CheshireTaff

The boat I use has a Vetus 414 fitted. Boat was built in 1989. I'm not sure whether the mountings have been changed but what is the problem with the aluminium ones?

When I called at the BW office in Galgate last year I was fortunate that they had a couple of cards there, but they said that normally you would have to order them there and then prearrange a day and time that you would be picking them up. Strange system. I think BWML are a private concern.

Had a look at 'Cair Paravel' last month and can confirm that its a beautiful well built boat.

It was Friday that I saw you on the bow rope, was there not two serving on Saturday?

Got home yesterday, I don't carry a connection on the cut. Enjoyed the banter and putting faces to names. The cider and vodka were especially good. Thanks to Tanis and Ange for organising the event it was a pity that more people could not attend. Moored at Garstang over the weekend and watched the Kingfisher winding at the sanitary station and wondered whether the dark haired lady on the bow rope could be The Wilk.

Great we'll be there, four of us. We'll bring our food and booze and one of those disposable BBQ's. Hope the weather is good.

The BW office in Galgate used to carry some pump out cards but I think you have to preorder them now and arrange a time to visit the office to pick them up. They have strange opening times. The one at Barton Grange (as mentioned in previous post) works by token which can be bought at the farm food section of the nearby garden centre. I will be on the canal during the weekend of the banter at Galgate and hopefuly will be able to attend if that is OK. What are the arrangements etc?

Pump out also at Barton Grange Marina. Get token from nearby garden centre although they are dearer than the BW ones. £13.95 when I bought one last.

Not got a boat yet but would'nt mind tagging along. A short train journey for me.

Maybe one could check with the shell builder or the engine supplier that they have been payed for. But hang on has the shell builder payed for the steel? Where does one stop?

How does a small deposit when ordering a payment when the hull and engine are completed and then assigned to the customer and the final payment on completion sound.

A little but do builders normally fit auto bilge pump in cabin bilge?

Do you mean renting your own boat out?

As I am in the market for a new boat and Orchard are on my list of builders can I ask how this deal was arranged. Was there a signed agreement on the £35k or was it verbal over the phone or in a face to face meeting?

Totally agree, most boats that I have seen are in a poor uncared state.

Don't want cruiser stern but not getting into that discussion.

No, no connection with anyone in the boating world. As stated in my original post I have been using a relative's boat for the last 6 months and have got the bug and am thinking of buying one myself. The second hand market has a load of rubbish so therefore I am thinking new. I visited a couple of builders which included Orchard who are not to far from me, I was very impressed with their product and their payment system which is a £1k down payment, pay for the hull when it arrives which is then yours and then the final payment when the boat is handed over. So I am only interested in hearing from someone who has actually had a boat built by Orchard not the argument of new against second hand. Hope this clears things up for the doubters.

Still waiting for an answer to the OP's question. Is there anyone out there who have had a boat built by Orchard Marina?

In the six months that you waited that boat could have been sold and you would have had to start your search again. OK you saved some money but did you get exactly what you wanted. A new build more or less guarantees this.

Hi All I'm new to this forum and have had the use of a boat for the last 6 months and have got the bug so have been looking at second hand boats at a few brokerages and to be honest there is a lot of rubbish out there for some ridiculous prices. If people want to sell they should at least put some effort at a decent presentation. Consequently I visited Orchard Marina with a view to having one built and was shown round a couple of finished boats with the owners aboard and also two boats in different stages of build. To me the quality was comparable to some and better than most of the second hand boats that I have inspected. From what I have observed the team is not large (about 5) and seem a very friendly bunch. I was told that the fit out takes 4 to 5 weeks and the next slot is May 2010. In fact I have visited twice in a couple of weeks and they were working on different boats on both occasions which tells me that they have a continuity of work. I also have no connection with the builder.