Bought a New to me Boat and the Wheel Fell Off

[Commercial Dave]

I am 100% making sure this is good before i take the boat to play, I am only going 4 miles to get the canopy made in a few weeks but no chance am i risking the trip with a dodgy trailer again. i cant imagine near 3500kg shoving me down the road.

Single axle trailer weighing "near 3500kg" towed by a Mondeo?? Something doesn't add up here

 

[limecc]

Single axle trailer weighing "near 3500kg" towed by a Mondeo?? Something doesn't add up here

Different boat, trailer and not the OP

 

[Commercial Dave]

Different boat, trailer and not the OP

Got it ?

 

[Bigplumbs]

Correct. Adequate but somewhat underpowered. If the AV plate is set 40mm above keel (I see yours is two holes too low), it will do nearly 30 knots but the pickup will be slow especially on the back of a wave which is why I sold the DF50 on mine. To raise the engine I used 3mm shims to space it off the stainless strip on top of the transom.

Transom rating is 52kw (77hp) and 120kg max weight so it would go well with a nice 70 or 80 HP two stroke, only the Yam F70 four stroke comes in under that weight. It's already stern heavy, maybe less so with your Tohatsu, but then you're no lightweight. (No offense intended)

If you like the boat and decide to sell the Narwhal definitely swop the engine over. The rib won't do anything better than the Ranieri, Cath and dog will far prefer it.

There is no way on this Planet I will ever sell the Rib (Narwhal) . It is without a doubt one of the best boats I have. There are 5 fletchers in the line I ever sell before I would sell the little RIB

 

[Bigplumbs]

Correct. Adequate but somewhat underpowered. If the AV plate is set 40mm above keel (I see yours is two holes too low), it will do nearly 30 knots but the pickup will be slow especially on the back of a wave which is why I sold the DF50 on mine. To raise the engine I used 3mm shims to space it off the stainless strip on top of the transom.

Transom rating is 52kw (77hp) and 120kg max weight so it would go well with a nice 70 or 80 HP two stroke, only the Yam F70 four stroke comes in under that weight. It's already stern heavy, maybe less so with your Tohatsu, but then you're no lightweight. (No offense intended)

If you like the boat and decide to sell the Narwhal definitely swop the engine over. The rib won't do anything better than the Ranieri, Cath and dog will far prefer it.

What engine have you got on yours now. I am not worried about spped to be honest. If I can get a nice cruise at about 24 Knots that will do me.

Where is the bilge Pump I an not sure mine is working unless it also has a float switch

 

[Bigplumbs]

The plan with this boat is to put it on my Swing mooring

 

[waynes world]

Single axle trailer weighing "near 3500kg" towed by a Mondeo?? Something doesn't add up here

Yep, keep up at the back please lol

 

[limecc]

What engine have you got on yours now. I am not worried about spped to be honest. If I can get a nice cruise at about 24 Knots that will do me.

Where is the bilge Pump I an not sure mine is working unless it also has a float switch

As said, speed won't be an issue, it's holeshot and changing to a 13p prop didn't help much except push the rpm up at cruising speed.

Bilge pump is the lowermost toggle switch, not usually fitted with a float switch pump. You'll have to get your head in the bilge and see.

I've now got a DF60a tuned by West Wales Tuning so although it's not been on a dyno, hopefully around 70hp. Not tried it out yet..
Suzuki Outboard Remapping

 

[salad]

Both buyer and seller inspect trailer and deem in good condition, buyer driving home hits something in road with trailer and breaks it.
why would seller stump up anything having been told the full facts?
seems unfortunate but sh#t happens,

I think if the driver towing hit something in terms of an accident, it would be a different state of affairs entirely. As it was, at least as far as I understood the OP, the axle was corroded, which isn't uncommon on trailers, being pretty much disposable items. It wasn't known to either party, but I'm simply saying that were I the seller, I'd be mortified and would want to help in any reasonable way. Seems like the seller felt a similar way and helped compensate for the tow home. All's well that ends well.

