Jacsprat

Brilliant Alan - I think I'm headed on the same trajectory as you. We will eventually come out of this horrible plague situation. In the meantime, I will have a 'cosy' and interesting place to live and work from - and I get a fairly decent boat at a knock-down price. When it comes time to upgrade it, I should be able to make a small profit on the buying price - if the market recovers! Of course, like everyone else before me, I have a growing list of upgrades, first being a decent solar array! Here we go...

You are DEFINITELY making me happier about my trad stern! Good, practical info - thank you!

Ahhh, well that is new information to me! A big consideration. But it's also about friends and dogs having some outdoor space while cruising.

It's the dream...alas! Dry-ish cruising is a bonus! Of course, the other consideration is socialbility, but on such a short boat, having someone travel in the well deck and still have a bit of a chat will be fine for now.

Thank you for your replies - a mixed bag of 'you'll survive', to forgetaboutit!! Lol! I've survived and mostly enjoyed full-timing in a small camper van - even built a tiny house and lived in that for two years of Canadian winters. But I'll admit, I have reservations about this one. Been studying narrowboat living for two years - I was ready, but the present situation is really clouding it for me. It helps very much to talk it out on this forum, so thanks again!! Jacquie Yes!! I'd seen many a very rusty, nasty looking engine bay on cruiser sterns - pram covers essential!! Down the road, a semi-trad would be my first choice...

Yes - certainly understand that. Only worried for my dog regarding the trad stern. It'll be fine for a long time to come, and I'm sure that if all else goes 'swimmingly', I'll end up with, preferably, a semi'trad when I upgrade to a longer boat! I have done! Gulp!!

Thanks Dave - I've had plenty of adventures in life including a recent 8000km bicycle ride from Nordkapp to Sicily - with the dog on the back of the bike. The boat would be one more great adventure to talk about in that damp chair one day!! I really am just hoping someone will come along and tell me I'll never notice my 36ft boat was actually built for pygmies and not an average sized western woman! If I'm honest, I think my little Murph needs a room for herself too, but she isn't contributing to the budget... Yes - there were obvious signs of condensation in the form of ruined window frames. There is, however, a multi-fuel stove with a backboiler to two radiators. It won't be cold! There's a nice pram cover on the bow which is entry for the boat in any case - very useful space! Thank you for your advice and good wishes - same to you!

Hello to all of you lovely lock-down boat dwellers! So I haven't quite sealed the deal on the 36ft boat I put an conditional offer on. I'm not ashamed to say, I had a total panic attack as all the potential end-of-the world stuff got into my head, and I became really concerned there would never be any paid work for anyone ever again anywhere - nor would there ever again be a chance to sell the boat if I didn't get on with it.. PHEW! I won't get into just how severe my anxiety was, but it really threw me into a spin, especially because most of my life savings are involved. I'm sure many of you had the same type of panic when you bought your first boats, but the present circumstances certainly seem to amplify the paranoia. Starting to get over that a bit, but now want to assess the reality of living in a nice-ish, older 36ft boat with a very nice separate double sleeping berth. Because of my relatively small budget in the early 30's, I've compromised length and space for boat condition and resale-ability. Everything is on board to have a comfy life - nice little galley with plenty of storage and sufficient work surfaces, a very small but clever lounge, a 4 ft well deck with space for two to have a bevvy, a tiny bathroom, but with everything needed. Yes, I did go to see it while practising excellent social distancing!! - this is a purchase to allow me a place to live as my rental situation ends in a month, in case anyone is worried about the rules (moving home is allowed if necessary). The things I don't like - tiny trad stern, paint needs refreshing and wood trim around windows inside need expensive replacement - all cosmetic stuff really. Nice tidy engine bay, and otherwise, a well-loved boat with a very good recent survey from a well-known surveyor. Anybody here live full-time on a small boat like this? It's just me and my wee duggie but I'm no kiddie - in my 50's. Would absolutely LOVE to hear from you if so!

Pretty funny Alan - and sorry to all of the completely happy Springer owners out there. It actually would've been a goer if they had actually let me buy the boat. As it stands, I've spent much more than is safe for me to spend under the present conditions. It will pan out in the longer-term, I hope.

