Hello everyone,
I was hoping to get some insight into how buying a boat from a brokerage without moorings works in the winter months. As I understand, the Winter Works Programme details which lock gates are being replaced and other such works which may impact where you are able to take your boat after purchase.
As I am looking to buy a livaboard boat in the coming months, I need to know how viable it is to move around in the winter, and also how difficult it is to transition from the original brokerage to a residential marina.
To give some more specific details, I am looking to purchase a boat in the Daventry area (golden triangle) and it looks as though the marina I am interested in (Sawley) is along the Grand Union Canal which is subject to multiple lock works from November to February. I have spoken to one brokerage who told me there is a roughly two week holding period (but not more!) whilst survey is conducted and maintenance etc.
My questions are:
- Is it very difficult to move to a different marina in the winter months?
- Do the winter closures of locks impact movement to a great extent?
- Are there fewer choices of available boats to buy during the winter?
- What would be the best route to take from Daventry to Sawley marina?
...basically:
- Is winter time a silly time to buy a boat?
Many thanks!