BUILD UPDATE

Today Sue and I paid a visit to view our baby taking shape. On a very cold december morning we travelled to Berkhamptead via the Hemel trading estate, site of the recent oil depot fire. This route was taken owing to jct 8 being closed on the M1. The extent of the blast was very much evident even on the outside edge of the estate that traffic was restricted to.
Well as you can see in the pics we now have kitchen worktops with hole cut for sink and doors on units and drawers fitted. The bathroom is tiled, sink and vac flush loo installed. The small bath also acts as shower tray. In the sleeping area at the stern we have w`robe door fitted and drawers fitted. Just a door to be fitted on the storage unit between the bed & w`robe. The 3kw sterling inverter lives behind the rear steps and is working fine. When we arrived Phil our builder was in the process of installing the Mikuni diesel boiler for the central heating.
At the bow end the corner unit and bookshelves are in and on the starboard side the plinth for the s/fuel stove is fitted and the tiles chosen by us are ready to fix. The plinth below stove has been made big enough to allow a slim door that will give access to storage for coal. Saves going out in cold to often. Pinched this idea from someones build site so full credit to whoever you are.Will post pics as soon as the stove is installed.

UPDATE

Well, as promised, an update on how we have suddenly got a boat under construction, but first I have completed the sale of my house and am no longer a home owner - HOORAY!!!!!!
As in previous blogs you will have read about boat show visits and my thoughts on part-fitted boats. Around mid-September Sue and I decided to view a fully fitted Anderton boat at Iver, which turned out to be a great disappointment in quality of fit-out.We had also arranged to view a 58' semi-trad that we'd seen advertised in a boat mag lying at Berkhamstead on the same day. The difference in quality struck us immediately on entering the boat. The builder is a young man who builds 3-4 boats per year and the one we viewed was recently completed and he was just starting to fit out the next shell to a different spec. At this time we were not in a position to leave a deposit or make any firm commitment to purchase as the house sale was not close enough to completion to risk the outlay. However, we knew that this was the builder and quality we were looking for - just loved the boat. We decided not to blog as we didn't want to give away too much info that may have attracted other buyers! After about 5 weeks had passed curiosity got the better of us and phoned to discover the finished boat had been sold and someone had also expressed interest in the current build. 2 days later we spent 4 hours of discussion with the builder on site, paid a holding deposit and decided on some mods to suit us which he was happy to accomodate. We have now paid the 10% deposit and will settle the balance on hand over in late January. So after all the head scratching regarding part-fit, 2nd hand etc we are now having a boat built to our spec and are so delighted with this choice. We will update with photos of stage progress as Les still works in London and passes close by the yard on his way home.
Sue gets the 1st viewer of the bungalow tomorrow, so that part of the scheme starts to take shape, and there is further interest being shown by other potential viewers.

WOW!!!!

The pictures show the galley beginning to take shape and the micro-wave housing and also the bed base with 3 under bed compartments the nearest housing the waste tank for the vacu- flush loo and the other 2 will be sliding drawers on runners. Also can be seen shelving and wardrobe in bedroom. Doors will be added later.
A full story of how things have developed to this stage will be blogged in the next few days, as i am sure some people following the blog might be confused.

SHELVING & WARDROBE IN BEDROOM

THE GALLEY TAKES SHAPE

A NARROWBOAT IS BORN

OUR 58` SEMI-TRAD IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. MORE DETAILS AND PHOTO`S TO FOLLOW SOON.

SUE

Since early on this year i have been lucky to have

had a wonderful freindship with a lady named sue

(NO VIC NOT YOUR SUE) and whilst combing

boatyards, visiting shows and just generally

enjoying the canal scene we have become very

close. So much so that Sue has put her bungalow

on the market and we are going to live afloat

together and enjoy life as a couple. I am without

doubt happier than i have been for many years.


Anyway while out and about we came across a chap who fits out 3 boats per year and had just finished one(pic on right) He has just started a new boat with a slightly different layout. The boats are Semi-Trad 58` s/steel tank, w/machine, microwave 712ah domestic battery bank oak floor throughout in fact just what we both are looking for. Will reveal more on next blog and as my solicitors are just about to exchange contracts on the houes everything is looking great.

