pinkiescot

Hi, I heard the same thing actually, and have been having a look at dutch websites, it's a waiting game I think for the right boat/price/size. Nice to hear some actual prices for transport though, just as a ball-park, it's helpful.

Okay thanks Tam and others, actually I finally realised there were 2 types of drafts, but was only interested in the underwater one for mooring. That's really helpful, but still not the boat for me sadly, cos I liked it but was very aware it needed plating work, so was never going to pay that sort of price for it, although I did think it would work for us logistically! Hi, Yes it is, I was thinking Speirs Wharf as we both have to be fairly central in Glasgow. oh shit!!! (can i say that on a public forum?!!!) what a blonde! just realised re-reading that was 'airdraft' not draft......ah well! Not a great believer in karma to be honest, but you know, maybe if it is meant to be it will be.

Actually, I rather behaved like a man there, thinking things were bigger than they actually are! (boom boom!) The draft for my mooring is 1.2 (not 1.5) and the draft for the boat I was rather enchanted by was 2.3, and since it isn't going to be bought by me, I should perhaps give a clue to what 'I think' may work for us. http://grandunion.boatshed.com/dutch_barge_19m-boat-213333.html Dutch Barge 19m Tjalk£62,000.00 Dutch Barge 19m Tjalk for sale | 18.90m (62'0") | 1909 | 1x diesel 100hp | Steel Construction | Full-Displacement underwater profile | 3 sleeping berths | Boat REF# 213333 Boatshed Grand Union not sure if the first link worked, but i guess you may want to know what hit the mark (unseen of course!) not to be me, so feel free! x

. Yes, thats what I was told 1.5, will recheck though the draft on the boat I was interested in was about double that to be honest. And as I already said if I emptied toilet waste on a motorhome, I can also do it on a boat. Someone mentioned rather succintly about why you would want the boating lifestyle, I totally agree, that is what I want, a nicer way to live.

With respect Alan, it wasn't a 50ft x 12 ft boot I was after. My measurements were 19m x 4m x 1.5 draft. A significant difference I would say. Also with respect, the measurements WILL BE DIFFERENT, depending on the boat shape and fit out, and whether the best use of space has been made. So I wholeheartedly beg to differ. I am not being 'oversensitive' as you put it, but you've already made comments like 'tried to help but she won't listen so I ain't bothering' or whatever in the previous thread, so about from shouting again and again like a little boy who needs a wee, wee, I find your comments unhelpful and patronising to be honest. Although I am quite sure they weren't meant in that vein! When I have started a NEW THREAD with new requirements, why raise the subject of the boat I thought was 'too small', which it was for us. We like to lounge, and it wasn't happening on there anywhere. Sorry if it offended you, perhaps you were being oversensitive? And I would add, I didn't want to do diy on the boat, I needed it to be liveable from the word go in terms of cabins/space, other things not so important as they can be done in time. I am at college, and don't have spare time. So brandishing a 1 bedroom and going 'great boat that' on this thread, just makes for nonsense reading, start a new thread and call it 'here's a cracker!' My daughter is hardly going to thank me at 13 for saying, we are moving to a boat and you don't have a bedroom. I thought I had found a SERIOUS contender today, kindly supplied by someone on here who actually gave me everything I required within budget, but I realised the draft is too big to the mooring! Although it looked perfect in every other way. Sad but true. And no, I don't think my expectations are set too high, but I'm certainly not going to throw my money at something that was 'make do' because someone I don't even know suggested it would work for me, these things don't happen overnight, and nor would I expect to find a boat really quickly, it's a big step and a big financial decision. I do agree on one point though, I won't find all I want in a boat unless I get it fitted out myself, I do totally understand and accept that, I am flexible, but in terms of space/layout, it has to work for us.

Thanks peter, we shall see what happens .... 'if' it is still available and I can win my daughter round, it will happen if the seller wants to strike a decent deal on it, as I shall be in an excellent position. I've had so many comments on here, but people post things rather blindly, telling me to look at 'amazing' boats that only have one bedroom, and bring up pointless comments about my previous thread, which aren't helpful in any way since I changed my budget. Funny how there are those that just like the sound of their own voices......but at least you can start the engine and sail away from them once your onboard!!!! HA! (That must be the reality of living the dream!)

Thanks for all your comments and the personal messages, I am sifting through the info, but it's been really really helpful, there is something in particular I love, but since I shan't have the cash til just before Xmas, I would like to keep that to myself!

okay, thanks.

Okay, a super cheap boat is not going to cut it, so I'm going to up the budget to 60k cash buyer. Need a reasonable size of 2 bed barge. Anyone know of anything going for that amount of money will have cash mid-December, so I guess someone might be desperate to sell over winter?? Dimensions are 19m x 4m x 1.5 draft. Def want a lounge with kitchen in. And I need to get it to Glasgow for that amount. I know, it's still a big ask but possible. Thanks!

Just life isn't it?!! lols.

Well it reminds me of leaving Scotland in the motorhome and having the joy of emptying 7 days waste, at once, (for the first time) having not stopped at a proper site until it was full........carrying it was difficult enough, (oh how the seasoned motorhomers, smirked at me gagging!) Whatever the learning curve, it is our ability to go through life and constantly carry on learning that is the interesting thing.

ha ha ha! That made me giggle!

No MikeBoilerman, not touched any nerve actually, I am just straight talking and direct, as many of you seem to be. Patty-ann, thank you, nice to have another lady saying something. And last, but by no means, least, Peterboat, of course not, I was very grateful for your very supportive posts, it's common sense, and women have a lot of it don't we, we create life, men don't!.......but we can't manage to fill water/fuel tanks/empty waste and keep ourselves warm! Signing off before the next onslaught now! I thank you!

