Bought my first boat 800 miles away. Need advice!

Chris_d said:
With all due repsect have you been on the Thames recently, that is a typical Thames boat these days and other similar types make it all the way up to Abingdon with suitable mods to the mast canopies etc... Broom 42/450's, Princess 42, Fairline 42, Sealine 43 and even a 46 way past Windsor, and all with bigger engines as well. That is actually a perfect boat for cruising the river in comfort more than it is for cruising down from Scotland.

Harleyford Marlow, should fit in nicely:
View attachment 73712
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Agree with this. Having looked at the boat and particularly the underwater shape, I can now appreciate why it is so slow with prop tunnels and low deadrise. It is semi displacement and would make a poor boat in anything other than flat calm. The thought of taking that down the east coast, even if it was 100% reliable is not a happy one.

However it would do well on the Thames IF the owner can keep those ancient smoky old engines running. It would also make a good houseboat and suspect that is how it will end up.

So, support bringing it down by truck, dropping it in the Thames and tying it up very firmly to the river bank.
 
Thanks, mates. I've learned a lot here. I just booked a transport company who can do the delivery in November. So, I will enjoy the boat in Kip for a short period. Then the Thames will be her home after that. I will spend the winter to gain some knowledge, and do some repair/upgrade for her. Hopefully, she could do a little south coast travelling next summer.
 
Sounds like you made a good decision, get out on the Clyde, plenty of places to go and also hide when the weather is poor, it's a fairly small area at 15knts
 
Chris_d said:
With all due repsect have you been on the Thames recently, that is a typical Thames boat these days and other similar types make it all the way up to Abingdon with suitable mods to the mast canopies etc... Broom 42/450's, Princess 42, Fairline 42, Sealine 43 and even a 46 way past Windsor, and all with bigger engines as well. That is actually a perfect boat for cruising the river in comfort more than it is for cruising down from Scotland.

Harleyford Marlow, should fit in nicely:
View attachment 73712
Click to expand...
I have highlighted the inportant bit.

Without doing anything, this boat currently won't even get to Teddington.

If he removes the canopy over the flybridge and replaces it with something removable or foldable then I agree it will work.

But would it not have been simpler and probably cheaper to buy something already on the river and already suitably modified? I think that was my point.
 
ProDave said:
I have highlighted the inportant bit.

Without doing anything, this boat currently won't even get to Teddington.

If he removes the canopy over the flybridge and replaces it with something removable or foldable then I agree it will work.

But would it not have been simpler and probably cheaper to buy something already on the river and already suitably modified? I think that was my point.
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I imagine he might have paid substantially less for this boat than he would have done for anything on the Thames. But, as we don't know what he actually paid, we're both guessing :)
 
I did view many boats surround my home area. It just somehow I like this boat a little more. I like the layout and the canopy. I know I am not saving any money compare to buying on the Thames (Actually the total expense will more than buying on the Thames). But anyway, I am happy to have this boat.

The next step would be modify something to make the canopy movable. A lot of works to do. A lot of questions I will ask in this forum in the near future. Thanks in advance.
 
Lucas Gan said:
Thanks, mates. I've learned a lot here. I just booked a transport company who can do the delivery in November. So, I will enjoy the boat in Kip for a short period. Then the Thames will be her home after that. I will spend the winter to gain some knowledge, and do some repair/upgrade for her. Hopefully, she could do a little south coast travelling next summer.
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Sounds a very good good plan. I know nothing about your level of experience, but might you consider some own boat tuition from an RYA Instructor before November? I'm not plugging them, but see: https://www.nationalcentrecumbrae.org.uk/about/staff
I assume they teach on large MoBos. They have their own pontoon(s) where you can practice "parking" without too many people watching.
Sally_Tonys_Wedding_011_copy.jpg

There will be Instructors at Kip and the Cumbrae folk may be happy to do tuition there also. A buzy Saturday afternoon at Kip will draw lots of spectators!;)
Just a thought...
 
A1Sailor said:
Sounds a very good good plan. I know nothing about your level of experience, but might you consider some own boat tuition from an RYA Instructor before November? I'm not plugging them, but see: https://www.nationalcentrecumbrae.org.uk/about/staff
I assume they teach on large MoBos. They have their own pontoon(s) where you can practice "parking" without too many people watching.
Sally_Tonys_Wedding_011_copy.jpg

There will be Instructors at Kip and the Cumbrae folk may be happy to do tuition there also. A buzy Saturday afternoon at Kip will draw lots of spectators!;)
Just a thought...
Click to expand...

This is a good idea. In fact, I did call two RYA training centres near Kip this afternoon. But their time frame just not fit me. I will stay in Kip for a week from this Saturday. So, if any of you know any trainer can teach me in Kip during this period will be appreciated.

I also called a local trainer near my home, he said the best way is training on my own boat. I agree with him.
 
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Lucas Gan said:
The Radar Arch, Screen and canopy will need to be removed for transport.
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Presumably you will be progressing with that promptly as removing the arch/roof may not be an easy job? And will the removed parts store safely aboard the boat such that all can be transported with the boat?
 
Lucas Gan said:
This is a good idea. In fact, I did call two RYA training centres near Kip this afternoon. But their time frame just not fit me. I will stay in Kip for a week from this Saturday. So, if any of you know any trainer can teach me in Kip during this period will be appreciated.

I also called a local trainer near my home, he said the best way is training on my own boat. I agree with him.
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Indeed - which is why I said own boat tuition. You shouldn't have any difficulty finding somebody on the Clyde, midweek. Duncan Chalmers is the General Manager at Kip and would surely be able to advise.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-chalmers-3037919/?originalSubdomain=uk
 
Thank you for the information. I will try to contact the club. Looks like they have a 2 days and 5 days moto cruising courses. Thanks.
 
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