MrsM

I presume a marina-based, static liveaboard. Does it actually have a domestic boiler and how would that work for a CC boat?

70ft Liverpool Boat Narrowboat Cruiser Stern - 70 foot | eBay Just noticed this on Ebay. Liverpool boats are at the budget end and are generally not well regarded, but this seems a lot of boat for £45k. It is in Nottingham.

Leave enough time to soak up the amazing David Hockney exhibition in Salts Mill - one of the best permanent exhibitions of his work (especially his Ipad art) in the UK. That was one of my favourite places to visit in the boat. We have a print of his townscape in our living room.

Yes they did have planning. As I understand it they were going to put them on the furthest pontoon, where most of the biggest fatties and Dutch barges are moored. When we left after selling our boat last Autumn they still hadn't started. I believe it was due to post COVID finances or something like that.

We moored on B pontoon, which is just to the left of Alan's last picture. You've picked a great marina. Everything is on your doorstep including train stations. Newark itself is a nice little market town, although the market is getting much smaller nowadays.

Kings marina could seem near to the castle if you are looking at it from above (eg Google maps). I do wonder if the OP means Castle marina in Nottingham though?

Sorry to hear what you are going through. As has been said, you have enough budget for a pretty decent boat especially if you are in the market for a longer one, as many people are after 57-8 footers. There will be more than enough life-management tasks (eg water, waste, heating, cooking), maintenance, fettling, painting etc to keep you busy. In terms of your mental health I don't think there is much that could be better than actually getting out boating - something you wouldn't be able to do for ages if you were going to take on a £20k project boat. And you'll be able to have your children on board sooner. Best of luck.

I would go this route (and in fact this is what we did when we bought our boat).

The broker is probably treating you well because he knows you are genuinely interested and it won't be an easy boat to sell. It is usually wise to be sceptical/cautious when dealing with any salesperson.

Wonder if all/any of the flight crew are current boaters and therefore licence holders? If not can CRT really dictate who does and doesn't touch lock gear? Our experience of the flight crew was generally positive and we were grateful to get some interesting facts about local buildings from them.