Best Central Location to View Boats and pick up more information

[camperlove]

Hi, I'm a Newbie

 

Looking for a good location to park up my caravan for a week or so and view as many boats as possible (layouts, ideas and prices). Hopefully meet some like minded people and get some good advice. Appreciate there will be many views and that there will be no ideal situation but surely the centre of the canal network would be a good idea?

 

I recently sold my house to go off camping in a caravan or motorhome which has many advantages but can be a bit isolated apart from meeting the odd walker. However, just spent 2 weeks on a narrowboat and even though I'm a quiet person, I was amazed how many friendly people spoke to me and helped me.

 

I had thought about this lifestyle before but discounted it for a few reasons and I do realise it's not really a cheap option (Neither is a caravan at 365 nights x £12). I would be doing it for fun, meeting new people and having a more permanent residence than a caravan.

 

I'm a retired single guy thinking about doing this single handed but hoping I will meet new friends along the way and gain some confidence that it's the right lifestyle for me. I certainly get the feeling that I will be part of a small community with a common interest. Buying another house or flat is probably not for me as I cannot do with noisy neighbours or the same scenery every day.

 

I'm very technical and have a good idea of what I'm looking for but knowing the market and prices is a learning curve.

 

So, does anyone know a decent campsite (scenic or cheap) on the canal network where I can park up, drive off to lots of Marinas looking at boats for sale and chat to others?

 

Thanks

 

 

[Dekazer]

I'd go for the Midlands. Somewhere around Daventry - there are loads of brokerages around that area, which will enable you to view tens of boats per day. You'll get a good idea of what you like and don't like, and what sort of boats are priced around your budget. Have a quick search on this forum for boat buying tips, including how much below the asking price you can offer

 

When we were boat hunting we camped at Bush Hill Farm campsite near Daventry and that was really convenient. Google will help you find brokerages nearby - iirc we visited Whilton, ABNB and Braunston easily within a day. Rugby boats also within easy reach.

Edited October 21, 2014 by Dekazer

[kevinl]

You'd be better off looking on Apollo Duck (link below), put a few parameters in like the amount you want to go up to, size of boat and see what it comes up with.

I you want to see a lot of boats in one place and be left alone to look over them you could do worse than Wilton Marina, that will give you some idea of what you should be looking for.

Living alone 30 feet is possible (as you're used to living in a caravan) 45 feet would be comfortable for solo. Solid fuel fire is pretty essential, solar panels too.

I suspect if you googled boat brokers and stuck pins in a map you'd probably find the Northampton/Leicester/Nottingham corridor, round Birmingham and the North West would the big areas. Personally I'd look on line or anywhere that allows unescorted viewings and get a feel for what's out there.

K

 

http://www.whiltonmarina.co.uk/used-narrowboats/

http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/search.phtml?exact=1

 

ETA If you give some idea of what you're looking to pay you may get some boats suggested to you.

Edited October 21, 2014 by kevinl

[Woodstock]

Shardlow marina allows caravans and has hook up and although they have few if any boats for sale- you're close to Mercia marina (new and used boat co) and sawley BWML brokerage

[Athy]

Seconded, Whilton Marina has the biggest selection of boats in one place. Very near it is Whilton caravans, who do storage, but I am not sure if you can stay there in your 'van.

[camperlove]

I'd go for the Midlands. Somewhere around Daventry - there are loads of brokerages around that area, which will enable you to view tens of boats per day. You'll get a good idea of what you like and don't like, and what sort of boats are priced around your budget. Have a quick search on this forum for boat buying tips, including how much below the asking price you can offer

 

When we were boat hunting we camped at Bush Hill Farm campsite near Daventry and that was really convenient. Google will help you find brokerages nearby - iirc we visited Whilton, ABNB and Braunston easily within a day. Rugby boats also within easy reach.

Brilliant, thanks, looks good.

