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Sam

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Hello everyone.

 

To introduce myself (I think this is the right place?)

 

My name is Chris. I chose the username Clifford because that's what our boat will be called when we've got it fettled and repainted.

 

It's been a long haul to finally getting our own boat, but it now seems that it was inevitable as soon as we had our first canal trip thirty years ago.

 

Or perhaps before ... I started boating on a Broads holiday in the seventies. My second outing was another tupperware trip, from Athlone on the Shannon. Being thrown around by sea-sized waves on Lough Thingy (the one north of Athlone) was a bit scary only about half an hour after setting off, but not as embarrassing as ( a ) getting stuck across an arch of a bridge ( b ) running out of fuel and having to row ashore to ring the boatyard from a farmhouse (yes, kids, there was a time before mobile phones!).

 

 

Mr Clifford and I moved on to sewer tubes with a week on the Lancaster in the early eighties, and never looked back. We had several hireboat trips on the Coventry, Oxford, Ashby, and SU, and a complicated week from Middlewich where we did an-out and-back on every canal radiating from there.

 

We've now had nine happy years as part owners. It was painful enough handing the boat over to the next owner after the first trip (you KNOW you are only a part-owner, but when you are on the boat it doesn't FEEL like it). But after every trip it gets worse, and it wasn't long before we knew we'd have to get our own.

 

We finally got round to doing something about it last autumn. It started with "just looking" , but you know how that turns out....

 

I'm very, very grateful to the regular contributors on here. I've been lurking for a long time, and learned so much that was vital to think about when doing the rounds of the boatyards. "Fortune favours the prepared mind", so when the right boat found us, we were able to go for it with at least some confidence that we had considered the practicalities sufficiently to avoid a clunker. The survey (thanks in particular for THAT bit of advice) backed up our feelings and that was that. Hurrah!

 

Trojan is a 1997 55ft Mike Heyward (sp?) all-small-porthole semitrad with a nearly-new Isuzu 43. It's a slghtly old-fashioned fitout (rather dark-varnished ply) that we fell in love with straight away. It's the same age as our shared boat, so I think it's a bit of liking what you know. Most of the newer boats we looked at seemed to us rather clone-y in their light-oak shiny-surfaced "nice"-ness - more Apartmenty than Boaty.

 

I've come out of the lurking shadows for three reasons. First, because after getting so much help in choosing our boat, it felt right to contribute some of our own experience that might help those coming along after us. Second, because now we've got a hole in the water to throw money into, there will be plenty of things I'll need to ask for advice on. Third, simply because it simply feels like a community that I'd like to get more involved with.

 

Thanks again everyone. I know you kindly tell new members there's no such thing as a stupid question, I'll try not to treat that as a challenge!

 

Chris (and Mr Clifford), nb Trojan.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi all

 

We are Carole and Stephen and we are in the process of buying our first narrowboat at the tender ages of 64 and 54

 

Stephen has quite a good knowledge of narrowboats and I don't! Still I'm happy to learn and excited by the prospect of cruising our local canals (although a little bit terrified)

 

Is great to have this forum as we already have lots of questions :)

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Welcome to the forum, Carole ane Stephen.

 

Don't worry about being a little bit terrified - (most of us have been in that sitiuation, and still recall it) but it's a wonderfully relaxing hobby/lifestyle.

 

Have a good mooch about the forum - there's already oodles of advice and experience on here, but if you've a question you can't find an answer to, then just ask.

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Hello all! I'm Gareth and I've bought a 25' Dawncraft boat.gif

 

I'm completely new to boating, I was introduced to it years ago when working in Plymouth, my colleague bought a 28' to live on which ended up costing the same as my hotel bill after a year - I had a receipt and he had a boat...

Since then, I've always looked enviously at people living aboard while I squandered my hard-earned on hotels, so I decided to take the plunge when I started a contract a few weeks ago in Sheffield. Just a bit too far to commute from Cleethorpes!

 

I've moored up in the Victoria Quays Marina, which is quite nice. I'm already thinking of moving along as they have complained that I am staying aboard for too many nights (which was pretty much the point of buying the boat) and today stated that it was because I should be paying them more!

