Woodstock

It's at Shardlow marina now- we looked at it last year- but it needed too much internal refurbishment for us (we wouldnt know where to start), but somebody with the right skills would make it a nice boat. The office in the marina might know more specific details about blacking etc. It had a beautiful old stove on it- and we did feel very sad- you could see someones life and love of the water on that boat. I hope it goes to someone who can restore it well.

Hi If you do Mercia at Willington- you could also see BWML at Sawley. Get one of the canal mags- there's loads of adverts at the back and it'll introduce you to a number of brokers.Look at lots of boats- and dont believe what you see on the internet will be what you find- we found 2 beautiful boats on the internet- went to have a look and they were frightening- neglected, dirty, lack of maintenance etc and one I discounted from a broker on the internet was the one we bought (nicer when we saw it) Shardlow have residential moorings- not sure if there's any spare- It's close to M1 / M42 so within your timing to Birmingham if you dont get anywhere closer. Mercia at Willington, Barton Marina and Streethay at Lichfield are marinas my side of Birmingham. Shardlow have a residential mobile home park around the marina- would that be any use to your grandparents- they have the odd mobile home for sale? 0ur boat is 37foot- used for weekends and the odd week away-fixed bed at the back etc- I dont think a couple could live on it- but my OH says he could. The shorter length is great though as its a cheaper licence, mooring, painting, easier turning around etc and we thought it would be good to start with a smaller first time boat. Our budget was similar to yours and even with the boat, marina and a paint job- we're within the initial budget- so it is do-able. We bought ours last year so the experience is still fresh- and this site is great for advice (although it will differ) You'll get to a point where you look so much, you cant take anymore- but you will find the right boat. Have fun and good luck Jackie

Never seen it used on boats- but saw it recently used to clean stainless steel surfaces in a food factory- and couldn't believe the amount of dried up crud it removed-it turned everything into a thin film of "crisp", that could then be vacuumed away- so it could be possible. It does pose safety risks- use good gloves and a visor and be careful of those around you. The factory I saw- treated it like a welding operation in terms of safety procedures. There's a few suppliers now on the internet- might be worth discussing with an industrial supplier- they might even be interested to see a new use.

Thanks everyone- really good advice which is appreciated. It is a cruiser stern. The drill will be out this weekend

Hi- We've got an older NB (1990), It doesn't have any drainage on the stern. Is this a common thing with older boats? The cratch cover admittedly keeps most of the rainwater out, but any that does get through puddles on the bottom step (we've got 3 steps built into the stern that go down to the boat door (rather than internal steps). We're thinking of drilling an hole in the bottom step to allow the water to drain into the bilge and then pumped out by the bilge pump- Would this be a problem?? Any other thoughts on how to resolve?? Bizarrely the front has two lovely drainage holes and a bilge pump- so can't understand why there isnt anything on the back

So far:- Long weekend at the beginning May- probably Shardlow to Alrewas 10 days in June- Can anyone suggest a good route with interesting places from Shardlow As many weekends as possible and then another long weekend in August and 10 days in September It's our first full season with a boat- so really want to get to know the the boat- I want to learn to steer and moor- previously on holidays, the other half as always done it- but I've no excuse now- plus he wants to do locks. If you hear a couple arguing on the Trent and Mersey- it'll probably be us when I'm not doing it properly!!! The suns just come out here- so I really want spring to arrive and the nice longer days with it. Have fun everyone- Any route tips appreciated

We went to the one at Mercia on Saturday and no mention of a sale- you could be cheeky and ring and ask when there next sale is- or just ask for a discount as you're buying a number of items. I was quite impressed by the one at Merica and the staff were helpful- and the £21 TV aeriel with all the fittings- did work- sad but its the first time we've had TV on our boat.

Funny- much braver than my other half who climbed up a great big conifer last year to rescue a cat that was stuck. I think there's room for a new female super hero- Tracy in floral pyjamas-well done Tracy!!

We have- but we're only 15minutes away from the marina, if we need to drain water and boiler. Historically March can be cold, so I'd be careful- or at least be prepared to make a trip back to the boat

Seen "Flat Bottomed Girl" which made me smile- no photo though

You're right- it did make me chuckle!!!! Hope all is well now

Thanks for putting the photos on- when I use the insert image- I get a box for the http address and then copied the link for the photo address- How do I get the photos on?

Not much better than kindling though, surely? Nope- even though they are plank thickness they are really hard heavy wood- oak??, so did burn slowly

Sorry folks- obviously I am really excited- meant Nice "Paint job" not pint- although after the rain and wind on the Soar and Trent this morning we are both ready for a pint!!!!

Hello all- Really excited, we've got our boat back after it's been painted by Andy Cain at Kegworth and Signwriting by Jan Deuchar We're really pleased with the result- Andy is such a Gent and his attention to detail is superb. He was reccomended by several members of this forum and fit us in at short notice- Thank you to those who recommended!! First time I've uploaded photos- its through a link to flickr- hope it works

Just seeing if this works

Hi-At Swarkestone Garden centre- I found bags of chopped whiskey barrels being sold as firewood- I haven't seen these before. They come in a net- the type you normally get about 8 logs in and cost £5-99- however the weight of the bag is much much heavier than when you buy a net of normal logs- so much better value. I tried burning them last night- I suspect they're oak given the weight and they did burn well (I mixed them with other logs)- nice flame and slow burn. I was a bit worried that they might flare up having traces of whiskey in the wood- but they didnt. The guy at the garden centre said on an open fire, they smell good.

I really would reccomend having a will drawn up- We aren't married and were shocked a few years ago at how complex things can get if you're not married and one person dies and even more complicated if both die at the same time. The HSBC did an offer a few years ago with a free will writing service- not sure if anyone is currently offering a similar service. The will takes away some of the bureacracy during what is always a difficult time