Northland Regional Council’s maritime team is urging budget-conscious buyers to think hard before committing to an aging vessel, warning that what looks like a bargain can quickly become a financial burden.
Deputy Harbourmaster Peter Thomas says the council disposes of an average of one boat per month across Northland, many of them former “doer-uppers” that changed hands cheaply and then overwhelmed their new owners.
“Many vessels built between the 1960s and 1980s are coming to the end of their life and are sold at ever-reducing prices as owners seek to limit their liability and offload what can be a costly and time-consuming problem for unwary purchasers,” Thomas says.
He says buyers, often on tight budgets, underestimate what it takes to bring an older vessel up to a seaworthy standard. “A lot of money can be spent getting one of these vessels into good condition, but even then you still have an old vessel that requires a lot of maintenance.”
The consequences extend well beyond the individual buyer. The council carries an annual budget of $95,000 to manage debris disposal across Northland’s waterways, covering hazards such as logs and other flotsam. But Thomas says the single biggest drain on that budget is the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels left to rot in mooring fields and tidal waterways.
The vessels involved range from seven or eight metres up to ex-commercial craft exceeding 20 metres. Removal, cleaning and disposal costs vary by size and construction, with hulls typically ending up at a scrap metal dealer or landfill. Occasionally a vessel still in reasonable shape will be listed on Trade Me to offset expenses.
Where an owner can be identified, or a vessel remains insured, the council pursues cost recovery. “The owner is fully liable for costs the council may incur in dealing with their vessel,” Thomas says, and those costs can be considerable.
He describes the problem as international in scope, with many countries grappling with the same wave of aging recreational and commercial vessels entering the second-hand market at increasingly low prices.
His parting advice to anyone tempted by a cheap classic: get the vessel professionally inspected, and talk to experienced owners before signing anything. “Make sure you get a good understanding of the many costs associated with purchasing a vessel, especially one that is old and requires a lot of work.
Have you bought and restored an older vessel? We’d love to hear your story, get in touch at ahoy@boatingnz.co.nz
