Marjorie

That's pretty brave. It makes me like it a bit more

Maybe not so much narrowboats (I wouldn't know, but listen to Ally), but there is usually 'tradesman' type work (often fairly casual) on working marinas/ dry docks more broadly. You have to work hard to stand out, and make sure your workmanship is better than everyone else's if you can. I know a few people who make a basic living out if it, but you have to live fairly frugally I'd say.

Harsh, but fair

Cool! Well, if she can do it I can probably work it out too (you'd like to think)

I have no idea how to use the search function to find that, so hit me with it.

I don't know. Won't sink? (this one was built in 2000, so that's probably not an issue). I think what you are trying to tell me is: stop making up reasons to worry about things. It's the best advice I never take

"Our skilled team offers a broad range of specialist and general engineering services across a wide range of industry sectors. A flexible approach ensures our ability to adapt our proven skills to any project, large or small, in a timely, professional and cost-effective manner." So... I have no idea. They're the only ones with M&G in the name that mention anything marine though. That canalplan cleverness comes up with 4 M&G fabricated boats. Not many. Alarm bells?

Oh, that's a cool thing! (Also, you can see how many boats have the same name as yours). I think it might be these actually: http://www.mandgservices.co.uk/welding.html

I got that too, but they didn't look like they made boats to me. I saw an old one listed on Apollo Duck with a hull made by them (or a company of the same name, but not actually them maybe? Google also gave me this, who look to be different people http://www.mg-steel.co.uk/ ). Wondered if anyone had experience of their hulls (although granted, that isn't actually what I asked!).

HG. It was the first sci fi I ever read (if it counts as sci fi? I don't know. I'm no expert) - courtesy of my best friend's dad, now sadly passed away, and sat firmly next to Douglas Adams and across from Tony Benn in the great pub in the sky.

Anyone know anything of M&G Fabrications?

You'd better duck.

It's good questions. We don't live on the one we're fitting out, we live on a different one (much smaller, and finished) - but she doesn't move, and she isn't a narrowboat (she's a lighter). ED: That's not actually true - she doesn't have an engine, but she moves plenty, because where we live is tidal and very, very windy. You're quite right, if I was actually seriously thinking of buying a 70 footer, I'd want to have had a good go first (and will then make the trip up to Kenilworth to see Richard!). I don't feel uncomfortable with the weather/ tank emptying/ filling/ bits at all - they are familiar, albeit in a different setting, but there's no way I'd commit to buying anything that costs as much as a boat without being pretty darn sure it was going to work for me (as sure as you can ever be. We've lived on Serendipity for 4 years now, and she still occasionally comes up with something I wasn't expecting).

Oh, that would be brilliant! These forums are WAY better than real life Except that Kenilworth is kinda far... Would it be a faux pas to ask to have a go on a boat you are viewing to buy?

Blimey! She's a stunner! You get her new?

I think "learn to handle the boat" is key here, isn't it. I am prone to panic, which is in turn makes me prone to mistakes (generally not dreadful ones, but you'd rather it didn't happen in the first place, wouldn't you). However, I am not like that in the car, which Dominic likes to point out is a much more dangerous proposition - but that's because I'm a relatively confident driver.

That's true. It's cassette though. (one cassette toilet for that big a boat seemed odd initially, but then, you don't wee more because your house is bigger, do you). You don't use a centre line? I would love to see how that's done (I'm sure you manage it with some style, which I can't yet manage regardless of how many ropes I might have).

I'm not sure how much Engelina weights (the one we're fitting out now), but she's 54x6 metres, so somewhere in between 'really loads' and 'very much indeed' is probably a good estimate. By far and away my most favourite thing about her is that when the tide is up and the wind is down, I can push her around ALL BY MYSELF!!! Can't do that on land Well, that's good. I usually loose at name calling games, so I try to steer clear.

I was wrapping running costs and maintenance into one because I'm lazy. You're absolutely right, everything that is length related will cost more, I know. I'll have to do my maths carefully so I don't mess it up. I don't want moorings, but someone I met a few weeks back with a 68 footer did say that being long is a pain in the bum when you need to get into a marina for whatever reason, which is worth a bit of consideration (although I don't know how often that would happen in real life). No, it's not the one with the radiator in the stern I still don't know quite what I think about that one, but pretty sure she's not for me.

I was REALLY hoping I would get those sorts of responses - she's beautiful. I know I've only seen pictures, but that boat thing seems to have happened, where you turn you into a giggling teenager. Don't worry, I won't go and see her by myself, I'll take someone who isn't smitten so they can be sensible on my behalf. I was also thinking that I might see if that nice sounding Linda Matthews lady (or someone like her) would come with me for the first few days/ week, whatever boat I end up with, so I don't panic and do stupid things as a result (I'm perfectly capable most of the time, but not much confidence).

Pardon me for completely clogging up the forums with my questions. I'll try and stop, but this one feels important. I've spotted a boat which I think could be a possibility, but she's longer than I really wanted - 70' to be exact. Engine/ power/ water set up seems sensible on first glance (we haven't actually met her yet, so haven't seen anything in the flesh), and the layout is spot on (pretty much what I would have done myself) - with the exception, of course, of the 15' odd of extra space, which wouldn't hurt, I suppose (I know it would restrict some bits of the network, but we probably wouldn't have her forever). I also realise that a longer boat is more expensive to run. I need to do the maths properly to see if it's genuinely viable, but on first glance, that works too. The question I have no idea how to answer is: if I were by myself (which I will be for a good percentage of time, I think), should I be able to cruise her, and all that entails (locks/ mooring/ maybe the odd swing bridge/ etc etc) alone, or is she likely to be too much to handle because she's big?

And that, right there, is why boat people are the best people.

You've gone and made it difficult again

How much d'you reckon it cost new?