Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
11:54 pm
Monday,4 March, 2013
Offline
The last few days have been “difficult”. Why? I like to be in control and I am not fully 
I believe this is because the boat I saw on the net was in a marina in the Fens, not the Midlands canals. Or perhaps it’s like this everywhere on the inland waterways – something I expect to learn quite soon!!
So this is the last five days :
The point is that the boat is in a marina that does not have the facility to pull a 57ft steel narrowboat out of the water for a survey. So it has to be moved to one where they can crane it out. So, the first problem is getting the boat moved in the timescale required. And the timescale is determined by other factors.
The broker’s first response was “it will take two weeks to move the boat”. Obviously I can’t move it as it is not mine so the broker proposes to do it at a cost of £200. No option there!
Then the other marina tells me that they only crane out in the mornings. For a survey it is pulled out and left in the slings whilst the surveyor checks the hull and then it goes back in the water, all for £410. No option there!
I ring around surveyors. Each one is very helpful. Interesting range of charges, especially as I want BSS at the same time. The one I would like to do the survey is only available for the next week or so and then he is off on his boat on an extended cruise (at least 6 weeks). But he can fit me in on his last day, probably – if the boat is out of the water.
The marina say they can crane out on that day, but if it goes straight back in and then comes out again for the blacking that’s another £410 for the second lift. Would be nice to have the boat on hardstanding for the survey and once sale completed get the blacking done. Save £410 
Nope, fully booked for blacking until the end of July! Plead, beg 
They will see what they can do. They eventually come back and say OK but will take two weeks as they will do it alongside other work (whatever that means). So that’s another £680.
But it looks like it’s coming together successfully. 
Except the broker still can’t tell me when they can move the boat 
Quiet lull of a few hours.
Marina calls and informs me that they are unable to crane out on the required day. Arghh! They can do it the day after though.
Try to talk to surveyor who can not be contacted. Meanwhile broker calls and tells me that the current owner will move the boat to the other marina in time for the survey. Lovely – saves that £200!
Time passes. I start talking to other surveyors again to see if someone can do the revised date. My second choice can. Hurrah! Provisional booking.
Original surveyor returns my calls and when I explain the situation confirms that he will do the survey on the new date even though it is after the last date he said he was available. That gives him just one day before he goes on holiday to get the full report completed and sent to me! He says he will do it. Things are looking up. Another £540.
Finally I hear that the owner has offered to give me a trip on the boat on its way to the lift out. Call and chat and he agrees to show me the specifics of the boat and answer my daft questions on the day.
So finally it has all come together – if it all goes well! Still have the possibility of too much rain in the next few days preventing navigation on the river so the boat doesn’t get there in time! And I have to be prepared for anything coming out of the survey and BSS. Total so far £1,630 (plus the cost of the boat).
But if it all goes well the boat will be mine in 10 days. Counting…………..
Cheers,
John
nine9feet
NB Samsara
2:13 am
Friday,19 February, 2010
Offline
Hi John,
What an interesting post! Working around delays and the very laid back attitude towards scheduling work that many boatyards adopt is all part and parcel of life on the cut I’m afraid. It hasn’t reduced you to a gibbering wreck yet, so you’re doing well.
Have you thought about starting your own blog to document your journey towards narrowboat ownership and beyond? Let me know if you’re interested so that I can set you up with your own blog section on the site.
Click here to get a FREE copy of “Living On A Narrowboat:101 Essential Narrowboat Articles”
10:54 pm
Monday,4 March, 2013
Offline
Today was survey day.
Nearly scuppered by the weather as it rained hard mid week and the river was flooded and navigation impossible. Luckily the owner already had taken the boat to the marina where the survey was to take place. And Friday he invited me to go over the boat with him and show me everything he could. That was interesting. I know how he organised and operated the boat and why. It’s a sensible starting point for me.
The boat was craned out 8am this morning and survey started 8.30 (so I am told – I was not there 
).
I arrived a few hours later as the survey had just been completed. Surveyor went over his findings with me – written report to follow. Couple of comments about improvements I should think about making but not actually necessary for BSS so could wait a while. Other than that a lot of positives. The hull is in very good condition and he was surprised the paintwork is still the original of six years ago. When I told him the price I was about to pay he said he thought I had a bargain!
So sale agreed. Broker and owner informed. Next is paperwork and financial transaction resulting in Bill Of Sale and she’s mine!
Interestingly when I arrived at the boat the hull was being pressure washed ready for the cleaning off prior to blacking. The marina did not seem concerned that the boat was not yet mine but they had talked to the surveyor and were confident it would all go ahead. Apparently it is easier to clean off if done as soon possible after the boat is taken out of the water.