[Rod a mod from Tod]

There is a camp/caravan site at the back of the Cotton Arms at Wrenbuy. http://www.cottonarms.com/

 

From there it is easily driveable to Swanley Brokerage who usually have a good selection, Midway boats at Barbridge who usually have 2 or 3 decent boats there, Aqueduct Marina have a good selection, Venetian (Wilton) at Cholmondeston had a lot of boat shaped rust last time i was there but they may have summat decent when you go plus they just give you the keys so you can have a good old root. Boat Finder Brokers operate out of Overwater at Audlem but not sure how many boats are on site. Tattenhall on the way to Chester has Stephen Harral operating out of there. There are usually a few for sale at Blackwater Meadow Marina at Ellesmere and a little bit further afield you have Norbury Wharf and Harrals old place at Wincham Wharf, Northwich.

 

http://www.swanleybrokerage.com/

http://www.aqueductbrokerage.co.uk/index.php/boats

http://www.midwayboats.co.uk/narrowboats_used.htm

http://www.venetianmarina.co.uk/used-narrowboats/default.aspx

http://www.boatfinderbrokerage.co.uk/

http://www.narrowboatsltd.co.uk/

 

Should keep you busy for a bit.

[camperlove]

You'd be better off looking on Apollo Duck (link below), put a few parameters in like the amount you want to go up to, size of boat and see what it comes up with.

I you want to see a lot of boats in one place and be left alone to look over them you could do worse than Wilton Marina, that will give you some idea of what you should be looking for.

Living alone 30 feet is possible (as you're used to living in a caravan) 45 feet would be comfortable for solo. Solid fuel fire is pretty essential, solar panels too.

I suspect if you googled boat brokers and stuck pins in a map you'd probably find the Northampton/Leicester/Nottingham corridor, round Birmingham and the North West would the big areas. Personally I'd look on line or anywhere that allows unescorted viewings and get a feel for what's out there.

K

 

http://www.whiltonmarina.co.uk/used-narrowboats/

http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/search.phtml?exact=1

 

ETA If you give some idea of what you're looking to pay you may get some boats suggested to you.

Thanks, I never thought about unattended viewing, essential really as you need plenty of time to gat a feel for things.

 

I'm willing to pay up to £65K for something in really good condition.

There is a camp/caravan site at the back of the Cotton Arms at Wrenbuy. http://www.cottonarms.com/

 

From there it is easily driveable to Swanley Brokerage who usually have a good selection, Midway boats at Barbridge who usually have 2 or 3 decent boats there, Aqueduct Marina have a good selection, Venetian (Wilton) at Cholmondeston had a lot of boat shaped rust last time i was there but they may have summat decent when you go plus they just give you the keys so you can have a good old root. Boat Finder Brokers operate out of Overwater at Audlem but not sure how many boats are on site. Tattenhall on the way to Chester has Stephen Harral operating out of there. There are usually a few for sale at Blackwater Meadow Marina at Ellesmere and a little bit further afield you have Norbury Wharf and Harrals old place at Wincham Wharf, Northwich.

 

http://www.swanleybrokerage.com/

http://www.aqueductbrokerage.co.uk/index.php/boats

http://www.midwayboats.co.uk/narrowboats_used.htm

http://www.venetianmarina.co.uk/used-narrowboats/default.aspx

http://www.boatfinderbrokerage.co.uk/

http://www.narrowboatsltd.co.uk/

 

Should keep you busy for a bit.

Thanks, plenty to go at there, I'll make a plan and go to a couple of different locations, need to map it all out.

[ditchcrawler]

I think there is a Caravan Club site at Braunston Marina.

[Alan de Enfield]

 

I'm willing to pay up to £65K for something in really good condition.

 

You can buy BRAND NEW for a fair bit less than that.

Maybe look at secondhand to get an idea of what you want, then commission a new build

[Arthur Brown]

I often say look at 100 boats on the web and decide what you like/tolerate/dislike then go out and look at more boats til you find some that you like a lot.

[Machpoint005]

 

You can buy BRAND NEW for a fair bit less than that.

