Paragon

Oh dear what have I started here.... Apologies to all, I should have been more clear in what information I was seekeing. On re reading my original post this morning it does appear rather vague and open. YMU is correct in expressing my original intentions for this post. Thanks for all your replies! SRG

Hello Everyone, I had many superb replies to my first post 'Boat Financing Question & I've caught the Bug!' and one the things that came up a number of times was the recommendation to buy a boat that was made by well known, respected and sought after boat builder. Being a complete newbie to the narrow boat scene I have absolutely no idea who these builders are and I am sure there maybe many new prospective boat buyers in the same boat as I (Couldn't help it!). With that said I thought I start this new post in attempt to gather this information from the many experienced boating hands who cruise this forum. This information would be a great help im sure to others as well as myself. Kind Regards, SRG

Thanks Tim F www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk that was the link I lost! :-) Cheers SRG

Hello, Could anyone please sugest other good sites that are similiar to appolloduck / ebay other than individual brokers / mariners / yards. Google springs a scatering of brokers / mariners and yards etc.... The reason I am asking, I saw mentioned a site that was similiar to the duck etc but I can no longer remember or find the link. Kind Regards, SRG

Thank You for the latest replies they are very much welcome! The boat we hired for the week in November was a 57ft Trad. I found it was a nice size especially when family came to visit for the day (well for the corned beef hash)! ;-) I'm leaning towards a cruiser or even a semi-trad style mainly due to the social aspect that these styles offer and mildly due to the trad we hired had quite a strong smell of diesel fumes that propagated through the boat when opening the cabin door, is this normal for trad boats? Oh and will defiantly, defiantly purchase some walkie talkies for those 'could you stick on the kettle darling' moments ;-) I must have the bug as purchased the following books from amazon yesterday... ;-) Narrow Margins Marie Browne and Narrow Dog To Carcassonne Terry Darlington Dominic M You may be correct about the interest only mortgage. I went to the natwest online mortgage calculator initially looking for a repayment mortgage but they did have the option for interest only so I checked it for curiosity. Maybe the option is still there just to remind us of the good olde days not so long ago! Joining a club sounds like a great idea I guess this gives one the option to share mooring too if there is a requirement. Thanks Again for all the replies they sure have come in thick and fast! What great forum / community!, SRG

Wow, Thanks for the prompt and very informative replies they are all very much appreciated. I was thinking of a second hand boat aprox 40-45ft with a price of between 25-35k. Quite happy to do some DIY work and I am quite mechanically minded. I am fortunate enough to own a number of metal turning Lathes and milling machines both manual and CNC controlled that I use as a hobby for model engineering and tool making. Making tools to make more tools ;-) Although not too sure what I could use them for except in the case of engine re bore or prop shaft turning ... hope not though! The first thing I think I will do is concentrate on finding a mooring easier said than done from what I understand! Scrub the above! The first thing I am going to do is read some of the posts on this great forum then do the above, prior to finding a boat. Thanks Again Everyone! SRG

Hello Everyone, This is my first post so I would like to introduce myself as well as ask for expertise with regards to boat financing. I am forty, married and a homeowner with a relatively low mortgage vs equity value. My Wife, our three year old Niece, the Dog and I hired a Trad Narrow Boat in November 2010 for a period of a week and navigated a part of the Kennet & Avon cannal system. It was the first time for us all and I had to learn fast due to wifey having her hands full keeping our niece and rather active and excited dog from testing out their new life jackets ;-) But the tea was very much appreciated! :-) So I spent the holiday single handily jumping off and on and off and on, working the locks climbing ladders and having one hand pretty much attached to the center rope. Having said that I soon got into a routine and thoroughly enjoyed it. Even when the rain lashed down harder than I have ever witnessed with a driving wind that nearly blew me of the stern and all this happening just as we were arriving at the Wallhamptom swing bridge where the canal was a torrent. Still the pub grub and beer was worth it! Since the holiday all I've wanted to do is to get back out on the cut so with this feeling I have thought long and hard about purchasing a boat. One thing to mention the wife and I do not fly so holidays abroad are no no except for France if that counts ;-) So the boat will be our home from home the weekend getaway from the smoke and the extended holiday residence for exploring the canal system. Soooo finally onto the question at hand. I was considering taking out addition fund against the mortgage over say a ten year period preferably as a repayment mortgage or as interest only scheme with a view of selling the boat within ten years or less or upgrading the boat etc. The idea being that I would hope to recoup some of the value of the boat less depreciation on sale and within that time have had the use of our own holiday home as when we wish too. Ofcourse I would need to take into account mooring fees, maintenance running costs etc. Does this seem like a feasible way to go about it? Do you have any thoughts ideas or gotcha's? Kind Regards, SRG