About to finalise on buying a Hillyard - any advice please?!?

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jezjez

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We have agreed subject to sea trial and survey to buy a hillyard 8-ton. We've got veyr little wooden boat experience (except dreaming of them) - can anyone offer some last minute advice as we are baout ot take the plunge?
We're getting a survey and sea trial this week.
Can't find a marine engineer to do a condition check on the engine - seems they're all busy! Should I wait until one becomes available or trust instinct?
Boat needs some basic TLC including varnishing coach roof, and boom but seems dry in bilges and sound to look at from layman's point of view.
 
John Lilley is your man.
I have an 8 ton aft-cockpit and for what its worth here are a few things to look for.
Check under the fuel tanks for bits of rust scale. The original tanks are mild steel may look fine where you can see them, but the back and underside might be corroded beyond redemption.
Chainplates are originally in-board going through the side-decks. That lets water in and lead to rot, not so much on the frames (oak) but the planking. I have had to grave in new wood on all six. I will put the chainplates outboard at the next refit as fighting the leaks is never ending.
If the deck is canvas on ply or canvas on T&G check for leaks below. The wood is easy to replace but re-canvassing isn't.
Generally, if you see what looks like treacle dribbling, its the sign of rotting mahogany.
If your boat has bilge plates make a close inspection of the flanges. The plates rust badly and can suffer damage through bad positioning of hoist straps.
Although the planks are copper fastened many of the interior beams are fixed with galvanised bolts which can rust. I have replaced about 80% of mine. The rest I can't get to (yet).
Can't say much about engines without knowing type. Mines a Thorneycoft BMC T90 1.5 which is basic, easy to maintain and reliable. Do the usual checks, like emulsion in the rocker-box, oil in the drip tray etc and pay attention to the state of the raw water pump. They are belt driven and expensive to replace.
All this sounds like a horror story, but don't be put off. Hillyards are not greyhounds but they will get you home and can be very inexpensive in the upkeep.
 
i have a nine tonner. John Lilley surveyed her and he is a top man. The boats need looking after like all boats but i think are easier to maintain than plastic ones. And are so much nicer. my engine is petter 12hp. 40 yeras old and going strong. Touch wood! Hillyard owners association are also good reference. Hillyard yard still going in Littlehampton. Love mine. Have fun
 
Mariposa's only a little 2 1/2 tonner but built, I suspect, like all the other Hillyards. The big timbers, floors, stem scarfs, and stern knees on mine were held together with iron bolts; they were shot beyond redemption and needed replacing. One of the symptoms of this problem was the hood ends being loose due to the boat twisting.
Pay attention to the engine mounts. I'd want one or more pulled out of the bed, or floor, to make sure it's not just a tapered rusty carrot.
Check the shaft which is probably bronze; too much wear around the stern gland may mean a new shaft or metal spray to build it up again to the correct diameter.
 
We just did the same, in June last year. No regrets about the decision, but I would strongly advise attending the survey if you can. I learned so much, being new to wooden boats, it was the best decision I made.

Re the engine condition, I have read that you can send an oil sample from the engine off for analysis. Don't know which companies do this, but it might be worth investigating if you are worried or have reason to suspect problems.

It looks like you've got some great advice from the other Hillyard owners that have posted replies. Best of luck.
 
just had another look at my survey. biggest problem was softening of the wood caused by electrolysis (sic). had to put a couple of little graving pieces into some hood end planks. the rest just dried out ashore and injected with epoxy. replaced a couple of keel bolts. had to cut them off because of access but they were perfect! deek was a bit soft in places. injected epoxy and glassed over. mast was split. had it repaired and was not that expensive. engine old but boat engines dont have the hard usage of cars. need to be used. had the injectors cleaned and recalibrated. i went to the survey with john and he was brilliant. the final document he produced really helped me to get the boat sorted.
 
thank you for those kind & (occasionally scary) words one and all.
I'm going with the surveyor tomorrow.
I private posted John Lilley on the off chance of advice and he has been an absolute star in response.
I have someone coming to give me a once over on the engine, too, which is a relief.
Wish me luck - I sometimes read your replies and think I don't know enough and i must be mad... I still struggle with what a hood-end is and i feel pretty green but, well, here goes...
Thank you, all.
 
Another area to check (although I'm sure John Lilley and others may have mentioned this) is the area on the sternpost where the rudder stock goes through. This is prone to softening too, and had to be cut out and replaced on my previous six tonner. My nine tonner has had signs of a problem there too.

Good luck!

Doug
 
[ QUOTE ]
i have a nine tonner. John Lilley surveyed her and he is a top man. The boats need looking after like all boats but i think are easier to maintain than plastic ones. And are so much nicer. my engine is petter 12hp. 40 yeras old and going strong. Touch wood! Hillyard owners association are also good reference. Hillyard yard still going in Littlehampton. Love mine. Have fun

[/ QUOTE ]

The Petter in mine is still chugging away happily too. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I use the original spec 'classic' oils in the engine/gearbox and the reduction gear.
I've got a complete spare unit in working order in the garage, so if ever the original beast goes wrong I have a source of spares or alternatively could replace like with like. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Doug
 
You're fortunate being on the Deben - plenty of local expertise available, in the event you find she needs a bit of work done. Our 7-tonner is looked after by Robertsons, and Peter Norris for the engine. And you have the rregional chairman (I think) of the Hillyard Owners Association, which I strongly recommend you join, living there (he's also commodore of the Woodbridge Cruising Club). I could also recommend a surveyor, but it appears you've got one. Good luck and enjoy!
 
And you have the regional chairman (I think) of the Hillyard Owners Association, which I strongly recommend you join, living there (he's also commodore of the Woodbridge Cruising Club).

That would be Professor Ted Evans, who, in an excess of zeal, owns TWO Hillyards - he and Diana brought the larger of the pair, "Ragged Robin" back to the Deben after their cruise to the Baltic last year.
 
survey results:

1. (and worst) weeping rudder tube - steel through oak frame weeped after our F6 sea trial. Surveyor said it was "carroty."
He suggested it could cost £20 with epoxy if i dig it out or £1000 if ti's a bad job and digging out the rot is bad.
Either way it needs to come out of the water.
Asked for a quote - so far rough estimate is "could be £1500" from yard over the phone.
2. Various small things depth not functioning, masthead ligth, mast needs varnishing at top, two poor futtock bolts (other major bolts looking good), engine inlet valve needs replacing now, coachroof varnish. (These are the highlights).
Have asked the local yard to give me an idea of the severity/ cost on the stern rudder tube. I was quite optimistic but I'm having a wobble as the cost seems a bit of an unknown!
The owner says he would fix a block over the current frame and basically build it up.
Any advice gratefully received.
 
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