Buying a small river cruiser

[SlaveToMyCats]

Hi All,

I would appreciate some advice. I live near Surbiton and would like to get my first 'proper' boat for days and evenings out on the Thames. I was considering a budget of 10K for a used boat. For this I was hoping to get a 19 or 20 ft river cruiser with a petrol outboard... something like a Shetland family four, Viking 20 etc. The only solid requirements are a small cabin to relax in the evening as a couple and an outdoor deck to enjoy in the sunshine with a few friends.

The problem is there don't seem to be a lot of these boats around at any time and the few I have seen seem to have no boat safety certificate etc which worries me.

Am I being realistic with budget here? I don't expect something cosmetically great but it does need to be reliable and dry

If it is realistic, should I do a survey on a boat in this price range please? And would you typically insure such a boat fully comp?

Any tips greatfully revived...

 

[lynallbel]

Hardy do several models of smaller boat, always popular so easy to move on.

Always full comp insurance, be surprised if it is more than 250 quid.

Never surveyed either of our boats, one at 11k and other at 30k, thats not to say dont get yours surveyed, only you can make that call, but with an outboard there is not to much for them to look at!

 

[Sneds]

Maybe an Atlanta 24?
Shetland or Viking are both popular
Check everything works, lights, water, heating etc
If you can, get someone to check the engine
I would get insurance, not just 3rd party unless you could afford to replace the boat after a total loss
Also, join canal and river rescue
Good luck and enjoy the search

 

[colhel]

Never surveyed either of our boats, one at 11k and other at 30k, thats not to say dont get yours surveyed, only you can make that call, but with an outboard there is not to much for them to look at!

I thought a survey was needed for insurance, especially fully comp. Agree there won't be a lot to look at

 

[lynallbel]

I thought a survey was needed for insurance, especially fully comp. Agree there won't be a lot to look at

Thats seems to be a lottery, some down the club have never had a survey ever, and others like myself have been asked, luckily I had one from previous owner that was under 5 yrs old Iirc.
Might be related to the value of the boat, or its age, ie hit a value point or age marker and you auto need a survey?

In the ops case, low value boat in my mind common sense no survey/full comp ins mainly to protect others, and go and have some fun, keep survevy money towards running costs of the boat, ie new seacocks/hoses etc.

Have seen a few threads recently asking for ins companies that do not need a survey.

 

[Seastoke]

we had to have one after the boat became 25.

 

[Easticks28]

Ours is a FG yacht, 35 years old. Insureres require a boatyard condition report every five years.

 

[mlines]

Probably wrong time/ wrong budget to be honest. With Covid-19 and no overseas holidays, limited UK holidays and people with loads of spare time on their hands, everything half decent has long gone. Most boats advertised have sold before the advert was actually posted or if they are still for sale then there is something quite seriously wrong with them as, to be frank, you can sell virtually anything at this time. Those adverts that are popping up from dealers saying "we need boats to sell" are genuine this year (previously they were often just trying to drum up business in slack times).

BSS is a requirement of waterways authorities (CRT, EA) and not necessarily insurers. If you have found a boat not used on one of these regulated waterways (e.g. used at Sea or as a trailer boat where you "self declare" compliance) then it may well not have a BSS. Not only that but they are pretty straight forward for a small boat.

As for a survey, at this end of the market if it floats and the engine runs and you can jump up and down on the floor and it does not collapse due to rot then the survey just offers you to spend more money.

You may find one if you look away from the brands that everyone looks for (Shetland or Viking). There were lots of look-a-like copies made from brands that appeared for a year or two and went, providing you stick with your outboard requirement then a lesser known brand is just as good (ie. no weird inboard engine make)