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DB Marine Survey

DB Marine Survey, based in Oxfordshire. Available for Pre-purchase, Insurance and Hull Only Surveys.

22/08/2026

It’s been a busy couple of weeks since my last post!

Here is a few pictures of what I’ve been up to around the country.

Work has been incredibly varied lately, ranging from insurance surveys on historic working fuel delivery boats, hull condition surveys on project boats, pre-purchase surveys for first time buyers and stability assessments on brand-new builds.

Love the mix of preserving maritime history and working with new builds.

If you’re looking for an independent narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

29/07/2026

The weather’s too nice and I t’s all a bit busy running my business to spend any time on social media but here’s some of the recent vessels inspected around the country to keep up an appearance.

I’m away for the next few days then back to it next week.

marinesurvey

If you’re looking for an independent narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

18/07/2026

It’s been a busy but well paced couple weeks for DB Marine Survey. I’m enjoying the good weather and organising the workload to keep ahead of the report writing.

The work started at Kingsground Narrowboats with a pre-purchase survey of a 1984 40ft Colecraft narrowboat. Some minor welding repairs required and a few issues with various services highlighted.

Next was another pre-purchase survey of a 1982 32ft Springer at Whixall Marina that had been fully overplated to a good standard and been beautifully refitted by a professional carpenter/owner with a rustic oak interior.

Later was a full condition survey of a 70ft 1970 traditional narrowboat at Tooley’s Boatyard . The vessel had been stretched and had extensive overplating. The uxter plate was in poor condition and required replating and several electrical issues were noted.

Then another pre-purchase survey of a 61ft 2021 Bluewater Boats narrowboat at Whilton Marina. A well equipped boat with a beautiful fit out and smart appearance. A few issues raised to consider and rectify.

After that I was back on the Thames with an insurance survey of a 52ft 1913 Aak Dutch Barge at Better Boating. The boat was in great condition with a mostly intact epoxy paint system protecting the hull plating. One historic overplate was in poor condition and required cropping off and replacing and a few electrical issues were found.

Lastly was a hull condition survey of a 44ft Dutch Barge at Uxbridge Boat Centre following issues uncovered when works were started from a previous survey. There was historical overplating with diminished weld seams, extensive pitting and perforated plate. Multiple pulled rivets and widespread pitting beyond acceptable limits. Further works were recommended to ensure integrity.

If you’re looking for an independent narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

06/07/2026

A selection of reviews received from recent surveys making the hard work worthwhile.

A lot of time is spent on a pre purchase survey, from taking the booking and discussing any queries and concerns, attending the vessel; which is a full day’s work, I don’t do more than one vessel a day, giving a telephone debriefing and then spending a full day writing the report with proofreading done the following day.

marinesurvey

If you’re looking for an independent narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

05/07/2026

An interesting variety of week for DB Marine Survey .

The week started at MGM Boats in Leicester, with an insurance survey of a 1988 Springer. It was in good shape but was just in time as the rudder tube was easily holed and required replacement. Otherwise a small amount of plating required and some improvements to the on board systems needed.

Next was a pre-purchase survey at Ashwood Marina of a reasonably tidy Collingwood narrowboat, which required attention to the protective coating and anodic protection.

Later in the week was a hull condition survey of a Delph Marine narrowboat at Kingsground Narrowboats which had suffered from jacking corrosion on the rubbing strakes and extensive waterline corrosion. A busy week’s work in the dock this week!

A quick journey to Uxbridge Boat Centre was made to sign off some survey recommendations made the previous week after the hull survey, as usual a job well done!

Lastly was an insurance survey of Bodmin a 1936 Harland and Wolff historic butty at Canna Mead which is undergoing refurbishment before being put into service delivering fuel. The hull has had extensive works undertaken during her history with no action required other than some pit welding.

If you’re looking for an independent narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

26/06/2026

It’s been really hot 🥵 this week but work carried on as usual for DB Marine Survey .

The week started at Uxbridge Boat Centre with a pre-purchase survey of a 2022 cruiser stern widebeam. As usual a few findings highlighted the importance of getting a survey done prior to purchasing any vessel regardless of age.