 

 

The boat needs a bit of work, the previous owner had refitted it. I'm now trying to do it right!

I was left with enough diesel to start the boat but it spluttered to a stop within minutes, so I'm going to have to try and bleed the injectors (BMC 1800).

There's 3 great big leisure batteries which I have connected to a 14 Watt solar panel to trickle charge and I connect the battery charger for a few hours a day (Halfords Leisure charger).

I've stuck a 5m roll of white LED's inside which gives much more light than all 4 of the 8 Watt fluorescents.

New Spinflo combination sink is nearly fitted.

A 600 Watt electric/oil heater and a boost from a 2000 Watt air heater keeps me comfortable.

 

So, not a great start. This is the problem when you take up something new, having no idea what is normal behaviour and practise.

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My wife and I have also just purchased our first Narrowboat (The Lady C) she is a very nice 60ft traditional stern beauty. We are both in our late 60's and we intend to be continuous cruisers for the next 2-4 years to renew our acquaintance to the UK as we have been living overseas in the USA, South Africa and France for the past 30 years.

 

We are obviously a little anxious about the challenges associated with a life cruising the beautiful canals and luxuriating in the beauty of England. At the same time we are obviously nervous at the thought of navigating a new environment and operating the locks and other obstacles that will be facing us. However, we are confident that the community we are becoming members of will help us through our early challenges and helping us become valuable members of an exciting and thriving community with its own very special lifestyle.

 

John & Brenda

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Hi everyone, I don't actually own my own but I'm "assisting" my bro-in-law on a full rebuild of an nb butty. For the purposes of any future posts I'll just refer to it as my own for the sake of confusion. Very slow progress so far as we live in the Luton area and the shell is "landed" up in the "black country" so our priority so far will be to establish a "sail away" so that it can be powered back somewhere closer to home on the GU.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Evening all

 

I put down a deposit on a boat last weekend and am now awaiting the surveyor's report. All being well, my boat will be repainted and renamed, and with any luck it will be ready for me early May. It's a 55ft SW Durham steelcraft, cruiser stern with a Beta 38 engine, a little underpowered from what I read on these forums. Time will tell. it's an ex-hire with 6 berths, which will be ideal for me and my girlfriend and our 4 teenage children. I'll be mooring in Ripon.

 

I fully intend to take to the water full time in my retirement and explore the whole system in slow time. I hope to meet you all on the water sometime.

 

Happy boating.

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Hello everyone and especially Fatjoff - we may be meeting very soon! We are in a very similar boat (sorry!) to you - we have put down a deposit, are awaiting the survey and we will be mooring in Ripon - coincidence eh?!

 

Anyway, we are being craned out on 28th April, and there's room for some more boats to join us. So if anyone in the area needs their bottom blacking etc, please let us know. Also please let me know if there is a better place on the forum to post this request - many thanks!

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Hello everyone and especially Fatjoff - we may be meeting very soon! We are in a very similar boat (sorry!) to you - we have put down a deposit, are awaiting the survey and we will be mooring in Ripon - coincidence eh?!

 

Anyway, we are being craned out on 28th April, and there's room for some more boats to join us. So if anyone in the area needs their bottom blacking etc, please let us know. Also please let me know if there is a better place on the forum to post this request - many thanks!

Hi Purpletriker. Are you buying your boat from Nottingham too? If so, have you given any thought yet as to how you are getting it back to Ripon? Given my lack of experience, i have decided not to go north up the Trent, but to go south west before turning north via the Macclesfield and Huddersfield Narrow. Have you booked your mooring in Ripon Yet?

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Hi Fatjoff, the boat we are buying (subject to survey) is already moored at Ripon, so is being craned out just for the survey.

 

Best wishes for your journey and hope to meet up with you soon!

Hi PT

 

Hope all goes well with the survey. Which boat did you buy? I only live across the road from the marina and often walk down the canal, so I'm sure I'll have seen your boat.