PRESTON BROOK-WHAT TO BUY

Have just re-turned from a visit to Preston Brook show and am now in an even more confused state of mind. I went for the purpose of viewing the part fitted Liverpool Boats. This has the kitchen & bathroom fitted and working and with extras fitted ie diesel c/heating and an inverter works out about 42k. This would leave me to fit bed box, wardrobe, tv unit in saloon, box in caloriefer, light fittings (wiring tails in place), horn, h`light and flooring throughout plus any other bits i have missed. Now the price of fully fitted on this boat inc my extras comes to about 51k. A difference of 10k. I have no doubt i can fit from the part fit supplied for less than 10k, so am now thinking this over. But at the show i came across Calder Valley dragonfly and was quoted about 52/53k for my spec ie same as L`pool boat fully fitted. The thing is the Calder boat was in my opinion far better quality fit out than the L`pool boat. So now do i go l`pool and save some cash or calder and not worry about fitting out. Or keep looking for a decent used boat although what i have seen so far for 40-45k are not very good considering the difference in price compared to new, also bearing in mind with new i would not have the worry of something going wrong soon after purchase as i would s/hand. Oh well just have to chat some of you boaters on my towpath visits and get some views.

USED---NEW---or PART-FIT

While waiting for the legal people to dot the i`s and cross the t`s to complete my house sale(only 3 in the chain) i paid a w`end visit to Whilton Marina in Northants. As i went fom jetty to jetty, boat to boat not enjoying the experience as nothing took my fancy a sailaway caught my eye. This was lined with c/heating,wiring and plumbing fitted and painted. This set me thinking would this be the way to go as i am not at all worried about fitting out my-self. Anyway further web searching brought up Liverpool Boats are producing a part fitted narrowboat wich has the kitchen and bathroom ready to use. So now i am doing my homework re pricing up all sorts of things to see if this could be an option for me. First figures--early days yet-- show i could start life on the water with a brand new boat at a far reduced price in fact the same price as the used boats i viewed at Whilton. I will report my final figures soon.

Bedford NO PROBLEM

Recently met up with Sue & Vic on N.B. NO PROBLEM at Bedford(link to blog on left) Had a very nice chat for an hour or so, although it only seemed like 5mins as they were such good company. Many thanks to you both And to lucy for allowing me to board.
Have ordered all available first mate guides sue. The guides can be found at WWW.CANALMATE.CO.UK for anyone like myself ignorant of the mountains of information out there.
The house saga drags on. I am the top of the chain and am sorted, but the bottom end is dragging it`s feet so patience is the name of the game.
Anyone who has not read the NO PROBLEM blog please use the link you won`t regret it. It gave me the inspiration to start my blog.

HOUSE SOLD

After 3 months on the market have had an offer VERY close to asking price and have accepted.
Also have arranged to look at a boat at LEE NARROWBOATS that is arriving from Morroco next month. Have not decided on a builder yet but thought it might be interesting to see this boat if only to see what is available in all price ranges. Have also been looking at 2yr old boats so i am not sure what way to go at the moment but i suppose you must taste all the sweets before you decide your favourite. Anyway i feel like i am cruising through Blisworth tunnel and the light at the end is getting brighter.
I hope all boaters reading my blog are safe and well see you all soon.

READY TO BOARD G`DAD 

ASSEMBLING THE CREW

I am proud to announce the arrival of a potential crew member. Needs to grow fast so he can operate locks etc. Weighed in at 8Ib 8oz

NO COAL NEEDED FOR THIS ONE 

GOOD OLD STEAM POWER 

FUNKY PEOPLE ALSO WASH UP 

STILL FUNKY---SEE THE WINEGLASSES! 

FUNKY FISH BY BIG FISH Co 

THIS WAS ART DECCO ALL THROUGH THE BOAT 

MAYOR KEN WOULD EARN A FEW BOB IF THE ZONE STRETCHED THIS FAR OUT OF LONDON