Actually the marina is being very helpful including giving me free mooring for a week so I can heave all my stuff on board before sailing off, probably at the end of the month.
So I’m happy and there is a lot to look forward to. Can’t wait!
Cheers,
John
nine9feet
NB Samsara
11:13 pm
Tuesday,30 April, 2013
Offline
Congratulations John,
been a bot of a busy time for you (and stressful too by the sound of it) but it all starts now. I hope you enjoy your boat and the water.
Kim
There is nothing in the world as precious as the gift of life itself.
11:44 pm
Monday,4 March, 2013
Offline
deckhand said
Congratulations John,
been a bot of a busy time for you (and stressful too by the sound of it) but it all starts now. I hope you enjoy your boat and the water.
Kim
Thanks Kim
Cheers,
John
nine9feet
NB Samsara
12:00 am
Saturday,1 June, 2013
Offline
Really pleased for you,
I look forward to reading about all your exploits in your new life afloat
12:53 am
Tuesday,30 April, 2013
Offline
I would love to hear how you progress now, having gone through this first stage. Your first days, what you come across, good or bad, the challenges, the highs and lows. We are buying a new boat so wont be on the water until October, and we are clearly imagining those first few days. How about a blog? I would read it and I know there are others that would too,
Hope you can find time to tell us how you get on,
Kim
There is nothing in the world as precious as the gift of life itself.
5:32 am
Tuesday,18 September, 2012
Offline
Great news, John. What are your plans?
Retired; Somerset/Dorset border when not out and about on Lucy Lowther
Days without name and hours without number
http://thelovelylisanarrowboat.blogspot.co.uk
7:27 am
Friday,19 February, 2010
Offline
Well done John. It’s great to see a plan come together.
Click here to get a FREE copy of “Living On A Narrowboat:101 Essential Narrowboat Articles”
9:22 am
Wednesday,5 December, 2012
Offline
John, Glad things are going well, where are you going to first?
9:56 pm
Monday,4 March, 2013
Offline
SteveM said
Really pleased for you,I look forward to reading about all your exploits in your new life afloat
Thanks Steve. Don’t know if I’m up to writing an interesting blog. I’ll have to think about that. It will be two or three weeks before I set off so decision not urgent!
deckhand said
I would love to hear how you progress now, having gone through this first stage. Your first days, what you come across, good or bad, the challenges, the highs and lows. We are buying a new boat so wont be on the water until October, and we are clearly imagining those first few days. How about a blog? I would read it and I know there are others that would too,Hope you can find time to tell us how you get on,
Kim
Oo’er! Another request! Starting to feel under pressure here!
Alan said
Great news, John. What are your plans?
Funny you should ask that, Alan. I have been asking the same myself. Before this step into a new life I was a project manager of many years so well used to planning. This doesn’t seem the same at all! So I will go where I go. I will explore the Ouse, Middle Level and Nene for a while before making my way onto the canals via Northampton. But I have no idea how long that will take and I don’t care!!
Paul Smith said
Well done John. It’s great to see a plan come together.
Paul, I would be lying if I tried to make out this was all due to my meticulous planning. It’s mostly down to luck – something I needed a lot more of when I was a Project Manager!
GM said
John, Glad things are going well, where are you going to first?
A riverside pub?
Cheers,
John
nine9feet
NB Samsara
7:54 am
Saturday,1 June, 2013
Offline
John
There is only one thing better than hearing about the exploits of somebody who has taken the plunge (metaphorically speaking, although not saying we would not laugh a bit if you tell us about being “afloat without yer boat” ) and that’s doing oneself.
Your new journey is a wonderful encouragement to me and every other person waiting to take the same step.
Jealous: never, Envious: just a little Happy for you : Over the moon, that’s what boating and the canals does for me and I am sure many others.
Regards
Steve
7:58 am
Friday,19 February, 2010
Offline
There you go John, an overwhelming thumbs up for you starting a blog. And you know you can have space on this site to do it. You write well and what you write is interesting so why not? Let me know if you want to give it a go.
Click here to get a FREE copy of “Living On A Narrowboat:101 Essential Narrowboat Articles”
5:20 pm
Monday,4 March, 2013
Offline
Update:
Collected Bill of Sale and keys to the boat this afternoon, plus existing BSS Certificate. Insurance sorted.
Off out tonight for a meal with “family” to celebrate!
