phsycicdreamer

Thank you for the answers so far guys. If one was to buy a second hand boat and the hull needed some welding work on rust ect what kind of cost is involved in worst case scenario? How much does a survey cost? Thanks for your time.

Hi, Ive been looking at verious secondhand boats in the 20,000 and lower market. The boats i have been looking at have a BSC but some are as old as 30 years old. Some have been refitted with new bottom plates in some cases. Is there anything i should be looking out for? What is the difference in a 30 year old hull to a brand new hull? Thank you for your time

Dhutch you are certainly right in what you say about the cabin and steel. Unfortunately money dictates my choices to a certain extent. I could afford a cabin less hull that may be an old rusty work boat or something then work on it or get work done as i go along but sadly a new shell is looking out of the question. I just want to get on the water and try the lifestyle IM sure some of you understand. Those pictures of the other boat look acceptable to me with a clean up. Any idea's where i could get an old hull? What kind of work would need doing on it as standard? Thanks for the advice.

Many thanks for the advice guys. Not many locks sounds nice so i think we may be looking at the Macclesfield.

Thanks for that. Even if i did go for a shell with a cabin Liverpool Boats are rubbed off the list. Their communication skills are dire hence why companies like Lees Narrowboats charge extra because they are worth it from what ive seen and heard so far in comparison to LB pathetic efforts. Soppose i beter carm it carm it a a. Get in touch please Gary with some prices and customer service

My girlfriend wants to try a 3 to 5 day break on a narrow boat. We are near Manchester any recommendations? Cheers.

John Orentas i hear what you are saying. I strongly beleive in innovation. I also beleive that there is nothing wrong with being positive while trying to find a cheaper perfectly practical altenative to steel for a cabin. The maths certainly proves its a good alternative also. If you look at building design and how it has evolved or any other design innovation it is always met with raised eyebrows and for me this is part of the excitement of having a boat. I find the prospect of just buying an off the shelf lump of steel rather boring and something that just suits the Canal boat building industries way of doing things. Look at wooden boat building as a subject by itself and innovation is most welcome and enjoyed. Like i said do the maths? If all i want to do is get on the water to try the lifestyle for a couple of years rather than getting into a long winded investment plan then i think initially reducing cost is sensible then upgrading when i see fit. If i have an old hull repaired ect then that initial cost will be recovered. Thanks.

I certainly did ask Chris and ive asked again which i feel reflects your answer did not give strong reasons as to why IM way off line. Enlighten me please if you would.

Thanks for the link Daniel. I think we are at crossed paths here matey. Im talking about ply contruction which is then rolled or brushed with liquid epoxy to protect it from the elements. This would then be primed then painted. Fair enough steel would be very strong but for the cabin i dont think it would be a requirement as its not getting knocked about like the bottom and sides ect. If you consider the reduced cost of just buying the steel hull them making your own cabin cutting holes for windows would be easy to with a jigsaw with a jig for cutting neat circles. A lot of work i know but a considerable saving plus the added benifit of being able to play with the shape and look of the cabin for a slightly more unique look if one was so inclined. Does anyone think IM way off here with this approach of buying just the basic hull to build on? I dont think there would be a strength issue as this would all be in the hull if traditional freight barges are to go by. Cheers. Cheers.

I built a ply and epoxy sheathed sailing dingy using west systems epoxy. A roof made like this would be very low maintainence if the performance of the hull is to go by. Ive been thinking of using this method on a steel narrow boat hull to make the cabin. Plus there is the added benifit that you can do any upkeep yourself, as with steel its a bit more specialised.

So how would one go about getting a flame fail device and does the whole process cost much? Thanks for your time.

Sorry i meant a gas one. Thanks.

Is it possible to install a domestic cooker in a narrow boat? Are any specialised fittings required? Thanks.

I was wondering if anyone has any idea how much spray foam insulation is? Is it something that can be done succesfully with diy skills or is it specialised? Thanks.

John I'AM being fair to Liverpool boats thats why IM asking why is someone else saying i need to be spending an extra 5 grand. If Im to be frank i would love to buy a Liverpool Boat the price is a darling but someone else has put massive doubts in my mind making me very cautious. Were not talking pocket money here are we? If people would like to email or pm me i would welcome them to do so with their honest opinions and experiences. Thanks.

