We Interrupt the Italy/Belgium Trip With This Notice

Buying a boat can be tricky - selling one can be trickier... are your buyers comparing like for like?

As any sensible seller (and buyer) does, we researched the market.

It's hard to compare like for like boats, especially barges. So I thought I'd jot down our thoughts if we were buying a barge to go cruising or live on board (or both). 

​Firstly, let me make it clear - We are open to offers!
 
Come and take a look at Rouge Corsair and compare….
 
When viewing boats/prices there is lots to consider. We spent three months full time searching before we found the right boat for us.

If you are comparing prices (and we all do) – keep in mind:

• When was the central heating/boiler last serviced?
• When was the engine last over-hauled/serviced?
• Buying a steel boat? Is there a galvanic isolator fitted – there should be on a steel boat.
• When was the interior last painted?
• When was the exterior last painted?
• When were the electrics last checked?
• Does it have a holding tank? (there maybe few upheld rules on this now, but that will change).
• How old is the furniture? Will you have to buy more? Where from? How will you transport it all and get it into the boat? (see here blog on our furniture!)
• How will you run the TV and computers when you aren’t plugged into a marina (cost!) –ie, are there solar panels and are they connected to a control panel that converts excess volts to amps?
• How old is the plumbing – can you access/view it all?
• Can you access the bilge, if not, why not? What condition is it in? (you need to be able to access every part of the boat, inside and out).
• Are you prepared to arrange and pay for haul out, survey and thickness survey
• Is there room for transport ie bicycles and motorbike (how about getting two mopeds and opening up your world – how will you get them on deck easily (how about a bespoke derrick!)
• Is there a dinghy included? – what if you can’t tie up near enough to step on shore (it happens)
• Is the anchor functional and usable (ie not just toy-sized!) – does the anchor winch work?
• Are there good ropes and fenders on board
• What spare parts are included?
• Are there tools on board?
• Is there enough storage? Where will your big towels go, your linen? Your wet weather gear (wet and dry?) – all your paperwork?
• Is there gas on board – is it safe, in an outside locker, are the hoses new/up to date/meeting regulations?
• Are there gas alarms on board?
• How many gas bottles fit, you need at least two.
• If there is no gas, are you going to run the generator/engine every time you want a cup of tea?
• Is there a BBQ on board – important – summers can be hot, you may not want to be in the galley!
• Is there enough room in the wheelhouse to entertain comfortably – and especially when on the move – when guests visit they want to putter along the canal, how many can sit in the wheelhouse comfortably if it is raining or too hot outside?
• How safe is the boat – strong safety rails all the way around the entire boat?
• Is there navigation gear on board – charts, books, electronic maps of the canals?
• Is the boat lived on – boats left empty for a time can deteriorate very quickly – test everything works.

Yes, there is a lot to consider - and more than this too.... but you CAN have your cake and eat it!

These questions and answers are obviously over and above a seaworthy hull (+ 4mm).
 
We have a hull thickness survey which our insurance company is so impressed with, they will transfer the insurance to the new owners without the need of a new survey/ultra sound until 2020.
 
If some of the answers to these questions are not being dealt with satisfactorily for the boats you are looking at – come and chat to us.
 
Every point above costs a lot of money to address if it needs looking at.
 

• Surveys
• Safety checks
• Paint
• Parts
• Tools
• Time
• Effort
• Hiring an expert/surveyor/technician/mechanic/electrician.... etc...

 
It is your choice, do the work, use your time, effort and money, or buy a boat which ticks all the boxes.
 
As I said, we will discuss offers… we wish to sell this summer…

Lots of picture/info here

And here.