Paul_B

Hi Does anyone have any recommendations for where I can get my bottom blacked(!)? I'm moored near Great Haywood, so Great Haywood Marine Services are one option. Does anyone have any experience there? They also suggested using bitumen rather than comastic which is what the boat has at the moment. I'm off to do a search on opinions on the differences between the two coatings now, but if anyone has any thoughts they'd be appreciated (or is it one of those areas of differing polarised opinions like pumpout v cassette ?) Norbury Wharf is another option. Anywhere else to consider? Thanks for your help and advice. Paul NB Esta Mora

10 Dec 2007 until further notice Stoppage: Yard Lock, Stone Associated Regional Office: BW Wales & Borders UPDATE 19 December 2007: Investigations undertaken on 18 December have revealed substantial repairs required to the lock chamber which cannot take place until after Christmas. Therefore the lock must remain closed over the Christmas period and until further notice. British Waterways apologise for the inconvenience, we will provide a more detailed update when the repair plan is available. The navigation is closed at Yard Lock, Stone, due to an investigation of chamber failure. Winding is available below Lock 27, Star Lock, and above Bridge 96a. The towpath remains open. (Enquiries: 01606 723800)

Thanks to everyone who came up with suggestions. My survey is booked for just over a week's time. For me, I think this is the crux of it. I've had a look at the boat - it seems well built and in the time I spent on it I saw nothing wrong. But I don't have a huge amount of experience of such things, and although I've been boating for quite a few years, I've never been responsible for maintaining a boat (other than running repairs). So I probably wouldn't spot problems that might be obvious to others. I'm paying someone with a great deal of experience, to take an independant look. He'll also not have the 'rose tinted glasses' that I will have had when I found a boat that felt right for me. If he finds something wrong then I can bargain with the vendor, or I can walk away. If he finds nothing wrong, then I can be happy that my gut instincts and own observations were probably ok. If something later turns out to be a problem then I may have some come-back, but this is probably tricky. Which is why I wanted a recommendation for a surveyor, rather than take pot-luck that I don't use a cowboy (if such things exist). It's in a surveyor's interest to do a good job and to get it right - his reputation counts for a lot. Unfortunately the terms and conditions do tend to limit the possible comeback against the surveyor if he misses something, it excludes things that can't be seen, and the inner-workings of the engine - just a visual inspection of it, rather than any sort of dis-assembly. But if he is negligent, and can be proved to be so, then he would certainly be liable. So for me, it's a lot of money, but as a proportion of the purchase price it's peanuts, and having someone 'in the know' look over it for me is worthwhile. Thanks again for everyone's input. Paul (hopefully afloat by Christmas )

I spoke to Jeff - he doesn't do pre-purchase surveys any more. Just BSS. He put me on to Iain Jones at Shobnall Boat Services. Anyone have any experience of him? It strikes me that everyone says that a survey is essential when spending lots of money on a secondhand boat. But then the survey excludes so many areas to almost make it worthless! But I suppose what you're paying for is an experienced eye to pick up on any faults or signs of previous faults or failings. And of course having found the boat that you think is the one for you, you hope he finds nothing wrong! Well it looks like my potential boat will be coming out of the water on the 12th, so here's hoping it all goes well. Paul

Thanks Keith The vendor has told me that the mooring owner is willing to transfer the mooring - the next step is for me to speak direct with the mooring owner. It just seems very cheap (admittedly with no services other than a tap and elsan disposal - but what else do you need?), so I want to be sure I'm not going to get stung by a bigger bill from BW! Guess I should give them a call to make sure. Paul

I am just in the process of buying a boat, and the vendor tells me that the mooring owner is willing to make the mooring available too. It seems very cheap so I wonder if I'm missing something. It's a private mooring, but online on the non-towpath side. Is the only fee paid to the owner of the mooring, or is something payable to BW? I've read the documents on the Waterscape site, but they don't seem to refer to this situation. I would appreciate anyones thoughts, or even better, experiences. Thanks Paul

Thanks Magnetman. Any reason for the recommendation? Have you used him before? I've found his details in WW so that's great. Can't wait to buy and get aboard now, so hopefully there won't be any significant problems found. Paul

Hi all It looks like I'm buying a narrowboat of my own , having hired and had a share in one for some time now. I've found a boat, paid a deposit, and need to arrange a survey. The boat's only about 4 years old and seems to be in good nick - so to my mind this survey is really to check for anything wrong with the boat, or in worse condition than it should be for a boat of its age. It's currently moored near Stafford - can anyone recommend a good surveyor for this sort of work? Many thanks for your help. Paul

Well, soft drinks seem to be hugely expensive in most pubs, and are often that horrible watered-down post-mix stuff. So perhaps they're more profitable than alcoholic drinks and the pubs will make much more money? Paul

See http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatem...alcoholmariners Looking at the consultation documents which can also be found on the dft website, it appears to me that narrowboats (over 7m in length) would not therefore be exempt from these regulations, which would impose an alcohol limit, and allow BW to detain a craft while the Police are called to administer a breath test. Oh dear Paul

The Sainsburys store is actually South from Victoria Park, just follow the main road. It's a large store. There is a Tesco in the main town centre on Northbrook Street, but it is only a Tesco Metro. There's a Marks and Spencer nearby too. The Market in the town centre is on Thursday and Saturday. There's also a Waitrose, but it's a bit further away. Walk up Northbrook Street to the north end of town and turn left at the clock tower, then bear right at the next mini roundabout. Paul (Newbury resident!)