How to get a boat for 12 weeks?

[RevCedd]

This is a bit of a strange one, and I am donning my flame-proof suit just in case...

 

I am a Vicar in the Church of England and in 2018 (so this is still early days) I am hoping to take a 12 week sabbatical on the canal system, partially to enjoy a sabbatical from parish ministry but also partially to study the subject of 'Spirituality on the Waterways', looking at both Christian and non-Christian spiritualities and ministries which exist.

 

However I am starting the process of trying to find a cost-effective way to get onto the water for this length of time. An ordinary hire would be stupidly expensive so I am trying to 'crowd source' any ideas or leads that this community might have. Obviously I don't expect to do this for free but am looking for something cheaper than the regular hire companies.

 

Any ideas?

 

 

[spadefoot]

Have faith.

[RLWP]

Have faith.

 

Who are you - George Michael?

 

Richard

[Robbo]

 

Any ideas?

 

 

 

http://www.etrr.co.uk/

[Lizzy]

Maybe have a look here? http://www.etrr.co.uk/

[RevCedd]

Thanks both Robbo and Lizzy - that is a really helpful link!

[mayalld]

This is a bit of a strange one, and I am donning my flame-proof suit just in case...

 

I am a Vicar in the Church of England and in 2018 (so this is still early days) I am hoping to take a 12 week sabbatical on the canal system, partially to enjoy a sabbatical from parish ministry but also partially to study the subject of 'Spirituality on the Waterways', looking at both Christian and non-Christian spiritualities and ministries which exist.

 

However I am starting the process of trying to find a cost-effective way to get onto the water for this length of time. An ordinary hire would be stupidly expensive so I am trying to 'crowd source' any ideas or leads that this community might have. Obviously I don't expect to do this for free but am looking for something cheaper than the regular hire companies.

 

Any ideas?

 

 

 

Well, that will make five boating vicars that I know of, perhaps you could speak to one of the others for advice.

 

As I recall;

 

Rev Martin Reed - left parish ministry and set up a pair of hotel boats. He gained something of a reputation for a distinctly non-clerical manner around the system, and eventually left the canals. He then had a somewhat "difficult" return to part time ministry, and I believe he died in 2014.

 

Rev Ian Cardinal - long term canal enthusiast, and I believe still Rector of Stone

 

Rev David Long - another long term canal enthusiast. Active in canal restoration, and instrumental in setting up the first canal newsgroups. Retired from his parish near Wigan in 2012

 

Name escapes me - retired vicar who lived aboard moored at New Mills. I think the boat was called the "Samuel Kenneth" he moved away a few years ago (by boat). He did a couple of services at our church, so could probably find him in the service register..,

 

 

The Boaters Christian Fellowship can probably point you at some useful contacts.

[RevCedd]

Thanks Dave,

 

that is helpful.

 

yes, I had heard some stories about Martin Reed too!

 

I shall be joining BCF shortly.

 

Many thanks

 

Paul

[Sir Percy]

Contact CRT - re Waterways Chaplaincy(?)

[Mike Todd]

Don't assume that a hire company will be prohibitive. Yes, not cheap, but try some and ask for a special long term rate. Since they do not have to service the turnaround they may well offer something interesting. We found that a few years back when we wanted 6 weeks.

[Paul C]

There's pragmatically 2 options:

 

1. Hire, and accept the hire fee (obviously try for a significant discount)

2. Buy a secondhand, then sell it

 

2 has the issue that you may not be able to determine the purchase date (and sale date), there's all sorts of things that can happen during the sale process which delays things - for example a survey which reveals significant faults. Also, selling after 3 months is going to look suspicious. You don't say WHEN the 12 week period needs to be, I wonder if you can do it during the winter (significantly cheaper hire cost) or be more flexible on that time period?

[Martin Megson]

I assume your familiar with the Boater's Christian Fellowship - link below if not.
Perhaps one of their members could help.

 

http://www.boaterschristianfellowship.org.uk/welcome.htm

Edited June 8, 2016 by Martin Megson

[Peter-Bullfinch]

Boaters Christian Fellowship has a member north of Rugely at a place called The Taft. You can moor there if you are a BCF member I believe. The BCF also publishes a magazine and they are a welcoming bunch.

