So here is my first post, I don’t own a boat even though I would love one, the plan is to pay off the mortgage first and then who knows, depends on my employment status, which leads me to my next point.
I am considering a career change and want out of the rat race, to be honest I fancy working for myself. Whilst I am still currently employed I fancy trying my hand at getting into the Narrowboat scene.
The internet is my only window into the canal network as with no boat I only have access to a virtual canal. I went to Crick and had a look around and as a relative newcomer to the scene I could only look on with confusion, if I were buying a boat I would be unable to establish which manufacturer was good or bad, The boats I saw were all pretty much finished to a high standard (if not to my taste) and it would seem you need insider knowledge to weed out the undesirables, if they do actualy exist.
I wondered if a few of you old hands would like to shoot me down in flames or offer a few words of wisdom as to my idea.
I work well with my hands and believe I can fit out a Narrowboat I have reasonable taste and can recognise what is cosy and what is not. Here lies the dilemma, Do I buy an unfinished project, finish it and try to resell for a profit, or do I buy a new sailaway from a middle of the road manufacturer, fit it out and sell it as an unused boat, no waiting list, just pay for it and take it away.
Obviously and boat I fitted out wouldn’t appeal to the purist wanting a bespoke craft, but it seems to me there is gap in the market for a boat that is new and ready to use off the shelf.
The other question relates to style, it would appear that trad or semi trad boats command higher prices than cruisers? If not there certainly appears to be more demand, or is that just my own preferences showing?
My question to the forum is, if you were a potential boat buyer would you consider a new boat fitted out by me, which lets face it would be classed as a DIY fit out and how would you expect it to be priced. Or would you dismiss it as a waste of time?
Obviously there are other issues and costs to consider , but for the purpose of this post I am just concerning myself with how my product would be perceived by a potential purchaser.
As said, please post freely as I would like to hear all the comments whatever they are.
Thanks in advance
