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Prospective first time boat owner (Riva SuperAmerica) needs advice!

Discussion in 'Riva Yacht' started by nickarts, May 5, 2013.

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  1. nickarts

    nickarts New Member

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    Hi there! I'm new to the forum so will introduce myself quickly: 25 yr old first time boat buyer, have been strongly advised (by my mum - a long time enthusiast) to go for a Riva. Found a gorgeous SuperAmerica lying in France and have had my offer accepted (hoorah!).

    My plan - call me crazy - is to take her back home to London and work out how exactly I am going to pass my Yachtmaster after that... I'll be visiting the current mooring in a couple of weeks time and, although the owner assures me that everything is A-OK (she had a survey done with no major problems 3 years ago and has been in the water since), I would feel much more comfortable after getting some advice from other Riva owners.

    Grateful for any advice generally on any common problems with this model or happy to share more information about her - if I can persuade anyone to take an interest!

    One concern from the survey is the fact that the shaft seal stuffing boxes are 'badly corroded'. The current owner has tried to pass this off by saying that he was told at the local boatyard that this "wasn't a problem". If anyone has any experience of this, please let me know your thoughts!

    Thanks in advance,
    Nick
  2. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    A three year old survey is of little use other than as a reference to compare with the current survey that you most certainly need to do prior to your purchase.
  3. dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    If the survey was 3 yrs ago and the the corrosion was bad then, you might be sitting on a sinker !!
  4. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Badly corroded shaft seals 3 yrs ago and it has sat in the water since sounds like it could cause you trouble.

    Was this boat a lot cheaper than any other the same offered?

    Has it been run or have you bought it sight unseen?

    How are you planning on getting it back to the UK?
  5. Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    That concern should be that you have bought a boat based on a 3 year old survey!

    Basically, that survey is irrelevant, with the exception of the problems it revealed, which have now had 36 months to mature into major issues.
    If I were offered a 2010 NEW boat at a good price, I still would NOT buy it without a good surveyor going over the boat and a separate survey of the mechanicals.

    It is all a bit late now, however, get a survey done before you plan any long voyage so that you will know what problems there are.
    Don't mean to rain on your parade, welcome to YF and you have a lot of members here to assist you.
    Good luck.
    Kafue
  6. nickarts

    nickarts New Member

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    Hi again,


    Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond. I had a couple follow-up questions and I would be very grateful for any responses:


    - Shaft seals: .Assuming that the current shaft seals are irreparable, how difficult/expensive would it be to replace them?


    - Could someone recommend a reasonably priced surveyor in the south of France?


    To answer your questions K1W1:


    - She seems reasonably priced and I don't think a survey would persuade the vendor to drop the price further. Being sold as is where is.


    - I'm thinking of having her shipped to the UK by a boat haulage company.


    Many thanks for your help so far,

    Nick
  7. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
    A survey is meant to persuade or dissuade you from a purchase.

    As long as mum is underwriting the project, no worries. :D
  8. karo1776

    karo1776 Senior Member

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    Sage Advice

    First... Read
    http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/g...se-yogi-superyacht-sinking-investigation.html

    Second... Insure for new replacement value... with VAT

    Third... Make sure it is French Flagged

    Forth... Find the Yogi's Captain and hire him to make the passage back to England

    Fifth... have him make a quick passage back to England via the Bay Biscay

    Sixth... start looking for new boats

    Seventh... Pray
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Seriously, shaft seals are not a big deal but it depends on how easy they are to reach and work on, as well as the type used.

    If they are standard bronze stuffing boxes, corrosion on the outside is normal, bronze will quickly turn green... If that s what the surveyor described as badly corroded then no concern.

    Don't see too many Rivas on this side of the pond, so I looked up the model.. These are about 15m and 80/90s vintage, aren't they? If so, you absolutely need a survey by a surveyor you hire, not the seller or his broker. Engines need a full survey as well. Chances are a little corrosion on the stuffing boxes will a small item on the list...
  10. Hugh redmond

    Hugh redmond New Member

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  11. Hugh redmond

    Hugh redmond New Member

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    Hi Nick how is the Riva going? What size is she? I am looking at a Riva Superamerica 5o built in 1987, any feedback warmly welcomed. Hugh