 

How about contacting other boating clergy via Church Times. For example the previous Bishop of Burnley has a boat I think based in Tarleton, he might be able to advise.

[magictime]

Maybe some of the floating ministries that are out there could find room on board for you for a few days or weeks? Apart from anything, if you're wanting to learn about ministries that are spread far and wide around the system, you could easily find you spend an awful lot more time cruising between them than talking to those involved.

 

Also, you might want to consider whether being 'on the canal system' for 12 weeks necessarily means being on a boat for 12 weeks. There's always the option of spending some of your time walking along the towpaths, stopping off at B&Bs, campsites etc. along the way.

 

Oh, and can I have your flame-proof suit when you've finished with it? I'm a bit concerned that all this cosy talk from the modern-day C of E about "personal annihilation" might be wrong, and if there is a lake of fire awaiting me...

[Horace42]

Any ideas?

 

 

A lot depends on how much freedom you want, Stop and start and go where you like - or restricted - one option to to look at being a crew member of a 'commercial' boat - like a hotel boat.- it won't cost anything - they pay you!

 

My own gut feeling is a routine hire boat company is the best bet. Quite often they sell off their 'old' boats at the end of the season and they could hire you one of these prior to final sale - you could even 'deliver' it. for them. It is just luck - but you might find one interested enough.

 

Buying and seling is a bit 'iffy' - it is not just the mechanics of the sale but the associated problems of home mooring to contend with. But it has it's merits. That is what we did. We liked narrowboat cruising and we hired boats for this purpose.

 

We though a boat of our own would be nice - but owning a boat it a totally different experience than hiring a boat. So we bought an ex-hire boat (cheapish) to see how we got on with it for a season - with the idea of cutting our losses by selling it cheaply if we didn't like it. The net result being a lot less costly than hiring a boat for the same period.

We did like it! - we kept it. Not bad, considering we bought it in 1987.

 

PS: Whether the total cost of ownership is less than the total cost of hire - hour-by-hour for the same time spent actual cruising is a moot point.

[Dharl]

Dear Paul,

 

if not already done so I would contact the BCF http://www.boaterschristianfellowship.org.uk/welcome.htm who maybe able to advise and help, particular about seasonal Pastors. As others have mentioned it will be also worth talking to the Hire Boat companies about a good rate for a 12 week hire. I am sure that one of the big ones will be willing to help, especially if it will be in the "off-season"

 

kindest

 

David

[tizzy]

Hi last year we met a bloke who was from NZ or was it OZ anyway he had a boat on long term hire for 3 months or so from a specialist company but I am dammed if I can remember the name ! But you could probably google it as "long term boat hire"

Hope this helps

 

Liz

[andyb116]

RevCedd, I would suggest you contact Chas Hardern (hire boat company on the shroppie at Beeston) I know he frequently does three month hires.

[David Mack]

Hiring for 12 weeks is too expensive, buying and selling too uncertain. What you really want is someone to 'lend' you a boat for the period. There are so many boats sat in marinas that never move for months on end - you just need to find the right owner. Unfortunately its not strictly legit unless any money which changes hands is strictly for costs actually incurred by the owner. Otherwise it amounts to hiring which will invalidate a standard pleasure licence and the boat's insurance.

[RevCedd]

Thank you all for so many good ideas and comments - that is really helpful and has given me a few pointers that I hadn't considered.

 

Thank you all!

[mark99]

There are privateers who who hire long term. Not much help as I cant id them but met a couple of bucket listers who had aquired long term hire. Small ads in trade press?

[Peter-Bullfinch]

Canal Ministries have a Web site and they might be able to advise.

[Dharl]

Hi last year we met a bloke who was from NZ or was it OZ anyway he had a boat on long term hire for 3 months or so from a specialist company but I am dammed if I can remember the name ! But you could probably google it as "long term boat hire"

Hope this helps

 

Liz

 

"Escape the Rat Race" I think is one that was discussed on this forum in the past, might be better than hiring from ABC or AW

 

http://www.etrr.co.uk/

[Pluto]

Check out Wendy Freer's books on canal people and canal missions, which do provide useful historical information. You can also download her 1991 doctorate thesis on canal people from Nottingham University.

[Richard Fairhurst]

Canal Cruising at Stone do long-term hire, and I think I've heard of people hiring for extended periods from Alvechurch too.