 

Anyway, all being well, I'll see you in Ripon in about 4 weeks time.

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Hi

 

We are considering buying a river type boat. We are complete novices so I was pleased to have came across your wonderful forum. I'm sure you helpful people will soon teach me all I need to know :)

 

WE are a family of five, 3 kids, one girl just turned 18 and off to Lincoln University in September so we are thinking of moorings nearby so that we can stay close for weekends up there? Our son is 15 and our youngest daughter is 12, our dog Smudge is 7 so he'd be coming too :) Obviously our daughter will be finding her feet so we won't want to stay too often so open to where we'll leave a boat.

 

As novices I have no idea about the mooring, certificates etc etc in owning a boat so please bear that in mind when I come up with something completely stupid lol.

 

Any way Hi, everyone and look forward to knowing you all :)

 

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Hi PT

 

Hope all goes well with the survey. Which boat did you buy? I only live across the road from the marina and often walk down the canal, so I'm sure I'll have seen your boat.

 

Anyway, all being well, I'll see you in Ripon in about 4 weeks time.

Hiya the boat is called Joma - it's a widebeam and it's blue! Have you seen it?

Edited by purpletriker
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Hi, I am Jackie Gear. I have just split up with husband although we remain friends for our daughter sake. I have limited funds, but could pay for a deposit, and the rest as a lease, giving someone a good return for £ 20-25,000 ie. if I boat costs £18,000 I could pay £5000 and the other £13,000 for 26 months, then continue paying for another 6 months, giving you interest of £3000 - or we could discuss.Better than a bank rate of interest anyway. Due to my splitting up with husband, I have no credit cards left or any other means of a loan, however I do have my very popuar and busy on line business which always keeps the bills paid. www.treeseedsonline.com The boat would be well looked after, insured by me fully, and basically just have me, my daughter and sometimes my ex. I could afford to pay £500 a month, plus a good deposit for as long as you feel you would need to feel paid off for the boat. I would be responsible for the repairs after the first three months and all the other bits and pieces, like painting, health safety, anodes, in side decor if it needs replacing and giving a face life. In other words, the only responsiblity you would have yourselves, is to see my bank transfer every month. Is anyone into that? It is a dream, to go floating around the canals. I am fit enough, and old enough to not take risks. What have you? Any ideas? Maybe I could even house sit your boat whilst you go off for a years travel even. Any ideas greatfully received. I just hope this does not go on my facebook page, as I do not want the whole world seeing it. If it does I could well delete it. smile.png Jackie ps Some nice person surprise me. It is my birthday!! I would be into sharing a boat even, or offering a deposit whilst sharing part of the payments on a loan, and doing my bit in the boat.

Edited by Jackie Gear
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So much a newbie, although read enough books about it,, but new is as much as HOW can I get a boat without having to borrow from a loan shark. or bank. I can afford to pay for a lease. but do not want credit cards, or payday loans etc. I have a busines www.treeseedsonline.com which works very well. If someone wants a companion,a working one, then I can help pay bills but I WOULD want my own space and room. xx I can put a bit of a deposit or cash injection into one , and pay monthly for the next five years.

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Hi folks , two more newbies searching for their first narrowboat and getting away from our lives in the smoke to live on the waterways , we've enjoyed reading on this forum it seems to be very friendly, we're sure to be asking a lot of questions and picking the experienced brains amongst you ,Cheers John and Lou,

