Great advice on the RNLI - I had a look on their website and it sounds like they do a great service, and for free! (I would of course make a donation however). I think I may get my other boat checked over too, can't be too careful.
So in the meantime, you mention about the 'nice flared bow' on the Reiver, I will post another picture up taken from the front of my boat as I think this also has a reasonably flared bow, comparible to the 'Norman' boats mentioned in previous posts (incidently, there is a Norman boat which looks quite similiar for sale local on Gumtree right now).
Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing the fact that this boat was probably more aimed at being a river cruiser than an offshore cruiser, and I appreciate your opinion and safety definitely comes first, but it would be nice to think that I could keep her for use at sea rather than it just being a money-making project.

We'll see what the RNLI say, but that will be a while away yet I think. Got a lot of painting to do in the meantime (and alot of sanding before that - previous owner used household gloss on the cabin!

).
Thanks for all your replies, I feel this has been a very useful thread, certainly for me and I will definitely be getting my boat(s) checked by the RNLI.
All the best.
Steve
*final note -out of sheer curiosity regarding flat bottom vs 'V' shape hull- would my other 17ft open top displacement hull boat be considered as 'more stable and seaworthy' than this 20ft flat bottom boat, or does the bigger size, deck space, higher gunnels play a part? Ive been caught out in some pretty horrible seas in my 17ft and she's been fine, alebeit a bit lumpy and slow given the speed restraints on the hull design. Just curious, not really important, but my other boat is the only benchmark I have really. 