james13

How about HT Fabrications they do dutch barges No 'proper' dutch style barges not fat narrowboats.... I don't think Colecraft do fat narrowboats do they??? ed to add - it seems they do. Don't do dutch style barges as far as I can see.

Rumour has it there are plans to build a marina in todmorden not far from where baltimore marina is, apparantly a supermarket was turned down planning permission and som e locals i think a re pushing for a new marina on the land.

Hi Have had a look at the site and at the top of the page it lists a low build spec 8/5/3 this is probably why the lower price me thinks

Hi Thanks to every body for the replies There are good arguments for giving up and staying in the flat buying used and buying new but i am still leaning towards buying new. The initial budget that i have set aside for the shell wont quite clear out the bank account as i have set aside another small amount to use as a kitty to proceed with the fitout @3K. On top of this my self and the girlfreind will be working to keep the kitty topped up (hopefully). So far as the build goes i allways prefer the challenge and the satisfaction gained from doing a job yourself and i can turn my hand to most things.The main thing i am wary of is 240 volt electrics as you cant see it and it hurts plumbings not to bad, gas fitting as before you cant see it and it will kill you, 12 volt electrics not to bad (like a motorbike).So far as the woodwork goes just take my time and plod on. There will be things that i am unable/unwilling to complete and these will have to be farmed out to a pro. As soon as is practicably poissible i would like to move onboard spending more time on the fit out and enjoying the fruits of my labour as i would sooner sit in a cold boat than a warm office any day

Cheers thanks for that keith As i am new to this lark can you give me some more info as to who are the budget builders ,mid range top of the line etc as would prefer to get the best shell that i can afford then build on from that

The old piggy bank wont stretch to that

I saw a guy cutting tread into the back tyre off his motorbike becouse he was ti tight to buy a new one!! people do silly things.

This sounds like my way of doing things nice and steady no rushing around who made your boat?

Howdy I have been mooching the forum for some time now but this is my first post Having been bitten by the narrow boat bug some while back and the possibility of a 25K windfall on the horizon i have decided to take the plunge and get my own boat As i have been reading the forum and and looking at the pros and cons of the options available eg new/secondhand,cruiser or trad,holes/windows/both i have decided to chuck/invest my money in a 57 foot portholes only trad sail away. So what do you all think with a 25K budget +/- 2K the shopping list is thus New 57 foot trad all portholes must be well made and look good, spray foamed and battened, stainless water tank, plus the usual gubbins anodes vents etc.and i will do the rest myself with a bit of luck. I hope to eventually live on this as the possible windfall = the sale of my flat so will live with a Friend while the build progresses/crawls If you could all go out and start from scratch what would you buy or not as the case may be? All advice will be gratefully appreciated as i think this vast pool of boating knowledge will hopefully stop me making to many cock ups.