piman

Thanks everyone. From the replies so far I am getting that, as far as anyone can tell from an ad, the expensive boat is probably the better buy but they both could be solid boats. I have emailed the brokers asking if they have any info about the condition of the hull of the cheaper boat.

Thanks for the responses. I've got the message about the survey and will get one done. Maybe just hull depending on circumstance.

Thanks Ray. boats I've eyed recently have gone quickly so it is good to know that good boats can also sit unsold.

OK. Wow. Very generous and helpful. Obviously at the least I would cover travel and a good lunch foor anyone so helpful

Wow. That would be great. Is this a paid service?

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone. Our friends who lived on a narrowboat and got us interested have moved to the Shetland Islands.

Thanks mrsmelly. The boat is for two people really, and often that will be one plus a small dog. The plus two is for very occasional guests. We're campers so a boat is luxury! We've been on a few boats and 50' is comfortable. We would be happy with 45'.

Thanks Chewbacka, I didn't know that. Would that stop you from buying via ebay?

Hello Canal World Newbie here, considering buying my first narrowboat. I have some questions that you might help with but all observations appreciated. REQUIREMENTS extended holiday cruising (summer mostly but winter too) 2 people + 2 guest berths budget ~£30K PREFERENCES (not essential) trad generous well deck portholes DECENT HULL I intend to get a pre-sale survey but as these are expensive I am stuck wondering how to select which boat to survey. I would rather spend on a decent hull (over a fancy interior). However, online or on-the-boat, I have no way to judge the condition of the hull. Do you have any tips to spot a decent hull? From what little I've learnt I think I'd like to avoid an overplated hull. Will I find a narrowboat with an unplated good hull for £30K? Is overplating a worry anyway? 1995 50' JONATHON WILSON £25K Take this boat. A well known hull builder for £25K. The interior is shabby so that's great, I can do up. Unfortunately there's no info about the hull and you have to wonder why it hasn't sold for so long. What do you think of this boat, is it worth looking at? http://cvmarine.co.uk/2017/03/30/allenvera-50ft-traditional-narrowboat/ 1997 50' JONATHON WILSON £35K Has a good recent survey. This is above budget but I could save money on the survey, sell the kids xmas gifts and make an offer. What do you think of this boat, would you dream of buying it without a survey? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/narrowboat-1997-Jonathan-Wilson-6-berths/153295795041 Thanks Phil

Thanks everyone for the advice. £5k is probably more than I can comfortably spend. Reading here and elsewhere I was getting increasingly nervous about the idea and thankfully the decision has been taken out of my hands. My wife has arranged an alternative - we are going to stay with some old friends in Scotland. Maybe next year... Bye and thanks again.

Great, thanks for the quick responses. I'm not looking to make any money and perfectly happy to loose some cash (to a broker) as a substitute for rental. Just trying to get a couple of months on the canal for less than the £4.8k rental cost I am being quoted. Can the Freeman Cruisers go on the canals? We are keen to get on the canals. Any pointers to what older steel narrowboats to look at? What sort of price? I can deny myself but the danger is my missus will not want to part with it!

I have been on a few canal boat holidays and last summer got the use of a friends narrow boat for a little shy of a month. Loved it. I have just now got two months free from work and have suddenly got the idea to spend it on the canals. Unfortunately my friend is not lending me his boat this summer. I am having no luck hiring an affordable narrow boat for two months. The cheapest I can find is approaching £5k. Too much for me and the missus. However, I do have some cash in the bank. And I have read a few people here saying you shouldn't loose money on a boat. So I was thinking. Maybe I could buy a narrowboat tomorrow, use it for the summer and then sell it at the end. Yes, I'm after a cheap narrowboating summer! A boat for two people. Nothing fancy required. Is this a good idea or not?! If not a completely stupid idea: What should I look for in a boat to maintain resale value (how much to spend)? How buy/sell to minimise loss (considering I would look to buy very quickly)? Any advice gratefully listened to. Cheers Piman