Guest Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Hi all We're considering the purchase of a traditional Broads half-decker. Unsurprisingly, most of the boats on the market are wooden-hulled. One of the (many) questions in my mind is whether we should have the one we settle on surveyed. If it were a larger yacht or a motor cruiser there would be no doubt, but I'm hesitating slightly over this one. Would be grateful for any views from the sailies/woodies out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I would have thought you could survey such a vessel yourself using the traditional MK1 Port and Stbd look outs Other than that ask a suitable knowledgable person who has owned/maintained such a vessel to have a look for you. No doubt there will be some forumites on here who own such a vessel and will be able to point out their known weaknesses (If they have any). But if you are really stuck - a survey does offer peace of mind - But then again would you have a survey done on a wooden dinghy? and half deckers are only glorified dingy's at the end of the day - That'll upset someone no doubt Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBA Marine Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 If its wood, it would depend on your knowledge, its easy to hide nastiness from the untrained eye a plank might look ok but be close to compost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polly Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 These boats can be very expensive to repair, unless you are a competent DIY person, so starting right is important. The fact you ask would suggest you are a bit unsure and that would be enough for me to say, a survey would be the way to go. Even with a survey, Brilliant gave us a few expensive surprises, I know she is more complex than a half decker, but wood needs experienced eyes to see what is needed, even on a half decker. Personally, I now ask LBBY to review Brilliant's condition annually. They know her and I trust them; without this relationship with whatever good boatyard you choose, having a woody is a thing I wouldn't advise anyone to do. I except the likes of Griff and Doug and JM who have a long experience base to rely on and can therefore rely on themselves! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrundallNavy Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I But if you are really stuck - a survey does offer peace of mind - But then again would you have a survey done on a wooden dinghy? and half deckers are only glorified dingy's at the end of the day - That'll upset someone no doubt GriffA lot of River cruisers started life as half deckers eg Herbert Woods G a y lady class, if your spending around £5000 on a boat a survey is a fraction of that and you could well recoup the cost in having something to bargin with. My half decker would cost well over its value to have repaired professionally . Doug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 My half decker would cost well over its value to have repaired professionally . Doug. Tell me about it, been there and got both T shirts Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddfellow Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Most important points have already been made, but I seriously doubt that you would gain worthwhile insurance on a wooden half-decker without a recent survey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Thank you all. I hadn't considered the insurance angle, so that is a really useful point. I've been in two minds about this precisely because of Griff's "dinghy" comment. Having owned and raced a few wooden dinghies over the years I know what to look for in a dinghy, but their construction is so different from a half-decker that I'm unsure of my ability to spot all the problems. Possibly not worth the risk! So, can anyone recommend a surveyor who knows his way around wooden broads yachts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddfellow Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Steve Truss - Insight Marine Surveys. http://www.insightmarinesurveyors.co.uk Teademon (Dan Burrell) is also a surveyor, but I don't know what his experience is with such boats. I am sure he will be along soon..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hello Spider. Here is a link to our listing of Marine Surveyors.http://www.thenorfolkbroads.net/forum/forum/196-marine-surveyors/RegardsAlan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrundallNavy Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Steve Truss has owned many half deckers including mine !!! Defiantly knows his way round a wooden boat as I'm sure do many other surveyors. Doug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Steve Truss has owned many half deckers including mine !!! Defiantly knows his way round a wooden boat as I'm sure do many other surveyors. Doug. Well Doug, it's good to know he's defiant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 (Second attempt at this post) Seriously, though, Steve's is the first name which came to my mind. I know he had a Rebel which I coveted when he put up for sale but just could not justify the cost. Thanks for the recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Last call to any surveyors out there. I'm looking to commission a survey within the next day or so, so if anyone is interested or would like to quote please get in touch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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