Traveling Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 Hi all I am just wondering if there is such a place I could look at trying before I buy, I don't want to be spending loads of money and then find that it really isn't for me, also I would like to know if it would be possible to try without having to pay out thousands. Many thanks Richard P.S really hope that I have put this in the right place and sorry if its not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machpoint005 Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 Trying what? If it's a boat, they are available for hire all over the place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 Why not hire for a couple of weeks. That’s not long enough to determine if you could live on one but it’ll give you a bit of an idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 5 minutes ago, Traveling said: Hi all I am just wondering if there is such a place I could look at trying before I buy, I don't want to be spending loads of money and then find that it really isn't for me, also I would like to know if it would be possible to try without having to pay out thousands. Many thanks Richard P.S really hope that I have put this in the right place and sorry if its not Its not popular for obvious reasons. A free holiday?? Do you try before you buy when purchasing a house?? If not sure just hire a boat and get some idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 (edited) Many hire operators hire out day boats, about £100 per day plus possibly a returnable deposit. One example: http://www.valleycruises.co.uk/dayhire http://www.valleycruises.co.uk/ The Crick Boat Show also does boat handling taster sessions. https://www.crickboatshow.com/whatson/boathandling/ Edited February 25, 2019 by Ray T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 You could try a boat handling course, there are lots of companies across the country that run one or two day courses that will teach you how to handle a boat. The best way to know if you will like spending any time on a boat would be to hire one though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 I believe Braidbar used to hire out a trial boat, the cost of which was refunded against your new boat if you went on to buy. Reading between the lines, I'm guessing we're not looking in the same sector of the market here though, are we? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichM Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 Another option is to go on a hotel boat. Some do short trips to a week or a more though hiring your own would give more of a taster.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick D Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 You could always try buying a share in a boat first which would give you four or more weeks a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 www.livingonanarrowboat.co.uk do day taster sessions and lots of info on the site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardang Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 32 minutes ago, Nick D said: You could always try buying a share in a boat first which would give you four or more weeks a year. I agree that it would be a way of seeing what boating is all about, but I think that hiring initially is a better way. Most share boat syndictes would rather not have part owners joining and then leaving after a short time, and would much prefer them to be enthusiastic about and enjoy their boat for a reasonable period. Hiring is very much what the OP was looking for - the option of being able to walk away if they find it is not for them. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceinSanity Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Sea Dog said: I believe Braidbar used to hire out a trial boat, the cost of which was refunded against your new boat if you went on to buy. Reading between the lines, I'm guessing we're not looking in the same sector of the market here though, are we? That’s quite right, but Braidbar doesn’t have a hire boat the moment. Since they retired Tiree and sold her, they haven’t had a spare build slot to replace her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boater Sam Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 Try a canoe on the canal? So you want to have the benefit of using the canals without paying anything? Please don't join the canal community with that attitude. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted March 1, 2019 Report Share Posted March 1, 2019 (edited) Most boatbuilders have a set of demonstrators that they have spent 500k on for others to thrash up and down on. Just phone and ask. Or .......... hire and walk the waterways asking. Most are happy to talk botes and walk you through. Edited March 1, 2019 by mark99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 On 25/02/2019 at 17:21, Traveling said: Hi all I am just wondering if there is such a place I could look at trying before I buy, I don't want to be spending loads of money and then find that it really isn't for me, also I would like to know if it would be possible to try without having to pay out thousands. Many thanks Richard P.S really hope that I have put this in the right place and sorry if its not Go and visit Whilton , they will give you lots of sets of keys, just find the right boat and take it out for a few weeks............drop the other keys on the wharf as you leave or they might notice though..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 8 hours ago, matty40s said: Go and visit Whilton , they will give you lots of sets of keys, just find the right boat and take it out for a few weeks............drop the other keys on the wharf as you leave or they might notice though..... This assumes yoyu can actually get the engine on a boat Whilton are selling to start! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 8 minutes ago, alan_fincher said: This assumes yoyu can actually get the engine on a boat Whilton are selling to start! I looked at one boat (potentially a beautiful boat) at Whilton - called 'Kiwi-Bach' It was vastly, vastly, hugely overpriced and needed probably £20k spending on it, on trying to start the engine the 'mechanic' told me the boat engine and the generator had not been started for 5 years that he knew of, and it was owned by a 'single bloke' who used it as a 'crash pad' during the week. (Kiwi Bach apparently is 'Kiwi' for a holiday home) I made, what I thought was, a realistic offer, and it was suggested that I should remove myself from the premises whilst having sex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boater Sam Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 Bought mine from Wilton, made a much reduced offer, was treated courteously and the engine started OK. I knew it needed a timing chain but it ran fine for 3 months till I had time to change it. Still got that boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X Alan W Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 I'm some what confused If you have not done much or any boating what is the pro /cons you seek & how will you know the best possible what suits you is a real pain in reverse as as been said hire a boat but then it will be only one example of what is out there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Boater Sam said: Bought mine from Wilton, made a much reduced offer, was treated courteously and the engine started OK. I knew it needed a timing chain but it ran fine for 3 months till I had time to change it. Still got that boat. Yes I concur. My bro in law a few years ago asked me to go and look at a boat at Whilton and I told him the tales of boats on sale there but neverthe less went to look as it had just gone on the market there. It was absolutely first class in every way. He bought it and had it a few years and looked after it and sold it again to get a bigger one and it sold very very quickly. It transpired the boat had gone to Whilton as the owner had died suddenly and his wife ( understandably ) didnt want to set foot on it again and it was taken immediately to Whilton. Moral of the story as I repeat on a regular basis is you can absolutely never rule out any particular broker as you might rule out a great boat. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardang Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 1 hour ago, mrsmelly said: Yes I concur. My bro in law a few years ago asked me to go and look at a boat at Whilton and I told him the tales of boats on sale there but neverthe less went to look as it had just gone on the market there. It was absolutely first class in every way. He bought it and had it a few years and looked after it and sold it again to get a bigger one and it sold very very quickly. It transpired the boat had gone to Whilton as the owner had died suddenly and his wife ( understandably ) didnt want to set foot on it again and it was taken immediately to Whilton. Moral of the story as I repeat on a regular basis is you can absolutely never rule out any particular broker as you might rule out a great boat. I totally agree. Having heard all the tales about Whilton Boats, I was somewhat surprised when a good friend rang to say he was seriously considering a brokerage boat from them. How wrong can you be! He bought the boat about 6 or 7 years ago and it is one of the nicest boats you could wish for and apart from routine repairs and modifications I understand that it has served him very well. It just reinforces that sometimes despite the broker, look at the boat, and make your own judgement if you are able, or get an independent view from someone who can give you unbiased advice. You may just find the boat of your dreams! Howard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aracer Posted March 8, 2019 Report Share Posted March 8, 2019 Whilton provided me with a great service. I stopped in to look at some other boats on the way home from viewing the one I eventually bought and was rapidly convinced how good value the one I was looking at was. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Lola Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 Only if you have the correct pilots licence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aracer Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 42 minutes ago, MikeBiggers said: Hi. Yes, you can try boat without spending loads of money. U can rent boat for an hour. But I recommend, when you find right yacht take charter to somewhere. That will be a real test and after that you can make a final decision. I sometimes use this site spam.com for looking charters. I hope I have helped you a little) ? I'm thinking spammer misunderstood the question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 13 hours ago, aracer said: ? I'm thinking spammer misunderstood the question You know your quote of the link still goes to the spam site don't you? You changed the text but not the link! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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