Saturday 12 March 2011

Pick of the week - Hill Top

This one is from Whilton Marina : Hill Top
Price: £49,950
Positives : washing machine, we like the blue exterior, open plan, space for a half dinette, the name reminds me of Beatrix Potter!
Negatives : we're not overly keen on the white kitchen cupboards, Mick would rather not have a walk through bathroom, it says no central heating but there are radiators in the photos (could we have a boiler installed?)



Boat Specifications
Boat Type : Traditional
When Manufactured : 2003
Length : 56  
Hull Manufacturer : Piper Boats
Plating Specification : 10/6/4/4mm
Flat, V-Hull or Keeled:  Flat
Fitted out by : BP Boatbuilders
Cabin Height : 6ft 6"
Engine Specifications & Components
Engine Make: Beta 43 (61hrs)
No. Of Cylinders: Four
Gearbox Make : PRM 150
Diesel Tank Capacity : 45 gallons
Hot Water & Heating Systems
Source of Hot Water : Immersion, engine & Backboiler to stove
Central Heating: None
Solid Fuel Stove : Morso Squirrel
Water Tank Capacity : 110 gallons
Material used : Stainless steel
Electrical System & Components
12 Volt Lighting : Yes
240 Volt Landline : Yes
Inverter : Mastervolt 2Kw
Generator : Electrolux 3.5kw
Batteries : 4 domestic & 1 Sarter
Bathroom Specifications
Type Of Toilet : Thetford cassette
Bath Fitted : No
Separate Shower Fitted : Yes
Vanity Basin Fitted : Yes
Kitchen Specification
Make & Model Of Cooker : Valor Vanette GG7000
Separate Hob : Vanette 4000/2
Microwave Fitted : Yes
Make & Model Of Fridge : Lec
Gas, 12 volt or 240 volt : 12 volt
Additional Systems : Fridgidare freezer 240 volt
Fit Out Materials
Insulation Used : Spray foam
Types Of Wood Used : Oak panel & ply
Window Types : Hopper
Materials Used : Gold anodised
Bulls Eye, Pigeon Box or Houdini Hatch : None
Exterior Doors : Front wood & steel rear
Side Hatches : Yes
Front & Back Covers : Front cratch & cover
History Of Vessel
Boat Safety Certificate : 2011
Last Hull Blacking : March 2011
Anodes : 4 Replaced March 2011
Recent Survey : Hull surveyed March 2011
Additional Information : Washing machine







3 comments:

Peter Berry said...

Piper are a decent hull builder, don't know anything about BP boat fitters. Probably around £1500 or thereabouts to have a central heating boiler fitted, gas or diesel, (I would prefer diesel).
Regards, Peter.

Elly and Mick said...

Peter, we'd prefer a diesel boiler too. We've read about it a little and we noticed the price of gas was high when we were in the UK.
Elly

Peter Berry said...

We actually have gas central heating, an Aldi Comfort, working 3 radiators. But it isn't at all gas efficient, and can use a full 13kg propane bottle over a weekend if used alone, costs around £25 to replace at the moment.
I don't know how efficient the various makes of diesel heaters are, but to my mind it is much easier filling diesel than hoisting and transporting 13kg gas bottles!
Are you aware of the new regulations regarding the sale of marine diesel for pleasure use? These were brought in recently as a result of our relationship with the EU. Marine diesel for pleasure use now has to include taxation similar to that used by road vehicles. One of the compromises the UK negotiated was that we are allowed to state what proportion of our diesel purchase will be used for propulsion against domestic heating at point of sale. The propulsion part attracts tax, the other doesn't. Most buyers state a 60/40 split at the time of purchase, which is decided by your own honesty. Some outlets impose their own "split" percentage though, and the buyer has no say. Also as you know, due to the Middle East problems at the moment, fuel prices are rocketing. However, Norbury Wharf, http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/ are currently advertising 74.9 pence/litre for domestic use, the cheapest on the cut! As a comparison, road diesel is currently averaging around £1.39/litre.
One final point about diesel, our friends who "know it all" in the EU are now insisting that ALL diesel sold is low sulphur. But there is also a move towards all diesel being blended with F.A.M.E or fatty acid methyl esters, a form of bio diesel. If this is imposed on narrowboaters, it is currently thought that it will damage our engines and fuel lines, which are made differently than those installed in road vehicles. There are some suppliers selling this now, we have to ask before buying, and don't buy from them if it is FAME. The EU in their infinate wisdom are also in the process of banning the use of red dyed diesel for pleasure boat use, something that is allowed in the UK. British pleasure boaters, who have travelled there, have recently been fined in Belgium for having red diesel in their tanks, although this is allowed and perfectly acceptable in the UK. This won't affect us yet though, unless we are planning a channel crossing! Why do they have to complicate things that were already working OK? As you can see, the regulations seem to be under constant review, so a point to bear in mind when you are buying your boat, is that if in the future boaters have to actually PROVE what percentage of their fuel stock is for heating, it might be better to plan ahead and have seperate tanks for each use from the start.
Another long comment I'm affraid, but full of knowledge!