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fergyguy

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    Every great story begins with Once upon a time

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    After many weeks of research and taking advice plus countless looking on Apolloduck today I went to Sawley Marina to go for a demonstration cruise with Dave and Trudy the lovely owners of Once upon a time 65x12 Widebeam. I first saw her ( the boat) on a random visit to Sawley a few weeks ago and although I had no appointment to view Dave was happy for me to step aboard and take a look .... both he and the boat impressed me to the point where I could not stop going back on line looking at her. I then went back to Sawley with my daughter to show her the boat and again even though it was a random visit Dave invited us aboard and gave us a tour and answered countless questions I asked of him. I did look at other Widebeam boats one in particular moored at Mirfield and despite it being better equipped and only 57feet so allowing a lot more cruising the owner was without doubt one of the hardest people Iv ever tried doing business with. He seemed reluctant to cooperate with any requests and seemed unsure on many points Iv raised to the point I believed he was definitely hiding something from me.... anyway his attitude and rudeness sealed the fate of that purchase ever happening. So a call to Sawley and a little bit of bartering and today’s cruise was arranged. Now the experiment the moment I stepped aboard was without doubt fantastic Dave and Trudy had the boat built and it was very clear their connection with her was very strong indeed. We drank tea and chatted before Dave showed me the cellar as his wife calls it and he wanted me to feel the engine so as to see it was stone cold be for he turned the key and she sprang into life before settling into a nice burble. A demonstration taking down of the pram cover followed and we were on our way. Turning left out of sawyonto the Sawley Cutting Dave steered whilst giving advice in a clear understandable manner and once we reached the Trent he stood to one side and handed control of his boat to me. Iv been told many times these fat boats swim like a brick but if that’s the case then this was a damn good brick. I soon found myself at one with the boat she steered clean and responsive and at no point was I fazed by her. We did a few locks and went under a few low bridges on to Shardlow where Dave demonstrated a relaxed trouble free turn around for out trip back to Sawley.To say I had a smile on my face was an understatement and a few cups of tea and a lot of questions later I handed over my deposit. So in a few weeks time at 63 I’m about to start a new chapter in my life and like all great stories it begins with Once upon a Time. I would like to thank Dave and Trudy for their honesty and openness today plus I need to thank Peyerboat and Tony D who over many weeks have advised guided and listened to my many wows on issue I was experiencing trying to find the right boat for me. So once she’s mine I’ll be changing her name to Misty & Me ( That’s my Labrador ) together we are entering a new phase in our lives amongst you guys.

    • Greenie 13
    • Love 3

  8. Once upon a time?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

    Its a lovely, comfortable boat. take no notice of narrow minded, narrow boated owners. It will be so much better to live in than a poxy narrowboat and you can cruise it many connected miles on some proper waterways from Sawley. A reasonable engine also for the boat. It wouldnt do for me as I hate beds in the pointy end as I ,like to sit with bow doors open but thats only personal taste. The swims will be quite blunt so allow more time for stopping than with a skinny tin tube but when you have mastered it manouverability will be fine and stability on the big rivers exellent. Its a fairly lightweight build so will flex somewhat but will still be absolutely fine and if well cared for will see you out. Just be a little careful with costings as because wider beamed boats are now so popular moorings will not be going down in price anytime soon. Enjoy!! edit to add, please bin the greenhouse on the back ;)

    Thank you for your positive advice I reckon I’ll be okay with her but will be getting her re signed as Misty & Me 

  9. Once upon a time?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Hi Stewart for the next 3 years whilst I’m still working and upto retirement I will mainly be in the marina whilst getting out for learning trips etc on days off. During then I’m sure solar will have advanced in leaps and bounds and my intentions are to install a good quality solar system plus a generator plus sort battery situation too so should be able to feed the appliances lol

  11. On the Move?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    My intentions are in 3 years when I fully retire to cover as much of the northern waterways as her size will allow with no set time agenda ... not looking to do costal hops as I feel sure I will find enough to do and enjoy within the permissible northern waterways 

  14. Once upon a time?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Couldn’t buy a slum here for that money plus I’m getting it cheaper ... I realise widebeam boats don’t appeal to all but that’s how it should be. I looked at narrow boat options but for me great to look at but tooooooooo narrow for me ?I’m sure she will swim as much as I will want her to in the future but for now she will be my home where I’m hoping to find some peace in my life

  18. Once upon a time?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Can any of you seasoned Widebeam owners Google Once upon A Time widebeam for sale Sawley Marina and give me your opinions on her please (constructive ones) as I’m going out on her Sunday for a demonstration and may be my new home if all goes well.

  19. Once upon a time?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Can any of you seasoned Widebeam owners Google Once upon A Time widebeam for sale Sawley Marina and give me your opinions on her please (constructive ones) as I’m going out on her Sunday for a demonstration and may be my new home if all goes well.

  20. On the Move?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    48 minutes ago, Stewart Kirby said:

    No, good fun around there. You should also be able to get into the Basin at West Stockwith which is a nice mooring. 

    I grew up in Misterton so I know the basin well. It’s going to be a life changing adventure and I’m open to all the advice I can get

  22. On the Move?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    48 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

    Hull, Goole, Wakefield, Leeds and many places in between so a huge range to cover. Remember 65 x 12 is toytown on the Ouse,  aire and calder etc. Pinch points depending on both draughts are getting through Nottingham ont canal bit.

    So plenty of water for me to constantly cruise for awhile then?

  23. On the Move?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    17 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

    Hull, Goole, Wakefield, Leeds and many places in between so a huge range to cover. Remember 65 x 12 is toytown on the Ouse,  aire and calder etc. Pinch points depending on both draughts are getting through Nottingham ont canal bit.

    I’ll need to get a map and highlight places she will go... she’s 2 feet draught according to the specs

    18 minutes ago, roland elsdon said:

    Its about 2 days to leicester from sawley ( and the soar is great) the trent about 4 days. Trent and mersey day. But you will be slow on the t and m.

    bear in mind sawley is at the confluence of two rivers and floods frequently.

    i recon you could do a lot of learning the trent is a big river.

    Yep my intentions are to spend my days off on the Trent doing regular short learning trips to get experience and confidence I have no illusions of being good at it from day one that’s for sure lol

    • Greenie 1

  24. On the Move?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    What kind of distance combined would you say?  I’m living at Sawley for 3 years as still working so will use that time to master her and get some river training from experienced skippers but then would like to constantly cruise but will be single crewed so I know I need to get plenty of experience in first

  25. On the Move?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    This question is for practical advice from widebeam owners based Nottinghamshire area. In your experience owning a 65 x 12 widebeam based say at Sawley where would I be limited to go constant cruising the northern waterways in the future once Iv got some experience of handling her.

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