Need Advise on potential Purchase

[Pat Clarke]

I have just had an offer on a boat confirmed. If I proceed with the purchase the boat will be used on the River Shannon in Ireland. The boat is a 1993 BoarnCruiser 44 located in France.

Builder : Boarnstream
Year : 1993
Length : 13.95
Beam : 4.4
Air Draft : 3.45
Draft : 1.2
Engine : Ford
Engine power : 135
Nb. of Engines : 2
Engine Fuel : Diesel
Hull material : Steel
Structure material : Steel
Drive System : Propeller shaft

I have a number of Questions:

1. I believe that the hull thickness is 4mm steel rather than 6mm steel. Should this be a concern?
2. To proceed I would need to get an engineer to survey the boat in Leon France. Can anyone recommend a company
3. How much does a survey typically cost
4. I would need to have the boat skippered from France to Ireland. Is this boat capable of making a sea crossing like this ?
5. Can anyone recommend someone who would skipper this boat to Ireland
6. What would be a typical cost of skippering a boat like this from France (Leon) to Ireland (River shannon)
7. Is there anything else I need to consider before closing the deal ?
   

[goboatingnow]

Pat. I would seriously consider trucking it. Cost around 7-9k.

These Dutch steel jobs tend to be quite lightly built.

If she has had any sea water exposure I would have her x-rayed

You might find it’s necessary to send out an Irish surveyor

Talk to Michael Barret in lakeside , he’s very knowledgable

[Manateeman]

It’s old. It’s thin. Steel boats rust from the inside. They never stop rusting.
I’ve built in wood, fiberglass, composit and aluminum. Professionally fo 50+ years. You couldn’t give me a steel boat because of the cost of maintenance.
I’d guess you think you are getting a good deal...right? I feel very sorry for people with limited experience who get lured into vessels which end up being money pits. The costs to upgrade, repair and maintain boats is often far greater in just a few years, than the original investment.
Find a commercial vessel surveyor and talk to yacht builders who build in both steel and aluminum and ask about the maintenance costs.
Steel is ok for big commercial operators who know exactly how many years can they make money from them before they are sold as scrap. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, I just hate to see people get hoodwinked.
This expression is so true. Rust never sleeps.
Captain Mark

[boatman61]

Look for something in GRP.. I have owned one steel boat and would not be tempted into another, rather have wood.

[goboatingnow]

Dutch steel is very common on the river Shannon and being in freshwater at least slows down the rust

Personally i would’ve have a steel boat if you gave it to me. I’ve seen 10 year old steel look like it was 40 years old. Secondly every year you’ll be “ touching it up “ then on the Shannon you’ll have frequent contact with lock walls , stone docks etc. , think of the hassle to get your car sorted if you give it a bad scratch.

GRP 40 years old , can be made to look like new.

Not withstanding that you will see many on the Shannon , old ones will be cheap

I wouldn’t dream of sailing it to Ireland. They are lightly built. The diesel tanks are likely jammed with sediment , you have to sail to Limerick a fair ways off the rhumb line or lift out in Dublin

I know one or two people that achieved it. Plenty of “ hairy “ tales to tell.

In fairness to the Boerncruiser they make a nice looking boat and are at the better end of Dutch inland steel

[TrentePieds]

The manner in which you ask your questions indicates to me that you are fairly new to the seafaring life.

I sincerely hope that you have made the offer you have had accepted subject to certain conditions, so if the seller (or the boat) doesn't meet the conditions you have specified in the "subjects", you can back out and get your deposit back. Even such vague wording as " subject to marine survey being acceptable to the buyer" can save the day in such circumstances. If there were no "subjects" stated in the offer, the offer would be "absolute" and you could, at least in this jurisdiction, be legally compelled to complete the purchase.

Here's is hoping for the best for you.

TrentePieds