[Would really appreciate an opinion on this boat.]

Hi all,

 

I would like anyone who cares to do so to give me their honest opinions/first impressions on this boat.

 

As a novice I'm not sure if any alarm bells are ringing in the ad. Looks fine to me and I'm excited to view it!

 

All opinions welcome.

 

https://www.greathaywoodboatsales.co.uk/shop/aloysius-ii/

 

Thanks very much

[Pre purchase insurance policy?]

Hi all,

 

This might seem like quite a strange question but at what point do you apply for insurence after you have purchased a boat?

 

What if, for example, you were to buy a boat, sign all the documents etc and then a tree fell on it and sunk it? Or someone else crashed into it while it was moored at the marina you were buying it from.

 

In other words how can you organise insurance so it is in effect as soon as you have completed your purchase?

 

Thanks

 

 

[Market slowing down.]

Hi All.

 

I am an aspiring NB owner and am scrolling through Apollo Duck as well as 5 or 6 brokerages on a daily basis.

 

I have noticed that the variety has really slowed down for new boats coming on the market. Especially the 50ft-60ft models.

 

There seems to be a huge lack of variety at the moment. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it a seasonal thing?

 

I thought my subscription to Rugby Boats had been compromised as I didn't recieve a new boat update for two weeks!

 

Anyway, please let me know your thoughts those who may have seen this before and what it may be signifying.

 

Thanks,

[Winter Stoppages and Buying a Boat]

2 hours ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

In addition to stoppages, Sawley can be flooded by the river Trent, which can stop you getting to it, or away. Can happen at any time of year, but more common in winter. Two obvious ways of going from Northants to Sawley; either along the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union, then the River Soar, then hang a left at the Trent. The Soar can also flood, but tends to do it quickly, then the levels drop fast. The Trent takes a while to go in to flood, but then is up for a while. To do with their respective catchment areas. The other is via the North Oxford Canal, then turn right at Fradley for the Trent and Mersey. If stoppages, or flooding are preventing you from making the trip, then you can probably find a marina, or winter on-line mooring to moor up for a few months. I'd suggest the N Oxford - T&M route if you've not done much boating. Mostly narrow locks and less river navigation. Stoppages depending. CaRT publish their winter stoppage plans on the web site, so you can do some planning. Things can and do break at any time though. The wimpy way out is cranes at each end and a lorry.

Jen

Thank you Jen - I hadn't considered a flooded marina to be an issue yet. It's great to get insight into the conditions of flooding - levels dropping fast etc. and I should keep this in mind.

I've actually just completed an RYA Helmsman course on the Thames river on red boards. Although we should never have been taken out in these conditions, I am somewhat weathered having been exposed to mad river conditions as a novice! It was tough, but hasn't put me off the dream!

 

I imagine that the N Oxford route would take us an extra third of the time than the Grand Union? It would not be a bad trade off if the Oxofrd route is more easily navigable.

Thanks again

[Winter Stoppages and Buying a Boat]

2 hours ago, matty40s said:

No it's not difficult, if you make sure that winter stoppages do not hinder your progress.

Usually, locks or lock flights are only shut for maximum 6weeks, some before and some after Christmas 

Brokerages sometimes struggle to get boats from afar, however, can also advertise from a marina away from the brokerage.

Best route is N Oxford, Coventry, Trent and Mersey. Other way can be affected by flooding. 

No, the right boat could come up at any time.

Thank you for your suggestions - very helpful indeed

The winter stoppages seem to be quite clear. I suppose it will just be a case of careful planning, as suspected. It is reassuring that lovely boats seem to pop up quite consistently - since I've been looking for some time now!

[Winter Stoppages and Buying a Boat]

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!

[Budgeting considerations for first time liveaboard buyer.]

30 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Do you mean Propane Gas, or are you thinking Gas Mileage as the Americans would put it?  If the latter, a typical narrowboat will average something like 1¼ to 1½ litres per hour, whether cruising or charging. By typical, I mean a 4 cylinder diesel, non turbo, of up to 2000cc or so, which is probably the market your in.

Sorry I meant propane gas. I dont tend to do a whole lot of crusing but am a bit concerned by how much gas I may use cooking or heating the boat. Do you even use propane to heat a boat? I've heard a multi fuel stove can be enough to heat a 57 foot boat in the winter months.

[Budgeting considerations for first time liveaboard buyer.]

1 hour ago, MrsM said:

Council tax for residential mooring?

CRT gold licence is £1294/year for 57'5" - 59'4" boat (not that you will need this if you aren't cruising widely)

Are you sure pump-out is included? We were charged £15 but then we don't have a residential contract.

We were at Sawley for a couple of weeks while Meadow Lane lock was being repaired. Plenty of people live there and commute to work. They  also had a fair few boats for sale - did you have a look? Best of luck for your boat hunt and studies.

 

37 minutes ago, Dharl said:

Lots of great advise here, if not already done so then suggest you check out the Cruising the cut vlogs.    Very informative and this one will give you a good idea on monthly budget 

 

 

This guy got me into the idea of living aboard in the first place. Lots of great info on his channel. I also watch Foxes afloat as I just like looking at areas I may one day cruise.

