Common Pitfalls
Below are some of the typical pitfalls that new boat owners commonly make.
Buying a boat which is:
- Too large/small for their needs. This can be an issue in both respects.
- A boat which is not mechanically or sea worthy. Despite having a surveyors report some people still allow their heart to rule their head. Then the added expense of passing the boat safety certificate (MOT for boats) becomes an issue.
- Not suitable for where it is to be used. For example a racing cruiser that does not provide safe access to the foredeck in order to secure the boat either at locks or when mooring. A lack of cleats which results in difficulty securing the boat. A boat designed for the sea. Again limited access to secure ropes together with the height of the deck/cockpit make these types difficult to handle.
- An over powered boat. Why buy a boat capable of cruising at 30 knots when the majority of inland waterways have a speed limit of a couple of knots. (Combine that with the running costs!).
- Unaware of the mooring and maintenance costs. Mooring, particularly on the Thames is expensive. As a rule of thumb you can estimate at £100 per foot. Mooring is payable annually and it does not go down! Every winter the boat needs to be de-commissioned and really should be lifted out. In the Spring it has to be recommissioned and lifted back into the water. Then we are looking at power hosing off the hull and re anti fouling. Then of course there is the annual service. Your boat will need to be licensed every year with the E.A. so you can use it. Every one of these will be a separate charge. The bigger the boat the bigger the bill!
- No domestic hot water system. No heating system for the cabins. A sea toilet without a holding tank. (Direct dumping is now illegal on the inland waterways of the UK). Inadequate washing facilities.
- Steel or GRP (plastic!). Have you thought about the pros and cons of each?
- Not knowing the advantages of a diesel engine over a petrol engine.
The above is not an exhaustive list, but is a listing of the most common things that people do not consider.
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