wrigglefingers
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Posts posted by wrigglefingers
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Ok sound cheers.
The original boat sounds better and better then, built by what I can tell is a good builder in "the internet's" opinion. Young compared to almost everything else priced under 45k. The looked after bit I will find out when I get there and then from the survey.
Will be interesting to see the boat in the flesh and see how my opinion of it changes!
Going to try to view this on the drive north tomorrow:
http://www.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=393236
It's got good headroom for me, needs to drop in price a lot though
It's difficult to to tell but that looks a better bet from the photos albeit in desperate need of some paint in a more reasonable colour inside. It's not been used for a while - I can see dust on the cooker hob. Jonathan Wilson is a well respected builder and the fit out looks serviceable, it reminds me of my first boat, it has a general air of slightly battered but honest.
Trouble is, as soon as start really looking you start to see why some boats cost more than others. There's something that doesn't quite ring true about your first boat but I can't see quite what it is. I am glad we've persuaded you to get a survey - be sceptical.
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Tricky to answer, in boat terms you could be comparing a Led Zep album to something JayZ rattled up whilst having his barnet done. It's largely a matter of quality to start with and then taste and style afterwards. Generally, boats may rust and wear if they've not been looked after and therefore a newer boat has less time to deteriorate. On the other hand, older boats may have been better built in the first place, but that's not a given either.
What most people try to do, if they can think rationally, is to compile lists of reputable boat builders (there are a substantial number of disreputable ones, beware!). You'll find plenty of information about these boats hidden amongst our threads, so do some searching or ask, one of our weary, but kindly greybeards will sigh and link you to a thread. Compile a list of things you want on your boat, Dominic told me to list ten must have things and look at the boats that have five or more of them. Get some help from an experienced boater - we see things you'll miss and then think carefully. I know time is limited, but take this decision carefully. It's a lot of money and if you make a mistake you could be throwing money straight into the cut. Plenty have in the past. Where are you based?
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See to me the first one (ebay) looks like not such a good by compared to the original boat. Way older with a interior and not somewhere I'd want to live! Other than personal preference for the kit out - is there a reason why you think these two are better? They both had the same amount of owners, so thats not a factor.
I'm going to try to view them all anyway, just to give myself a better grounding before I see the original
Go and see lots of boats - go to a broker - look at all of them physically. They won't vanish overnight and if they do, well, there's plenty out there. You can't rush this one, otherwise you'll regret it. Do your sums realistically, it's not as cheap living on a boat as some claim either, especially in winter and far harder work than you imagine. Ask yourself why you want to live on a boat, if it's just cheap living, you won't be able to sustain that for long, because it isn't particularly, especially if you need a mooring. If you like boats and water and are self-sufficient, well, that's enough. And take your time; we all enjoy playing fantasy boats, perusing boat porn and daydreaming but seeing and feeling them gives you a much, much better idea.
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A good point, and one which I had not thought of. Would such a kink affect the boat's handling?
It can do, I knew a stretched boat that ended up banana-shaped and steered with a definite slip to the side. It required constant correction, it was manageable but not comfortable after a few hours. If you lost concentration for a few seconds, your next conversation would involve the bank or the trees. Not ideal. She underwent two surveys that resulted in the buyers withdrawing and she was eventually sold to someone without a survey. Memo to self ... Don't buy a boat down the pub when drunk springs to mind ...
In principle, a stretch should be okay, after all, you're just adding extra steel to the bow and stern, but in the hands of a less experienced or scrupulous builder, there can be problems.
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I think the RCD compliance rules apply to EA waters in the same way.
I would pay very close attention to he quality of the welding around the stretch on the TT Marine shell. It's not unknown for boats to end up with a kink in them. Equally, the heat from the welding can cause previously straight panels to decoil to produce buckling.
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Should this boat be R.C.D. compliant?
Hopefully others will know the correct answer.
Bod
Not if she's seven years old.
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I was very sorry to hear this news today. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be much missed in our world.
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I clean Cobbett's chimneys with a length of mooring chain, swung round the flue from above, then scoop out the remains from the firebox. I then give the flue a brushing and relight the fire. Using the chain helps to shift any hard-baked on residue. I do the same for the Rayburn making sure the bottom of the smokebox is free from any build-up of soot too. It's a messy but satisfying job done about once a month.
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Lol you haven't been to a costa or Starbucks for a while then lol
I hate it you go and buy coffee at these specialise chain, and can't tast the coffee, what's in you cup looks like milk!!
You have to pay for another shot, and it's still weak!! I've complained and end up with 3 shots!
The Tassimo we use to have, wishy washy capachinos
That's why we went for a Gaggia
But seems like good reports on the neppresso machine ?
