Fintan

That's why I'd really like to buy a boat with a nice shower already installed. Difficult one to test on viewing though... I'm of average height, the boat would probably be stationary for most of the winter (with shore power) but cruising in spring/summer. So I suppose checking for "water heated by" statements in the ads is probably the best bet. I'd not even considered the water pressure. Sigh. John V, that sounds perfect. Hoping not to sound too stupid - how does one whether the hot water tank is reasonably sized? It's not usually given in adverts, as far as I can recall..

Fair point, I should probably have elaborated Even in houses, I've found gas-powered showers to be a pain in the arse - from freezing to scalding for no good reason. Electric showers in houses are great, but I don't know how feasible they would be on a boat? A stove-heated shower requires some prep, and doesn't seem viable as a summer option... What would the good people of the forum who are fussy about their showers recommend?

Is it possible to get a nice shower on a boat? I'm still looking for a boat, and I've decided it's one of the few luxuries I'm not happy to sacrifice while living aboard.

I expect to be in a marina for pretty much all of the time, so having the landline socket with RCD is probably the way to go. Would it be very difficult/costly? Also, apologies for veering off the topic of Marjorie's foolishness, but it seemed somewhat related to the OP...

Is it difficult to add 240v to a 12v boat? I'm going to need a landline, but this is seriously curtailing the number of potential boats to consider (though that could, in some ways, be considered a good thing) - how difficult/costly would it be to, say, have a couple of 240v sockets and wiring installed?

The fridge is in the press under the sink, though to be perfectly honest, I've been in rented accommodation on my own for the last six months, and the only thing I've used the fridge for is milk... so it's something I'm fine with not having on most of the time, and can turn it on if necessary if there are others using the boat. Besideswhich, I'll be getting most of my power from the shore, as I'll be stationary most of the time except for the occasional excursion on the weekends. I don't think the video is that recent - the door at the front didn't seem as open and drafty and insecure as it looks in the video. The entire roof definitely needs to be redone, and there's a fair bit of rust on various parts of the boat - though I don't know how much rust is a problem.

So, I viewed this boat yesterday, and felt like a complete eejit, not really knowing what I was supposed to be looking for/asking etc. The boat does badly need to be repainted though - any idea how much this ought to cost? I've seen mention of a 5k, which certainly puts the boat out of budget for me. There was originally a stove on the boat, but the current owners had it removed in favour of central heating, which does mean that the space and vent for the stove are already there if I need it. I think I might try to get by without the pram hood for the moment. The boat seems to handle fine. I have no knowledge of electrics or engines, I'm afraid, so I don't have any reason to expect that all is not well there... Is offering £15k not a bit cheeky? And how does one generally proceed - offer, haggle, agree on a price subject to survey and then have a survey done?

So I'm going to view that 45' cruiser stern http://www.boatfinderbrokerage.co.uk/boat/110029/ tomorrow. Any tips/advice as to what I should look out for/ask? Seems I need to remember to include the cost of a stove and possibly a hood.

Sigh. So that boat above has been sold before I got a chance to go and view it. Spurred on by this, I have arranged to view the little Marlin tomorrow. Any advice on what I should look out for/ask? Edit: never mind - seems the boat doesn't have a shower. Sigh.

I really like the tug type with the large fore deck. Currently looking at this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/47-foot-Stowe-hill-Tug-style-narrowboat-currently-on-the-Llangollen-canal-/400706168263 It's also a trad stern, so there's that... It seems to have a stove and the door seems secure, and it has a landline for power... It even comes with a chessboard! On the other hand, there's no shower... How difficult/costly is a shower to install? And what further problems can the good people of the forum spot?

I fear you may be overestimating my DIY capabilities! The Marlin is growing on me - though it wouldn't be very suitable for having family and friends visit. I'm quite taken with the tug-style fore deck...

I've no problem with a trad stern - I'd not given much thought to the type of stern at all - it's just that the cruiser sterns seem to be the ones that pop up the most regularly. The only thing I think I'm being really picky about is the landline for the electricity, which I'll need because I'll be stationary in the marina most of the time. With that restriction, and budgetary constraints, the trad sterns are thin on the ground: http://www.apolloduck.com/advert.phtml?id=335495 is a little small, perhaps and http://www.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=307130 has a diesel stove but then maybe those two problems aren't really reasonable problems at all... How does one decide which things to compromise on?

Well, it's summertime now, so I'd have a few months to get the stove installed, so that's not concerning me overmuch at the moment. I've also, after some reading here, decided I'm happy to settle for a cassette instead of a pumpout. I would probably reinforce the doors at the front. I was trying to avoid having to use a hood though - I was looking forward to having the wind and rain whipping through what's left of my hair I've sent a message to Ricco, as suggested. You guys are great.

It's tough work trying to pick a boat http://www.boatfinderbrokerage.co.uk/boat/110029/ This one is slightly more than I'd hoped to spend, and it has no stove. Also, the front entrance to the boat does not look terribly secure. So, I suppose the questions are... 1) Am I an eejit for trying to find a decent boat under 20k? 2) How difficult and necessary is it to install a stove? 3) How likely is it that someone will break in and steal me?