Seastoke
Well-Known Member
I know most sea boats end up on rivers etc ,but if there is a good sea boat on the T for sale, it passed a survey and they are willing to get it to the sea for sea trial what would put you off
boats on the thames for sale
- Thread starter Seastoke
- Start date
Greg2
Well-Known Member
In principle no problem as long as the survey has been thorough and has included an inspection of the engines. A key issue for me would be the potential for sludged up fuel tanks if it has been inland for a long time so having them polished might be a sensible thing to do.
However, we have viewed lots of boats on the Thames and virtually every time we go we end up commenting that the decision to go was a triumph of optimism over experience
What have looked like good boats online have, in most cases, turned out to be a bit shabby and not looked after to the same standard that seagoing boats are. There have been exceptions and we did agree a deal on a Broom 39kl last year but subsequently discovered an issue that we had concerns about but there was just no option to do a proper sea / speed trial. We did ask and were told that it is a two day round trip from somewhere like Harleyford and that it is never done. We ended up walking away because we just didn’t want to take the risk.
We are currently in a similar position with a boat that may be on our shortlist having been on a river for several years.
However, we have viewed lots of boats on the Thames and virtually every time we go we end up commenting that the decision to go was a triumph of optimism over experience
What have looked like good boats online have, in most cases, turned out to be a bit shabby and not looked after to the same standard that seagoing boats are. There have been exceptions and we did agree a deal on a Broom 39kl last year but subsequently discovered an issue that we had concerns about but there was just no option to do a proper sea / speed trial. We did ask and were told that it is a two day round trip from somewhere like Harleyford and that it is never done. We ended up walking away because we just didn’t want to take the risk.
We are currently in a similar position with a boat that may be on our shortlist having been on a river for several years.
volvopaul
Well-Known Member
Simple way to do this is to hold back an agreed amount with the broker after purchase, take the boat to a suitable place and sea trial it .
I recently did this for a forum member who bought through TBS , sea trial wasn’t good due to overheat and trim tab fault , jobs rectified paid by broker to purchaser , job done .
I recently did this for a forum member who bought through TBS , sea trial wasn’t good due to overheat and trim tab fault , jobs rectified paid by broker to purchaser , job done .
Switch
Well-Known Member
That 'forum manner' was me. It was good advice from VP as usual.
jrudge
Well-Known Member
The only thing to bear in mind is that these boats ply up and down for years at idle speed.
I will leave others for comment if this does harm per se, however I do believe from the owners i have met that servicing is not really as it should be for a sea boat as the boat is only idling most of the time, and any form of failure is non critical as you just tie up on the bank.
From my own time on the river ( upper thames) also consider that the water is shallow in many place ( even moorings .... ) and the incidence is supermarket trollies etc high - so minor bottom / prop damage is possible.
The main nail you have hit on the head is the real sea trial and this you say they are willing to do. The general rule of thumb is 10 mins at WOT to see it if over heats. I would probably ask for a longer trip if it has been on the river for any length of time.
Do bear in mind if you move it to the sea you will need to change the anodes to Zinc.
So for me, a prop inspection and has it actually been serviced would be my requirements.
A friend lives next to the Thames Motor Yacht Club and it always amazes me the size of some of the boat that just ply up and down on a sunday.
I dont know where you plan to keep it, but i used Brentford Marina for a while which was OK. Chiswick Marina is VERY silted and the cost to clear it a fortune - which the house residents did not want to pay. This was some years ago but I would be surprised if it is any different. If you live locally they might be a good option whilst you bring it up to scratch.
I will leave others for comment if this does harm per se, however I do believe from the owners i have met that servicing is not really as it should be for a sea boat as the boat is only idling most of the time, and any form of failure is non critical as you just tie up on the bank.
From my own time on the river ( upper thames) also consider that the water is shallow in many place ( even moorings .... ) and the incidence is supermarket trollies etc high - so minor bottom / prop damage is possible.
The main nail you have hit on the head is the real sea trial and this you say they are willing to do. The general rule of thumb is 10 mins at WOT to see it if over heats. I would probably ask for a longer trip if it has been on the river for any length of time.
Do bear in mind if you move it to the sea you will need to change the anodes to Zinc.
So for me, a prop inspection and has it actually been serviced would be my requirements.
A friend lives next to the Thames Motor Yacht Club and it always amazes me the size of some of the boat that just ply up and down on a sunday.
I dont know where you plan to keep it, but i used Brentford Marina for a while which was OK. Chiswick Marina is VERY silted and the cost to clear it a fortune - which the house residents did not want to pay. This was some years ago but I would be surprised if it is any different. If you live locally they might be a good option whilst you bring it up to scratch.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Stuff that you would probably worry about on coastal boats simply does not get the attention it deserves on ANY non tidal boat.
You also need to keep an eye out for "lock rash" at some point the boat is going to come into contact with concrete,no matter how many fenders.
many thames boats have much lower hours than there sea going cousins.
Problems will mainly occour simply from lack of use..
River craft also tend to lack decent or sometimes any nav gear esp radar.
Best advice is to check everything.
Many boats at our club started life on the The Thames and apart from a few annoying niggles, non the worse for that.
m
You also need to keep an eye out for "lock rash" at some point the boat is going to come into contact with concrete,no matter how many fenders.
many thames boats have much lower hours than there sea going cousins.
Problems will mainly occour simply from lack of use..
River craft also tend to lack decent or sometimes any nav gear esp radar.
Best advice is to check everything.
Many boats at our club started life on the The Thames and apart from a few annoying niggles, non the worse for that.
m
