Bigredbus4468

Narrow escape. All good reads.

Just got back off a hire boat. Not the one that hit you We were charged a damage deposit but it stated in the paperwork that it wad non refundable. I'd go with a claim directly against the hire company.

God to hear. They were so helpful and i was impressed with the quality. Won't be for a couple of years but we will be looking to have a brand new boat built by them.

We lived the show at Crick this year and looked at all the manufacturers. We particularly liked the Aintree boat on display. It was 30% cheaper than the lovely Braidbar boat we also liked. Jamie the owner of Aintree was particularly helpful answering all our questions including why is it so much cheaper. The fit out was very good with solid oak and all service items were easily accessible. I don't want to get into any arguments about which has boat builder is best and why. Just looking for anybody who has had a boat built by them or bought a second hand Aintree boat. Thanks

Just had our first week on a Narrowboat. Absolutely loved it despite it being a budget boat. Met some nice people on the South Oxford and some not so nice We got talking to a couple who had a share in NB Halcyon. They invited us to look around and it was a palace compared to our hire boat. At the end of the week we went to Napton Narrowboats to look around and get a brochure/prices. Much nicer than our hire boat and not too much more expensive. The weekend was finished of staying in a lovely dog friendly B&B with the weekend spent at Crick Boat Show. We really enjoyed it. We had some interesting seminars as we are considering retiring in 2-4 years time, selling the house and becoming genuine CCers. Talking to manufacturers was bewildering as the prices fluctuated wildly. We came across Carefree Cruising and remembered Martyn and Elaine had there share with them. After a brief discussion, a phone cal was made to an owner who was considering selling his 1/24th share in a 10 year old boat - Kingfisher, based at Aston Marina - Stone. She's a 58ft Semi Trad standard layout, sleeping 6. The price of £1200 plus annual running fees seemed very reasonable at £875. The cherry on the cake was our allocated weeks this year were 10Oct15 - she's just lost her 2 weeks all inclusive to Fuertaventura lol, and a week 2Jan16 plus we are 1st to pick next year. I don't think it is perfect but it will help us decide if we really do want to live on a boat. I haven't paid much so not much to loose that I wouldn't have already spent on a hire boat plus if the boat is sold, I get 3.6% The boat itself looks great - from photos - and has washer/dryer, microwave, Dyson, Bubble solid stove and decent electrics. For us this is a great way to get into Narrowboats without costing too much, plus varied weeks will give us winter cruising too.. Incidentally, our hireboat burned out Joanne's electric toothbrush and later in the week her Expensive Coriolis Hair Straighteners. Hire company didin't seem to care at all. Cold taps ran hot water, toilet - dump through - smelled disgusting and flushed with hot water. Interestingly, there was always no hot water in the morning despite little usage and 5-6 hrs engine running during the day. The Hurricane heating system worked great - while you had 12v and then it tripped iin the night waking you up with an alarm, but didn't do so well with the hot water. Still Jo and I, and Hardy the dog had a wonderful week.

Word of warning, just because you are in the Navy, doesn't mean you know anything about seamanship

We didn't go for cheapness. We wanted to finish close the Calcutta show. Bloody spell checker. calcutt...

So you book a boat through hoseasons using a location search so that the week ends as close to Crick as possible to visit the show, and you are supposed to know a posh boat from a basic boat. Then you join a forum to take abuse from owners looking down on prospective owners. Good job bud...

You did well buddy. Desiree is a very homely boat.

You bloody snob. Our first experience of a narrowboat holiday together will be next year on one of their 'Budget Boats' thankyou very much! I will make a point of remembering your name and vessel and go by too fast and ram you lol.....

In was a submariner too Tim. Didn't like diesel boats. Sceptre 85, Trafalgar 86, Sceptre 87, Repulse stbd crew 90, Trenchant in 95 to 97 (went around the world twice). Went back to surface fleet when I got my buttons after two world tours lol.... My wife was a Wren Writer and had a weeks R&R on the Andrew NB in 1985.

What are you changing the name to out of interest?

So envious Peter. We have to wait two years. Found a fabulous boat that would fulfil all of our requirements although not seen it in the flesh. http://www.notts-boats.co.uk/narrowboat-tigress.html

looks like Spuyten Duyvel. If it is it's a beautiful boat and a hell of a price. Very nice.

The brokerage isn't whilton is it? They allegedly have been known to sell boats that they own inferring that they are selling for an individual.

http://www.abnb.co.uk/boat_pages/2675web/2675abnb.php?BoatID=2675 How about this one. Narrow but air draft of 7ft 1in of 5ft 3in with wheelhouse folded.

Thanks for the replies guys. I Googled canal restrictions and discovered that it would be severely restricted. The current Mrs W wouldn't be happy with that so I will keep looking at trads. Nice boat though for the money.

Initially we were drawn to trads but I have started to look at things like this http://lagoon.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=369411 Vessel name: Navis Vega Vessel condition: Used Vessel type: Dutch Cruiser Designer: A.K. Helmers Model: 39' Steel Dutch Cruiser Year constructed: 1977 No. of engines: 1 Engine model: DAF 575 6cyl Engine power: 120 Engine hours: 1327 Fuel type: Diesel Crusing Speed: 7 Knots Maximum Speed: 10 Knots Nominal length: 39' Length over all: 39' Beam: 11' 9" Maximum draft: 3' 10" Hull material: Steel Hull type: Displacement Hull colour: Blue Fuel capacity: 450 Litres Water capacity: 1000 Litres Would we be severely restricted on the Canal Network on a vessel of this type? Would we be able (having taken certain accedited courses) be able to go across to France etc. Thoughts please Kevin, Jo and Hardy

That have to remove the vegetables they are growing first! I Love the idea but don't know if we could live with it.

Watched that thanks. All common sense stuff and to an ex CPO Royal Navy lol..... 24 years served now retired.

We the booklet is very helpful. I have a full duplex laser printer so was able to print it out as an A5 booklet. Happy reading..

Well I am going to miss Julynian. He gave some great advice on composting toilets, solar panels and liveaboard coasts.

Omg sounds a right mess. No boat is worth that much more than advertised and why did he want no survey????? You did right to walk away and lose nothing but time and effort.

Bloody spell checker. Yes it is Calcutt boats. Hoping to get us both on an IWHC before we go. Will look at the booklet thanks.