the barnacle

as someone looking for a boat I would want to see it with all its warts, a fresh coat of paint on an older boat would get me thinking,

Thankyou for the replies - very interesting - I was hoping to buy a boat but looking at the reality maybe it would be an expensive toy not used as much as it should be, I am considering the boat share option until a time I can use the boat more - and maybe it will give the family a chance to se if it works for them, I guess if the yearly running costs are equal to 1 weeks hire but I got 4 it would be well worth it, if you are unable to use your weeks are you allowed to let others out the share use it? who owns the boat at the end of its life or if the number of share owners reduces? can you drop out at any year or do you have a long term contract? I would think once you get to know the other owners it is a nice community?

Hi, I was wondering if anyone on here has a boat share and how it works for them? - what are the costing's and advantages / disadvantages plus how do you come to an agreement over which weeks you have the boat? Thanking you for any replies, steve

that's smart - I bet some time went into making it.

the top wouldn't usually need to be plated so I understand, I am also looking at boats and my worry is what happens when it corrodes again if its already been overplated?

I was just about to type the same - I am in the same boat as you (sorry about the bad pun lol) my thought is to get a boat but be sensible at the same time.

shame you couldn't make the box universal with small adjustable feet on the corners to alter the support, or make the unit in 2 halves I own a plastic / stainless fabrication business and I find some people are unable to measure, but you are aiming at a market where most people are very practical, to make a box and rely on someone giving you a curve will be hard but some good suggestions have been made to achieve this.

Thanks for the reply - much appreciated, i will see if i can track her down

i have just read this complete thread but I was wondering if anyone would recommend a good boat builder in the midlands, thanking you for any replies

Hi, I am told Frog tape is good but not used it myself - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FROG-TAPE-24MM-X-50M-PAINTERS-MASKING-TAPE-ROLL-MULTI-SURFACE-PAINT-BLOCK-GREEN-/140996131607?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Paint_Varnish_MJ&hash=item20d4063b17

(@; - that's going to Tarnish my name for sure. the name has a story behind it and I hope to have it as the name of my boat when I get it.

Autosol from a car body shop - gives a great shine and also protects it for a lasting shine

Thank you for the link, much appreciated.

Can anyone post a map with the location of the lock on please?

Hi Can I first that everyone for their replies all the advice is much appreciated, Biggles the link is not working? - I feel a bit happier with the thought of having a home fit out now but understand I have a lot more to think of than I first thought. Thanks again, Steve.

thanks for the great advice - its already making me think of looking into it more, - i think the datum points are a good idea, along with fiting doors while afloat.

hi, i don't really have any neighbours but do own a big yard so housing the boat wouldn't be an issue, i do know a chap that owns a boat yard local so might ask his advice on launching, the other problem i would have to consider is getting the boat here as i would want to buy a finished shell.

Thank you for the reply i had not thought of distortion or even considered it, do boats distort much when in or out of the water.

I am planning in the near future to get a narrow boat, i have a plot of land at home that i could keep a boat while fitting it out, might be a silly question as i am new to this but is it feasible to fully fit a 50 - 60ft boat out then move it when finished, the reason i ask is that i think i would get more work done if it were at home and i would save on the canal fees as this may be a long on-going project for me and my lad. is it easy to move boats by road?

sounds like the ideal chance to get to know the new boat, i think the crane move would be to much hastle.