Complete newbie in need of advice

[jbm1967]

Hi girls & guys, I have just bought my first boat and have very little experience. Probably unwisely I did not have a survey done before I purchased. What I would like is a sort of MOT for boats. Someone who knows what they are looking for to advise what is needed to be done to the boat. I would like to do as much of this work required myself so I can learn as much as possible. The boat is moored at Dover Marina at the moment. Does anyone know a company or individual local who could do this for me? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer on this (and the many more questions I will need help with in the near future).

 

[JVL]

If you want to know what if anything is wrong with the boat? Then as a complete newbie having it surveyed is arguably the best route, this will also give you a to do list. It won’t be cheap! IIRC there’s a good boat builders at Wellington dock or ask in Sharp &Enright the marine chandlers for advice . Good luck

John

 

[oldharry]

A very muchless expensive option is to pay a boatbuilder to inspect the boat and give you his opinion. A full survey is just that, checking the condition of everything. A boatbuilder will sim0ly take a look and advise you what he would do if he was asked to make it seaworthy. A Surveyors job is to report on every aspect, with liability if he misses anything. The boat builder at perhaps a quarter the cost of a full survey simply gives a professional opinion and advice, but there's little comeback if he did miss anything, which is unlikely if you get a good man!

 

[Biggles Wader]

M&P Marine services is the local boat repair firm if you want to go down that route rather than a formal survey and have a good reputation.
If you are going to do most of the work yourself you probably already have the basic skills to look at the boat and work out what needs doing. What sort of boat is it?What engine?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Surveyors don't just do surveys. You could employ one to go over the boat with you for a few hours, discussing its condition and any work which might need done. Of course you might get a survey report out of it too, which could be useful for getting insurance.

 

[oldharry]

Surveyors will cover whatever you ask them to look at. I was looking at a nice plywood Eventide many years ago, but had doubts about its condition. I asked a Surveyor to take a look and tell me whether it was worth pursuing. An emphatic 'no' confirmed my own doubts and saved me a great deal of money! A coat of paint hides many sins! The 'Boatbuilders opinion' option is my choice when dealing with older low value boats, though. Most boatbuilders enjoy talking about boats, and let fall many useful practical tips in the process!

 

[Wansworth]

Tell us all about your boat and I am sure you will get some useful pointers...also lndicate your list of skills or bodging!

 

[laika]

Most boatbuilders enjoy talking about boats, and let fall many useful practical tips in the process!

The boatbuilder may enjoy chatting but may not be much cop at writing things down. A surveyor writes reports for a living. I’ve frequently forgotten the details of a chat the next day but my survey gave me a job list to run through. I appreciate your cost-based reasoning, but simply putting forward an alternate perspective the additional cost of a proper survey may be money well spent, particularly if the op hasn’t tried to get insurance yet

 

[mjcoon]

The boatbuilder may enjoy chatting but may not be much cop at writing things down. ... I’ve frequently forgotten the details of a chat the next day but my survey gave me a job list to run through.

You could always put your phone on record...

Mike.

 

[jbm1967]

Hi, thanks everyone for your advice. I know a survey would be a good way to go but is quite a lot of expense. I'm looking for something a little less formal and appreciate there will be no real comeback for anything missed. The boat is a Summer Twins Catamaran 1989 with twin Volvo Penta engines. As said I know little about sailboats. My general skills are pretty good regarding things little electrics, plumbing, general maintenance and a very little engine knowledge. Things I have no knowledge of are things like the rigging. Certainly some of the ropes look in bad repair.

 

[johnalison]

If you belonged to a local club there would be someone with the appropriate experience to advise you. Joining a club can be very useful to a novice, and many clubs, even posh ones, tend to be keen to take on new members these days.

 

[jbm1967]

To update thanks to the replies I am arranging for M & P Marine Services to carry out an inspection and paying them hourly. I am sure I will be back in touch for more help when I know what is required. Thanks to all!

 

[armchairsailor]

Subscribe to PBO, buy and read a few books, put the kettle on and stare at your engine with the factory service manual in your hand. You’ll never stop learning, and the more you think about the problem at hand, the more confident you’ll become in your ownership. Within reason of course.

 

[Vega1447]

Subscribe to PBO, buy and read a few books, put the kettle on and stare at your engine with the factory service manual in your hand. You’ll never stop learning, and the more you think about the problem at hand, the more confident you’ll become in your ownership. Within reason of course.

Hmm.
The first time I replaced the water pump impeller, I didn't know that there is a key in the shaft that has to engage a slot before the new impeller can be slid back into the pump chamber.

I got so annoyed that I considered giving the shaft a tap with a hammer - I still get a chill when I think of the damage that I could have done.

Eventually I tried rotating the flywheel using the starter handle with the engine decompressed and the shaft slid in like a slidey shaft. That's how I always do it now.

Of course the manual didn't mention the issue.

Moral, RTFM but think before doing anything irrevocable..

 

[ashtead]

The question of what needs doing rather depends on your plans. If you propose to sit tucked up in Dover Marina requirements might differ to needs if intending to cross the channel or visit the Med. clearly you can always think of new tasks though. A few years ago there used to be scheme where by a yacht safety check could be carried out free of charge to advise on your safety equipment and I believe was under auspices of RNLI or RYA. That might be a useful starting point ? Personally I would also be looking on the owners website and seeing if for a small fee you could join and entice a retired owner on the members committee to advise on matters to look at for your acquisition before shelling out now on a survey until you have identified issues where you might need expert advice such as keel bolts or rudder bearings etc.

 

[LadyInBed]

When we know the boat model we will have a better idea of the sort of advice to give.

 

[Tillsbury]

Absolutely the best idea to get a surveyor in on an hourly rate. You know how much you’re spending. He could easily tell you to sell the boat within half an hour. Or he might start giving you suggestions of what would be worth doing, and you can keep listening as long as you find it useful. Most importantly, you’ll find out what absolutely must be done before you sail safely, and what can be done at your leisure.

 

[DJE]

The boat is a Summer Twins Catamaran 1989 with twin Volvo Penta engines.

It might be worth £12 to join this: https://htcca.co.uk/st-25/

 

[Biggles Wader]

I think this thread has suffered from the ybw new member moderation and posts have appeared long after they were made. Good luck to the OP with your new cat.

 

[jbm1967]

Thanks for all advice and yes it's certainly not helped that my posts have to be moderated before they appear. Hopefully that will not last too long.