Tawny75

We decided to venture further north today, we went up to Cheshire. We saw a boat, loved it, two hours later we phoned to put an offer in to find out that an hour before the vendor had accepted an offer for the same amount. Sad times but on we go!

Just to say that there is no way on earth we would buy a boat without a survey. We have already budgeted for it.

Hirondelle is a trad stern and we want a cruiser or a semi trad.

Our first (low) offer has been rejected which we expected, the broker has given us an indication of what the seller is looking for pricewise, so we are going to up our offer and go up again this weekend and ask them to take the cover off the back so that we can look in the engine bay and ask them to start the engine.

Another question on this, if we were to require a more powerful inverter (we are slightly worried about the fridge going off overnight) does anyone have a rough idea of how much it would cost to source one and have it fitted?

If in doubt, get someone in! My mantra

Is this something perhaps we could do or would it take an expert?

Thank you again for all the comments. We really do appreciate them. The washing machine will be the first thing we will be removing from the boat if we are succesful, so the inverter will not be an issue for that. We are not intending to live on the boat, it will be used for weekends and holidays so there will be no need for it. The same goes for the radiator that plugs in half way down the boat. I will be more than happy with the stove for heat. As for the fridge, again it is something we will have to check, but we do have a 12v/gas/electric fridge we can use in our camping equipment. We have put an offer in so we will go from there.

Ooooh we have found and seen one we really really like. It ticks mosy of our boxes and just feels right. http://www.abnb.co.uk/boat_pages/3218web/3218mobile.php?BoatID=3218

So, we went to see two boats this weekend, one was a private sale and just needed too much work doing. Gas pipes, boilers, shower all not working and hadn't for years and I know it sounds stupid but it had a really high bed and I am only 5'2". The other one was really really nice but by the time we got there it had an offer in on it. However we spent the afternoon looking at Braunston Marina Brokerage and they have some lovely boats all presented really nicely. We have decided to head further north to look too and I have seen this one at Norbury Wharf. Any thoughts please? http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/_webedit/uploaded-files/All Files/Corvedale 10410.pdf

Your boat looks amazing Mr T and I have the time problem too. He works 60 miles away but when you factor in that he is an HGV driver who starts at between 1 and 2 in the morning and goes to bed at 7pm, it makes sense for him to stay closer to work during the week. However like you, our weekends are precious, hence why we want a boat. We have lasted 14 years and I see no reason why we wont last another 14.

I am sorry, I have only just seen this. My deepest condolences to you and your family xx

They came back to me yesterday, Jambo has sold. Onwards!

So very annoying when they don't come back to you. I have sent an enquiry via Apollo Duck but have had no reply, I have sent another one today.

Well hello again. We have had 3 weeks of A Level results, sorting university and accommodation, daughter having an operation and also Guide Camp so our boat searching hit the back burner for a while. We have noticed that as the end of the summer is approaching, there seems to be more and more boats becoming available so the looking is starting again. Can I have thoughts on this one which we quite like? http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat.phtml?id=533730

Echoing all the above, best of wishes to you

We have been through this on the forums before. Not wine people. Gin! Gin is always the answer.

Welcome, We are looking for a boat too, the people on here have tremendous knowledge and are really nice. Enjoy the search, I know we are. Nicky

I keep looking at this one on and off, originally it was too expensive for us, I shall send the link to Him Indoors

On the subject of Springers, there is this one for sale near me... http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat.phtml?id=531009#map Thoughts? You see one boat and then Him Indoors sends you a link for another... https://www.apolloduck.com/boat.phtml?id=531293

I most certainly will