Col
Not from me, Col. It tasted just as underpowered as all the rest. Save your pennies and invest £30 in an Aeropress and a decent bag of beans. You'll need a good grinder, I use a ancient Zassenhaus (get a Lion and Parasol brand old one off eBay) and a sense of humour. Makes good, strong everyday coffee. For special occasions, I get the glass Cona out.
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Another thumbs up for the Aeropress, cheap, robust and loved so much by my Italian mate, he bought ten for his restaurant. I grind my own coffee beans too. There's a world of difference between fresh coffee and packaged ground coffee; the coffee pods seem to produce an anaemic, bitter and gritty drink to my mind.
NB Health warning - I do like my coffee at weapons grade strength.
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You can generally find supplies on fleaBay or an architectural reclaimer. Way cheaper too.
I've just looked, loads of oak and some teak available in Nottingham. Clean it up and give it a finish before you lay it, then give it a thorough good finish when down.
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Rachel, I've seen this floor fitted in a boat and it looked very smart.
Unfortunately, the finish was less than smart and it scuffed up badly and needed to be refinished within 18 months as water was penetrating the wood and staining it. I'd endorse the suggestion of recycling finger parquet, if it's come from a public building it's often Maple, refinishes to brilliant shine and is rock hard. It's a sod to lay, but worth it.
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We usually plan (plan!) to sleep for 24 hours and then boat for 6, obviously.
This year, we are planning to be more competitive and boat for 2 hours interspersed with 3 x 8 periods of rest. We like to stay fresh.
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And that was a "no" as well, wasn't it!
I dunno, Alan, I couldn't hear for the snoring ...
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The Nicholsons map of the UK (not guide) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Nicholson-Inland-Waterways-Britain/dp/0007452640/ref=pd_cp_b_0 has a map of the BCN, I photocopy that and spend hours staring at it looking for the ultimate route, still have to find it.
Give it up, John, that way madness lies.
Try the Cobbett approach ... What's the route? Dunno, shall I fire the engine after the next cuppa, then?
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A bit of fun, eh, boys? Not in any way competitive, no way...
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I could be tempted to do it again next year. Although there's an Aston Villa match on the Sunday. So I'm torn between boating and football...
How is that, in any way, a contest worth tearing yourself up about, hmm?
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I know where there's a fine bit of corrugated steel in need of a good home.I'm sure the missing bit of Sickle could be replaced
Richard
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We will wave to them - we're not stopping
Anyway - I wouldn't get too hung up on the competitive side of this. It's loads of fun just taking part. .....
Richard
Oxymoron there, methinks!
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Woo hoo! Sorted in two minutes flat fantastic!
Overjoyed to have you on board. Katie's up for it again too. Team Cobbett is looking in great shape ... Well, not wooden spoon-shaped anyway ....
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Bagsy! You're mine ...Sadly Team Iona won't be taking part next year
I'm working in Stoke until the end of June and hopefully Dave will be working by then so it's not doable without a massive amount of aggro.Experienced crew available for anyone that needs help
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You're all doing better than me. I have a Vodafone contract at £19/month for 3gb. Even though it's a relatively paltry allowance, nonetheless, Vodafone are insisting that I 'improve' my service by swopping to their £24/month for 2gb. They seem surprised when I say no; apparently my modem shouldn't still be working and hence I need the new one that comes with the new 'improved' service.
BTW, is anyone else experiencing very poor levels of internet access on their phones? My phone is an elderly S3 and I rarely get any connectivity on it, let alone enough to tether my iPad.
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They do quite a few different builds. iirc they did a 'Kennet barge' which was a big wide thing with a couple of Lynch motors in it. Also sea going boats afaik.
I'm not familiar with any of their narrowboats.
Built like a brick with a pointy end and rounded end. Good and strong and roomy. Not the most stylish but good-value, honest boats.
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head on nail and long term.is not what airbnb do that is mainly gumtree etc That is not to say that the ads on airbnb are not a problem Again from memory think the limit on airbnb is 3 weeks but have not booked anything for a while. My daughter has just returned from New York where she stayed for 1 week in an apartment I booked on airbnb she said it was fantastic far better than staying in a hotel for a week and slightly cheaper
No, I was able to negotiate for a far longer stay, if I had wanted to use a houseboat in Holland for student accommodation.
I'm working in Stoke until the end of June and hopefully Dave will be working by then so it's not doable without a massive amount of aggro.
Opinions and advice on my first boat
in General Boating
Posted · Edited by wrigglefingers
I think you're running the risk of being stitched up like a kipper.
Pay the money and get a regular survey done in your own name by a reputable surveyor, we know who we'd recommend in your area, just ask! Do have the paint scraped and the hull measurements taken with proper measuring equipment. You'll scrape more paint off in a normal day chugging up the cut. Economise at this point and you may regret it. I'd rather not remember how I know this ….