Boat Safety Certificates

[thamesS23]

We are now getting very close to being in a position to buy our first boat for use on the thames (interest on the savings kicks in at the end of January). Unfortunatley the 2 boats for sale with a couple of thames brokers that we had our eye on, now appear to be under offer. This has led me to widen our search to a bit further a field. I have come across this
maxum 270 year 2000
and was wondering whether or not it would be relatively easy to get a Boat Safety Certificate on a boat like this, once transported to the thames?
Would there be any major work involved or would it likely to be many small and inexpensive items / issues.
Ideally I would like to buy a boat already on the thames with a current certificate, but wouldn't want to rule out other possibilities.
Would appreciate any advice or tips.

 

[Brayman]

I can't remember where you were thinking of keeping her but it doesn't look a very friendly river boat. Firstly it seems to have a powerful petrol engine, you need to be aware that petrol isn't that readily available up-river. Re BSS, petrol is a bigger issue than diesel so you ought to get it checked for likely problems.
Secondly, it has a mains hob which means that you need shore power or a genrator to power it (the latter not mentioned in the spec) that's fine if you go from marina to marina but less so on the non-tidal Thames.
There's a gas detector but no gas as we know it, perhaps it's for the alcohol level!
If you are really interested in this boat the BSS may come in to your bargaining stance, but I would say it really depends where you intend to crusie.

 

[thamesS23]

we would be probably at Bray marina so petrol not really an issue.
With regards to it not being a 'river boat', I am aware of this but to be honest we found we just didn't like the more traditional river type boats.
Have spoken to many boat owners who own and use 'sports cruisers' on the thames, and although all agree they weren't designed for that use, have all said it hasn't been a problem (and these weren't people trying to sell me their boats - just people we have spoken to at the locks).
The one thing you do mention that would be an issue though is the fact about shore power and also the heating of water (only available if the engine is running)

 

[TrueBlue]

I\'m treading on thin ice -

[ QUOTE ]
I have come across this
maxum 270 year 2000
and was wondering whether or not it would be relatively easy to get a Boat Safety Certificate on a boat like this, once transported to the Thames?
Would there be any major work involved or would it likely to be many small and inexpensive items / issues.

[/ QUOTE ]


But, if your boat was built after 1996 then it should have been built to the requirements of the RCD (Recreational Craft Directive) so that it should comply in its design with the BSS. What I'm trying to say that the basics should be OK. Most issues with the BSS are:-

LPG installations, well, you don't have any.
Glass or plastic fuel filter / separators. Inexpensive to replace
non metallic fuel return lines In a petrol engine - assuming injection anyway at that power they'd be metal anyway (??)

SO don't panic yet. It's a good idea to download the
BSS guide documentation
and read it

[ QUOTE ]
Would appreciate any advice or tips.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great - now an opportunity for thread drift and all sorts of entrenched opinions -

In you face but, I don't think that particular boat is (terribly) suitable for the non tidal bit. It's a day runabout, with lots of lovely horses to go creaming around large bits of open water. The Thames is a narrow ditch with loads of sharp sticky out bits to scratch your pride and joy. These sharp bits are everywhere, not least at or near every lock.

Your engine will soot up at 5mph and probably be gas guzzling at low speeds.
The boat is a planing hull and will create loads of wash at non planing speed.
The river is best for cruising distances, stopping at a few pubs - both of which imply staying on board at nights. I don't think that boat will be hugely comfortable.

I see loads of cruisers sitting in marinas and not being used much - if at all. Excellent for Willy envy and making a statement, but useless if you want to maximise your use of the river.

The above should get quite a heated debate going.

Edit: Both you and Brayman have beaten me to it. I take you point, but it's a lot of dosh to spend if you've missed the point and find that just going out at weekends and then only when the weather is nice. Pretty poor return on investment methinks.

Do consider what you want to do with the boat. There's a jolly good reason why river boats look boring and that's to do with usability. As with Wimmin, sometimes being built for comfort is much better than being built for speed.

 

[thamesS23]

Re: I\'m treading on thin ice -

always happy to hear other opinions, whether they agree with me or not (after all that's the great thing about this forum).
Thanks for the info on the BSS, I will look into that in more detail, but what you seem to be saying is what I kinda thought and hoped anyway, in that if the boat is reasonably new, it shouldn't be to much of a problem.