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Hi, I am Jackie Gear. I have just split up with husband although we remain friends for our daughter sake. I have limited funds, but could pay for a deposit, and the rest as a lease, giving someone a good return for £ 20-25,000 ie. if I boat costs £18,000 I could pay £5000 and the other £13,000 for 26 months, then continue paying for another 6 months, giving you interest of £3000 - or we could discuss.Better than a bank rate of interest anyway. Due to my splitting up with husband, I have no credit cards left or any other means of a loan, however I do have my very popuar and busy on line business which always keeps the bills paid. www.treeseedsonline.com The boat would be well looked after, insured by me fully, and basically just have me, my daughter and sometimes my ex. I could afford to pay £500 a month, plus a good deposit for as long as you feel you would need to feel paid off for the boat. I would be responsible for the repairs after the first three months and all the other bits and pieces, like painting, health safety, anodes, in side decor if it needs replacing and giving a face life. In other words, the only responsiblity you would have yourselves, is to see my bank transfer every month. Is anyone into that? It is a dream, to go floating around the canals. I am fit enough, and old enough to not take risks. What have you? Any ideas? Maybe I could even house sit your boat whilst you go off for a years travel even. Any ideas greatfully received. I just hope this does not go on my facebook page, as I do not want the whole world seeing it. If it does I could well delete it. smile.png Jackie ps Some nice person surprise me. It is my birthday!! I would be into sharing a boat even, or offering a deposit whilst sharing part of the payments on a loan, and doing my bit in the boat.

 

 

So much a newbie, although read enough books about it,, but new is as much as HOW can I get a boat without having to borrow from a loan shark. or bank. I can afford to pay for a lease. but do not want credit cards, or payday loans etc. I have a busines www.treeseedsonline.com which works very well. If someone wants a companion,a working one, then I can help pay bills but I WOULD want my own space and room. xx I can put a bit of a deposit or cash injection into one , and pay monthly for the next five years.

 

 

Hi folks , two more newbies searching for their first narrowboat and getting away from our lives in the smoke to live on the waterways , we've enjoyed reading on this forum it seems to be very friendly, we're sure to be asking a lot of questions and picking the experienced brains amongst you ,Cheers John and Lou,

Welcome to the forum to Jackie G, and Camels ruin.

 

There is simply loads of information on here, so have a really good browse, (via the Search facility)

 

A current thread on here may answer some question, (though may not be the answers you would wish for!) (Link)

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Good morning from a complete boating novice.

 

Since a friend of ours bought his first narrowboat a year ago, we're completely smitten with the idea following a few trips on it. We've already looked at a couple of GRP's & missed out on a nice Highbridge & turned down a Creighton because of it's engine problems.

 

Going to look at a nicely improved Nauticus 27 on Friday so fingers crossed. We'll be mooring at Golden Nook near Chester, myself & partner Carol plus our two granddaughters who we foster. Joining us will be a very nutty white German Shepher called Bob.

 

Been browsing this forum for the last week & can't believe the amount of valuable info I've collected already.

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Hello All,

I'm brand new to boating - this is a fabulous forum - so much helpful information!!!!

Hi Maggie :) welcome to the forum. :)

So much a newbie, although read enough books about it,, but new is as much as HOW can I get a boat without having to borrow from a loan shark. or bank. I can afford to pay for a lease. but do not want credit cards, or payday loans etc. I have a busines www.treeseedsonline.com which works very well. If someone wants a companion,a working one, then I can help pay bills but I WOULD want my own space and room. xx I can put a bit of a deposit or cash injection into one , and pay monthly for the next five years.

Hi Jackie :) Welcome to the forum :) I too am looking towards living aboard and exploring the canal systems. This site is great for information and making new friends that will encourage and advise you.. moving you ever closer to realizing your dream :)

 

I am planning very carefully so as not to make any expensive mistakes... I think patience is the key ... after all, we will be embarkiing upon a very steady and laid back lifestyle :)

 

All the very best of luck :)

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Howdy all

 

I'm Sean, me and my partner are in the process of buying our first boat to liveaboard for cc around London and further afield. Just started my first thread asking for tips on things to look for at a second viewing so feel free to comment.

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=66079

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Hi everyone,

 

We are hoping to become boat owners again (hopefully in the not too distant future) after more than twenty years since we previously owned a narrow boat. In that time many things have changed such as BSS certificates and new technologies etc. so we thought we had better get 'up to speed' on what is current (even though we are lovers of vintage engines and working boats) and what better way than joining Canalworld forum with the vast amount of knowledge and experience of its members. We know that to begin with we'll mostly be asking questions but hope as our knowledge increases we can redress the balance and contribute more.

 

Rob and Maria AKA Rusty Rivet

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