canals re transfer of moorings. I gather that there are new "procedures" in this area and things are probably not as they were the last time the boat changed hands.

 

haggis