With regards to the type of boat, we are not set on that make, but do like the sports cruisers in general. We liked the sealine 270 out of all the ones we have seen so far.

with regards to "The river is best for cruising distances, stopping at a few pubs - both of which imply staying on board at nights. I don't think that boat will be hugely comfortable. it would only ever be the 2 of us staying overnight, and I think this type and size of boat has more then enough room for that.

 

[thamesS23]

Re: I\'m treading on thin ice -

it's not that I find river boats boring, far from it. it's just that they don't seem to suit what we are buying a boat for.
it will only be 2 of us staying overnight, so we dont need a great deal of space or facilities in the cabin. What we do want, is to have family and friends onboard for the day, and we just found the the more traditional river boats didn't offer enough cockpit space for socializing. They tend to be more the other way round, lots of room in the cabins, not much outside.

 

[Brayman]

Re: I\'m treading on thin ice -

It might be worth your while visiting the Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show at the NEC in February to have a look at the possibilities. Things like Broom 29, Capriole, Haines, Sheerline etc all do good aft cockpit boats.

 

[apollo]

Re: I\'m treading on thin ice -

Dont kid yourself that it is not a problem - read Motor Boats Monthly!!!

Even brand new boats sometimes do not comply. (Look at the Linssen in last months magazine)

If you really want the boat put a new BSS certificate as a condition of your offer.
Its a buyers market at the moment and that way you get 4 years before you need to worry about it.

(I agree with others - it will be a pain in the locks - I have always found DECKS handy especially when the weather is a bit damp!!! Walking through the windscreen doesnt do it for me)

Good luck

Mike

 

[Phill]

Boat safety is very open to interpritation, in my experience. You would be wise to get names of recommended examiners from the forum.
Also I know of a young couple who have just bought thier first boat. They own a sports boat similar to the type you have shown an interest in. They have so much trouble getting it in and out of the mooring, marina and lock if there's any hint of wind, that its causing arguments. Not the fun that they hoped for and could well put them off boating in the long term. Obviously some are better than others but sports boats are designed for different waters and speeds. Try before you buy. Most Thames dealers will take you out on the boat if you're serious.

 

[Gavi]

I understand your desire, but do not underestimate these old girls

Easy to maintain. Low draught. Happy at low revs. Very manouverable at low speed. No nice bits to ding and bang (it does happen). Plenty of space. Lots of open deck for locks. After sales market if you get bored... which you won't.

I started out wanting a sportsboat on the Thames, half your budget but the principle is similar, I would guess. I like sleek things, and speed.

I ended up delighted with a late 70s floating caravan and now look upon sportsboats with a wry smile (crab, crab, crab). Apart from Brad's, or course, but then he takes Oudrageous across to Frogland, so that's allowed.

Simple summary: Don't dismiss river boats. £30-£40k will get you something much more desireable to river users than a sportscruiser, and much more usable.

 

[landlockedpirate]

We have spent decent amounts of time on inland waterways with a boat very similar to the one you are looking at.

The point about electric is valid but since it has an alcohol/electric stove you can use it quite happily on the alcohol alone.

We have cruised extensivly with a family of 4 on a boat this size, its not the Ritz, but its comfortable and has all the mod cons you need.

The handling will not be as predictable as a river boat with a keel would be, but with practice it gets a lot easier. You can also buy rudder attachments for the outdrive to help if you need it.

The water will probably heat from running the engine as well as the 240v immersion heater. About 30mins running will give you a tank of hot water, add some extra insulation and it will stay warm all night. Its already got a holding tank to comply with the BSS, you will probably need to get the fuel lines sorted though.

If you dont like the look of river boat-dont buy one. Sports cruisers are great and when your confidence grows you can take it further afield.

