[Dalescraft River Cruiser near me.]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kayaks-jet-skis/27ft-dalescraft-river-cruiser/1393706342

 

Not a lot to go on but what's your thoughts on this scary thing? 

 

Also should I be posting this in a different section? 

[Sub £10k Narrowboats]

2 hours ago, canals are us? said:

I had also thought of a sailaway and discounted it, due to not enough funds and the RCD side of fitting it out. I refitted my present boat kitchen and bathroom while living on it and it was a nightmare with lack of space to put everything and  try and work in a tight space. Even worse if winter. 

The one good thing with a sailaway is everything is new.

Good stuff.  Yeah I'd in London. I'm too old to play houseshare, and the idea of playing £500/month in a shitty area, to ££££/month for a bedsit; well I'd rather rough it on a boat... 

My buddy says to get a sailaway. He knows I could go 'bug' size and survive, so he's like, "go sailaway and just finish one room to live" (like my van), and then have all the time in the world to finish the rest. 

It's an idea, and I could make sure to do it right and learn a whole bunch in the process. I must say though when I see a widebeam from 2011 and wonder why it's going for £53,000, it's pretty obvious someone finished it who didn't know what they were doing! So it's probably much easier to do a bad job than what you intend. 

1 hour ago, David Mack said:

Bear in mind this is powered by an outboard motor. Doesn't take up room inside, but petrol is more expensive, rarely available canalside, and the ability to recharge your batteries will be minimal.

It's also very small, although the waterbug does make good use of the available space.

Very interesting as I didn't consider the issue of it being gasoline. 

 

You know how this type is considered a waterbug... is there a term or 30 or 40 foot boats that's different than the 50+ footers? 

[Sub £10k Narrowboats]

Just came across this post. I wonder how the OP made out? 
I too am looking for the elusive sub 10K floating liveaboard cruiser that's not a money pit, as that's what I can manage at the moment.
Finding a boat is extra tricky with lockdown, though right now would be ideal as the CRC is not forcing cruisers to move. It'd give me a chance to settle into and work on a boat a bit while I still have a place to stay.

I have some skills and don't mind cosmetic work, but I also have a full time job and can't undertake a "project" boat or shell. 
This boat looks perfect, except for the bottom re-plate!

I'd like a smaller cruiser stern boat. max say 50' but would consider sub 30. I lived and travelled in a van for 5 months so I have an idea of what tiny living is about. 

I don't know anything about fiberglass but If it makes sense I'm happy to consider... 

 

[Downsizing Temporarily to a Boat; where to store my stuff?]

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone. I lived and travelled the US exclusively in a van for 6 months. But I didn't get rid of all my stuff!

 

I've moved plenty and seen many others forced to downsize, so I know what often happens to stuff in storage. My family is moving on from our home of many decades, so I've parted with about all I care to live without. But there's still plenty I'd like to keep. What I have isn't' too much and it'll probably fit in a 55' narrowboat while I live in it. But it probably won't fit in a 23' narrowboat, which is probably how I'm going to start.  I'm not going to get rid of all my stuff! 

 

It's really that catch 22 of not being able to afford a place until you sell the current place.. It may be many months in limbo between when I move out to when the affairs are settled. Whatever happens I'll probably need some space.

On 12/12/2020 at 22:06, Slim said:

There's a storage company about 1/4 mile away from Coppermill lock (GU) in the Harefield / Rickmansworth area. Don't know details but could drive by and get name if needed. 

If you get a chance. please do! I am thinking out west would be good and I have some connections in that area. 

[Downsizing Temporarily to a Boat; where to store my stuff?]

Hi . I'm in London looking for a place to store stuff, possibly long term, but maybe short term too! I won't need constant access, but it'd be nice if it was accessible within the M25. Conventional storage places in London seem outrageous and I may as well buy a bigger boat!

 

I've been thinking for two years about becoming a continuous cruiser. I'm not sure of the date but some time this winter I'll be moving out of the family home. I have my stuff all boxed up but unsure what to do with it. It's probably enough to fill 1/4 of a one car garage. I'm not ready to get rid of it all because I don't know how boat life will work out and I've no idea what size boat I'll end up with. I'm still uncertain on whether I'll end up in a short, survival existence boat or huge widebeam, though realistically it'll probably be a more conventional 50' narrowboat. 

 

Meanwhile I'm searching for boat options. The smaller survival boat I could buy in cash, now, which has the added benefit of being able to move into it and get it sorted while I still have another roof over my head. But a more conventional narrowboat will have to wait until I've moved on and fully settled from my current situation. I'd love to have the option of going straight to a larger more conventional boat right away, but not sure how that may be possible. 

 

I wonder what if there are options I should look for with storage beyond the convectional retail storage places? I'd appreciate your thoughts?