Bettie Boo

We seen the one Jess posted about in our travels as well, can't remember if it was on the GU or if it was on the River Lee. It did stand out. I remember thinking at the time I wouldn't fancy trying to steer it through some of the ol' higley pigley bridge holes we encounter in our travels, nor would I fancy trying to see over the roof to try and gauge where the pointy end was, and just how pointy the pointy end actually is. And then there's with windows or lack of?

Which more often than not saddens me, forever the optimist I guess

Yeah, I get what your saying Mike but, its one thing for a builder to use a cheaper steel, which will result in a cheaper end cost to a customer at the first purchase stage, but to the guy who buys the boat 15 years later is buying not much better than a floating tin can, or uses under rated insulation, or uses a cheap alternative engine, all will have an effect on the selling price, but none of them have a real potential to cause much damage to other boats or locks. There's got to be (or I would hope there would be) some form of ethics Boat Builders follow?

Sorry Matty, I didn't mean to take away any merit from you OP, I was replying to something else, hence the quote. Personally I don't like the "look" of the boat and wouldn't be interested in it. I do take on-board your comments and they all made sense to me, you are one of a few on here that I do take heed of their comments about such things. By having a loose understanding of what you do for a living, if you were to make a comment on how a certain boat handles, or what design types are more efficient or safe I would take your advice. I did actually make a post shortly after your OP, stating that I didn't like it, especially the set up for the front ropes Whereas if it came from MtB in reference to a WB I would take with a large grain of salt, as I'm pretty sure most folks appreciate his feelings on WB's in general. It was in one of his many WB posts that I was first introduced to the word "fugly" (MtB I do take heed of any posts you make in regards to boilers & plumbing, just to clarify) I would ask this though...How/Why would a boat builder be convinced to build something that could and more than likely will cause damage to both locks and probably the boat? It can only end up with bad publicity for them in the long run. Why would they have not talked the designer out of such a design in the first place?

Not to worry Alal, I'm also a bit of a short arse (5ft 6ins as well) and can't see over the roof of the boat when steering it, and nor am I a light weight. Dave however is the opposite at over 6 ft and a bean pole build. He has built me a step out of some left over decking planks we had on the roof, it's about the size of a battery, so not too high and good and sturdy to take my weight, just big enough to get both my feet on without being so big it gets in his way if I'm not at the back. He uses it as a step to get his bum up to the side of the back hatch were he normally sits (ours of a Trad stern set up) whilst in charge of the tiller

Not at all, why should you? One particular style/type is not to everyone's taste, hence why some of us prefer skinny and some of us prefer wide...to each their own

I concur Mr. Cuthound...life is a total pleasure when it's on a boat

Yes - quite familiar with what you've described above. Friend of mine in Canada has something very similar and we've had some great holidays in it traveling from Canada, down through the States into Mexico. With that said, not quite sure how I would feel with driving what you've described above through the likes of London, Oxford, Reading all of which I'm quite happy to steer the boat through

Now that's just being silly - where would I put my roof top garden without it getting blown off in the 50 - 70 mph winds you'd get traveling along the motor ways. And I've never seen one of them with a solid fuel stove, never mind carrying the coal & wood needed to burn in said stove. But more alarmingly I'm pretty sure they don't come with a pump out option do they?

Oh if we only had an extra 100K when we were looking, I diffidently would have had something that looked like that!! It's Beautiful IMO

I Love a good Barn conversion Just think of a WB as being the "barn conversion" on the canals

Jesus that IS one big beast Mike!! Nice to see you back...we were getting a little light on WB owners round these parts Where did you have the lift out at and where did you take it to for the re-launch?

Thanks Alan - I "get it" now

I'm confused (as per normal)...does it just drop down into a hole? What would stop someone just lifting it off the back of the boat with the bike attached? Also, can you use it while using the rudder swan neck arm thingy at the same time? Very interesting

Well, it's not to my taste. But then again, it's not my home either. It does make me feel a bit better about the "look" of our front end I would agree with the suggestion that the holes closet to the front cabin are the front well drains and the ones closet to the bow are the gas locker drains. As others have stated I don't care for the set up of the front ropes I'm a bit thicker than some...is it a Liverpool built boat? And nor can I figure out where it was launched...Braunston? Hope they are happy with their new home and make it safely to where ever they are heading

Alan Don't worry about making mistakes (as long as no one is hurt), we made LOADS and 2 and 1/2 years on we are still making mistakes. Just take it slow, watch what others are doing and pick up tips that way.

But such a pretty River to cruise, and some very nice mooring spots as well

Truer words were never spoken Pete. Some are happy with a bucket - others insist on a china bowl with a cushioned seat & lid To Each their own

I was just about to say the same thing...well about the no solid fuel stove, only 2 batteries and no where for a washing machine, and to be fair, as a live aboard the Saloon doesn't look all that comfortable IMO But to each their own...

More knowledgeable folks will be along shortly to give their advice I'm sure. But in the meantime, could you give a bit more info regarding the boat... Who is the builder? Did you have a full survey done, or was it just a hull survey? Was the surveyor in anyway associated with either the boat yard / seller from whom your buying it from? Are you able to get a portion of the £5+K off the asking price? Welcome to the forum and best of luck to you

I would love to be able to help you out as a friend back in Canada has a Russian Schnauzer and it is a lovely breed of dog. He's simply to big for what I'm looking for. Best of luck in finding him a new home.