Probably a stupid idea !

NeilT

NeilT

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Morning,
As some of you will know from my previous ramblings I'm looking for a boat (nothing flash just a little mobo).
The problem is how many boats to look at and how far away they are.
On dog rescue forum I use there is a section for people to ask someone more local than them to do a "home visit"
Would there be any use having a similar system here where a forumite can ask for someone more local to a boat to go and have a quick peer over it and let you know if its worth the trip to see it.
I know we arn't surveyors etc but surely having a boaty person check its not a shed before making a trip would be helpful.
I'm sure there are many reasons this might not work and am fully ready to be shot down in flames but thought it worth a mention.
Cheers
Neil
 
It's not a stupid idea, it has been done from time to time between friends or consenting adults ;) but it isn't a service that is offered as a matter of course - if you see what I mean.

You need to identify a specific target & ask nicely, you may get lucky if someone is visiting the yard or knows the boat. But don't expect people to be rushing round spending time & fuel to do your research for you. You may also need to think how you might thank someone who for a small effort on their part saves you a lot of aggro, but lives some way away and you don't know their likes/ dislikes.
 
No, I think its a good idea. Most people, me included, are not averse to mooching around boatyards and helping other people spend their hard earned
 
Oh well at least 4 of us like the idea - I guess the other 150 views think it's daft.
I still think it could work if planned right ( I'm really dont know when to quit)
But anyway if anyone wants something looked at on the Thames from say Chertsey to Henley give me a shout. I'm no expert but can easily check or photograph things you ask for. And I do know my way around engines.
Any excuse for a poke about a boatyard !!
And while I'm busy not taking a hint ........... anyone in plymouth fancy half hour out?
Cheers
N
 
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I've checked out a boat for a forumite based in Eire who wanted to know whether or not it would be worth him making the journey to Hull on the East coast.

As it turned out, the outdrive looked a bit like chocolate as the previous owner hadn't performed any kind of maintenance to it. I e-mailed him some piccies of the offending article and he decided to withdraw.

At the time I kept my boat in Hull so it was no problem for me, but I think the idea of forumites giving boats for sale a preliminary shufty is a good one. After all, you're unlikely to get the actualities from the bloke wot's selling it.
 
NeilT said:
Oh well at least 4 of us like the idea - I guess the other 150 views think it's daft.
I still think it could work if planned right ( I'm really dont know when to quit)
But anyway if anyone wants something looked at on the Thames from say Chertsey to Henley give me a shout. I'm no expert but can easily check or photograph things you ask for. And I do know my way around engines.
Any excuse for a poke about a boatyard !!
And while I'm busy not taking a hint ........... anyone in plymouth fancy half hour out?
Cheers
N
Click to expand...

Don't take it personally, non-responsive views are the norm, one response in 20 views is a busy thread - check a few out.
 
NeilT said:
Morning,
As some of you will know from my previous ramblings I'm looking for a boat (nothing flash just a little mobo).
I know we arn't surveyors etc but surely having a boaty person check its not a shed before making a trip would be helpful.
I'm sure there are many reasons this might not work and am fully ready to be shot down in flames but thought it worth a mention.
Cheers
Neil
Click to expand...

Yes NeilT , tiss worth a mention.
I dropped a few rollocks years ago when buying small mobos
Admit to buying at least three Pups
Of the boaty kind!:)
No Forum type things in those days
Plus no idea what I was looking at.
No boaty Mates either to call on then!
Plus sometimes a boaty person will have more 'savvy' as to what you want to know
A Surveyor will have the technical/ condition side of things to report back to you.
But yer boaty mate/forum member will have a bit more of a feel as to what you want to see in said vessel.

There is a kinda system already set up on here
It's called
a PM!:D

Fer instance
Say I saw a boat in Liverpool marina
Wanted to know a bit more about it than a Broker would know or tell me.

The Post would be entitled.

'Anyone know 'Skylark' 22 ft Sealine' etc etc , moored in Liverpool and so on.
I,m sure PM's an such like would be forthcoming.
Plus offers of veiwing on your behalf
I know I,ve done similar for folks on here.
Been a good source of Sauce;):D
 
If the boat in question is close to another forumite I think they could shed some light on how it appears to be used. For example I'd have an opinion on the boats either side of us in Swanwick - couldn't guarantee it being other than conjecture, but that would be more information than you might otherwise have.
 
Another forumite took a look at BushBaby for me before I travelled from Bristol to Essex to take a look at her prior to purchase.
I would be more than happy to take a look at a local boat for someone living far away.
A good test is "would your wife sleep, eat or shower on it" as it is.
 
Sneds;2618035 A good test is "would your wife sleep said:
That's the kinda thing Sneds
Not a 'survey' as such
But is the vessel 'nice' for want of a better word
I have 'viewed' boats for friends
Plus Forumites never met!
Only a couple of low value tiddlers as it appens
But the info I gained and gave helped said peeps.
Click to expand...
 
I too think it's a good idea, and have in the past cast an eye on a possible or two, without doing anything like a survey, just a yes it's worth you coming to take a look, or no, don't bother type of approach - having obtained a good understanding of what the person was looking for - boat show condition, dinked but in good working order, etc.
 
NeilT said:
Morning,
As some of you will know from my previous ramblings I'm looking for a boat (nothing flash just a little mobo).
The problem is how many boats to look at and how far away they are.
On dog rescue forum I use there is a section for people to ask someone more local than them to do a "home visit"
Would there be any use having a similar system here where a forumite can ask for someone more local to a boat to go and have a quick peer over it and let you know if its worth the trip to see it.
I know we arn't surveyors etc but surely having a boaty person check its not a shed before making a trip would be helpful.
I'm sure there are many reasons this might not work and am fully ready to be shot down in flames but thought it worth a mention.
Cheers
Neil
Click to expand...
It depends on quite what you are expecting. I wouldnt mind taking a quick look at a boat in my marina for someone, but most sellers have plenty of photos available anyway. I'd be less open to spending my boating time travelling to other marinas/yards.
You also have to remember that these boats are someone else's property- you arent entitled to tramp over it ;), which might mean also arranging with a broker.
One last point- you do get a better feel for a boat/model after you have seen a number of them. Obviously you lose that advantage if you outsource the job !!
 
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