Timbowilwo

38k will buy you a lot of boats. If you don't know anything about boats, head along to a good boatyard (that doesn't do sales) and ask someone to go along with you to look at cheap boats and give you an estimate on refurbishing. That way, you get the boat you want. Like old houses, a lot of boats look good to the eye but it's when you start uncovering bits you see the Friday afternoon DIY-er's handywork.

I've seen folk use those solar powered light stick things that you line a path with. I just think that if it's not hammered into the path itself it's fine. I just coil the excess mooring rope around the top of mine. The alternative would be to have very big mooring pins, about the size of telegraph poles.

Oh, and just an afterthought. If you do buy a bargain one on eBay, it's worth taking it along to the nearest tool supplies people and get it checked out and serviced. If you pick up a medium range generator - a Clarke or a Wolfe - for around a £100, factor in another £50 to get it set up right. It's still a bargain. It will improve your generator function and make it last longer. It will also prevent damage on your boat.

I recently bought a Krafttech2000w generator. Described as silent, it's anything but. It's also hopeless and was pushing out over 20v more than the recommended safety level causing damage to some of the electrical items on my boat. Worse still, the customer service at the company is terrible. To be fair, they did eventually offer a refund but not including return postage which, on a generator is pretty expensive. Amazon, I notice have pulled this model and you only need read the reviews to see why. Top of the range Honda's are pricey but very good. Cheaper and recommended by others are the Wolfe and Hyundai range. I also have a Clarke which is a bit noisier but does the job. It's difficult siting them on board. Not just because of the emissions but also because the natural acoustic of a steel-shelled boat amplifies the sound and vibration. I use mine when I'm moored away from others - and I occasionally moor in a solitary spot for a few hours just to use the generator - or surrounded by empty boats. As with anything, you've just got to mindful of others.