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[Tebby]

hi all, l have the chance of buying an old scratch built Thames steam launch `Miranda` but have absolutely no idea how much to pay for it?

It has not engine/boiler etc, just the boat itself, from the pics l have it does`nt look to be that well made!

Its only a 50 mile round trip to go view it, but would like to go with an idea of what to pay for it!

Any thoughts would be a great help...she`s approx 46" long apparently 

[Roadrunner]

£50-100 if no engine and boiler i would think is a fair figure to start haggling within. Any more then £100 and you ''could'' build a new one from plans at the cost of material, the photo could be deceiving it may look far nicer in the flesh then the photo makes out which then you can allow a bit more.

Best way to haggle the price though is to ask ' how much do you want for it' when he comes up with a figure knock 30% off it, (so asked 100 offer 70) and offer him that, hence the haggle! be sure to point out damage, chipped paint or varnish etc etc as this helps you haggle the price low as you have to repair the model at cost!


But if its awful then just walk away and take the cost of the trip on the chin, last thing you want is to spend and spend and it never looks nice.

[Tebby]

Thanks Roadrunner    sound advice 

They want £150 for it, which l thought was a tad much really.As you point out, pics can be deceiving, having said that, l find digital pics tend to flatter rather than

the other way round 

....thanks again Roady 

[Tebby]

I have had some more pics come through from the lady, but they are too large to upload on here, l tried.

If anyone is interested, don`t think l am, as a beginner maybe to much too soon 

But l can give the ladies details, she`s in Nottingham somewhere, also can email the pics to interested parties if you pm me.

[Roadrunner]

IF you say it looks 'tatty' then i would be more inclined not to pay out £150 for it, i mean each boat is valued to what the owners/creators think its worth but you have to put a price on it that you would pay.
For me personally i would not budge over £75 (going by the photo's)  as i know £100-£150 will buy raw material and a plan which could build me the basic hull to a good standard which is actually less work then resorting something, remember its the asking price paid + restoration cost that can give you a total outgoing nearer to £200 if you paid the full £150 asking.
Its nice to own vintage models for what they are (i own a few)  but you have to be happy with it so only you can decide if the price paid was worth it.

[Tebby]

l totally agree, l pitched that over the weekend when l first saw it, but, as its a lady, she obviously thinks its worth more than it actually is.

To be fair, l emailed & text her, your thoughts, and she`s happy to accept £100, still not for me, but if anyone wants pics & details l can pass them on, l have

told her l`d help and she`s happy for me to pass these on 

[Patternmaker]

This is what it should look like

[Roadrunner]

Now if that came up for £150 i would bite your hand off, but its more likely that the boat alone (no engine) would be worth in the £500-600 mark with no quibbles, With engine, don't expect much change from £1500

[Tebby]

  not much difference at all then  

That is beautiful Can`t see me making a silk purse out of a pigs ear though, so l`ve passed on it.