Neildudman

Thank you all. Daniel, I will see you at Beale park, maybe Saturday but 100% there on Monday!. Cheers Neil

Great News Beatnik! Your now one step ahead of me..... Although having the cash is the easy part for me, I know have to convince the wife!!!!!! Tough tough tough... Neil

Hi John, Thanks for the reply. I was worried about the spec as I am in the market for a boat of our own didnt think 'this' boat should have aged like this (1 year). Although not everyone will treat a hire boat with respect like myself and my family. Boats should be loved, even when they are hired. I am in the hydraulic power pack industry and we manufacture reservoirs and we use 2 pack epoxy, stove enamalled finshed. I wondered if boat have varying qualities. I do not want a boat that the top will need re painting every 4 years to make it look nice. Sod the lower half...thats why they are called barges!! Neil

I Would go for the 'its for a new car' angle.... you can get low APR loans from 100's of lenders without any questions..... its so easy these days. On the other hand, if you have a good credit rating, buy it on a credit card and just move the balances across from card to card every 6 months, interest free (check other charges). If you do this you also have the benefit of the purchase on a card incase of future problems / non supply. Worth a thought?

Hi All, Just been on a hired narowboat and was astonished at the paint finish and how easy it scratched and came off. Tell me, is there a standard painting rule? ie how many coats?....baked?..... etc etc. I guess the quality will differ from company to company. Would have you guys got? Neil

Hi All, Been lurking around for a few weeks watching and seeing what goes on. Just got back into Canals and Canal boat recently which resulted in my families 1st Holiday!. It was my first one for about 8 years so since I travelled with my parents, I felt like a vigin again! We hired a boat from Evesham and went up the upper Avon river, stopping at at Offingham (Fish and Anchor), Bidford and Welford (Binton Bridges) on the way to Stratford. Having the wife (Boat virgin) and Adam (6) and Harry (8months) people wondered if I was mad - but the bug had got me and we just had to go - so we went!. The locks on the Avon fit 2 boats and we have help from a 4 crew, two of which were Aussies over for a 8 week tour of the UK. needless to say we hooked up at all the locks, exchanging beers and insults as we went!. We got to Stratford where we planned a 2 1/2 day stop to enjoy the town, resturants and playing area. The mad Aussie's suggested going up to Wootten Wowen - so we did. Tuesday 14th was a beautifull canal day up the Stratford, we cruised to 9pm when we eventually flaked out!. At our stopover in the middle of nowhere, space was limited and I asked if I could share another boats rope point (large wooden square bollard). I was refused and got a god dam almighty dirty look - as if I had asked to BBQ his kids or something (shoot him at dawn!!). Anyway, they said no..... I was agast!. I said ok then, I'll stake up - to their mirth I had not relised it was a concrete towpath). I eventually tied up against the 'armco' section. I was shocked for a bit and it left a really bad taste in my mouth, not at all comfortable. I have never EVER seen or heard this before - esp from another fellow hirer!!!. Few more locks the next day followed by a Cab and a Curry in Henley on Wednesday. Back to Stratford in one day and then slowly back to Evesham. What a great trip we had!. Adam is now fully hooked!. He was interested before when we took him to Loxwood to see the building on the Wey and Arun. I must say that is a cracking project and well worth a visit. Its strange seeing a new lock with no water or canal near!!!! Our local is the Basingstoke and the River Way. We are tempted to buy a boat but moorings are few and far between down here. We reckon a large boat (70ft) should be about right, although most boats we have seen are 55 to 60 ft. We need confry space for a growing family and be able to take guests away for a trips etc etc. Anyway, I'll be boring you all soon with questions soon enough so bye for now!. Cheers Neil PS:- I recommend:- Four All's in Welford Fish and Anchor (Offingham) The Bulls Head in Bidford Cafe Rouge in Stratford Arden Tandoori in Henley PPS:- There seems to be alot of 'Mr Nasty's around - perhaps it was cos we had a hire boat??? .........esp the white cruisers.. ... oh and the hotel boat double moored at a lock entrance......