Next was a hull condition survey for insurance purposes of a 1992 Colecraft traditional narrowboat at Burton Boat Company. Some extensive pitting corrosion found with improved coatings and anodic protection recommended to help preserve this fine vessel .

Later in the week was a pre-purchase survey of a 60ft Collingwood cruiser stern narrowboat. This vessel had a 10 year old epoxy paint system on the hull sides and base plate; no plate thickness lost and not a pit in sight. The anodes still had the writing on which showed the benefits of the paint system.

A nice week with some great clients. The reports are all completed and we’re off for the weekend to enjoy the weather and go to look at puffins and seals on the North Sea.

If you’re looking for an independent narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

20/06/2026

It’s been another busy week for DB Marine Survey .

The week started at Oxford Crusiers with a hull condition survey prior to sale of a 1980’s 50ft cruiser stern narrowboat. It was in poor condition and quite a list of recommendations were made including grit blasting and epoxy coating due to extensive pitting corrosion. The base plate had been overplated with sections completely unwelded or poorly welded. A busy week at Oxford Crusiers!

Next was a hull condition survey for insurance purposes of a 1936 Harland & Wolff historic butty still in service with Jules fuels at Grand Junction Boats. Some ongoing maintenance recommendations made to keep this lovely vessel delivering fuel.

Later in the week was a pre-purchase survey of a 35ft 2022 Aintree Beetle at The Dry Dock Company in Newbury. A fine little vessel in as new condition with a couple of electrical issues to ensure compliance and tight stern gear to investigate further.

Lastly was another pre-purchase survey of a 45ft 1988 cruiser stern narrowboat built by Delph Marine at Foxhangers. This was a project vessel which was priced according.

If you’re looking for an independent narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

17/06/2026

Hull condition survey for insurance purposes of Bideford an 1936 Harland & Wolff butty still in operation delivering fuel.

Bideford has undergone extensive works during her history but these vessels are like the Severn bridge and there is always something to do.

Grand Junction Boats are undertaking some knee repairs at this docking and renewing the epoxy paint system.

A few recommendations for ongoing scheduled maintenance but Bideford is in an operational condition and will be continuing to deliver fuel.

It’s a great pleasure to be surveying these historical working narrowboats and great to see them still in service.

If you’re looking for a narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit
http://www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

15/06/2026

An interesting variety of inspections last week.

Staring with a 2008 Tim Tyler Trad at Cropredy Marina. This boat had failed to sell after a recent survey with little information provided to the vendor. The inspection found widespread pitting corrosion approaching 2.0mm, no welding required but enough to prevent a sale; the advice is to grit blast and epoxy to prevent further diminution.

Next was a hull inspection of a project 60ft Narrowboat at Uxbridge Boat Centre to determine the extent of work required. There was extensive pitting, limited chine and some overplating on the base plate that had been correctly slotted but not welded.

I the looked at a 1975 Narrowboat at Kingsground which was offered for sale as a project. Lots of work required on this one. It had been out of the water for some time which can cause considerable corrosion to occur.

Then a pre-purchase of a little Dartline with a fibreglass top which will require ongoing remedial work.

If you’re looking for a narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit
http://www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

06/06/2026

It’s been a busy period here lately and here is a selection of recent surveys undertaken.

The week started at Pyrford Marina, part of .marinas , with a pre-purchase survey of a 20year old narrowboat which had been well maintained with no issues other than paint system failure.

Then on to Oxford Cruisers for a 1970’s 42ft boat in remarkably good condition for its age which indicates the quality of the steel in that era.

Later in the week saw a 2012 Narrowboat with a protective zinc and epoxy paint system - still in tact after 8 years afloat which highlights the effectiveness of the paint system - and finally another pre-purchase on an early 90’s boat. The latter both took place at North Kilworth Marina where are based.

If you’re looking for a narrowboat surveyor or for any other marine survey needs visit
http://www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk

Address

River Thames
Oxford
OX294BY

Telephone

+447920826319

Website

http://www.dbmarinesurvey.co.uk/

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