Choosing a small used boat and what to look for?
Discussion
I've set myself a challenge to row the length of the Thames next year. I'm looking for a small c14ft skiff with two rowing fixed seats plus cox that i can use for the trip and accommodate a bit of company and kit. It would also get used in the future for family picnics and days out when the weather is good. Any idea what boat I should look for and general things to know when buying? Want to spend as little as poss, but want something that'll hold value, be maintenance light and not look like it's been dug up.
Edited by Dunk130TC on Sunday 20th October 21:19
Heh, who's been reading JKJ then?
Can't help specifically but it would have to be a nice classic wooden one. Or if you have too much money, this would be frightfully spiffing: www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/gentlemans-laun...
Can't help specifically but it would have to be a nice classic wooden one. Or if you have too much money, this would be frightfully spiffing: www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/gentlemans-laun...
Hi - nice trip in have done it myself in a Traditional Thames Double Scull Skiff .
Skiffs are still built by hand , Mark Edwards at Richmond Bridge could supply one ( he built the Queens Barge Gloriana ) so could Michael Dennet of Laleham or Peter Freebody at Hurley,but expect to pay around £24K .
Classic Skiffs are available second hand and depending on the condition and what equipment it has available ( camping hoops and canvas etc ) you could expect to pay around £7/8K. Price also depends on condition, some of the boats still going strong could be more than a 100 years old ( mine was built in 1884 ). Mark Stanley at Stanley and Thomas at Windsor has a brokerage side to his business and could help.
Alternatively you could Hire one from Tom Balm at Walton U Thames , he can supply a fully loaded Thames Skiff complete with all the camping gear including cooking stuff and deliver the boat up to Lechlade for you to pull home . Takes 3 days working hard to get back to Teddington or up to 2 weeks if you stop at every pub called the Red Lion plus all the ones in between !
Skiffs are still built by hand , Mark Edwards at Richmond Bridge could supply one ( he built the Queens Barge Gloriana ) so could Michael Dennet of Laleham or Peter Freebody at Hurley,but expect to pay around £24K .
Classic Skiffs are available second hand and depending on the condition and what equipment it has available ( camping hoops and canvas etc ) you could expect to pay around £7/8K. Price also depends on condition, some of the boats still going strong could be more than a 100 years old ( mine was built in 1884 ). Mark Stanley at Stanley and Thomas at Windsor has a brokerage side to his business and could help.
Alternatively you could Hire one from Tom Balm at Walton U Thames , he can supply a fully loaded Thames Skiff complete with all the camping gear including cooking stuff and deliver the boat up to Lechlade for you to pull home . Takes 3 days working hard to get back to Teddington or up to 2 weeks if you stop at every pub called the Red Lion plus all the ones in between !
Thks chaps, it really appeals having spent a few years competing and having fond memories of my grandfathers boat house nr Pangbourne. I've seen that there is a couple of places who'll hire me an original camping skiff for c£600 to do the trip. Given the Thames is about 4 miles from home I'm very tempted to buy a grp skiff, knowing I could get some training in and also use it afterwards. I can't justify buying a beautiful wooden skiff for very occasional use. I want something with two rowing seats and a coxes seat, so i can have some help on the trip and also pack in the family for trips after. I'm just not sure what I should be looking for, where and what perils lie in a second hand hand skiff!?
Edited by Dunk130TC on Tuesday 22 October 21:21
These are the sort of boats I think I'm after: ideally with a transom
Looks tatty, but one decent condition would be ok
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-Foot-Double-Skiff-Din...
These look great, but high maintenance
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/dinghies/wooden...
Any idea what make model, would give me what ?
Looks tatty, but one decent condition would be ok
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-Foot-Double-Skiff-Din...
These look great, but high maintenance
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/dinghies/wooden...
Any idea what make model, would give me what ?
Edited by Dunk130TC on Tuesday 22 October 23:00
The plastic one lying at Henley is probably your best bet , easy to trail and can be kept outside with minimum maintenance , they scull quite well and are stable.
The ex-hire boats from the Avon will be very heavy and will need constant maintenance , which is the same for any wooden boat,they need to be stored somewhere that is dry but aired , definitely not sitting in the garden under a tarp !
The ex-hire boats from the Avon will be very heavy and will need constant maintenance , which is the same for any wooden boat,they need to be stored somewhere that is dry but aired , definitely not sitting in the garden under a tarp !
There is a boatbuilder in the boatyard in Bristol, Underfall Yard by the cumberland basin, who has a few rowing boats for sale, might be worth getting in touch and see what he can do if you get some plans?
Alternatively, you could try university rowing clubs and see if they have anything for sale?!?
Alternatively, you could try university rowing clubs and see if they have anything for sale?!?
Think I need to discover an oil well before I give the Bristol boys a call. Any idea who makes the GRP skiffs to help my search?
Any good sites to look at other than ebay, apolloduck and boatsandoutboards?
Rower, really interested how you found the trip and any tips you could give me?
Thks
Any good sites to look at other than ebay, apolloduck and boatsandoutboards?
Rower, really interested how you found the trip and any tips you could give me?
Thks
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