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New Boat Tips 1-Boat Safety Certificate. 2-Gas CORGI certified. 3-Inspection is Required. 4-CE certificate required 5- Ownership paperwork. 6- Standard Model. 7- Identify extras. 8- Hull Style as chosen. 9- Hull finish. 10- Hull Dimensions. 11- Hull Preparation 12- Insulation type used. 13- Lining Material used 14- Engine Power/size. 15- Style of Fit out offered 16- Exterior Paint layers. 17- Interior Equipment. 18- Exterior Equipment. 19- Mooring Site / Cost 20- Warranties. 21- Legal paperwork	New Boats	Used Boat Tips 1-£ is age, size, condition 2-No of previous Owner’s. 3-Proof of current owner. 4-Out standing finance 5-Is it all steel or G R P. 6-Hull Last out of water. 7-Hull Manufacturer. 8-View hull condition. 9-Hull / Engine Anodes. 10-Exterior condition. 11-Engine Hours usage. 12-Type of Gear Box. 13-Start engine up. 14-Safety Certificate. 15-Gas CORGI certified. 16-Establish fittings. 17-Mooring Transfer. 18-Mooring Site / Cost 19-Mooring Services. 20-Negotiate Price. 21-Place returnable Dep. 22-Arrange Inspection. 23-Offer realistic price. 24-Undertake repairs.
	Choosing a style you like means some research, visit brokers to view some used boats, take a look at the boats on ht canal, visit the boat show at Crick to see the new boats in particular the internal fitout. List your requirements from the intended use to the finished boat, detail matters as it is reflected in the price and practicalities of the fitout. The boats are always being refined as can be seen in the recent history of the working boats to the modern live abord’s of late being imported from Poland at a lower cost than being produced in the UK.
	Used Boats
	Feeling comfortable with the vessel from the onset is quite important, as you have to “like” the boat before proceeding with a purchase. Methodically collect all the information to build up the overall impression of the boat, match the price against your reason for owing a boat thus avoiding any misunderstandings at a later date. Prices of boats like anything else depends on a variety of factors, for boats initially it’s the age, condition and length of the vessel steel tip to toe followed by demand culminating in £/ft not including any extensions like fenders. Buying from the canal side be warned “its buyer be ware” more so as it can also apply to buying from broker with the boat moored on the canal side and not in a marina.
	Initial Facts
	Collect some basic information to bruise over later, photograph the boat capturing your impression. Measure the boat from stem to stern without the fenders “steel tip to toe” as it were the fenders can be a minimum of 18 inches making the boat longer “the mooring length” and not the true length of the boat reflecting the built hull length without the fenders. Style of the boat to suite your leisure requirements as there are a few styles available, cruiser open back deck, trad enclosed and semi-trad half enclosed back deck.
	Costing
	BW boat Licence annual cost displayed containing the boat name and may indicate when it was last used. BSS current boat worthiness certificate lasts for four years but like a car’s MOT only valid on the day of the test. Insurance third party indemnity £3M covers other boats and property damage.
	Ownership Details
	Present Owner details to ensure the seller or broker have the right to sell. Owner Address to be confirmed so you know where they live should there be any problems at a later date. Proof of Ownership by the way of a receipt from a previous owner of builder. Reason for Sale may give some room for manoeuvre on the price. Current Broker ask around for information on the broker, how long they have been in the business etc. Contact Numbers and e-mail addresses to be collected for all involved save hunting for them at a late date.
	Finance Details
	Sale price comparison with similar boats ensuring it reflects the current value. Offer price usually there is some flexibility to the sale price depending on the age, condition and usage. Finance ask if there is any outstanding loans or finance against the boat.
	Identification
	HIN plate manufacturers identification plate fixed to the hull you need to see the plate to record the information. The plate carries the builder, the hull size without fenders, the carrying capacity, the year of build. The number is in this format xxxxxx406xxxxx , the year of manufacture, the hull length 40Ft 6in.
	Fit out
	The Shell can be manufacturer by a boat builder and the interior can be done by ones self or someone else not necessarily by the boat builder. You need to secure the installation and equipment certification and guarantees.
	Mechanics
	The Engine and its compartment have to be in good condition it’s the boats lifeline, no engine no mobility stranded springs to mind. A clean engine and compartment is a good indicator to its reliability. Service History record indicates the importance given to the engine to ensure it’s reliability. Bilge Area should be clean and free of water, oily water. The presence of oily water indicates leaky engine and or stern gland packing requires replacing, this is where the water may be coming from. Engine Cooling system can be either raw water pumped from the canal through the engine and out through the exhaust or a skin tank which will need maintaining and antifreeze. There may be a calorifier in the system for the hot water. Water Tank integral to the hull either the boat steel which can rust through if it has not been maintained properly or a stainless steel tank, which doesn’t rust. Bottom plate condition needs to be checked this is normally done out of water if a survey is done, but can be assessed in water as the underside can be reached in water. The Hull types vary either all steel, part steel or GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) fibreglass, the all steel thickness the bottom being up to 12mm with the sides up to 6mm and the cabin 4mm. The earlier boat thickness were in the order of 6mm x 4mm x 3mm. Last Blacking of the hull’s underside needs to be done every two years to keep the rust at bay much like the cars of the 1960’s were under sealed to protect from the adverse weather conditions, check when it was last done.
	Moorings
	Securing a parking place for the boat can be a bit daunting and may be a lot of legwork otherwise it means mooring on the canal side this too has its problems since you have to move it every two weeks. If the boat is in its usual marina the moorings may be kept on just a change of ownership, can demand a better price these days. Check it is available if you decide to purchase and if you intend to live aboard you need to check if the marina can accommodate, as the marina will need clearance from the local council.
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