The points about petrol V diesel have been well documented on these forums but FWIW I have spent time on the Thames on a modern diesel boat and a petrol one. The diesel created a lot of smoke, smelled quite a bit and sounded like a bus, but it only cost about £5 for a days cruising. The petrol was quite, pleasant to listen to with no smoke or smell. It did cost more at about £15 a day.Petrols are quite happy to run at at low revs-turbo charged diesels are not.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

For the sort of dosh being looked at you could get a very good nick P32, major pro overhaul and still have a bigger cockpit. A petrol one would be cheaper

 

[bradtarga34]

We started off with a Regal 2460 with a ridiculously large petrol engine which we used mainly on the Thames. We liked the look of the boat, and also the large cockpit suited our style of boating, making it very sociable to get a bunch of friends on board for the usual social niceties. On the river, the Regal used about a gallon an hour, so not too bad really, but to make handling easier, a duo prop drive would certainly help, which we did have thankfully. After we got hooked on the boating lark, we upgraded to our Failrine, which has 2 ridiculous size engines, this time diesel, but we do go on holidays to France, Belgium and Holland and coastal hops in our defence, which Brendan kindly tried to justify for us! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[miket]

Lots of good information from contributors below.
I am now going to be a bit brutal, but please don't take it personally!
I have been river based since early 60's in some form or other. My own first boat, back in mid 80's was ex hire, but a quick refurb' and a damned good clean made a healthy profit that financed the 1st private boat, a Freeman 30. Since then I have owned a variety of older river boats and then several non river boats in which we have cruised from Holland to Brittany.
They have all been diesel. I have a serious problem with sitting on 100 gallons of petrol at night!! On the river the higher consumption is still very modest though.
I have never owned an American targa style boat such as you are suggesting, although I suppose their modern styling might appeal to the younger market. I just hate all that plastic hood and sidescreens. It always rains in this country anyway.
It will be horrible to handle on the non tidal river and your crew will curse you at every lock with no side decks. Don't kid yourself that at least you can take it to sea! It will then guzzle such huge volumes of petrol that you will need a loan to go down to London for the weekend.
So to summarize;
It is no use on the river.
It will consume too much petrol at sea
If you want to pose in the marina with your mates it will be fine!!!!!!!
There are plenty of smart looking aft cockpit production boats from the eighties that will fit your budget (look at a Fairline Mirage), have a small diesel engine, an adequate cockpit seating area and not cost you anything in depreciation when you get your next bonus and decide to buy your 1st superyacht.
Good luck.

 

[DWT]

The boat looks great and I can understand why you are taken with it, but I have to agree with most of the comments here about its suitability for the river.

There are plenty of petrol boats on the river and being at Bray you will not have a problem getting fuel. My first boat had a petrol engine, I cannot remember the size but it was quite large for the type of boat. It was quiet and responsive, but expensive to run and on a trip above Oxford I was for ever stopping to clean the plugs. After a couple of seasons I decided that I would prefer diesel. The safety aspect finally swung it for me after a small leak from the cut off switch. The possible consequences were frightening.

I had a great day on a Maxum on the Solent last year blasting over to the Isle of Wight. The owner was a new boater and was scared stiff of mooring it. In the end he got me to do it. It was not really a problem because it was a very calm day, but if there had been any wind at all it would have been sliding all over the place. It was also very skittish at low speed and I was constantly clicking in and out of gear and using the helm to keep it going straight.

If the one you are looking at is anything like the one I drove you will soon get fed up with it moving all over the place and going up through a busy lock on a windy day and a strong flow over the weir will be a nightmare.

I think as well you might begin to find the accomodation quite limited for any overnight stays. How much water does it hold and what is the capacity of the holding tank? Being in the middle of the country with one tank full and the other empty wouold not be my idea of fun.

Sorry we are all so negative. The only way to work out what you really want from a boat is to buy one and try it. If this one really ticks all the boxes for you then give it a go and enjoy. Make sure your offer is conditional on any work for the BSS being done, and of course a survey.

 

[teddington_lock]

Hi there ,

I don't own a boat myself , too poor for that !! but just to pass on a little bit of information that happened at Teddington a while ago.

In the weirstream is a marina , at about 1am a few weeks back there was a strange glow coming from the weirstream. The duty lock keeper went to investigate and found a small (petrol) Fairline on fire ... Some of you may recognise the boat from the area , it was called ' Moon Dragon '

The fire brigade duly arrived and proceeded to put the fire out . It then re-ignited and caused what can only be described as a jet of flame to erupt from the side of the boat just back of the toilet compartment. This kept re-igniting the boat until the only option the fire brigade had was to sink the boat , which they did. It was lifted the other day.

The boat was not registered with the EA (as it is downstream of the lock ) and therefore ( i guess ) hadn't been BSS inspected. So it's anyones guess as to the root cause of the fire.

Not trying to put you off, but just pointing out the dangers of petrol , which i'm sure you know.

Good luck with whatever you choose to go for.

H