Info on my local narrowboat builder

[LadyG]

10 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

Could you tell me which canal they are referring to?   🐸

It's not The Rochdale, not the Calder and Hebble, the Huddersfield Narrow, or the Chesterfield, all quirky., but not ideal for newbies

Edited December 28, 2022 by LadyG

[PD1964]

1 hour ago, philip levy said:

Thanks for your reply, we will take a look but we do like the bright clean modern look of this style though. This isnt something we are going to rush into so will keepn an open mind.

  I know the picture of the one I put on will be at Barton, it’s the standard Semi-Trad reverse layout which most builders are doing as their base model, unless your looking at a bespoke custom interior, which IMO is a waste of money with a high depreciation level compared to a boat that will suit most people’s boating needs.
  I wouldn’t get too “viewed” on a brand new bespoke boat, they turn out expensive and often wasted money.

[Alan de Enfield]

12 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

Could you tell me which canal they are referring to?   🐸

 

Any canal where that boat goes past (laughing AT the boat - it a sort of a caricature of the 'noddy car'.)

 

 

 

[philip levy]

18 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

Better still, don't sell your bricks and mortar.Put it in the hands of a letting agency and go boating knowing that when you are too old and knackered for boating you can return to dry land.

Boats depreciate,and house prices go up, so by selling your property for a boat, you may spend your later years renting as you may be unable to afford a house.

Thanks - I wasnt seeing this as a financial investment - more a lifestyle investment - investing in us but I understand your thoughts. Many thanks

[Tony Brooks]

54 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

I bet those nav lights don't last very long !

 

 

An I suspect they are not up to standard for a boat that long. I have no idea what the RCR says about nav lights but if it echoes COLREGs then I suspect another fraudulent RCR certificate would be issued - that is ignoring the distinct possibility the fuel tank will not have a complaint inspection hatch.

Edited December 28, 2022 by Tony Brooks

[philip levy]

20 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

Better still, don't sell your bricks and mortar.Put it in the hands of a letting agency and go boating knowing that when you are too old and knackered for boating you can return to dry land.

Boats depreciate,and house prices go up, so by selling your property for a boat, you may spend your later years renting as you may be unable to afford a house.

Thanks - we are keeping our home, this is purely for pleasure. The value is in having the freedom to escape "normal" life as often as we want and see some of the beautiful countryside.

[pearley]

1 hour ago, booke23 said:

Looks like an Aintree boats shell, although I could be wrong.

My first thought but the picture with the crane showing it being loaded is not Aintree. Though it could be being unloaded.

[Stroudwater1]

I understand the desire to not have anyone own it before, but then again many boats second hand have been loved and nurtured since the day they were built. Change the mattress if you must and no one will have slept on it before. You may find it anxiety provoking to go into locks with a new all shiny boat. Followed one this year and each lock was an ordeal, took ages approaching the lock they then  checked before and after for any scratches and tried to touch them up.

 

Try to spend some time working out what it is about a brand new boat that appeals then try to be rational and look for a second hand fairly new one. Its a decent time of year to buy too. 

[dmr]

3 hours ago, philip levy said:

OK so its taken some time but we are now exploring the idea of a new narrowboat to enjoy our retirement. I live in Burton on Trent so looking for local if possible. We really dont want an old one so looking for new only. There is a local company, Russell Narrowboats, and they have a professional looking website and some superb looking new build narrowboats for sale but other than their website we cant find much info about this compay.

 

As we will be investing a lot of our retirement savings I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this company?

 

Thanks in Advance, Philip & Sarah

 

I needed a puncture on the car fixing and found a company in Rochdale with a very professional looking website, they looked like a really specialist tyre company and were very good on the phone. When I got there I found a third world company with third world people working out of an open shed with various cars outside up on bricks. Don't judge a company by its website.

 

(The tyre company were actually very knowledgable, fast, friendly and good value) 😀

[PeterF]

As you are in Burton on Trent have a look at Aqua Narrowboats, they are based in Foston on the A50 so not far away. Good record of fitting out boats over a number of years.

[GUMPY]

For the amount of cash a new narrowboat will cost, you could get a very nice motorhome and be able to go to places you cannot get to by water.

The canal system is dying compared to 20/25 years ago and you will be left with a boat and be stuck on the local canal where you keep it.

[magnetman]

The bow is hideous. I know people use more diplomatic terms but it really is not nice.

 

Look at second hand quality builds. There are some seriously nice boats out there most of them not new. 

 

 

27 minutes ago, Loddon said:

For the amount of cash a new narrowboat will cost, you could get a very nice motorhome and be able to go to places you cannot get to by water.

The canal system is dying compared to 20/25 years ago and you will be left with a boat and be stuck on the local canal where you keep it.

One of these might prove to be a wise lifestyle choice. It'll probably go up in value provided one keeps an eye on the wheel bearings .