Maybe look at secondhand to get an idea of what you want, then commission a new build

 

Or buy secondhand then trade up? Only by living on a boat (even temporarily) can you find out what works for you and what doesn't.

[camperlove]

 

You can buy BRAND NEW for a fair bit less than that.

Maybe look at secondhand to get an idea of what you want, then commission a new build

I was hoping that may be possible. After a couple of years of various problems, I just want to be getting on and enjoying myself rather than serious maintenance, though I am capable of doing things myself.

Only problem I could see with that is maybe long build slot?

Anyone have ideas good boat builders?

[Machpoint005]

Perhaps adopt my 'new car' strategy -- buy a 6-month old ex-demonstrator, on which someone else has solved all the teething troubles? Not sure how practical this is with a NB but you get my drift.

[camperlove]

 

Or buy secondhand then trade up? Only by living on a boat (even temporarily) can you find out what works for you and what doesn't.

Been looking on and off for a couple of years and have a good idea what I would like. Seen one very close on Apollo but in my opinion it's a bit pricey but at least I can show someone what I want. (maybe get some comments on why the layout may not work?) In terms of equipment and engine types, I'll need to run that by some experts before buying.

[MtB]

 

You can buy BRAND NEW for a fair bit less than that.

Maybe look at secondhand to get an idea of what you want, then commission a new build

 

 

Why buy new when you can buy second hand and see what you are getting before handing over any money?

 

Buying new is a minefield, and just exchanges the problems of buying second hand for a whole new and different load of issues!

 

MtB

[Southern Star]

Been looking on and off for a couple of years and have a good idea what I would like. Seen one very close on Apollo but in my opinion it's a bit pricey but at least I can show someone what I want. (maybe get some comments on why the layout may not work?) In terms of equipment and engine types, I'll need to run that by some experts before buying.

Well, post a link to a boat you like and I'm sure people will comment.

[Sabcat]

 

 

I'm willing to pay up to £65K for something in really good condition.

 

You can get a superb boat for that money, in fact for a lot less than that money. As has been said, you could buy new but I wouldn't recommend it myself for the reasons that MTB mentions and also you get a lot more for your cash buying a boat a few years old. Go to a few marinas, look at some boats and post links on here, there's plenty of people who'll happily vicariously spend £65k on a boat

[camperlove]

 

 

Why buy new when you can buy second hand and see what you are getting before handing over any money?

 

Buying new is a minefield, and just exchanges the problems of buying second hand for a whole new and different load of issues!

 

MtB

Yes I can relate to that after having other things built and many years of stress to sort out the problems.

Well, post a link to a boat you like and I'm sure people will comment.

Will do, was not sure it was OK to post links

[peterboat]

 

Or buy secondhand then trade up? Only by living on a boat (even temporarily) can you find out what works for you and what doesn't.

I did that and on reflection from a finance point it would have been better to have bought a Dutch Barge from the outset. However I would have missed the 7 months doing a lot of the net and that would have been a big loss.

 

Peter

[nicknorman]

Far better to buy a quality boat that is a few years old, rather than a brand new cheaply (and badly) built boat for the same money.

[Machpoint005]

I did that and on reflection from a finance point it would have been better to have bought a Dutch Barge from the outset. However I would have missed the 7 months doing a lot of the net and that would have been a big loss.

 

Peter

 

And a new boat from the off would mean greater depreciation -- if that is a consideration.

But my point, really, was that only by living on a boat (even if it's just for a week or two of cruising) can you find out what you like and what mithers you.

[Dharl]

to the OP, if looking for campsites suggest looking at ukcampsite.co.uk , has a very good search facility so you can find a suitable campsite with the facilities you need all over the country.

[emlclcy]

Have a quick search on this forum for boat buying tips, including how much below the asking price you can offer

 

I'm new to this game and your statement made me smile 'cos I'm the type to offer the asking price

you've saved me a packet!

carl

[Dekazer]

I'm new to this game and your statement made me smile 'cos I'm the type to offer the asking price

you've saved me a packet!

carl

 

 

I seldom offer the asking price and it's saved me a packet too!