Does anyone here live near Inverness? Quick boat check and delivery options to Wales.

MoodySabre

MoodySabre

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Hi good people. The title says most of it. My son is on the cusp of buying a Drascombe Coaster that is in Caley Marina but as he lives in SW Wales it is not viable to go and take a peek. The lady owner has been frank about it and sounds honest so a buy without seeing it is not out of the question. But if anyone is very close and has half and hour to spare some reward might be forthcoming. A full survey is a bit over the top at the value point.

The only quote yet in from Shiply is £914 to Saundersfoot (nr Tenby). The boat is on a road worthy braked trailer so could be towed. 550 miles so quite a run. Any ideas?
 
I am not far away but not the only one in these parts. I am not sure what input I could usefully add as I am not familliar with that particular boat so probably could not pass sensible comment.

It might be handy to know if it's rigged and ready to sail or mast down on the trailer (I suspect the latter)

I would not personally want to take an unknown trailer on a 550 mile tow. That wants as much attention as the boat, wheel bearings. brakes and tyres.

Under normal circumstances I would suggest you hop on a flight up here but I suspect that is not on the agenda at the moment.
 
Hire something with a towbar and DIY; they don't weigh much so not stressful to tow. I'd check the bearings before leaving though, or pay a garage to do it if you're not confident. Also check the age of the tyres, as the shock of working for a living after a sedentary life can cause tyres to crack up even if they look OK at first; I've seen trailer tyres go from "that looks fine" to bulging cracked sidewalls in 50 miles.
 
When I was in Inverness with a broken rudder there was a transporter delivering a boat there. He was prepared to drop my hanse 311 back to Bradwell for £1K cash provided the marina at Bradwell would unload on Saturday morning.( He had to be in Portsmouth on monday morning) Unfortunately Ian would not play ball as he was going to a football match & would not work Saturday, so I had to decline. Anyway, point of post is that he apparently went their quite often so was known to them. Came from somewhere on S coast.
May I suggest a phone call to the HM at Inverness marina which is part of the Cally marina group & ask if he still calls & if a return load could be arranged. Long shot but one never knows.
 
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ProDave said:
I am not far away but not the only one in these parts. I am not sure what input I could usefully add as I am not familliar with that particular boat so probably could not pass sensible comment.

It might be handy to know if it's rigged and ready to sail or mast down on the trailer (I suspect the latter)

I would not personally want to take an unknown trailer on a 550 mile tow. That wants as much attention as the boat, wheel bearings. brakes and tyres.

Under normal circumstances I would suggest you hop on a flight up here but I suspect that is not on the agenda at the moment.
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Fair comment. It's in the marina and I think it is not rigged but on land with a cover.
 
Daydream believer said:
When I was in Inverness with a broken rudder there was a transporter delivering a boat there. He was prepared to drop my hanse 311 back to Bradwell for £1K cash provided the marina at Bradwell would unload on Saturday morning.( He had to be in Portsmouth on monday morning) Unfortunately Ian would not play ball as he was going to a football match & would not work Saturday, so I had to decline. Anyway, point of post is that he apparently went their quite often so was known to them. Came from somewhere on S coast.
May I suggest a phone call to the HM at Inverness marina which is part of the Cally marina group & ask if he still calls & if a return load could be arranged. Long shot but one never knows.
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Thanks Sam. It now transpires that the seller has bought a Dabber that is in Salisbury that needs delivering to Inverness so a return trip looks likely with (we hope) some saving on the only Shiply quote of £914.
 
Exactly how long would it take to drive up to Inverness and inspect this boat?

Or is it still impossible under Covid regs.

Surely that's worth the bother for anything worth over a few hundred pounds?
 
James_Calvert said:
Exactly how long would it take to drive up to Inverness and inspect this boat?

Or is it still impossible under Covid regs.

Surely that's worth the bother for anything worth over a few hundred pounds?
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Three day trip. Two nights away, petrol for 1000 miles. It’s not going to happen.
l’ve looked at two boats for forumites. Saved them travelling and saved them both some grief. Not a survey but is it as described.
 
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