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

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

02/06/2026

A good day out at Bulbourne Dry Dock undertaking an insurance survey of a 1937 Yarwoods Historic Working Narrowboat.

The boat was in good condition with just some recommendations to plan for at the next docking.

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

30/05/2026

It’s been a busy couple of weeks since my last post with little time to spare for posting on social media.

Here’s a selection of the recent vessels inspected. They ranged from hull condition, insurance, pre-purchase to in water assessments.

The van gearbox died to and an emergency replacement gearbox had to be fitted to keep me on the road, many thanks

Another busy week approaching hopefully the nice weather holds out.

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

18/05/2026

A selection of boats surveyed since my last post. The season is definitely in full swing with lots of inspections and reports to write.

It’s been an interesting and challenging week with some good and some bad findings to report.

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

11/05/2026

Back to it after a week off working on my own projects.

A pre purchase survey of a 59ft Terry Milson Narrowboat at Gailey Marina.

A pre purchase survey of a 57ft Aintree Boatbuilders Narrowboat at North Kilworth Marina.

A hull condition survey of a 60ft Reeves Widebeam at Better Boating.

And a pre purchase survey of an interesting Arcrite river cruiser styled Narrowboat at Tooley’s boatyard.

Crazy week ahead this week with lots of bookings.

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

26/04/2026

Another busy week this week surveying a variety of different narrowboats.

A hull condition survey at Uxbridge Boat Centre for the owners peace of mind after purchase, with just some minor welding work required .

A pre-purchase survey of a 34ft traditional Colecraft narrowboat, again at Uxbridge Boat Centre.

A insurance survey of a 1935 Historic Narrowboat at Stowe Hill Workshop . A well maintained and mostly original example with just some ongoing maintenance advisories made.

And a hull condition survey prior to purchase of a 1990 40ft semi-trad narrowboat at Calcutt boats.

Next week is looking good with a mission to Scotland planned.

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

19/04/2026

Another busy week inspecting various narrowboats.

A hull survey at Uxbridge Boat Centre which highlighted some urgent repairs required on the hull that a previous survey had failed to discover.

An insurance survey of a great condition narrowboat at Kingsground Narrowboats. For a 1980 built vessel the hull was in remarkable condition.

A post blasting inspection of a previously sunk narrowboat at MGM Boats in Leicester; a busy day with lots of recommendations made.

And lastly an insurance survey of a really well maintained 1979 Dave Clark narrowboat at Tooley’s Boatyard, which was also in remarkable condition.

All in all a good productive week with a great variety of work.

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

Address

River Thames
Oxford
OX294BY

Telephone

+447920826319

Website

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

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