Boat Transport 45-55Ft LOA

[braceface]

Hi Boat Yoda's,

I'm looking for my first liveaboard, I know what I'm after but not sure how far afield I can look because I can't figure out transport options. I'm going for 45-55ft LOA (not a narrow boat) & a total fixer upper so probably floating but not sea worthy. Ex fishing vessels seem to be the best option for space due to the shape & space below & on deck. I've ruled out anything with sails because they are not to be messed with by a novice.

What kind of options do I have for transport? I'm assuming a boat which is water tight can be towed by sea but not far on the open sea. Essex seems to be the UK capital of knackered fishing boats & I'm in Brighton.

Overland, obviously there's cranes & what not involved but I'm wondering at whether its even an option at that size (& dry weight).

I can dry dock where it sits & do some work but realistically not to the extent I can satisfy all the BSS stuff etc. then move her.

Costs & stuff I can work out once I have some form of clue on the method I might use IF I do need to transport a 45-55 ft vessel.

Any advice appreciated. What might a Boat Yoda consider in these circumstances?

Thanks!

 

[JumbleDuck]

Any advice appreciated. What might a Boat Yoda consider in these circumstances?

Whether Brighton Marina would welcome a knackered and barely seaworthy old fishing boat, and whether they would waive the part of their terms and conditions which says "No living aboard". I know of one liveaboard with a fishing boat there, but hers is completely seaworthy and indeed made a substantial trip to get there. They might not be quite as welcoming to a floating heap of scrap which has to be towed there ...

 

[Avalon]

It will almost certainly not be practical to move a boat of that size and type by road. For a start it is unlikely to fit under the bridges - the radar arch on my 35 footer had to be removed for road transport. I strongly suggest that you get something that can make the journey under its own power. You don't need to satisfy any BSS schemes to move a boat by sea, you just need to get it running and seaworthy. If you're not experienced with boats you should engage a competent delivery skipper.

 

[braceface]

Thanks Avalon! That is what I was thinking but was worried about all the MCA & maritime regs for over 13.7m vessels. I can do a fair bit of work wherever she is just not necessarily that much.

Jumbleduck, I know some people living there that don't have any issues with Marina staff. In regard to the condition of the boat, I investing quite a bit in terms of work I just don't want to bank on being able to satisfy various regs or be stuck in Essex or wherever.

I intend to be sea worthy to be able to move between the various marinas on the coast (Eastbourne/Newhaven etc) just not immediately. The marina regs are: ' Boat is capable of self-propelled movement, is structurally sound and poses no threat to safety or safe navigation within the Marina. ' I can do that & 'reasonably smart' just not necessarily ship shape for a trip from Essex to Brighton as per the MCA

 

[Ludd]

Thanks Avalon! That is what I was thinking but was worried about all the MCA & maritime regs for over 13.7m vessels. I can do a fair bit of work wherever she is just not necessarily that much.

Jumbleduck, I know some people living there that don't have any issues with Marina staff. In regard to the condition of the boat, I investing quite a bit in terms of work I just don't want to bank on being able to satisfy various regs or be stuck in Essex or wherever.

I intend to be sea worthy to be able to move between the various marinas on the coast (Eastbourne/Newhaven etc) just not immediately. The marina regs are: ' Boat is capable of self-propelled movement, is structurally sound and poses no threat to safety or safe navigation within the Marina. ' I can do that & 'reasonably smart' just not necessarily ship shape for a trip from Essex to Brighton as per the MCA

Please complete my education on the relevance of <13.7 m>.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Hi Boat Yoda's,


I can dry dock where it sits & do some work but realistically not to the extent I can satisfy all the BSS stuff etc. then move her.



Any advice appreciated. What might a Boat Yoda consider in these circumstances?

Thanks!

BSS = Boat Safety Scheme which, unless it's changed to include vessels at sea, only applies to boats on UK inland waterways

 

[braceface]

Hi Ludd,

I'm no expert, if anyone has got this wrong I'd say me, this is from the RYA:
'There are exemptions for pleasure vessels from the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Small Craft) Regulations 1998 and the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances For Ships Other Than Ships Of Classes III To VI(A)) Regulations 1999.
Class XII vessels (pleasure vessels of 13.7m in length and over) are required to comply with these regulation, however practical problems came to light and owners now have the choice of complying with the existing Merchant Shipping Regulations or agreed equivalent standards as detailed in the Exemption in relation to Life-Saving Appliances on Class XII vessels and the Exemption in relation to Fire Protection on Class XII vessels.The exemptions are published by the MCA.
For pleasure vessels of less than 13.7 metres in length, there are no statutory requirements for safety equipment other than those required under SOLAS V. That said, although safety equipment may not be required by law, it is essential that you properly equip your boat prior to putting to sea.'

