It’s getting closer now so must focus.

[fergyguy]

At the risk of tempting fate it’s looking like my house sale is going through as planned with contracts signed and back with solicitor. With completion date looming towards me I now really need to focus my attention to the two boats on my want as my New Home list. Yes they are not everyone choice as both are Widebeams at 12 feet. One is a 65 feet Aintree Boat already moored at the marina I intend using for the next two and a half years at which point I’ll retire and constantly cruise. The other is 57 feet Bluewater Boat but some 7 to 8 days sailing time from the marina. Both boats are less than 5 years old and have been fitted out and maintained to a high standard. The Bluewater Boat has had little use and is loaded with 1200 watt solar and a 8kv diesel generator built into the engine room, she also has a chined hull which I’m told will handle better than a standard flat bottom. Both boats have top quality central heating and double glazed throughout. My dilemma is this I love the extra length of the saloon on the 65 feet boat which when compared to the  one in the 57feet makes that one look very small. But as it’s only me and my Labrador moving aboard should that matter??

As I know Widebeam waterways are drastically limited in comparison to narrow beams the 57 feet would allow me to travel across the Pennines where as the 65 feet keeps me to the north east waterways only.

The Bluewater Boat will cost £2k less than the 65 feet and does have the generator,solar, and stainless steel water tank which like the fuel and waste where special ordered as larger than normal so reducing tank filling/emptying. 

My first issue was after selling my house I will not have the free time to sail the 57 feet to the marina as I run three businesses so at the moment that’s not an option but a very friendly Peterboat who I met two years ago when I first thought of boat life has kindly offered to sail her for me.

So if you were in my position what would YOU do and NO I’m not going to change my mind and buy a  narrowboat as much as I like them lol

[Alan de Enfield]

Check your PM's

 

27 minutes ago, fergyguy said:

NO I’m not going to change my mind and buy a  narrowboat as much as I like them lol

 

[Richard10002]

Given what you say, I would buy the 65ft boat.

[fergyguy]

May I ask why you would choose the 65 feet

[dmr]

Widebeams are already severely limited in cruising range so going to 65 foot limits it even more. If you plan to be based in the South its not an issue, but up North its a big limitation. If you are only dreaming of cruising and in reality plan to be marina based then no problem, but if you really want to cruise the big boat is too big.

 

Where can you go up North in a 65 foot widebeam?????

 

...............Dave

[Richard10002]

15 minutes ago, fergyguy said:

May I ask why you would choose the 65 feet

Because it's where you want it to be. You prefer the size. You can add all the other stuff with money.

[fergyguy]

Looking north east there are rivers I could use with some wide canals but the 57 feet will allow me across the Pennines. I will only be in the marina upto retirement in two and a half years then definitely will be CC 

[dmr]

Im not an expert on the North East because my narrowboat is too long to get there. But it appears to me that at 65 feet the North is divided into East and West with no passage between them.

 

In the West there is the Bridgewater including Manchester, the Leeds and Liverpool into Liverpool (fantastic journey), the possibility of the Ship Canal (not easy but it can be done) and hence the Weaver (lovely River). Possibly the Ribble link (not 100% sure about widebeams). Even the wonderful Rochdale is possible though would be very difficult as a through passage but fine if approached from the Calder and Hebble. This is a lot of boating to sacrifice.

 

..............Dave

[rgreg]

I would want the additional cruising range afforded by the 57ft boat, even though a widebeam would still be too limiting for me.

7 minutes ago, dmr said:

Possibly the Ribble link (not 100% sure about widebeams).

12ft is too wide: max 10ft 6"

[blackrose]

A 57' X 12' widebeam has plenty of space for one person and a dog. I've been on mine for nearly 15 years (without a dog).

 

I've done more cruising on my boat than most narrow boaters I meet.

Edited September 6, 2019 by blackrose

[Alan de Enfield]

4 minutes ago, blackrose said:

I've done more cruising on my boat than most narrow boaters I meet.

You don't lend it out very often tho' do you !

[blackrose]

Just now, Alan de Enfield said:

You don't lend it out very often tho' do you !

 

Never! Who lends out their boat?

9 minutes ago, rgreg said:

I would want the additional cruising range afforded by the 57ft boat, even though a widebeam would still be too limiting for me.

 

Conversely a narrowboat would be too limiting for me in terms of living space.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

26 minutes ago, dmr said:

Possibly the Ribble link (not 100% sure about widebeams).

The Rufford Branch of the L&L is limited to 62'.

[ditchcrawler]

You could always sell it when you retire and buy a cruising boat

[fergyguy]

1 hour ago, Richard10002 said:

Because it's where you want it to be. You prefer the size. You can add all the other stuff with money.

That’s a fair point as there will always be Boats for sale