Okay, thank you, it seems to be a minefield and I don't know what to think at the moment. I shall keep looking, as even if I don't move, I still need to be in Glasgow 3/4 days a week for the next couple of years at least, so I may well consider getting something just for myself. And yes I can carry 25kg sacks of things, like who carries bags of soil to my garden (nope, I don't have a 'man who does' at my house). And emptying the waste tank and topping up fuel and water, are to be expected aren't they? It's just something you adapt to. And to be honest, everyone says (much like motorhomers) how friendly boating people are, if I get stuck I can just ask advice, in the same way that anyone would. It was the type of boat I wanted help with, not speculation on whether I was a 'suitable candidate' to buy a boat, how ridiculous! If I want to spend my money on a boat that's my business surely? It's not a bloody members club is it, where I will be denied because 'some people' don't think I am capable. I've travelled all over the world, travelled by train to turkey with my daughter, driven my daughter and dog to Sicily and Morocco, yes, I am a MATURE student right now but I have actually worked for most of my life, in a 'career', some people may think they were being helpful by making assumptions that I wouldn't manage things, but i have bigger balls than most men actually, or just a mixture of being daft enough to try and determination to get me through things. If I say I'm going to do something, I usually do it. Anyway, thanks for the helpful tip on the magazine, I hadn't heard of it, so shall have a look.

Thanks Peter, for the encouragement, the dream isn't dead in the water! It will happen, I shall keep looking. Interesting comments about the western isles, and the fact that I don't actually need anything narrow, so, boating experts, what sort of boat SHOULD I be looking for IF I had the money, say 50k - 75k? Obviously SPACE is still a top requirement, no one wants to be confined to a small space when a labradoodle expels gas! I have one boating friend (and he sunk his boat! So perhaps not the best person to ask anything!) but don't know the waterways of Scotland, being from London.

thanks again guys, i think it may well take a year or so to substantially up my budget to something i would be comfortable living on. A static wouldnt be an option for me, i want to travel, bit pointless otherwise. Also, it may take a further year til I find the right boat for me. Clearly not an overnight decision or thing that can be rushed. I don't mind things going wrong but I couldn't be in a confined space with my daughter and the dog, much as I love them, and I'm sure they would say the same. I was reminded by my daughter last night of how we argued in the motorhome, I still don't remember it, but she does. Strange how we gloss over the bad bits in our memories........it will happen, but apparently now is not the time, it would be a waste of money to buy the wrong boat because that is all I could afford.

yep, thanks guys, it seems I may have to hold off for a year, and rent an apartment instead, then look again when my budget is higher! Not what I was hoping for, but a more sensible option in my situation I guess.

OMG!!! and text speak drives me mad!!! That has left me rather speechless! It would never happen, I couldn't subject myself, let alone daughter and dog, to live on that for a year, it would be an apartment if that was our only option, it just is way too basic to even consider. Although I could envisage driving it for fun! Thanks for the thought though, but seriously?! I'm 46, not 20!

Yep, already reckoned on that amount. Thanks. Haggis, thanks again will check what the deal is with increases, I am not too worried about it to be honest right now, although perhaps I shall be in a year or two!

Hi guys, Thanks again. I never do anything without full approval of 13 year old daughter. The last time I had any cash we bought an old mercedes hymer motorhome and drove it to Morocco for a couple of months (sadly had to sell), although the labradoodle prefers scotland to be honest! I've been in touch with living on water, but in the next couple of weeks I shall have a meeting to discuss things properly. Currently mooring is £1750 a year. Now I've been putting in the relevant price brackets into searches, I see your point about prices. Even at 50k I can't find a 2 cabin boat right now. I cant spend that much for the first year, as I need to invest my cash to create income, then upgrade after that. I shall look into Harborough Marine and GRP's. It's only starting research as I may not have the cash for 3 months apparently, hopefully it will be sooner. I really appreciate your responses, as although I've looked at apollo duck for many years, prices are so variable that unless you know exactly what you are looking at, it's confusing. Ultimately I would like a barge, as I have a lot of sewing equipment and things, but happy to start somewhere.

Guys, Thanks for your replies, yes I have been looking at apollo duck for years now. I've always had an inkling for a liveaboard, and it seems as I have to move anyway, and am at college in Glasgow 3 days a week, to all tie in together, but will probably be after xmas sometime, so I have plenty of time to look. I wasn't aware of the scottish website, so shall have a look at that also. The reason I asked about 'good' builders, is that I just wanted to know the names to research what I could get for my money, as I have to buy a buy-to-let apartment for cash first, perhaps I will be in a position to get a secured loan to up my budget after that. It would be silly to start on a bad footing, or miss a good deal because of my limited budget. Anyway, thanks again for your warm welcome, I shall keep researching.

oh no, I wanted to 'test' a boat for a year before upgrading! need to rethink then.......! Thanks for the reply though.

Hi, I am considering taking the plunge and getting a boat in the next few months. I am leaving a big house and want to seriously clear clutter from my life and have a year to take stock, change things round and do some other investments with my money. So, I have been on a narrowboat holiday, so have very basic knowledge and always fancied living on water, plus I intend giving up my tayside location (near the beach) and moving into Glasgow instead, with my labradoodle and 13 year old daughter, who I need to persuade it's a good idea. As I don't want to spend a great deal but happy to get some work done if need be, I want to buy the best boat for my limited funds. I am totally confused about all the boatmakers, obviously I need sufficient space and the mooring available is max 19m x 4m x 1.5 draft. Who are the best boatbuilders for an older boat of my price that would give us sufficient space to not kill each other??? Thanks so much. It's my first post and I'm just confused. (I initially thought widebeam, but reading previous posts on here it seems I'm mistaken if I would good navigation, so narrowboat it is.) Marjorie