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Some questions from a newbie - purchasing second hand

  • 17-08-2011 12:48pm
    #1
    nookie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 132 ✭✭


    This post has been deleted.


Comments

  • #2
    fergal.b
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 6,337 Mod ✭✭✭✭fergal.b


    Hi nookie,

    1) It's a buyers market out there so you should be able to pick up a bargain but there is also the chance of getting a lemon, if you can bring someone with you thats knows boats to have a look with you and do a compression test on the engine, or buy from a dealer and ask them to service the boat and engine for you. When you buy a boat you are mostly paying for the engine so look for as new a one as you can hopefully with a service history.

    2) A small cruiser is a great way to start boating much better than a high powered speed boat :D

    3)You should have no probs looking after the basic running of the boat and if you do just ask.

    4) The weight difference in boats can be huge weather it's a one or two skin and what fittings and fixtures are with the boat, check the towing capability of your car in the manual and look for a boat that meets that.

    5) Like I said above if you don't know boats find someone that does to take with you, someone that can spot the signs of osmosis, frost damage and knows their way around an engine.

    6) Thats the million pound question. :D


  • #3
    nookie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 132 ✭✭nookie


    This post has been deleted.


  • #4
    dnme
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,412 ✭✭✭dnme


    nookie wrote: »
    Cheers, thanks for the help Fergal!

    nookie,
    Here's my very humble twopence. Check the skin. Look for osmosis (bubbling of the gelcoat from the fibreglass). Check really well for any rust stains on the fibreglass in the lower hull, keel areas. Check with a fine tooth comb for any delamination around critical joins, seams etc.

    Check cabin for leaks, stale smells, water. Get into that boat and go into that cabin. Check yourself for seated headroom, if you cant sit in the thing, walk. Same goes for tall partners etc. You wont find a boat you can stand in unless you move up a major bracket in price/specs.

    Check any electrics and metal finishes for burring, bubbling. Is the boat winterised? Where is it kept? shed or open? History, reason for sale, look for any docs, invoives, proof of services, repairs, original sale etc.

    Look at the trailer closely. How well does it suit the boat. Can you lift it at the front while the boat is on it? Has it sufficient support to the hull. Has it a good winch. Good tail board, single or twin axle etc.

    Don't be afraid or minor scratces, minor osmosis etc, use these as bargaining tools. When I was shopping for my boat, I was offering avg half of ther asking price and no one told me to f'off so bargain hard. Seriously, I had a look at several boats in the 3-5k range (not that I could afford em, what you might call a time waster:rolleyes:), I was going in offering max 2k. Many sellers were happy to talk on that basis. The boat I bouight was on sale for 1200, I got it for 500. (as it turns out I was rightly ripped off but you take my point). The country is in a major recession and all them sellers are after quick cash.


  • #5
    ISAW
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 7,142 ✭✭✭ISAW


    nookie wrote: »
    Hi,

    So anyways as is the way with these things I've started to consider some two and four berth cruisers - lots of Normans and wee Shetlands, and there seems to be plenty going for anywhere between €4,000 and €6,000.

    So my questions are these:
      For that kind of money - are these boats likely to be in decent condition or really would you just be buying trouble?

    Mods please noteThere should be an FAQ on these!

    No the budget is sufficient I think. The question is

    1 .Location - where are you located and will you always be there and for how long.
    This has implications for transport ie getting the boat there or elsewhere. If you only haul it out and in from a yard besider the sea then you wont need a trailer and a launch trolley will do . that in turn has implications for winter storage fees location near where you live or in a secure warehouse etc.
    If you are on the West coast you might coastal cruise. East coast are you considering Cross Channel trips? You have to consider sufficient gear for that long term.


    Where will you berth moor? What are the fees? If you are in a tidal harbour have you considered a triple or double keel or lifting keel?

    2. Will you be racing/cruising and will you be taking family/friends?
    Again the idea is if you want an easy to launch day sailer or weekender or something more comfortable.




    Think of a triangle with PRICE, COMFORT, SPEED/Performance. You can pick any two at the cost of the other.

      Is this sort of boat suitable for a novice boater or would you recommend something smaller?

    You didn't give the price or size!

      For the most part can you maintain them yourself or does it really have to be done by a specialist? I'm no stranger to a spanner or a bit of glassing but after reading dnme's awesome thread I don't know if I could sign up to that kind of work.

    You can do most stuff yourself and if in a club will meat people who can help. Obviously again it depends. If you boat a metal boat and happen to be a welder for example.
      What kind of weight are these boats? - Could you tow one with any car that'd be capable of towing a horsebox or do you really need a 4x4

    You dont need a 4x4 but again it depends on whether you are towing two and a half tonnes across the mountains or towing less than a tonne down the road on the flat.
    There are regulations on trailers and on the weight of the car needed to two them. In the EU there are regulations on trailer width ( have you considered taking a small trailer abroad? - I mean an eight meter trailer will only cost about 250 on top of a return 800-1000 Ferry ticket for a family of four to France say )

      and lastly and possibly most importantly are there any good online guides on what to look out for in a second hand boat? Or if I was to go and take the bold step of going looking at one - what should I be looking out for?

    When was the most recent marine survey done? :)

    Im always saying this but have you considered getting one in the UK and sailing her or having her delivered by ferry?

    Her are a few links

    http://www.andyseedhouseboats.co.uk/

    http://gweekquay.co.uk/index.php?option=com_brokerage&id=24&view=boat&Itemid=34

    Apparently newbridge are roomy inside.

    There is even France or Holland ... don't be afraid of going far afield for a boat.

    the 500 extra in transport or 200 in survey might well be worth it.


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