 

[salad]

I did indeed let the seller know in a very friendly way. I told him that I was in for about £1,500 total cost and asked him if he would refund me £250 as a gesture of good will. This was the final amount we were haggling over in the purchase. He was very apologetic and Sent me the money last night.

The main point if this thread was not about the money it was to alert people for the following reasons

1) Even if you do the best checks you can boat trailers will and do do this
2) you cannot see or test for this sort of thing
3) The AA seems to have changed their policy and are not that good any more
4) Some People are very reasonable sellers with integrity and honesty
5) Real life seldom mirrors theory
6) honour is far more important than money
7) Some things people post on here are ludicrous
8) to show people my new to me boat
9) To Have a bit of fun

Fair observations indeed. I'm glad he helped out and that he had some integrity.

The only query I have is regarding point 2. The problem is, it's your driving licence that would be stuffed if you were pulled over with a dodgy trailer isnt it. There has to be a way to give them a meaningful inspection. How would a surveyor do it? Inspection camera/mallet perhaps?

 

[Kukri]

I’ve read this thread with interest. I usually enjoy Bigplumbs’ threads and this one was particularly educational.

I think Bigplumbs’ conduct and that of the seller speak for themselves. Admirable.

I’m thinking “There, but for the Grace of God, go I!”

About eight years ago I drove from Suffolk to the Lake District, went through exactly the same payment rigmarole, but for £2k, and drove back with an International Canoe on a not-new trailer as an 18th birthday present for my elder son hitched to my Mondeo, which had (and still has!) a spare wheel, a spare bearing and a track pump in the back. Nothing happened, but there but for the Grace of God…

 

[Bigplumbs]

I’ve read this thread with interest. I usually enjoy Bigplumbs’ threads and this one was particularly educational.

I think Bigplumbs’ conduct and that of the seller speak for themselves. Admirable.

I’m thinking “There, but for the Grace of God, go I!”

About eight years ago I drove from Suffolk to the Lake District, went through exactly the same payment rigmarole, but for £2k, and drove back with an International Canoe on a not-new trailer as an 18th birthday present for my elder son hitched to my Mondeo, which had (and still has!) a spare wheel, a spare bearing and a track pump in the back. Nothing happened, but there but for the Grace of God…

yes these sort of things are fraught with issues and even if you do your very best wheels on trailers can fall off exactly at the point this one did. Also if you have a braked trailer with a new axel and it has been in salt water just a few times and flushed out the breaks can seize on, heat up, melt all the grease and the bearings go and guess what the wheel can fall off.

 

[madabouttheboat]

How do people sell MOT failures then............... Happens all the time they just Put MOT failure in the Description............. I think your statement is incorrect

It is incorrect.
Private sales have no comeback. It is a case if buyer beware.

 

[Corribee Boy]

I've been watching this thread with some interest, not least because I'm picking up a new-to-me boat and un-braked trailer on Tuesday. The vendor tells me it's been in the water and rinsed afterwards, but that's still a red flag to me. Externally the units look fine, but 200 motorway miles leaves scope for trouble.

I've considered various options, from whaling the heck out of them with the toffee hammer to see if they show signs of internal rust, via precautionary replacement, to piggy-backing the whole outfit on a larger trailer.

If the OP was doing the whole thing again, with the benefit of hindsight, would the problem have been identifiable at all, or how it might have been mitigated?

 

[billskip]

I've been watching this thread with some interest, not least because I'm picking up a new-to-me boat and un-braked trailer on Tuesday. The vendor tells me it's been in the water and rinsed afterwards, but that's still a red flag to me. Externally the units look fine, but 200 motorway miles leaves scope for trouble.

I've considered various options, from whaling the heck out of them with the toffee hammer to see if they show signs of internal rust, via precautionary replacement, to piggy-backing the whole outfit on a larger trailer.

If the OP was doing the whole thing again, with the benefit of hindsight, would the problem have been identifiable at all, or how it might have been mitigated?