Perhaps I should mention that the boat is a 57ft Piper shell with a fitout by Martyn Ross in 2007. Named “Samsara”. If you Google it you will find lots of differing explanations but generally it’s about moving from one state or place to another and rebirth and reincarnation, etc. Sounds about right for me
Tomorrow I have to go to the boat and see the marina engineering people to specify some jobs I want doing before the boat goes back in the water after the blacking has been completed (hopefully by early next week).
Then I have to start packing stuff I am taking. I know there is still too much so yet another round of downsizing will be required. Already done that a couple of times so obviously I am not ruthless enough!! Amazing what you can collect in a lifetime
Cheers,
John
nie9feet
NB Samsara
5:29 pm
Tuesday,30 April, 2013
Offline
Great John, things moving along for you, so exciting. I understand the clearing out what to take. My hubby and I have cleared out our wardrobes 3 times already and still we think we need to do it again lol. You start to realise just how much stuff you collect over years that really you don’t need. Cant be a hoarder on a boat 
)
regards
Kim
There is nothing in the world as precious as the gift of life itself.
6:29 pm
Tuesday,18 September, 2012
Offline
Congrats John. Expect you cannot wait to get going. How long are the works going to take?
Retired; Somerset/Dorset border when not out and about on Lucy Lowther
Days without name and hours without number
http://thelovelylisanarrowboat.blogspot.co.uk
12:25 am
Monday,4 March, 2013
Offline
Alan said
Congrats John. Expect you cannot wait to get going. How long are the works going to take?
Alan, that’s like asking “how long is a piece of string?”.
The boat was on hard standing for two weeks while the blacking was done along with some minor (but costly!) works.
Back in the water on a Saturday morning and I went along to watch and record. Unfortunately I forgot to take a memory card with me so didn’t record anything in the end 
I have spent the last few days transporting boxes of stuff to the boat.
I appreciate some might think me insane but I have a collection of books and magazines that I want on the boat. I have collected Waterways World since the first issue in 1972 so that is almost 500 issues of the magazine! I also have over 250 books and other items on canals – maps and guides (some quite old!), canal historys, pamphlets, photo collections, etc. I have installed some temporary cheapo bookcases which will have to do until I find the time to make some decent built in furniture. I have not taken all my books as I do not have the room so quite a few non waterway related ones have had to go .
I have a few more days to get everything on board and then I should be off at the start of my new life next Saturday!
Cheers,
John
nine9feet
NB Samsara
10:46 am
Friday,19 February, 2010
Offline
I love my books too, but they just had to go. I have loads of storage space on James but books just take up too much of it. I have a couple of book cases at the front of the boat. All I have there is about 30 reference books. Everything else is now on my Kindle. Much as I love the feel of a good book (or a bad one for that matter), the convenience of having all my books on a device the size of a slim paperback is just unbeatable.
Click here to get a FREE copy of “Living On A Narrowboat:101 Essential Narrowboat Articles”
3:13 pm
Thursday,12 January, 2012
Offline
When we decided to move on board, I went through all my books and put coloured stickers on to identify the ones I REALLY wanted to keep and a different colour for those that I might want to keep. Anyone who visited wasn’t let back out of the house unless they took at least one book away with them. I gave a lot of my railway books to the Watercress Line to sell ans a lot of my canal books to the Southampton Canal Society. There were still some books in the first category that I didn’t have room for so these were stored in my sons loft. Now, after 6 years, I think it is time to rationalise a bit more so many of those books will be going to the BCNS to sell – because we are in Birmingham.
As for the rest of the stuff, the household appliances were used a bargaining tool to get the best price for the house, the new owner being a first time purchaser, family took quite a bit of furniture, and for the rest we first tried eBay, then Freecycle and then the tip.
Having said all that, we are thinking of having a radiator removed to have extra book shelves!
Regards
Pete
Living retirement in the slow lane.
20 years hiring, 6 years of shared ownership and a Continuous Cruiser since 2007 but still learning!
Most Users Ever Online: 298
Currently Online:
2 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
pearley: 968
Alan: 637
GM: 462
deckhand: 296
richardhula: 292
Paul B: 183
Johny London: 142
martincowin: 120
MikeEaves: 116
Our Nige: 110
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 71
Members: 15870
Moderators: 0
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 10
Topics: 1461
Posts: 9028
Newest Members:
SandyLochrie, lakeisharawson8, Stuart_2, StuartWeeks, MichelleBreeze, miquelbullard, archiemcdonald, DavidStone, DeanCowell, eccAdministrators: Paul Smith: 1797