 

 

24 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

Very wise words. We all fall for the 57 footer go anywhere size at first, ours was actualy 56 feet. Our first ten years of boat ownership as liveaboards was on sub 60 feet boats and we did do such as the L and L etc etc over the time period. However over the following twenty years as liveaboards the shortest we have owned is 65 feet and included 70 feet with the present being 68 feet. The extra length restrictions pale in to insignificance with the vastly better more comfortable space and there is still a large cruising area.

If I had the money I think I'd like to have a 65 footer for the extra bedroom or the luxury of a large walk through bathroom.

[Budgeting considerations for first time liveaboard buyer.]

5 hours ago, howardang said:

Hi OTL and welcome. You mention that you have  had a try at  a budget so why don't you let us see it and then we can comment on what may need tweaking, and what may need adding ?  I presume you have also seen some of the similar attempts at budgets which can be found through the search function..

 

Howard 

Hi Howard

 

So I was thinking for my monthly outgoings.

 

Marina mooring: £312

Internet £45

Mobile 30

Coal £15

Deisel £5

Electricy from marina £20

Pump out comes included in marina cost.

 

[Budgeting considerations for first time liveaboard buyer.]

1 hour ago, Mike Tee said:

If your finances will stretch to 70’ then think about it seriously. Within 6 months that extra 10-15’ will be priceless- how do I know? We had a 60’ built (due to available cash) and out of the whole liveaboard experience the only thing I would have changed would be to somehow find the money for the extra 10’. 

We did cruise extensively but never got to anywhere a 70’ could not have gone.

Thank you for the reply and advice!

 

Unfortunately my budget is maxed out. I also heard the larger the boat the more compromised the crusing experience was? I think a 70 foot might be a little hard for me to helm.

[Budgeting considerations for first time liveaboard buyer.]

55 minutes ago, manicpb said:

I am intrigued as to which marina's you've eyed up, remember train stations open up a vast more options!

I've just reread your OP and initially thought you were studying in Birmingham, however see it says a university in the Midlands...could you expand on that, Wolverhampton is going to be very different to Leicester?!?

Thank you for your reply!

 

I'm glad to hear you have avoided any serious mishaps on your boat. I would love to cruise during break time from uni and mooring in a more scenic enviroment is definitely something I'm looking forward to.

 

I will indeed be classed as a mature student as I'm in my early 30s now.

 

I'm looking at a residential mooring at Sawley Marina with the intention to either go to Nottingham Trent University or Loughbrough University with Sheffield being a back up. I've checked the travel routes from Long Eaton and they seem quite reasonable.

 

What kind of things should I look out for to avoid a boat that guzzles gas?

4 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Yes - I expect most people have - even if it is only £500 for a new set of batteries.

 

I had a 'bad one'.

Bought a boat after a glowing surveyors report. 

Found it needed over £20k spending on it to Make it 'sea-worthy'. Tried to take the surveyor to court and get compensation but "no chance" the surveyors standard small print says "I am not responsible for anything I have not found" My Solicitor said 'drop the case' it'll just cost you more money as you cannot win.

That sounds horrific. I'm sorry you went through that. Sounds like an absolute nightmare.

[Budgeting considerations for first time liveaboard buyer.]

Hello.

 

I have been browsing this forum for a couple of weeks and found some useful information but would be very appriciataive to have some advice towards those like myself who looking at the lower end of the market with the intention of becoming full time liveaboard boaters.

 

I am looking to purchase a liveabaord NB for my partner and I whilst I am studying at university in the Midlands. I have a few marinas in mind which offer residential moorings so I won't be a CC if I can help it.

 

My budget is around the 40-45k mark and I'm quite sure about the sort of boat I'm after. 55-60 foot trad or semi trade stern, pullmans dinette, large saloon, funtional kitchen for two people to cook, and a cabin head space of over 6'3 at least. I'm not too fussy about the cosmetic features of the outside. The right size and funtion is far more important than presentation to me at this point.

 

What I'd like to hear more about from experienced boaters or those who have done this before is:

 

 a) What costs do I need to consider as a full time liveabaord at a marina?

 

b) Is my budget reasonable for what I am looking for?

 

c) Would it be best to buy privately than from a broker given my budgetry limitations?

 

d) Has anyone been stung with surprise costs soon after they have made thier boat purchase?

 

I am aware of the CRT Lisense as well a insurence. I have also worked blacking and survey into my budget.

 

Thank you very much in advance for your advice. Myself and other first timer boaters with bugetary reatraints will surely be very grateful.

 

Oli

 

 

 

[Budget for a second-hand boat and some questions]

I am in almost the exact same position as you although I'm aspiring to purchase a liveaboard rather than something for the weekends.  I have a budget of 40-45K and by the looks of things that is cutting it pretty fine in terms of getting something I can call my full time home.

 

Some of best advice to your questions will likely come from an unlikely source which is an NB bokerage. My partner and I went to view 6 different boats at 2 marinas and got some particularly good insights. First of which is the sticker price is just that. Some boat owners (or so I'm told) name their price without any real evaluation of the worth of their vessel. Brokerages may advise them on a more realistic price if the boat has not sold for a number of weeks and are more likely to back your offer as the buyer when communicating your offer to the seller.

 

If you get a broker who has a passion for boats, they will more than likely give you their personal opinion on it and well as the price. Especially if it is one vessel in a series of viewings.

 

So maybe aim high for boats that are above your budget but have been sitting unsold for number of weeks/months there may be a reason why.

 

Thats my 2 cents as an absolute novice.