Boat trial on river based boat

[AllanG]

I'm going to view a Nimbus 280 at the weekend that is currently based on an inland river.

Prior to May this year the boat was based on the South Coast, and I have a copy of the engine performance that was recorded during a sea trial in April, when everything was OK.

As I would be using the boat in the Solent, I'm a little concerned of how I can check the performance of the engine during the river trial, and was wondering if anyone can advise me what precautions I should take, if I decided to purchase, regarding the pre-purchase survey and any conditions I should incorporate in the purchase agreement to allow me to test the engine at cruising/full speed when the boat is moved to the Solent.

Many thanks in advance.

Allan

 

[Chris_d]

I'm going to view a Nimbus 280 at the weekend that is currently based on an inland river.

Prior to May this year the boat was based on the South Coast, and I have a copy of the engine performance that was recorded during a sea trial in April, when everything was OK.

As I would be using the boat in the Solent, I'm a little concerned of how I can check the performance of the engine during the river trial, and was wondering if anyone can advise me what precautions I should take, if I decided to purchase, regarding the pre-purchase survey and any conditions I should incorporate in the purchase agreement to allow me to test the engine at cruising/full speed when the boat is moved to the Solent.

Many thanks in advance.

Allan

You can't check it on the river, you will just have to decide its a risk, if the engine survey is good and the boat is lifted to inspect the sterngear there is no reason to be really concerned. Assuming you understand how a Nimbus will perform anyway, you can't reject it if its just disappointing or not as fast as you expected anyway. If you have been on Nimbus 280 at sea and decided it performs as you would like all you can do is ensure the river based version is in good condition etc... I don't think any seller would accept extra performance conditions after a good survey.

 

[ari]

was wondering if anyone can advise me what precautions I should take, if I decided to purchase, regarding the pre-purchase survey and any conditions I should incorporate in the purchase agreement to allow me to test the engine at cruising/full speed when the boat is moved to the Solent.

Many thanks in advance.

Allan

If it were your boat on the river, and someone inspected and bought it, would you allow them a clause to then reject the boat once they'd got it home?

Totally understand your concerns, but I'm with Chris on this, I think you'll have to take a risk.

 

[Pendana]

It depends on the river and who you get to undertake the survey and engine tests.
I had similar concerns when purchasing my boat from Brundall on the River Yare. Brundall Marine Services (part of Broom Boats) who were doing the machinary survey had dispensation on certain sections of the river for running up the engines.
They stuck "Speed exempt" signs on the boat and we were doing 30+ knots on the river, albeit only for about 20 seconds but they could test the engines under full load.

I suppose you can only ask the question to those who you get to do the surveys.

 

[volvopaul]

I'm going to view a Nimbus 280 at the weekend that is currently based on an inland river.

Prior to May this year the boat was based on the South Coast, and I have a copy of the engine performance that was recorded during a sea trial in April, when everything was OK.

As I would be using the boat in the Solent, I'm a little concerned of how I can check the performance of the engine during the river trial, and was wondering if anyone can advise me what precautions I should take, if I decided to purchase, regarding the pre-purchase survey and any conditions I should incorporate in the purchase agreement to allow me to test the engine at cruising/full speed when the boat is moved to the Solent.

Many thanks in advance.

Allan

Alan I doubt on an inland river you will get the engine warm enough in a sprint, difficult one AI know, the trent near me has a place where we givethem a flat out run, but your always looking for fishermen and bwb inspectors.

Id try and get a clause or hold 2k back untill your happy, upon which if your not when you get it back to the solent I presume, then forward an engineers report, at which the dealer or owner can choose wether they repair the faults or you appoint an engineer and pay them out of the 2k, if the are any funds left glad return th balance as goodwill.

To be honest I doubt you would get that so id just get an estimate based on whats wrong and knock it off the price.

 

[tico]

Better not mention when we sold our last boat... had to go down the river a fair way to find an uninhabited stretch before turning round and pushing the throttles home!
'Yes, It does do 30 kts!'

Several years ago now