Think twice before buying a bargain boat – Council

Northlanders tempted by a cheap boat are being urged to think carefully before buying, with Northland Regional Council warning many ageing vessels end up abandoned, derelict and expensive to remove.

NRC said it disposes about one abandoned vessel every month, many of which were originally bought as low-cost “doer-uppers” before owners discovered the true cost of restoring and maintaining them.

Deputy Harbourmaster Peter Thomas said many boats built between the 1960s and 1980s are reaching the end of their serviceable life and are increasingly being sold at bargain prices as owners seek to offload the growing cost and responsibility of ownership.

He said vessels are sold to people – many on a budget – who are then unable to keep up with the costs of maintaining the vessel to a seaworthy standard.

“A lot of money can be spent on getting one of these vessels into good condition but even then you still have an old vessel that requires a lot of maintenance.”

Thomas said the council allocates $95,000 each year to remove debris from Northland’s waterways, helping keep them safe for navigation and protecting the environment.

This budget helps with the costs of disposing of hazards to navigation such as trees, logs and other items that end up in the region’s harbours.

“However, by far the biggest cost is that associated with the identification and process of removing abandoned and derelict vessels, which are being left to rot in mooring fields and our waterways,” Thomas said.

He said vessels range in size from a modest seven or eight metres to large ex-commercial vessels of more than 20 metres in length.

The cost of removing, cleaning and disposing of abandoned vessels varies depending on their size and construction. Most are scrapped or sent to landfill, although those in reasonable condition are occasionally sold on Trade Me to help offset costs.

Thomas said if an owner is known, or the vessel still insured, the council will look to recover its costs – which can be considerable.

“The owner is fully liable for costs that the council may incur in dealing with their vessel.”

He said the issue of older boats being sold at cheap prices is an international problem that many countries are struggling with in an effort to keep their waterways clear and clean.

“So before you commit to what looks like the bargain of the century make sure you get the vessel inspected and get a good understanding from experienced vessel owners the many costs associated with purchasing a vessel especially one that is old and requires a lot of work.”