Please take a look at these specs and tell me if they are good or not if you are someone in the know. http://www.liverpoolboatco.co.uk/id11.html Thank you.

So now im totally confused guys. How would i know if im buying a rebadged Liverpool Shell for 1? Richard Bustens are you saying dont buy a LB for fitting out? The boat firm that are charging 5 grand more for the same specs is a very nice person in my dealings with him called Lee's Narrow Boats. Gosh this is starting to stress me now

We are also taking the plunge and your idea's echo ours so its great to see Im not a total nut case. Ive spent a lot of time living in a caravan over the years and although it has its moments i would say its a lot harder than living on a boat from the parking point of view when finding somewhere to sleep while traveling. Plus traveling on the canal is much more appealing than tarmac. A 20 foot caravan then a transit van tend to take a lot of space up. One thing that may be of interest for power is using an lpg converted honda silent generator. Im not to sure how effective solar panels really are or wind generators in the UK. How feasable would it be to put a quad bike onboard while traveling ? Cheers.

AH now thats the kind of answer im diggin for any more? Bottle i see where your comming from mate but im talking all bases covered. Like welders being certified. Im sure anyone who owns a boat on here would agree 5 grand can go a long way towards a lot of fit out. The boat builder who is charging more refered it to being a case of buying a Lada and a Bmw,although they both do the same job the difference in quality is massive. The thing is i know about cars and the difference is very apparent but in respect of steel Narrow boats i pretend to know nothing what so ever hence my need for strong views why some of you may or may not buy one boat or the other. Some one said to me the best boat is the best compimise IM yet to understand what they mean. Cheers.

IM not interested in a one off shell i just want a quality shell. Im interested how a boat made from the same steel welded by a qualified welder can cost more by 5 grand and be worth buying instead of the cheaper boat? What is it that could make such a difference other than it being a one off? Thanks.

Some great advice guys thank you. The bottom line is money for me. One thinks that building your own boat from ply and epoxy will save a lot if all you want is to get on the water rather than having an investment return if the life dose not appeal or life just changes and you need to move on and sell the boat. Buying a shell from a builder is obviously going to cost more thousands more but you get the shell properly made fom someone who knows what they are doing. This brings me to my next thought on this narrow boat lark. Who are reputable shell builders? I ask because they are substantial differences in price for what apears to be the same specification on paper. I do not wish for people to upset or put certain builders down by recommending one over another but IM sure the Industry as far as boat building goes is fully away of who's making quality rather than tossing out volume. For example Liverpool Boats are offering a sailaway for around 22 grand where as another company are charging over 5grand more for what appears to be the same spec boat. What should i be getting for 5 grand extra that should make me want to spend an extra 5 grand for what appears to be the same boat? Thanks for your time.

Oh i see of course the roof will be larger. I do think however the charges are not really warrented as the extra cost wouldnt really be that much more in steel? From those pictures posted i must confess they do look lovely although im not sure i would want a wheel house initially. Another thought while discussing things here is the cabin. Is it possible to buy the hull and then contruct me own cabin from ply? I dare say IM missing something again but if I do not ask those who know better then i will never know. Thanks for your time.

Thanks for the reply John. We plan to go and take a look this Saturday. It seems strange that a Narrow boat should cost more just because the cabin goes straight up as opposed to an angle. Am I missing something? Thanks for your time.

Im actually in Ashton under lyne and rather like Stalybridge and the surrounds so i guess a widebeam would be out of the question plus i would love to travel up and down for a bit before laying to rest somewhere nice. Ive just been looking at some shellsfrom liverpool boats which are around 11 grand for a 40 footer. Im very keen but i think i will by a fit out book someone else recommended and take things from there. I like the idea of a barge shape with straight up sides with a squarer look if you know what i mean. Thanks gents for all the info back to the drawing board. But boy will it be worth in the end.

Thanks again for the advice. Ive been having a good scan around online and think i could afford a shell that i would need to fit out myself. I must admit i was a bit consearned about impacts in a wooden boat. Ive just seen an aliminium workboat http://www.hasekamp.nl/ no quiet big enough but the asking price has got me thinking not (dreaming) I want a square shape barge if i go for a narrow boat. But still no one has given their views on wide beam or narrow beam. Thanks for you views folks.