dumb barge

[bazam]

I am considering buying a houseboat based on a steel/iron Thames dumb barge. Can anyone tell me how I judge the condition of the hull or suggest a surveyor who may be able to help and should I be cocerned about the soundness of the hull.

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[AndrewB]

You need to tell us your area to get a recommendation for a surveyor. Alternatively, try the "Directory" in the toolbar above, for a local list. Many, but not all, will deal with steel hulls.

I heard somewhere that these dumb barges were designed for a 30 year life span so if its older you might need to be cautious. I'm familar with steel sailing barges kept on salt water, not with lighters or houseboats, so am not sure whether the following remarks are helpful. For a hull survey on a steel barge or yacht, ideally it must be out the water. The obvious signs of problems are heavy rust, cracked welds, mis-shapen hull (particularly following the pattern of the stringers, which indicates poor welding: minor dings can be forgiven). But such problems can be hidden under a layer of filler and paint, and the worst spots are generally where it is hardest to see, on the inside of the hull. An ultra-sound test will reveal any thinning of the hull - check with the surveyor that he can do this for you.

 

[boatmike]

Should you be concerned about the condition of the hull? Er..... Only if you want it to stay afloat..... Perhaps you like waterbeds? Seriously though a proper survey on these things can only be done out of the water and a surveyor should have specialist knowledge of river boats 'cause boats in fresh water don't have the same problems as sea boats and there are a lot of rust buckets about on the Thames. I have condemned several of them myself! Usually the bottom plating on barges is at least 10 / 12 mm thick on the bottom and they tend to rust out from the inside so before you employ a surveyor lift the floorboards and look below. Floors frames and structure. Is it seriously rusted through? Is the bottom plating seriously pitted? If not then get around the outside in a dinghy and look at the plating at the waterline. This is where you are likely to see most problems and if its OK there and in the bilges it is probably OK generally. This will avoid you having to employ a surveyor to tell you the obvious 3 or 4 times. When you see one you think is good THEN find a surveyor and have the vessel lifted for a proper survey.

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