Andyaero

https://newandusedboat.co.uk/used-boats-for-sale/1884 £167k of ugliness and bruised thighs.

Summer is a slight exageration as they've been April, June, Sept, plus 2 weeks end to end on the Caledonian, Fort William to Inverness, Loch Ness in Oct ain't a walk in the park, but yeah I guess I've not done the Grand Union on January.......... We also have extended family who live on a boat, albeit mainly marina based. Try not to judge too much. The hire boats we've had have all been 4 berth, there's only 2 of us, and 1 toilet, around 48' I think. Next plan is a winter trip on a 60' boat. I'm not making any assumptions.

Seen this somewhere, I believe it's going to be at Crick, yes looks potentially painful.

Just want to say thanks for responses so far, I'm here to learn, no matter how old or experienced in anything in life u are, I always believe u can learn, I have no set in stone plans as yet, other than reverse layout, so it's closer to the fridge and kettle! Oh and semi trad.....probably! 😀

Of course, tho maybe in 2 years that will be less so, but yes new tech is always at a premium and not always best to get in, in its infancy!

Over riding requirement in a marina, if we go that route temporarily is peacefulness. We currently live in a farmhouse with no one within a mile, no shops within 8 miles, so we are used to isolation and love it that way thanks! Having worked at the behest of Joe Public for the last 35+ years and seen him at his worst over the last couple, I really have no desire to be in the shop window any more 😀.

OK, maybe I'm not 100% going new build, ever open minded, that's me 😀. Yes, we're aware of the big decisions, workin on it 🙂. Don't think we want anything particularly outrageous so not beyond the realms of finding something used that suits! If new I'd def go hybrid atleast, used it would obvs depend on availability, budget and if everything else balanced with the boat, wouldn't be a deal breaker.

Oh go on then, I'll bite....... With respect.....doesn't that usually mean quite the opposite tho......u don't know what or who I know, so that's quite a condescending opinionated post, but hey everyone's got them....opinions. So in your opinion does a live aboard have to be trad? Here's one to make u spin even more.....we originally thought cruiser stern, outside living space and all that, but we've tempered that to semi trad now as u can still have the space, but also the increased internal space. Definitely want some outside space so wouldn't go as far as trad, just our opinion, but also that of a number of liveaboards we've witnessed. But not yours. Cheers anyway Very good point that, thanks!

Good point about lots of relatively new boats becoming available as people and the world gets back to "normal". Tho looking at Mercia's site there's still no decline in price.....£140k + for a used boat, done very nice examples tho.

Hello all, after a bit of help if all you experienced heads could spare a minute. So, it's been a long held plan between me and the Mrs that on my retirement we will buy a boat and become continuous cruisers. We've done a few.......three....holidays on the canals, so not totally unaware of what the future holds although these have been April - September, so I accept we've maybe not seen life at its bleakest. Not spoken to builders yet as we are around 12 months off the stage of commissioning, was planning on doing that at Crick, our third visit. So I know it's someway off, but I like to plan and prepare, no surprises. So I've mentioned new builds and I know some of you will say, no don't do that, get a used one and spend the first one seeing what you want to change. Well this is exactly my wife's opinion, but I'm a Yorkshireman and I know what I like and I like what I know. My wife also does like the idea of designing from scratch so I'm not steamrollering her into my plan. But, I really can't be @rsed doing it twice and then there's the logistics of selling it at the right time to move when a new builds ready....just seems a faff, the pros out weigh the cons to me. So, preamble done, onto the point of the post........as regards payment..... Is it usual to have one builder do the shell, then deliver to the fitter or do some/most do the whole job? Would I pay for that shell upfront or in stages and likewise for the fitout, is it paid up front, in stages or on completion? I accept lead times seem to vary, from immediate, if there are cancellations to up to 2 years, anyone got examples of now if you've recently ordered a new build? I'm based in Leicestershire and current thoughts are to get the boat built, base it somewhere on canal/marina/Trent between Newark-Derby and work pt for a year before fully retiring. Planning 57'-60' reverse layout, semi trad probably. Any thoughts on my waffle? Cheers.....

Thanks all, yes now I remember last time we went we got a wristband. Doing 2 days of it this year as we are now serious future buyers rather than just having a nosey! Yeah, booked the Ibis already, the slightly closer Holiday Inn was full!

Hi, anyone know if once in, u can leave and re enter, in order to check into hotel Saturday afternoon? Thanks