wrigglefingers

Brain cells (remarkably few in existence).

Well yes, but this is a knee-jerk reaction to a perceived problem. The guy in question had his female partner walking round boats to check licences in some cases trespassing on other people's property. Is that legal? I think that it's classic busybodying and nimbyism. Yes, there's a problem but if we continue to carp on and on about it the perception of the problem becomes so much larger until we eventually decide that all our problems will be resolved if only we could make this one right. We've already explored why people don't have licences for legimate and illegimate reasons. I believe that a rolling database would be so inaccurate that it couldn't be considered robust evidence and would only serve to magnify the problem through multiple sightings etc. Perhaps a one-day snapshot might be better but somehow I don't think so. Jill

Thanks Fuzzy, guess I'm a pizza eater A. Is there room for Death Eaters too perhaps? Would hesitate to nominate people but I saw a bloke hand out out his own homemade 'I've reported you to BW' sticker at Christmas. J

I'm with Fuzzy on this. I know that you mean well, and I know that the upholding of certain rules ensures that we live in a world that is civilised and well-ordered, but the unqualified, unsubstantiated collection of random data will not be enough to make BW sit and take action against those you claim are flouting the regulations. To my mind, this is both divisive and ultimately futile in scope, you will have succeeded in causing argument amongst ourselves and to what end? The collection of disregardable evidence? When we're at school and a child complains about another we demand names and details so that we (as the people in charge) can take effective action. But, we're not in charge here, we just seem like a group of perpetual malcontents with a series of gripes. If we're serious about this then numbers should be collected. But ...... we can't because we lack the necessary authority to do so. Moreover, there is a fear of intimidation and violence from some if we do; sometimes that's why BW haven't always been able to tackle some of the problems with long-term stayers and licence evaders. Of course we deplore evasion; given the effect it has on us all who wouldn't? However, in any community there are those who don't necessarily hold the same views about authority and how beholden we should be to it. In any case, it would be good to hear from Eugene about how BW view this and whether it might be considered by them as legitimate evidence in any way. Regards, Jill

Hello Dave, and welcome to the forum! I'm going through the same process at moment and with the same budget. I've been looking (and lurking) for about a year. I've done the big brokers in the Midlands and I would concur with the comments made so far. My view is that there's no absolutely perfect boat out there. I found it helpful to make a list of things that I needed and then narrow the search down from there. Out of my list of eight desirable points I've found a boat which offered the two vital must have elements - a mooring and two cabins (as I have a daughter). I've been able to find a boat locally which offers those points and I'm happy that the rest I can resolve or add later. The compromises have been significant - the electrics will need revision and I'll need to partially re-fit (including re-bitumastic(k)ing the water tanks - groan) as I'm buying a boat about eight years older than I might have liked. I'm buying through the marina who simply introduced me to the owner and therefore there isn't much security for my money but I've done all the checks I can think of - such as seeing the documents and insisting that the price is conditional on the survey. I must reiterate that I think a survey commisioned and paid for by yourself should be mandatory. You have no legal comeback over a survey conducted by another person and personally I wouldn't trust a survey for somebody else in any case; probably just my cynical nature though. In return, I'll be paying about £22k less than I might have done had I gone through the brokers simply because I felt they were directly steering (no pun intended) to boats at the upper end of my price bracket regardless of need or inclination. I think, after talking to friends and people I've met on the cut, that if you make yourself known, the towpath telegraph often comes up trumps. Most people are friendly and like to welcome others - I've been given tours of boats, tea and brilliant advice in my search and learnt so much. I've also discovered that you need patience, a willingness to take your time and nerves of steel. A friend who knows about boats is invaluable when you start feel you're getting close; mainly to club you round the head and shout "what the bleeding hell are you thinking!". They also do the things you're probably too polite to do; like haul up the floor to look at the cabin bilge and peer in the lav. Good luck in your search and remember to enjoy it! I'm laughing now; probably be crying by next Tuesday when the Delph has her survey. If it's good, I'll meet you on the cut........ Regards, Jill

Okay, Made a decision ......... not going for it. There's too much that makes me anxious. This is supposed to be a pleasure too. Still, learning lots and that's good. Thanks guys - I appreciate it greatly.

I will get a SURVEY done when I've made a decision - I promise! Jill

Hi Bottle and Catweasel, I think that should read Evans and Son and I think they're based in Stafford. Apparently she was blacked and anoded in November last. I think the fit out has been work in progress for a long time and I think they just love tinkering with her! (currently having a new full-length bath fitted). They say the work is completed to RCD standard but...... Jill

Okay everybody, The search continues ....... We went to see a 55ft Evans, (2000) this afternoon. It's got a very short swim (4' 6" approx) and a Shire 3cyl 40hp engine on oil-filled mounts with an Aquadrive, PRM 150, gear reduction of 3:1 and a prop sized at 19/14 on a 1 3/4" shaft. The steelwork spec is 10/6/6. She sits very high in the water and the cabin is noticeably taller than anything I've been on before. Draft is 1'9", but I'm not sure of the airdraft. Is there a connection between the propulsion set up and my suspicion that she will wallow a bit as she seems rather top heavy? She's priced at 40k which I think would be a reasonable price but there are no documents relating to the build other than Evans' hull documents. And the question about craning her out for a survey caused some amazement at first. The couple selling her are really pleasant and it's their pride and joy so I don't want to upset them. The BSC is valid until 2008. Any thoughts? Level of equipment is excellent, generator, macerator lav etc, fit out work in progress. Jill

I'm 45, been on boats of varying sorts since I was 13. Ellen's 17 tomorrow (aah!) and has been on board (even lashed on) since she was 3. Jill

Hi Folks Thanks for your thoughts. We're based in Bath and have really struggled to find a suitable mooring. We do want to liveaboard and we don't want to bridge-hop like many round here (but let's not start that one again!) so we need a marina mooring. That means buying a boat in a marina because none have vacancies. No surprise there either. It's just that prices seem a little high and I'm trying to work out what my offer on a boat might be, if at all (subject to the survey of course!). Still plodding on ....... Jill

I'm thinking about buying a boat with a guaranteed marina mooring (Marina owner has confirmed it). So how much of a premium should I be paying on the price of the boat (if at all)? Any thoughts? Thanks, Jill

I couldn't possibly comment! Jill

I'm really lucky because we can use information as it happens to enable children to learn in our school. And it was relevant to my learning aims which included responsibility within the community. It's just these days our community is so much bigger than we realise sometimes. It's my new job, thanks Daniel! I just need to persuade BW to pay me a living pittance and I'd happily do it; I do agree too. Kids learning about boats, the cut, the wildlife, the history and the people has to be a better way to protect our precious resources than punishment and or danger for others when they get it wrong through ignorance. Jill (motto: lesson plans are for losers! )

I put it on the interactive whiteboard for my students during Personal Development Time. They were fascinated and it helps to remind them that there's a real world outside school. We were all pleased to hear that there was no-one onboard. The kids were impressed by the number of people who were concerned and we had a really good chat about the nature of community help. So much better than the boring lesson I'd prepared on voting I might add! Jill