Steve Richards
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Posts posted by Steve Richards
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9pm on 10th March. 4 programmes, the first being on the Kennet and Avon
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I've seen Kinver Canopies recommended in other threads and that's who we'll be going with if/when we get our bota. They're in the West Midlands so whether they cover your area or not I don't know.
Steve
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I'm sure this is a rust-stained-with-age question, but it's new territory for me/us - what are the basic costs of those four? Apart from maintenance costs (blacking, craning, etc.) are there any other 'basic/obligatory' costs?
We're getting a 40-foot narrowboat (6'10" wide). I will go rummaging here & there and gradually build up a better picture but thought I'd throw this 'to the sharks' as a start as this site seems to be where the experts are
Safety Certificate - I have jotted down 150 Pounds every 4 years (is this correct?)
CRT Licence fee = ?
Insurance - we would just need something basic/standard, I guess this is for crashing into things and in case someone pinches the boat? What else - fire? There would be nothing of serious value inside the boat (unless I find myself a decent bottle of single malt!).
Mooring fees - what's reasonable for a 40' boat 'just sitting there' for a few months? I guess looking at the yearly cost and dividing that by 12 gives the monthly cost. Just need a place to park, no electricity or water required.
Are there any basic costs I've forgotten about? As we're actually buying this boat it's now time to make a calendar and jot costs & times for paying them down on it...
Thanking ye
I'm thinking about paying £55 pa for the RCR ('rivercanalrescue') recovery service 'retainer' when I get my boat. It seems to work like the AA for cars but you have to pay £40 each time you call them out. Have you considered this? I'd be interested to hear others' views of whether RCR is worthwhile.
Steve
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We had a couple of one week hires with friends a few years ago and that planted the seed. Real planning only started with the thought (12 months ago) that we could (i) retire in 2014 and (ii) probably/possibly/hopefully afford our own narrowboat.
The planning has mainly been around the financial side given not only the purchase costs but also that I reckon we'll need (boat's not ours yet still awaiting survey) £4k-ish pa for running costs (£2,400 mooring, CRT license, insurance, RCR recovery, annual service, blacking/anodes every 3 years) - as well as a contingency fund 'just in case'.
I guess there's been a lot of other 'planning' in terms of looking at boats, talking about what we both want, finding things out on the internet, etc but that's been fun.
Steve
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I notice that the only two subjects raised are cost and attitude to claims.
Whilst the latter is important, judging on cost can be misleading. I wonder how many of those who changed insurers compared the old and new insurers wordings. At least one of the insurers mentioned here has a warranty requiring two competent crew at all times. There are many differences on many other aspects including, but by no means limited to, the definition and exclusions relating to latent defect.
Most of those mentioned are not insurers but brokers or underwriting agents. For example Craftinsure use the Navigators & General as underwriters of their policy, but as an agent with their own book you will find that their quote may not be the same as a direct N & G policy.
Craftinsure appear to have changed underwriters - they now use Zurich according to the website.
Based on the reasonable quote they gave online and the cover they offer and what's been said on this website I think we'll be going with them for our soon to be acquired boat (hopefully - cross fingers re the survey!)
Steve
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Lovely looking boat you've got. I love the engine!
I also bought my boat from Braunston a few months ago. If you arrange with them to have any work done on the boat before purchase, be 100% sure before you part with money or leave them marina, that all the work has been completed.
They guys that do the work (carl etc) are great, but the bosses in the office gave me the impression they didn't know wether they were coming or going and the phrase 'headless chickens' sring to mind more than once. They were however lovely people and I would be happy to buy or sell a boat through them again.
Who are you having survey the boat?
Craig Allen's doing the survey. Thanks for the advice re any work by Braunston.
I must admit even on the little test drive I did I liked the sound of the engine. Perhaps I'll end up growing a beard.
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Welcome afloat.
A newish BSS should give some confidence.
A tall exhaust is a good plan.
It having been knocked off a few times, its now a nice loose fit on the stub and can be whipped off at a moments notice if something happens. Keep gloves or a rag nearby for this as it will be h h h hot.
Good thinking - a rag it'll be
Steve
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Don't know the boat, but going on description and photos, you have a good boat at a good price.
A small point, you may need an extra tall exhaust stack - can't see the current one to check - as the exhaust exits not far from the steering position, and its not good to inhale that stuff long term! (Just have to look out for bridges).
Thank Mike. It does have a tall exhaust stack - and also a shorter one for low bridges.
BTW - One of the first things we want to do is change the name and get the name painted on. I think we're going to go for 'Smoke & Mirrors'.
Steve
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Hi and welcome.
Just two comments on the boat, unusual layout but if you like it, no problem, think where you will be sitting when not moving the boat.
Second try out the bed, it is a cross bed and if you or your partner are near six foot, or more, it may be tight.
Nothing else obvious, looks a nice boat.
Thanks for that and the other ultra quick welcomes
Yes we're ok with the layout which we think/hope will work for us. And yes we tried out the bed (I'm 5ft 11in and was fine but only just). A cross bed was something we were keen on to give us 4ft 6in width.
The engine's going to be interesting and has a better room than our bedroom (and about the same size!) One of the guys at Braunston (Carl - extremely helpful) started it and the use of a hairdryer - because it hadn't been started for a few weeks - was to me novel but seemed to do the trick.
Steve
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Hi all,
My other half and I have been out looking at boats for about a year with the aim of buying one to enjoy once we retire this August (early retirement for both of us which is a bit of a miracle these days!). It'll be for days away and the odd 1 or 2 or maybe even 3 or 4 week break but not as a liveaboard.
And then the Saturday before last we saw a boat we liked so much that after a bit of jiggling with the mortgage and a successful test run - the 60 year old Lister engine was the only thing I was edgy about - we offered, negotiated and agreed a price (£35,000). So, subject to survey (13th Feb), we will hopefully be the proud owners of a 56 footer in a few weeks time. I'm interested to know what people think of the boat and any advice for a newbie (we've rented a couple of times but never owned our own before).
http://www.braunstonmarina.co.uk/Findaboat/tabid/66/id/523/boat-name/Margaret%20Mary/Default.aspx
We bought through Braunston Marina but will probably moor at Kingfisher Marina just north of Milton Keynes - rates seem very reasonable and it's only 40 minutes drive from our house. We're off to take a look this Saturday.
Looking forward to communicating with people on this forum - seems like a friendly place with lots of useful advice. I've already gleaned a load of useful stuff just through browsing..
Steve
What a GREAT day!
in New to Boating?
Posted
Are you sure that "gentleman" was born with a tiller in his hand and not a tiller up his arse?
I have only hired a couple of times before now (we paid the balance for our first boat today!) and the first time I set off from Alvechurch I was greeted almost immediately by a bridge with a bend immediately after it and a boat coming the other way on the other side. I made it through the bridge just fine but turning was beyond me so continued straight into the bank and low hanging branches. Cue much ducking and laughter from my wife and friends. That was about 5 years ago and my friends have wound me up about it ever since.
I'm sure even that "gentleman" wasn't perfect the first time he set out.
Keep enjoying it - I know we will
Steve