deckhand

having commissioned a boat in the past, we had terrible mould problem under the bed (around water tank). We had no front bow door. The boat had several issues but we demanded a survey. It failed. It failed on venting. Basically there wasn't any in the front of the boat, and none in the doors. It had to go back into the makers (who are now out of business) to have quite a number of things put right. We are just embarking on our third boat and about to have a survey done. But I learnt an awful lot from that first boat.

your boat, you are the one to spend time and money on making it your own(very exciting), you are the one to enjoy cruising along, to enjoy mooring up for a tea and cake or a beer and sarnie. WHy do you need anyone to reassure you. No matter what, enjoy and have fun. (Boat looks great by the way)

You will probably find it will serve you well then. Different cruising whether turning left or right, couple of pubs local to the marina plus shops and the fact that the security is very good at Mercia. Good luck to you. Hope you find that it suits you and your focus can be on your boat and boating rather than any issues with your mooring.

we lived at Mercia for two and a half years as liveaboards. It was great until we were told we had to move from the mooring that we had taken time to 'choose' and got settled on, got to know the people around us etc. With liveaboard status, we had to move to a different pontoon. then 9 months later, had to move again. We have 4 dogs and had chosen a berth second in from the end of the pontoon which made life a little easier when having to take them out for toilet and walks. After the moving about, we ended up(not through choice but just what was available) in the middle, alongside people who didnt want to use leads for their dogs, letting them sit in the middle of the pontoon so we couldnt get past with ours. The amount of dogs mess in the dog walking fields all became a big issue too (we are ones who religiously picked up after ours). You could stand at the entrance to the dog fields and see people 100 yards ahead of their dog whilst the dog was happily making the mess behind them. All became far to stressful in the end.

Sorry to hear this sad news. I loved reading Fiona and John's blog and the articles too when we were first contemplating moving onto a boat. Condolences to John and family.

I totally agree. I have sold one through apolloduck and one through an agent. I would certainly have a go at selling one myself first next time if I was able to.

I didnt find the heat/cold difficult or affecting my health whilst I lived on the boat. What I did find affected my health and breathing was the dust and smoke from the woodburner.

I used to do the locking work because i hated being on the boat in the deep locks

I fully agree with you, the green was never a contender for us. Blue everytime

Having lived in Mercia Marina, prior to the liveaboard moving rules, boaters had a berth, which they more or less chose and stayed there. You got to know your neighbours and watched out for each other. Then the Liveaboard rules came in and anyone with that status then has to move every 10 months or so to meet the requirements of the Council. This meant you end up with neighbours that you dont know (or want in some cases). It kind of ruined the neighbourly feel for us. We took time initially to choose the berth we wanted when we decided to move in Mercia but having had to move a couple of times, our chosen pontoon got snapped up which meant we lost the neighbours we had developed a rapport with. I would have challenged anyone on a neighbours boat prior to the rules, because we got to know when people were expected, having work done, etc and in fact have challenged people in the past. (Remembering one night at 11pm when someone was wandering around the marina in the dark, couldnt tell us which boat he was looking for. Turned out eventually that he was stopping with his brother and got lost but he was challenged by us.

I agree with this, been wondering the same myself. They could have stolen a boat that could have merged in with the many others out there with few identifiable points. This particular boat had so many stand out things to look for that even a lick of paint would have never let it sail by without question. No doubt will all come out in the wash. I am very pleased that the boat has been recovered and the owners are reunited.

A lot of respect to you for being proactive and actually going out there. I was watching the thread last night and itching for some one to do that. The owners will I am sure be on here soon (hopefully) to update us all but you and the people who took the photo initially deserve some extra praise.

I have to agree,

If you have spoken to the people on that boat, you must have a description. I think early on there was a description of the person who took the boat out of the marina. Perhaps if there is a likeness then this adds credence. I would have thought that if the people on Rare Bear are just innocently enjoying their boat, then they would not mind being eliminated from the suspicion.

Can i suggest contacting the Coal delivery boats and other working boats. They are travelling the system all day every day.

There is also a super little park at Stretton Burton on Trent, large playing field and a park with slides and swings etc

It does depend on your circumstances. I do know of several people who work and cruise. It just was not suitable or feasible for us. I am pleased that it works for you. we loved the boat but it was unfortunate that our circumstances did not fit with how you work. Not everyone can set the 1 hour from work rule. not everyone works in one place. I am pleased for you that you can. I am just pleased to be away from the marina

not sure what you mean by cheap. if we bought it at £100000 and got £100000 back or bought it at £60000 and got £60000 back surely its all relevant isnt it? Forgive me if I am missing something but maybe we were just lucky in finding the purchaser that we did.

It was the marina atmosphere that did it in the end for us. went to live on boat for a bit of freedom only to find ourselves more tied down by rules in the marina. it was in effect like living on an estate, only closer together and less room to escape from it all. The marina was in your face all the time. With work commitments it was not possible to get out on the water as we had hoped. In the end it was a relief to get back on land. We hope to have a boat in the not too distant future but purely for leisure. Edited to add that it was a narrowboat we moved onto, had it built 2 years ago for ourselves, sold it and did not make a loss on it.

We had ours made by Wilson Covers. We were very pleased with the style and fabric. Ours split into two across the middle, front dropped down onto roof and back onto the wood surround of the cruiser stern. The supports were fixed to the wood surround which released to allow for the bit of give which then , once up, tightened up to give rigidity. Easy to clean and worth having for the extra covered room as we have 4 dogs (able to dry them off before charging into the boat. Never had it in situ when out on the water, folded down umbrella like but only took literally 10 mins to put up and zip up once moored.