 

[braceface]

Hi Steve,
Yep, got the two mixed up as I've been reading a book mainly about inland which is easily confused with all the other stuff floating about my head.

Ludd, the list is here. It's not huge but its another thing to get sorted, http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/safetyinfo/Pages/pvequipment.aspx

 

[macd]

Braceface: I think you've become a bit mixed-up on the requirements for a 13.7m vessel. The 'essential' stuff is simply the RYA's idea of what should be carried. Much of it is prudent, but it's not required by law or regulation on a private pleasure vessel. Only the 'mandatory' stuff applies to the vessel you hope to buy. But even some of that does not apply if you don't travel more than three miles from shore (see the link on the RYA page: http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectio...and Safety/13.7m regs Class XII Exemption.pdf

I might add that for the RYA to head the list you mention as "essential" is misleading -- as, indeed, it has misled you. Their promoting safety is, of course, quite proper, but they might have removed ambiguity by qualifying the word.

 

[braceface]

Thanks a million Mac, I've been doing a lot of reading about what's needed & it's rather convoluted. I have a law degree so I have a fairly high tolerance for incoherent stuff written by the government. I have enough problems keeping the DVLA happy & that's on land!

 

[JumbleDuck]

I intend to be sea worthy to be able to move between the various marinas on the coast (Eastbourne/Newhaven etc) just not immediately. The marina regs are: ' Boat is capable of self-propelled movement, is structurally sound and poses no threat to safety or safe navigation within the Marina. ' I can do that & 'reasonably smart' just not necessarily ship shape for a trip from Essex to Brighton as per the MCA

You have said that you want to buy a boat which is "floating but not seaworthy" ...

I'm looking for my first liveaboard, I know what I'm after but not sure how far afield I can look because I can't figure out transport options. I'm going for 45-55ft LOA (not a narrow boat) & a total fixer upper so probably floating but not sea worthy.

Where do you plan to make her seaworthy enough to be acceptable to a marina?

What kind of options do I have for transport? I'm assuming a boat which is water tight can be towed by sea but not far on the open sea. Essex seems to be the UK capital of knackered fishing boats & I'm in Brighton.

Brighton clearly won't accept her if she needs to be towed there. Is your plan to buy in Essex, tow somewhere else in Essex, repaired and then get to Brighton yourself? I hate to discourage youthful enthusiasm, but I think you may find out, rapidly, why knackered old fishing boats are so cheap.

 

[braceface]

Hi Jumble Duck,

I'm looking for a boat, the question about transport is so I can understand how far afield I can look.

By floating I mean a watertight hull but not necessarily a running engine which would be floating as a boat with no engine or sails to propel it at sea would not be seaworthy but could possibly sit at the mooring where it is.

Depending on what's available at the location & state of the boat as its sold I can put it on the hard & do a gut & refit before moving it to Brighton. Again this all depends on what I find & where I find it.

I'm 33 years old, in my 'youthful' exuberance I am researching everything involved over a long period of time including figuring out the costs (time & money) of a massive boat project like this including how limited my options are for finding the right vessel due to location.

I am looking at knackered old fishing boats because a complete refit of a boat which is the right shape means I can spend the time & money to fit it out as per my needs as a liveaboard with limited space. I have looked a LOT & although there are plenty of boats which are in better condition, the common issue is usually that they have been designed with weekend cruising in mind & have extra berths which I don't need in space which could be used for a larger water tank or similar etc.

OR

They have rather dodgy looking liveaboard conversions. The standard of the previous owners work will take a £1000-ish survey to establish & are effectively static as they haven't been actually used for sailing which presents the same transport issue.

It's apples & oranges but I've imported vintage vehicles for restoration so I'm familiar with the vortex of misery it is trying to get work done within a reasonable time frame & cost & in line with regulations. In my experience with that, no work at all was preferable to work that wasn't reliable or right for the resto.

I don't intend to rock up to Brighton with a scrap heap or jump into a money pit.

 

[dslittle]

Brighton clearly won't accept her if she needs to be towed there. Is your plan to buy in Essex, tow somewhere else in Essex, repaired and then get to Brighton yourself? I hate to discourage youthful enthusiasm, but I think you may find out, rapidly, why knackered old fishing boats are so cheap.

Errr. You should see some of the 'boats' at Brighton...

 

[ripvan1]

If your looking for a 45-55ft boat to "gut and refit" that's going to take some time so I'd recommend - find the boat, do the biz then motor around to Brighton say in about 2 years time - advice offered on knowing how long it will take to gut and strip your dream boat.

Cheaper in long run to purchase an up and running concern.