When considering purchasing a narrowboat there are some thing to bear in mind

Narrowboats & barges have been in existence for a very long time and some very elderly vessels are still in use today.

Originally constructed of riveted iron and latterly of welded steel construction, these vessel require careful examination when purchasing

The quality of the steel also plays a large part in the longevity of the hull, quite often we see younger vessels with significant galvanic corrosion to the base plate.

When surveying steel hull’s it is important that the vessel is dry docked and all the growth removed from the baseplate. The hull is sounded in the first instance to establish any significant weaknesses. This is followed by ultrasound testing which will indicate any diminution on the thickness of the baseplate. It is worth noting that The interior is usually fitted out with no access to the plating from the inside!

As most of the potential problems with any narrowboat will be below the waterline, a pre purchase survey will ensure you are making the right decision and will put your mind at rest.