Lou4444

We want to be able to cruise on the canal network.

We have a mooring organised as we have to be in one place for work and college. We have a mooring on a marina, not ideal I know but a necessary evil!

It is pretty low - we have checked, not much higher than the steerer standing on a narrowboat. Also it collapses. Paul, please tell me more about your boat and as we will be living on the Thames will this actually be ok? Thank you Kevin, we have looked at loads of NBs with 3 fixed berths, but have had to go to at least 65ft to give us the space that would be liveable. For that reason SF gives us more space at only 60ft.

Thanks Paul I met them, they are selling as his wife fell and cannot get in and out of a boat anymore. We dont have a lot of boating experience, so this does worry me. Thanks for the info.

HEY MtB and Paul Newlife thats really not fair! I was amused by the vehicle discussions and please forgive me for not answering you directly Paul, you got lost amongst the Skodas, we want a home for 2 adults and a child and we want to cruise most weekends. I wanted peoples honest opinions not Hugs, which I am really grateful to have got. Lots of hugs Lou

Thank you everyone - I look forward to more interesting discussions.

Thanks David C - Thats exactly the offer we thought.

Is it usual for a topic to change completely on this forum? Not that I mind, but just trying to weave my way between fabrication of cars and fabrication of hulls. LOL

Thank you, yes we have been a bit worried about the resale - only we live down in London, so I think a more quirky boat will have a better chance of re-sale down here!

It is Strawberry Fields

Wow thank you everyone for your response. Yes we have been looking for a long time and have viewed many many boats. Of course we will get a survey done, but thank you for the advice to be there when it is surveyed. The boat is not a normal narrowboat http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=322660 this is the canal boat article on its sister boat that is exactly the same. http://www.canalboat.co.uk/canal-boats/boat-tests/braidbar_60ft_1_2256767 Thanks everyone.

Hi there My husband and I have done 2 years of research and are now buying our first Liveaboard narrowboat. Is there any 'formula' for the value of a boat, do you immediately take the VAT off and then is there a depreciation per year? We are looking at a boat that was bought new in 2009 for £105 000. The owner is now asking £85 000.00 for it. She has been well maintained, serviced, blacked but the interior fitout was cheapish and it is showing it now. Also it has had the same anodes from new ( which worries me). This may be a really dumb question as boats vary soooo much. Thank you very much

Hi This is our first boating holiday and we are going in mid winter as this is the only time we can afford it! The boat that we are hiring is based at Kings Bromley and we need to find a 6 day route that is not difficult, strenuous or scary. We will be looking for quiet countryside, pubs, and some shopping. I have looked and looked at maps etc - but really needs some help please. We don't want to have to travel every day - we need some quiet time in a lovely location. Thanks