yottie

Think I'll stick to a cat !

I never thought about training a dog, we are cat people (as well as dogs), you can't train cats as you probably know (I think they could actually do lots of tasks, better than us, they just choose not to !) We were thinking about a 30' GRP, is this a good starter boat or too long for a rookie to manipulate.?

Great advice to get my teeth into !

Very many thanks to all for valuable advice. It always looks to me, as an observer, that the boat handling is the easiest job. Am I correct in thinking that the main jobs are, keeping off the lip, and fendering off, is it necessary to use the engine for other than minor correcting? I assume it should be kept running all the time.

Have had no experience of manipulating canal lock gates, except for watching other people do it My wife is not in the best of health and I was wondering if it would be feasible for me to handle the gates, she would steady the boat ?? We both have sailed for many years (in the wind-grabbing things !).

We're both retired and have given up sailing for a quiet life on the rivers. Don't expect to spend very long periods sleeping on the boat but would welcome advice on a Relcraft 23. many thanks

Having retired and now given up sailing after many years, my wife and I are looking for a quieter life in a river environment. We are still very active but the thought of attending locks every time we take to the water is not too appealing. We had in mind a 30' ota GRP cruiser based in N Yorks. Would welcome any advice as to the best spots, and where to acquire a boat and mooring. many thanks.

Prefer 30 ' but any considered in York/Boroughbridge area

Have just missed buying a GRP with a mooring on a riverside pontoon. Having Google-mapped the location have decided that's what we want (as opposed to a crowded Marina). We are both not anti-social but, having got to that time of life where peace is a blessing if we want it, we would love to find somewhere like this in the York(ish) area. Would be most grateful for any leads.

Wow !!

I'm a novice to river craft and am hoping to buy a GRP cruiser (30' ?) with two cabins, would like one to have permanent bunk(s), the other could be in the peak maybe. I used to sail on a Moody 31 and that had an "owners cabin" in the stern with bunks. Is there such an animal in river cruisers. I'm thinking to buy in the 1970 s era perhaps. Have trolled the usual spots but if I could narrow it down a bit it would be a great help. many thanks

Ripon Marina is nearest to me really. ps. this is a great Forum, never had so much input from members. Much appreciated.

When I first started looking online I came across some of these that you mention, they always looked attractive and functional to me and I think that's the way I will probably go. Would 30'+ give me a comfortable inside along with not too clumsy manipulation afloat ? many thanks

Most useful, many thanks.

Most helpful NC regards