I think today, with being a lot older,and a lot more risk with leaving unattended things should they fail I would be inclined to ensure I had recovery insurance.
Years ago I would think nothing of loading my Broom Scorpio full with all camping gear and kitchen sink, towing from Surrey up to Porthmadog without a thought of a problem.

 

[Bigplumbs]

I've been watching this thread with some interest, not least because I'm picking up a new-to-me boat and un-braked trailer on Tuesday. The vendor tells me it's been in the water and rinsed afterwards, but that's still a red flag to me. Externally the units look fine, but 200 motorway miles leaves scope for trouble.

I've considered various options, from whaling the heck out of them with the toffee hammer to see if they show signs of internal rust, via precautionary replacement, to piggy-backing the whole outfit on a larger trailer.

If the OP was doing the whole thing again, with the benefit of hindsight, would the problem have been identifiable at all, or how it might have been mitigated?

I am sorry to have to tell you that I don't think anyone would have spotted the issue. and I think if I was to buy another older boat even if I inspected it very well it could happen again The trailer otherwise is in very good condition (far better than I thought).

Now here is a thought. A Brand new trailer for this boat from Extreme is £1,950 with 4 week wait. With the AA bill and the new axle parts (4 - 6 week wait) I will have spent the best part of £1,500. So if you can get a new trailer this is a plan:

Agree the sale, Take the boat to a launch point near the seller if there is one and swap onto your trailer. You might even agree a lesser price for not buying his trailer. This way as you drive home you are not feeling stressed to heck.

I have far too many boats on too many trailers so if you would like to discuss what happend in more detail PM me your mobile and I will be happy to have a chat

 

[Corribee Boy]

Thanks for the response, which confirms my thoughts - I'll try to get replacement suspension, bearings and wheels on before I leave the vendor's house. I had a nasty blowout on the Corribee trailer on the M25 last year, despite a brand-new tyre, and I'd rather not repeat the experience.

I think it would be useful to share the failure mode that you experienced, if you can go through the trauma!

 

[limecc]

I think the AA have got off very lightly in this discussion. I won't be renewing next year, will go back to Autoaid as recommended by the Moneysavingexpert. The independent local recovery firm might not be inclined to have the same get-out-of-responsibility attitude or else they simply don't get paid. In the end, the AA did recover it, just not at their expense because of some faceless guy's arbitrary decision. Wasn't even done at cost price! They took advantage of a difficult situation and BP, with police expressing concerns, an unhappy wife and dog, no doubt was tired and felt pressured to accept their 'terms'.

Hindsight and forethought is a wonderful thing. If it happens to me during the remainder of my contract with them I'll threaten to take them to small claims, if no joy, employ another recovery service and bill them for my out of pocket expenses. See whose side the magistrate takes?

Yes you always take care to keep your stuff legal and roadworthy, but this kind of unexpected event is what you join their service for!

 

[westernman]

I think you have a valid claim with the AA.

After all they say they cover trailers.

Is my caravan covered?
Yes - we cover caravans, campervans and trailers as well as cars, motorbikes and vans. That's as long as it's less than 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and 8ft 3in (2.55m) wide.

Their excuse is that because of a problem with the trailer wheel it was not road worthy.
Does this mean that any issue with a caravan or a trailer only ever happens because it was not road worthy?

Does it say anywhere in their policy what "road worthy" means?
And who has to certify that it is road worthy?

I would make a claim to the small claims court.

May be also ask them how to inspect a caravan or trailer to verify that it is road worthy.

 

[limecc]

Agree the sale, Take the boat to a launch point near the seller if there is one and swap onto your trailer. You might even agree a lesser price for not buying his trailer. This way as you drive home you are not feeling stressed to heck.

Here's another thought.
Agree the sale.
Buyer and seller inspect the trailer and agree that it seems in roadworthy condition. You take pictures. Proof that you are making any potential claim in good faith. Pathetic state of affairs you would have to stoop to this.