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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2017 21:18:34 GMT
So life has kicked me where it hurts again so my plans may need to change.
Rough idea is that I'll have about 20k for the boat (plus enough money to survive 6 months plus a contingency of 10k) - enough for a new start to life.
I've not looked at this sort of budget before so starting from scratch - any suggestions on what to start looking for? I'm more thinking of a GRP boat at this budget. Needs to last 3 to 5 years in reasonable comfort for 1 person and a dog without becoming too much of a project.
PS. The posting is in the new to boating section so go easy with the replies...
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Post by lollygagger on Oct 23, 2017 21:23:29 GMT
Spend the contingency fund on the boat, cross your fingers and DIY. 20k boats are a bit shit, 30k boats are much better, you can catch up later. I wouldn't consider living on a grp boat, they simply are not made for it and people I know on them spend way more day to day - heating in particular. Look at 30 year old narrowboats, some are peachy, as good as new. Mine is and not much more than your budget inc contingency.
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Post by phil70 on Oct 23, 2017 23:26:17 GMT
Spend the contingency fund on the boat, cross your fingers and DIY. 20k boats are a bit shit, 30k boats are much better, you can catch up later. I wouldn't consider living on a grp boat, they simply are not made for it and people I know on them spend way more day to day - heating in particular. Look at 30 year old narrowboats, some are peachy, as good as new. Mine is and not much more than your budget inc contingency. Absolute rubbish, Chrissy and I lived very comfortably on a GRP cruiser for 10 years, at the end of the day a boat's a boat. Phil
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Post by kris on Oct 24, 2017 5:57:43 GMT
Just keep looking, I have friends who have bought a really good narrowboat 60ft for just over 20,000.but it won't come from a broker. In fact one friend recently bought a good 34ft narrowboat for 12,500. Hull sound and a good engine. The interior is ok but needs a little bit of moving around to make it a livaboard. So don't loose heart just keep looking and asking people. The cheapest boats tend to come through word of mouth. I don't see how having 30,000 to spend on a boat is life kicking you, but I suppose it's all a matter of perspective.
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Post by patty on Oct 24, 2017 6:30:50 GMT
Good luck in your search, I hope you find the right boat.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2017 7:04:00 GMT
...I don't see how having 30,000 to spend on a boat is life kicking you, but I suppose it's all a matter of perspective. Thanks for this. Sometimes I do need a reminder that despite my woes I am still in a better financial position than many people.
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Post by kris on Oct 24, 2017 7:07:34 GMT
...I don't see how having 30,000 to spend on a boat is life kicking you, but I suppose it's all a matter of perspective. Thanks for this. Sometimes I do need a reminder that despite my woes I am still in a better financial position than many people. its okay, we all need reminding now and again. You will find a good boat with the money you have. Now just keep looking and talking to people on boats. Go to boatyards infact anywhere there are boats and ask.
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Post by Delta9 on Oct 24, 2017 7:24:05 GMT
You can get a decent steel boat for £20k if you keep it shorter than 35ft, which is plenty for one person to live in. You can get a pretty nice GRP for that sort of money.
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Post by JohnV on Oct 24, 2017 7:43:47 GMT
You should be able to get a fairly decent ex hire Broads cruiser for that kind of money although it would possibly require some modifications in the heating/insulation to make a comfortable liveaboard (two people with far more experience that spring to mind, are Peterboat and Phil70 ) Good buys turn up in the oddest places, I know of salty water boatyards where there are inland waterways craft sitting forlorn and unloved. When you go out looking, don't restrict your viewing to one type, be it sewer tube or yoghurt pot. A lot will also depend on where your practical experience lies, With steel and a limited budget, welding equipment and the ability to stick things together is an advantage. GRP requires skills but a less expensive tool kit, It all hinges on what you have and any experience that you have. (There are also a couple of people on here I would class as experts who, I'm sure, would be happy to let you pick their brains) The best buys are often a type you had never considered before but unless you are a seriously disturbed masochist, stay away from wood Good hunting !!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2017 7:46:43 GMT
Who the hell chose the gel pigment for the heads?! Other than that looks quite nice. 300 hp worth of Frank Perkins finest British engines. Lovely stuff
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Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 24, 2017 8:08:51 GMT
Mine was just a scrape over £23,000 and works almost perfectly as a liveaboard. Has a sound hull, good mechanicals etc. Boats in that budget are out there.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2017 11:37:22 GMT
Where do you want to use the boat?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2017 12:19:21 GMT
Where do you want to use the boat? Inland waterways, preferably canal to start with. Would prefer a narrowbeam but now willing to consider other options as long as there is the potential for going for a cruise/changing location of mooring. I should add that I'm not actively looking, just trying to keep a dream alive - house sale has fallen apart so have to start again with expectation of less money than I had hoped for and was looking for a bit of reassurance that I wasn't being a complete idiot considering my reduced budget.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2017 12:32:43 GMT
Spend the contingency fund on the boat, cross your fingers and DIY. 20k boats are a bit shit, 30k boats are much better, you can catch up later. I wouldn't consider living on a grp boat, they simply are not made for it and people I know on them spend way more day to day - heating in particular. Look at 30 year old narrowboats, some are peachy, as good as new. Mine is and not much more than your budget inc contingency. Absolute rubbish, Chrissy and I lived very comfortably on a GRP cruiser for 10 years, at the end of the day a boat's a boat. Phil What boat was that? I think lollygagger made a very valid point about heating. "A boat is a boat" is a bit simplistic. More detail needed
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2017 12:43:22 GMT
Where do you want to use the boat? Inland waterways, preferably canal to start with. Would prefer a narrowbeam but now willing to consider other options as long as there is the potential for going for a cruise/changing location of mooring. I should add that I'm not actively looking, just trying to keep a dream alive - house sale has fallen apart so have to start again with expectation of less money than I had hoped for and was looking for a bit of reassurance that I wasn't being a complete idiot considering my reduced budget. If you intend to live on it 24/365 then I'd suggest looking for a 50ft narrow boat. It rather depends on your degree of "caveman mentality" lots of people live on much smaller boats. I lived on a 55ft narrow boat just me and the dog for 12 years without ever having mains electric and mostly cruising. It was comfortable. Before that I had a 32 foot nb which was too small tbh. I think if you are minimalist and a cave man then 40ft nb could be comfortable but its very small for full time living (I mean spending the whole winter on it with no mains electric and nowhere else to live). Given your 3-5 year plan 40ft may well be OK but I'd want longer for long term fulltime liveaboard narrow boat. Imo
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