| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Nodder |
Posted - 10 Apr 2013 : 23:10:16
Hi
I have only recently got interested into boats and at the moment do not own one but while looking around to see what is available and also try and decide what I liked and didn't like I came across the Norman boats which I do like. Whilst checking out some adverts I was pointed in your direction, loads of info here.
Initially I was looking at a Cleopatra but have since found out that they are too wide for the majority of locks in my area and the Normans are just right.
As I said I am new to this type of transport and will be going out this weekend to view some boats, my question is are there any specific questions I should be asking the boat seller apart from the obvious like test certificate, no of owners, last time survey was carried out etc, any help in this would be very helpful.
Thank you |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Nodder |
Posted - 13 Apr 2013 : 21:06:41
Thanks Adi for that, I went and looked at 2 boats today one was inboard diesel and the other was out board 15hp petrol which looks a bit feeble on such a big boat. I'm comparing this little engine to my little 125cc motorbike I had years ago and I don't think that would pull a boat but then it's not like these boats go fast anyway, what's the speed limit on rivers and canals about 4 or 5 MPH.
The boats I looked at today, the first one was a Freeman 23 very well built with solid furniture and fitting and obliviously a lot of thought gone into the design and good use of space. The Freeman also had a dump and pump toilet fitted, I didn't even know that was allowed I used to swim in rivers when I were a lad. The other boat was a Norman 24 not quite so solidly built but better laid out, it had a hard top and fairly new canopy too and to my mind was a better shape, smoother lines. I think the Norman is the way to go for me. |
| adi-n-chez |
Posted - 12 Apr 2013 : 22:46:01
We bought our Norman 22 over 10yrs ago - I remenber Grandad saying to me as a young un 'Wish we had one of those inboards son!' as we fueled the 25hp 2 stroke outboard in the 70's.
That stuck in my mind...... When we bought our 22 it had a 1100 ford petrol inboard - great I thought just the job !!
Yes - But not for economy !! - A ltr a mile on river use !!
We made the change to a 15HP Honda 4 stroke outboard that burns 0.5- 1.5 lts /hr depending on canal/river use much much better !!!
Based on yr first post that other boats are too wide, you are on a narrow beam canal - go for a 4 stroke outboard based boat if you plan to travel far - (or diesel inboard) a petrol inboard will not be economical for heavy use (Our first 10 day cruise with the inboard when we bought the boat was 150 miles - we used 165lts of petrol !!!)
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
| Clive Steele |
Posted - 12 Apr 2013 : 13:38:44
I kind of like the outboard route as well - as a novice I found it a lot easier to get the outboard sorted than try and get my head around getting an inboard fixed or replaced. At least a major brand outboard which is modern has a good chance of parts supply.
Clive Steele |
| df |
Posted - 12 Apr 2013 : 07:41:21
Outboards are fine but go for a 4 stroke motor, for inland use only I'd go back to outboard, only major problem is keeping the pikeys away from it.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
| Nodder |
Posted - 11 Apr 2013 : 19:46:09
So inboards are better than outboards, so is it worth spending more initially on the boat and hopefully it doesn't need too much work ( surely they all need work) or getting a dog where you know it will need work and hope I can bring it back to life. I'm not afraid of the work that may be needed I'm just concerned that my dedication may waver.
I think I have just answered my own question.
Thanks |
| df |
Posted - 11 Apr 2013 : 19:02:38
If outboard engined 4 strokes are far superior to 2 strokes(quieter/smoother/cheaper to run) and expensive to buy seperately, canopies are expensive to replace, water in the bilge is generally from above and not below (and leaks are harder to find than fix), you've already worked out about having a boat that fits your local waterways.
Osmosis is a word often come across, it's good for a cheaper buy and no-one ever sank from it, all older boats have it to some degree whatever the seller says but it's not worth panicing about unless it's very severe.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
| Nodder |
Posted - 11 Apr 2013 : 18:35:28
Thanks for the replies, that's a good point about getting a boat that needs work doing to it because when its finished you probably know it literally inside out.
At the moment I am just gathering information, I am going to view one this weekend which is local to me. The pictures of the boat look very nice but its more than I really wanted to pay and I also take the point of falling in love with the first one you see (have done that with cars). There is another one that I like and is more to my budget but that one is 150+ miles away and so would have to factor in transporting it nearer to me.
Thanks for the help |
| Clive Steele |
Posted - 11 Apr 2013 : 12:57:56
Hi
The thing I got right (for me) when I bought mine was having a suitable mooring with the boat i.e. the marina where I bought it.
The thing I got wrong was paying to much for the first one I saw (love at first sight) with a rubbish old engine that had to be replaced (now in love with the engine as well). If you are reasonably handy and don't mind some graft most stuff like trim and cushions can be put right over time.
Clive Steele |
| Wayfoot |
Posted - 11 Apr 2013 : 12:41:46
It all depends on what you propose to do from day 1.
If you are looking for a boat to use immediatly, your range of questions will differ to those if you was looking for a project boat.
In my personal experience, i couldn't afford a boat to use immediatly and managed to find myself a Norman 20 project that took me 18 months to complete. The huge benefit from this was that my knowledge of my boat and everything surrounding the hobby served me in good stead for when i was ready to use it.
If you are after something for immediate use, please ask as many questions and read up as much as you can before buying your boat. This site is stuffed with loads of good advise and there is no better source than those who have been there before you. If you are impatient to get on the water, try to find someone who knows a little and will go with you to view the boat. Take plenty of advise and enjoy this great pastime.
Good Luck ! |
