Jump to content

Who maybe buying narrowboats

Strads

By Strads
in General Boating

 Share

Featured Posts

Athy Veteran II

AthyDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted

New and Used here in Mercia are down to just four used boats for sale, never seen their pontoons looking so empty. They'd bite your hand off if you asked them to sell your boat.

This seems to be a trend at the moment - I'm not sure if it's seasonal. I keep tabs on boats for sale at Apollo Duck and, while for a couple of years there have been between 20 and 30 Springers for sale at any one time, last time I looked there were only about eight.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
George94 Experienced

George94

Posted
Posted

This seems to be a trend at the moment - I'm not sure if it's seasonal. I keep tabs on boats for sale at Apollo Duck and, while for a couple of years there have been between 20 and 30 Springers for sale at any one time, last time I looked there were only about eight.

 

Well, that's a good sign. Unless they have all sunk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
George94 Experienced

George94

Posted
Posted (edited)

 

Or been given "section 8s", and been broken up!

 

I hope you are not suggesting that Springer-owners are more prone to being Section Eighted than other people. That would be Springerist, and you are inviting a visit from the thought-police.

 

Not to mention angry Springsters with knuckle-dusters, nailed clubs, and other such weapons typical of that class of people. smile.png

 

ETA: I see Loafer has already fingered you as an undesirable. The thought-police can't be far behind.

Edited by George94
Link to comment
Share on other sites
alan_fincher Veteran II

alan_fincher

Posted
Posted

 

I hope you are not suggesting that Springer-owners are more prone to being Section Eighted than other people. That would be Springerist, and you are inviting a visit from the thought-police.

 

Not to mention angry Springsters with knuckle-dusters, nailed clubs, and other such weapons typical of that class of people. smile.png

Equally I hope you were not suggesting that owners of Springers are more likely to let their boats sink than other boat owners!

 

Equally "Springerist", surely?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
George94 Experienced

George94

Posted
Posted

Equally I hope you were not suggesting that owners of Springers are more likely to let their boats sink than other boat owners!

 

Equally "Springerist", surely?

 

I don't think the owners, poor clods, can do much about it.

 

It's the boats themselves and their sardine can plating.

 

I have the highest regard for Springsters. Brave men (and women) who take their lives in their hands every day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
George94 Experienced

George94

Posted
Posted

Old joke. (Many a true word, etc...)

 

Why is a Springer called a Springer?

 

Coz it's prone to Springer leak.

 

But seriously now, many steel boats are built from much thinner steel than narrowboats. A lighter boat needs a smaller engine, stops more quickly, and uses less fuel. The vee hull should make a Springer handle better, and being less buoyant, it will require less ballast.

 

There nowt wrong wi' a Springer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
___ Veteran

___

Posted
Posted

This seems to be a trend at the moment - I'm not sure if it's seasonal. I keep tabs on boats for sale at Apollo Duck and, while for a couple of years there have been between 20 and 30 Springers for sale at any one time, last time I looked there were only about eight.

I think there is a genuine lack of boats for sale compared to the last couple of years. I had an eye on the market for about 18 months before I was in a position to buy last autumn and it seems a lot of boats that had been on the market for some time have now sold and there isn't so much in their place. I had four 'shortlisted' boats against my requirements - albeit they weren't everyday ones - plus one or two more that were close. Right now I don't think I would have one to look at. Feeling pleased I managed to get one of those four; even if it was the one without a back cabin ☹️. Although in truth it is far better suited to the families requirements than the others.

 

JP

Link to comment
Share on other sites
___ Veteran

___

Posted
Posted

Tyler Wilson are now doing a "Northwhich Trader Replica" (complete with superfluous 'h').

 

So are they copying an R.W. Davis, a Barry Hawkins or an XR&D Northwich Trader?

 

http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=298476

 

That shell has been for sale for a long time.

 

I like the R W Davis Northwich Traders as far as boats that are (or maybe aren't) based on the lines of a particular type of historic boat and feel obliged to apply fake rivets to make the point go. There are a couple near me and I believe there are only about 30 of them in total.

 

JP

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted

That shell has been for sale for a long time.

 

I like the R W Davis Northwich Traders as far as boats that are (or maybe aren't) based on the lines of a particular type of historic boat and feel obliged to apply fake rivets to make the point go. There are a couple near me and I believe there are only about 30 of them in total.

 

JP

 

 

So do I, they are very handsome boats. The only thing I find wrong is their pretension to be a copy of something which never existed.

 

I'd far rather own one than say a Hudson, were I in the market for a well engineered modern boat.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Loafer Veteran

Loafer

Posted
Posted

 

 

So do I, they are very handsome boats. The only thing I find wrong is their pretension to be a copy of something which never existed.

 

I'd far rather own one than say a Hudson, were I in the market for a well engineered modern boat.

 

Even I can agree that Davis' boats are prettier than Hudson's. I just couldn't afford one, but could afford a Hudson. I'll probably always have a Hudson now, more than likely the one I have!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
David Schweizer Veteran II

David Schweizer

Posted
Posted (edited)

So is David Schweizer's boat still for sale if there is this desperate shortage of boats? I'm happy to see such a shortage as when we sell our boat I just know it will be snapped up and we'll even make a profit!

 

Yes it is. Had a few viewings, but no takers. Link here:- http://rugbyboats.co.uk/listings/helvetia-52ft-narrowboat-for-sale/

Edited by David Schweizer
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Emerald Fox Rising Star

Emerald Fox

Posted
Posted

I remain very surprised...

 

Me too, about DS's boat.

 

Also surprised I got my phone to work with camera - a Youtube video showed me the way, as Olympus's instructions are somewhat vague. Thanks for that! So now I have a remote control 'cable' for my camera. There is a delay, it's not as quick as the old cable release, but I'll learn to judge the moment. The idea is that when the camera is on the tripod I can fire it without touching it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.