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david coleman

By david coleman
in New to Boating?

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Kendorr Rising Star

KendorrDonate to Canal World

Posted
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Welcome along.

 

Personally, 8 years ago when I bought my first boat, I had nothing.

 

The boat came with everything I needed and as I used it, I found plenty of other things that I wanted.

 

So, start looking around the mags, selling sites and Ebay and see what is available and get some idea of what would suit you.

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Mad Harold Experienced

Mad HaroldDonate to Canal World

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1 hour ago, david coleman said:

Hi. 

First time I ever wrote on one of these sites but I'm completely green in this field. I'm looking into buying a canal boat as the river is beside me. Can you advise me of what to get before getting a boat please.

Thanks

David

You give your location as West London.Only been to that hell hole a couple of times but I suppose your first step before looking at boats is to decide where you are going to moor it and/or where you are going to cruise.

Rumour has it that mooring in the London area is horrendously expensive!

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OldGoat Veteran II

OldGoatDonate to Canal World

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I suppose I  should ask - which river? (Just in case what you're looking at isn't navigable). If it's the Thames, then a narrow boat may not be the best choice.

 

Just saying....

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david coleman Gongoozler

david coleman

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Hi thanks for the replys. I live beside Ealing hospital beside the river Brent. Lots of boats around this area. Still trying to find out about moorings but from what I'm seeing I couldn't afford around here anyways. I don't mind traveling a bit though. Really it's kind of a half project I'm looking for. Project as in the boat ok but interior needs total refit. 

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Mad Harold Experienced

Mad HaroldDonate to Canal World

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13 minutes ago, david coleman said:

Hi thanks for the replys. I live beside Ealing hospital beside the river Brent. Lots of boats around this area. Still trying to find out about moorings but from what I'm seeing I couldn't afford around here anyways. I don't mind traveling a bit though. Really it's kind of a half project I'm looking for. Project as in the boat ok but interior needs total refit. 

Hm,need to be careful there lad.

You can usually find projects that are ok inside but engine and electrics are dodgy.The hull may be corroded to a couple of mil within sinking.

If the hull and mechanics are sound,and the interior is a disaster,then that is probably what you are looking for.

However,be careful,because you will probably be swimming in shark infested waters!

Especially in London!

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Tracy D'arth Veteran II

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There is an awful lot of rubbish boats afloat in and around London. Many are tricked up inside and out to look nice but are paper thin scrap hulls that cannot be insured and will surely sink on there own accord quite soon. Hills thinned to under 4mm require urgent attention or are to be ignored out of hand.

I know of 2 that left close to us recently that were condemned by the examiners and they are both in London now as floating accommodation, painted white inside and blacked down to the water line.

Buy well away from London, prices are better and you stand a better chance of a decent hull. If you don't know what to look for, get a full survey, its a grand well spent for the inexperienced.

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Slim Influencer

Slim

Posted
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1 hour ago, Mad Harold said:

Hm,need to be careful there lad.

You can usually find projects that are ok inside but engine and electrics are dodgy.The hull may be corroded to a couple of mil within sinking.

If the hull and mechanics are sound,and the interior is a disaster,then that is probably what you are looking for.

However,be careful,because you will probably be swimming in shark infested waters!

Especially in London!

It wouldn't take too much effort to be totally insulting about Huddersfield either. There are parts of Ealing you could only dream about.

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david coleman Gongoozler

david coleman

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I could never afford a property here. Ealing area really nice to be honest. But it's probably going to be the end of the year ( october on) by the time I'd be in a right position to buy something. I need to find out about driving license, costs of the stuff nobody hears of really and maybe do that in the mean time. I've alot to learn! Especially like id have never known about the bottom of a boat being thin because my research at the moment told me they have a 10mm thick bottom. Def going to have to buy more boat magazine's!

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ditchcrawler Veteran II

ditchcrawlerDonate to Canal World

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36 minutes ago, david coleman said:

 research at the moment told me they have a 10mm thick bottom. Def going to have to buy more boat magazine's!

That is when they are new, get 20 or 30 years on then it can be a different story if not maintained

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mrsmelly Veteran II

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1 hour ago, Slim said:

It wouldn't take too much effort to be totally insulting about Huddersfield either. There are parts of Ealing you could only dream about.

If its inside the M25 then its a crap hole. It might cost a lot so that just makes it an expensive craphole.

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KenK Rising Star

KenK

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Baseplate will normally  be 10 mm, sides up to the gunnel 6 mm, sides above the gunnel either 5 or 4 mm, roof 4 mm, at least on a fairly modern build. Older boats could be thinner to start with.

Google Towpath Talk free online canal mag with lots of ads and information.

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david coleman Gongoozler

david coleman

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Only issue is I don't know what size boat im able to get. But if anyone has an idea of some place you would recommend around my area it would be much appreciated. Plus as I said earlier I have no problems in traveling to a mooring place that's cheaper than where I live. 

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Slim Influencer

Slim

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1 hour ago, mrsmelly said:

If its inside the M25 then its a crap hole. It might cost a lot so that just makes it an expensive craphole.

Some people are really ignorant. Just put you on my ignore list , the first in 10 years, goodbye

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Movin' on Rising Star

Movin' onDonate to Canal World

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4 hours ago, Mad Harold said:

Rumour has it that mooring in the London area is horrendously expensive!

Does anyone pay????

6 hours ago, david coleman said:

Hi. 

First time I ever wrote on one of these sites but I'm completely green in this field. I'm looking into buying a canal boat as the river is beside me. Can you advise me of what to get before getting a boat please.

Thanks

David

NOTHING - at the end of every year there are always fully equipped boats for sale because the  owners are giving up - probably more this year.........do your research on moorings but in your chosen area I don't think anyone actually bothers.

 

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