jimxtc

Hi Harold, Yes that is what I thought, I am half way there with a boat but I just couldn't achieve the other half! While I always knew a boat was expensive, my pockets are not bottomless and I was getting no return from the boat by way of enjoyment so I cut my losses. The closest stretch of water to me that join the canal network was 3 hours away, it was a 3 train journey and a 3 mile walk (or taxi). Everything I took to the boat had to be carried on my back for that journey. The first few trips to get the boat organised and ready for a long trip was enjoyable but once it was ready al

Hi Gertie, my boat is under offer but the river trial is on hold because the buyer contracted the virus and had to isolate then we were locked down. Boats are at a premium currently I understand even though it is the end of the season. My dreams are on hold while I get beyond my disappointment. For now, I will lend my capital to my sister so she can pay off her mortgage and retire. I started by looking to find someone to share an adventure with because I can't do it alone and it's always more fun with two; I drew a blank so thought owning a boat may make the difference but it didn't. My n

Thank you for your input Bacchus, I wish I had been aware of the bodkin versus cat thing earlier, I am sure a bodkin would eat less and make a better job of the basket. Well we do seem to have a number of connecting threads don't we? I have macular degeneration which I have had since 19 so 'teen-related' I guess! I have a Blultaco in my garage and a trials converted Tiger Cub in my dining room. My decades old dream of owning a narrowboat when I had the time and money did come to fruition but sadly the adventure did not. The second part of my dream which was to travel in a motorhome

Hello Gertie, I didn't get on at all well honey! I bought a boat in Oct 2018 on the premise that if I had a boat it would be easier to find someone up for an adventure than finding someone with a boat. In the 2 years I owned it I covered maybe 30 miles at best and didn't find a skipper. I did have a woman lined up who was going to tow my boat behind hers but I lost contact with her before Christmas last year. I was disheartened by the attitude of some on here and the parasitic marina I was moored in so have decided to stay on dry land. I have also shelved the second phase of my dream whic

Thank you for your advice but as I had already posted my insurance company had no problem with it. I had no offers for this or the travel companion I have been looking for the last 2 years on this site but it has come to fruition via another website. Time to close this account I think. Happy cruising.

Clearly it was a bad idea. I have spoken to my insurance company who don't have a problem with it but I have to say that every post I have ever put up on this site has been met with people finding obstacles and nay-sayers. Not to worry I have found someone able to think out of the box and with optimism rather than pessimism. See you on the water!

Yes they do.

I have a 2 year old 25' Aintree Beetle that seats 8 and sleeps 4. It is moored in a marina on the Wey and Arun Navigation. If you have a desire to explore this area by boat and have a boat in the Midlands maybe, it would take you a couple of weeks to get down here! I am looking to do a boat swap with someone who has a bot in a populated area for a week or a fortnight. Read on for more details. There is a photographer called Duncan Raban who has created a 'kindness movement' on Facebook and has a page titled 'Just Say Hello' if you have Facebook check it out https://www.faceboo

As soon as I get to the boat again (haven't been there since I bought her!) to winterize her I will take some photos.

Thank you all so much for your valuable input. After all that, I bought a 2017 25' Aintree Beetle moored at Pyrford Marina! Now I just need to find a waterways map I can download to my iPad, having trouble finding a Nicholson's but there must be something I can download that shows me the whole network!

Thank you for that Alan! I will arrange to view her and also visit Whilton Marina next week.

Thank you Harold. I have just spoken to Whilton Marina who have a few boats around the length I am interested in from £15k-£26k, I will take a trip up there next week. Yes I am the visually impaired prospective boater, hence the short length boat!

I agree Alan, it is worth a look and in retrospect, as the mooring fee is only £1,300 a year it may be worth hanging on to it. I will sell the boat in a couple of years time anyway (probably) and the mooring may add value to the boat. If I got half of the purchase price back in 2 years time that would be acceptable. I know boating is not cheap! I can only go by what the vendor tells me Mike!

Luckily for me the boat owner also lives in Sussex and the first opportunity he has to show prospective buyers is the end of the month, I may be cheeky and see if I can get a lift with him from here when he goes down! Thanks Phil, I will give the Marina a call and see what they have for sale that may suit.

Thank you again for your input. I will look up Whitton Marina and see about taking a trip there once I have contacted them. Brighton is way off the network so I fully appreciate that it will almost certainly be the Midlands where I will find the greater number of boats for sale. I think the price may indeed reflect the value of the mooring unfortunately - I don't want the mooring as it is difficult for me to get to and I intend to have a continuous licence and keep on the move for now at least. The owner did say that some boaters will actually buy a boat they don't want just to obtain one