Good to hear. Well done for helping out in a very stressful situation. The process to buy 'my boat' is starting today - two nights of lost sleep worrying about possible pitfalls but now all feels right now.

I've actually just had an offer accepted on a much better boat than the Springer I was looking at, I'm afraid. If it falls through, I'll be in touch! Good luck with everything!! Thank you! Yes, I did try to go this route but both broker and seller were unable to move forward. I've now found a much better boat for considerably more money. Fresh full survey and rather bullet-proof provenance. Watch this space!! I'm soon to be a 'ditch crawler!'!

Well, I KNOW its had some recent overplating along with a hull survey just before the boat went into brokerage. Definitely a risky purchase, but I've got a very good feeling generally. Will get a full independent survey once we get past this 'hump'. Would love a more robust brand, but but but! Thanks!

Lol! A bit like me then! Perfect. Well, it's a wait and see game at the moment. No communication from the broker. There may or may not be a Springer in my future...

Well, I took the plunge and put in an offer, sight-unseen. I'm completely barking. Please cross your collective fingers and toes for this newbie idiot and her unfortunate elderly hound.

It is quite a bone-chilling day! Can't complain really - amazing, gorgeous weather over the last couple of weeks and no tourists. Kind of a strange paradise. Very, very lucky to be here during lock down. And very grateful not to still be on my massive bicycle tour (which ended a few months ago). Could easily be stranded in some far away country at the moment with just a 2 person tent and my little dog to keep me company.

Lol!! Yes, wonderful local 'colour' out of our local church!

Hello Athy - I've sent you a PM... Are you really in Norfolk? Me too at the moment - Stiffkey. One of my favourite places in the world (I'm a Canadian expat). Yes indeed! But if she can't access the paperwork or keys because the marina is in lockdown, then it's a problem. It's OK - I've got about 7 weeks to complete a process. I imagine restrictions on certain businesses like this will be relaxed shortly - but who really knows?

Haha!! Just tried that. She says she has to go through the broker - contract and all that. Maybe time to reveal that the boat I'm after is a very tidy little 'atypical' Springer. I know, I know - it's a SPRINGER, but I believe it's been well'maintained and well-loved and will get me on the water safely. Good low-budget starter. It'll be a leap of faith if I go through with it (IF it will be possible to go through with it!), but it's not a huge spend. Worth the jump I think!

Entirely possible. I regret sounding tetchy about it - everyone has different circumstances. However, I just contacted the boat's owner (it had been briefly for sale privately before it went into marina and I kept her details), so perhaps she can make something happen.

I think this is a grey area in my case. I need a place to live. Moving home is permitted but discouraged of course.

Excellent and informative - thank you Dr Bob. I think I'm a bit unlucky to have a boat I'm interested in with a broker who at the moment, is completely uninterested in selling it. Better move on, I guess. Congrats on your sale - I hope it all goes smoothly as possible for you. Under the wire, eh?

Yes, thank you LadyG. I have looked into it. I'm looking for a non-residential mooring - when I'm working I'll be off the boat, when I'm not working, I'll be cruising. Really just need a safe place to leave the boat when I'm away. Should be ok.

Crazy! This chap told me he was pretty much locked out of the office and couldn't even access the file for the boat. Maybe it's just company policy in this case, or maybe he's simply enjoying some enforced time off. Really too bad for him, although I don't think he'd make a huge fortune from the commission of the boat I'm looking at. Thank you for that info matty40 - it'll keep me phoning and enquiring with positivity!

I'm a professional private chef. I take temporary bookings for posh people. Once general lock down restrictions are lifted, there'll be work for me. I also have other irons in the fire, so to speak. I may also look into rota live-in caring jobs ( week on week off and other types of arrangements). I rather like taking care of this elderly lady where I am presently. There is a huge demand for that, and qualifications are easy to access. One must adapt!

Yes - really enjoyed some of his videos. Sweet guy! Yes, the marina is not ideal, but it's only a stop gap until I figure a few other things out. I also know boats get hot - don't worry, my dog is 16 and I got her this far without killing her or torturing her too much! She comes to work with me.