 

 

 

[Sea Dog]

2 minutes ago, magnetman said:

The bow is hideous. I know people use more diplomatic terms but it really is not nice.

For me, the divisive looks of the bow pale into insignificance one you see the stern. That's hideous to my eyes, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'd be more bothered about the apparent lack of tumblehome, but then Elton Moss seem to sell a few boats and they look pretty similar in that regard. You pays yer money...

[Athy]

15 minutes ago, magnetman said:

The bow is hideous. I know people use more diplomatic terms but it really is not nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may think that, and I may think that. . But perhaps the bow shape is not high on Philip's list of priorities. He may simply be seeking a boat which gets him reliably from A to B and back to A, , and which is well equipped,, spacious and comfortable, in which case the bow not looking like that of a Josher won't bother him overmuch.

[dmr]

3 hours ago, MtB said:

 

I found at least two, both similarly grating to look at, to my eye. 

 

Here's one:

 

 

 

 

 

Thats a "sqosher", based onb a Josher but sort of....squashed.

[Tonka]

Stowe Hill had worse noses in my opinion.  

[Athy]

4 minutes ago, dmr said:

 

Thats a "sqosher", based onb a Josher but sort of....squashed.

[ditchcrawler]

5 hours ago, philip levy said:

OK so its taken some time but we are now exploring the idea of a new narrowboat to enjoy our retirement. I live in Burton on Trent so looking for local if possible. We really dont want an old one so looking for new only. There is a local company, Russell Narrowboats, and they have a professional looking website and some superb looking new build narrowboats for sale but other than their website we cant find much info about this compay.

 

As we will be investing a lot of our retirement savings I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this company?

 

Thanks in Advance, Philip & Sarah

I take it you already know that boat life would be for you otherwise it could be £100K  mistake. It cold be better to buy second hand for £70K and if it doesn't work out sell for £65K or if you love it still sell for £65K and buy what you really want.

[matty40s]

4 minutes ago, Tonka said:

Stowe Hill had worse noses in my opinion.  

Only once the Reeves started building their shells

 

[magnetman]

37 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

For me, the divisive looks of the bow pale into insignificance one you see the stern. That's hideous to my eyes, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'd be more bothered about the apparent lack of tumblehome, but then Elton Moss seem to sell a few boats and they look pretty similar in that regard. You pays yer money...

 

The tumblehome thing is interesting. I went on one of those rather awful east west marine box shaped narrow boats once. 

 

They have almost vertical cabin sides. On a narrow boat with normal width side decks. This seems like trouble but once you get inside the boat the extra space is actually quite impressive.

Having lived on narrow boats continuously for 12 years I do know that I don't want to do this again but also any extra feeling of space is going to be pleasant. 

 

I still hate the look of ugly narrow boats but people have different priorities. I like my boats to look nice (to me). 

 

It takes all sorts and perhaps the sqosher bows are not a problem. 

 

Does it still have a sensible size gas locker ? 

15 minutes ago, matty40s said:

Only once the Reeves started building their shells

 

 

When did this happen? I remember in the mid nineties they already had a slightly dodgy bow shape. It did seem to get worse but I didn't know they had farmed out the shell fabrication. 

[noddyboater]

16 minutes ago, matty40s said:

Only once the Reeves started building their shells

 

Was that also when the welding rod/body filler ratio changed? 

[Alan de Enfield]

38 minutes ago, matty40s said:

Only once the Reeves started building their shells

 

 

I liked my Reeves and thought she had quite a nice 'pert' little nose and rounded-peachy bum ................................

 

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2022 by Alan de Enfield

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

17 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

I liked my Reeves and thought she had quite a nice 'pert' little nose and rounded-peachy bum ................................

 

 

 

 

Interesting you painted the back end like that, with a black and red band. 
 

I’m gonna guess it’s an idea to raise the line of your blacking to just above water line?

[Alan de Enfield]

12 minutes ago, Goliath said:

Interesting you painted the back end like that, with a black and red band. 
 

I’m gonna guess it’s an idea to raise the line of your blacking to just above water line?

 

Thats how she came when the hire fleet sold her off at 6 years old. (Juno)

The 1st private owner spent £11,000 (receipts came with her) having the pump-out tank removed, cassette fitted and the bathroom re-jigged

 

 

Edited December 28, 2022 by Alan de Enfield

[Slim]

5 hours ago, Tracy D'arth said:

Agreed.  Ghastly straight line cabin, not a curve anywhere, ugly pinched bow, stupid fat back end. Cheap looking fitout.

Plus one. The fit out in particular. Looking at the photo of the side doors it looks as if the ply panels don't match. One appears to be quarter cut with the grain running horizontally whilst the other crown cut with the grain running vertically. An absolute indication of penny pinching. It also looks as if the shoot bolt is chromed whilst the knobs are brass. If I'm correct what is the rest like?