May I use your publication to give a warning to anyone purchasing a boat, writes Jane Hawkins.
The reason being that my husband and I have have been well and truly ripped-off with the purchasing of a boat. I will explain:
We purchased a 60ft narrowboat privately as it was a decent price, and saved paying out to a dealer, but was a bad decision.
The problem was it was due for its boat safety certificate, but having a go with the boat the then owner told us that that would be no problem, but it certainly was.
So we made a date for this to be carried out, that ended us in shock, as it seems we will have to spend a great deal of money getting it to pass.
The main things, among other lesser things, was the hull was in bad condition and needed a great deal of work and the gas system was leaking so bad we were advised to replace the lot.
It seems it was one of those Liverpool boats that were turned out in their hundreds, when boating was suddenly popular where quality did not seem to matter.
So as it was bought ‘as seen’ we have no comeback, but to pay out to get things done. So my advice is if you are buying make sure the boat safety certificate was very recent, then you can rest in peace.