golden_chapati

https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/narrow-boats-cruiser-stern/591300?id=591300#contactForm Found this, really like it. Want to put an offer in. Boat listed on eBay for 27k, then taken down, listed before for 28k. Spoken to seller, it's a private sale. I like the boat. It looks very tidy inside. Recently been blacked. Any red flags? I'm viewing tomorrow

My friend lives on one, and her mum, so a little. I know there will be a whole host of difficulties and oversights, but I'll go ahead with it anyway as I'm big on life experiences.

Is this because the overplating went wrong or was just more expensive than first thought?

Why, what's happening?

Yes, I didn't consider that other charges would be appropriate to length, such as blacking, etc. Coming from a kayaking background, longer boats track in lines much better than short boats, so it's the same for proper boats, that makes sense. However, for CC'ing in London, would a smaller boat be beneficial? Or am I wrong in thinking of boats in terms of driving a small car vs a tranny van in traffic/parking?

Hi all, I'm new to all this and looking to buy a narrowboat for a liveaboard and I was wondering what is the general consensus regarding boat length? Seems to me the ratio is cost and maneuverability vs livability and storage space. Is there some sort of 'sweet spot' for a single person i.e. 40ft? I suppose it also depends on layout and how space is utilized? Any liveaboards have experiences to share? Thanks!

Thanks for the advice. I actually live in Liverpool but most of the cheaper boats seem to be 'down south' at the moment, along with the high-profile and larger marinas (VC, Whinton, etc). Maybe that's because they're junk for the London market

Thanks for the potential money saving tip!

http://vcmarine.co.uk/boat-sales/serenity-40ft-black-country-boats-traditional-stern/?sf_action=get_results&_sfm_type=Narrowbeam&_sfm_length_feet=26+56&_sfm_price=0+28761&_sfm_age=0+100&sort_order=_sfm_price+asc+num This boat is a similar price but the interior is not quite as nice! I love the portholes but would have to get skylights installed (expensive?). Hmm, this whole wanting to buy a boat thing is time consuming

Thanks, that's definitely food for thought. PS is that thin hull a big problem assuming it's not got any issues?

Hi all, So my search continues- I've seen a good looking boat which would suit my needs and is within budget, at least on face value. However, I coulnd't help but note the appearance of rust along the waterline. Is this normal? Anything to worry about and a bad sign? Or just means that it needs blacking and give no indication about general hull integrity? Cheers!

Thanks Tom and aracer, they're really helpful responses. aracer, I think generally we have the same philosophy. I do research but I learn most by practice. Many thanks.

Too true! This is always the way, I'm good at ignoring it though... but yes, I'm figuring boats can really get expensive. * I found two which caught my eye: a 35ft - but "believed to be 6mm" for the hull, should be 10mm no? Otherwise layout is nice and tidy. But 19k? Maybe more like 16k, assuming no nasty surprises? https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/colecraft-35-cruiser-stern/572936 The next is much larger and it really looks a nice boat - interestingly, was on sale two years ago for 29k - so either was sold to a broker and furniture removed but not sold, or was bought and sold within a two year period? Mmmmm, it has a GRP superstructure, not steel... maybe worth 20k? https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/narrow-boats-cruiser-stern/565564 Am I right in thinking some people list to sell and other people just throw boats on sale with heavy price tags and see if an idiot like me comes along?

Food for thought, definitely. Thanks for all the contributions.

I'd be buying a boat as a place to live on not as an asset. For a single person living in a one bed in the city centre I'd be looking at 600-1200 including utilities but not council tax. Locally, where I live right now, a single bed would be 450-550 excluding tax. Renting doesn't appeal - noisy neighbours, bad landlords, and not being able to paint the walls, etc., really puts me off. It is really dead money too. Presumably a boat after a few years does not depreciate that much if it's maintained well? But talking money is good - I was thinking a £3500 p/a approx for general maintenance, mooring and insurance etc. Maybe I should be factoring in 5k? But I must stress, I'm not doing this to make money: more because it seems like an interesting way to live for a couple of years, without taking out a mortgage and having some freedom to change cities if I want to after I complete my qualifications. My friend has a 35ft Springer and she moors it in the city centre for 150 a month plus whatever she uses on electricity. This just sounded really cheap to me. Other than that, I think really it's going to be a case of finding a decent second hand boat which doesn't need any major work. Like I say my budget is about 23k plus another few k aside for upgrades, repairs, etc. -- I think I'm pretty set on it to be honest! I usually jump in and learn as I go along, but certainly, buying a solid first boat seems to be my objective, but seems easier said than done! Should one avoid boats that have had major hull work as well as ones which need it?

Thanks Sam; to avoid this situation, is looking for boats which have had a recent survey a good idea (and then if is suitable, getting another one done?). I've seen a few boats that have had major work done on them, such as this one - which seems to have had a 'hull restoration'. Is it nevertheless best to avoid something like that (it's a beautiful boat but 35k seems way too high anyway?) and go for something more recent, but with a solid hull? Basically, does hull work mean that the boat has not been properly maintained? Thanks again, Ross

Hi, I never thought of renting. Maybe that's an option to try first. Thanks! EDIT: wow it's not cheap. After 3 months I feel like I'd have blown a chunk of my overall budget >:/

Thanks all - maybe I should add a little more information. I'm fairly young and live in a major UK city. I'm buying the boat for a liveaboard, not to cruise, because I don't want a mortgage but have enough saved for a deposit. I actually lived in a tent on and off for years even in winter, and still get washed out a bucket, so a boat with a fire and running water will be a massive upgrade for me. I've lived on yachts before and loved living on the water. I have a friend/romance who lives on boat. So I guess I have some experience.

They'll be plenty of that on my boat.

I'm Ross. I don't know anything about boats but I would like to live on one

Hi all, My name is Ross and I'm here because I want to live on a canal boat. However, I know virtually nothing about anything and certainly almost nothing about canal boats. That said, I have learned one thing, which is that buying a boat seems rather overwhelming. So in short, what would you have done differently when you bought your first boat? Things to check or avoid; is it better to buy from eBay or from a Marina? Is buying a boat which 'needs a fair amount of welding' a daft idea even if it's otherwise a dreamboat? How does one even decide on a boat to get surveyed when you know virtually nothing accept 'that looks nice'? Any advice, experiences or 'learned the hard way' stories welcome. Many thanks, Ross