Ian Sullivan

Dunno about that. Just joined the Fire Service when I was younger and this is where I ended up........I am a lucky fella I suppose.

Thanks. I really have not made any decisions about anything yet. I am keen to hear as many opinions good and bad. It's all excellent food for thought. One way or another I will be selling my house. I have lived and worked in Scotland for the past 32 years and its time to head home! Which is why I was drawn towards the southern network.

Thanks. I appreciate the reply. I have had 2 weeks on canals albeit a long time ago.....I am planning to hire a boat for holidays in the coming year.

Thanks. I intend to visit as many boats as I can before I retire. This is just a starting point for me with lots of research to be undertaken

Sorry guys.........I am finding my way around here and replying to the wrong responses I think!

I have investigated the canal systems and I have decided that it needs to be in the South for family reasons etc. I understand the problem with the restrictions on travelling with a widebeam. Of course the space is appealing but perhaps I need to consider a narrow beam too. Yes, I saw this earlier in the post and was stunned............I will be keeping a close eye on this.........still lots of time to fully research.

Well, at this moment in time I am still quite fit but it is something I had thought about. I have friends who have a residential mooring and thought that may be the answer but the more I investigate the more I am seeing that res moorings are thin on the ground and very pricey!

Wow. That is a hefty licence fee. Luckily I dont have to move on this quickly. I am just starting my journey. I will sell my house and use this to pay for the boat and my pension should suffice with a fairly sizeable lump sum emergency fund (Im not rich I am in the fire service lol) and my plan was for this to last the next twenty something years.............I will watch with interest. Thanks

Hi all. I am completely new so will probably ask some dumb questions. I am lucky enough to be able to retire next year at the age of 54. My retirement plan is to buy a live aboard widebeam. I have been doing some research (Youtube) and I think I am drawn towards the Collingwood boats. However, new builds are a bit pricey as I have approx £185k to spend. Can you recommend an alternative builder that could give me a similar standard for new build or would you recommend a used boat? Secondly, I am trying to decide if I would like to take a residential mooring. I am drawn towards continous cruising during the better months and an over winter mooring. Any suggestions for reasonable marinas please? Obviously I will have to avoid the London area as I am not rich but out past Reading on the K&A would be just fine. Lastly, which brokerages would you recommend to advise me on all of the above? Thanks in advance. Ian