Tristesse

I'm not too bad with spiders....its daddy long legs with me ugh. I'm sure they take aim and then dive bomb!!!

One step nearer......found a house I like, my house is on the market!!

Before I read this I wasn't sure but I think cruiser stern for me. I couldn't possibly heave two Dobermanns on to the roof

Just a thought from someone who hasn't a clue and is boatless but have two dogs. Would a cruiser be better as the dogs will join you ?

Well I suppose, that takes me back to my original post of buying from a Brokers (??)....Whilton, Apolloduck, Rugby etc or as mentioned on another post 'up north'. By the time I'm ready, I'd like a 40ish footer. Cruiser or semi but not essential. Not live-aboard but longish trips when I'm confident. Having said that I may throw caution to the wind and just set off as Max has done . Budget probably around £30K ish with a contingency fund of about £5K. Does that sound doable?

OMG....I have pondered this so much!! How to do a swing bridge alone! When I'm let loose, I'll be doing all tricky manoeuvres at about 5am so hopefully not many people will be there to see me make a total pillock of myself. I'll be just the same as you Max. I hope you managed it ok.

Thank you all for your encouraging posts and offers of help. I'm moving house to release equity to fund my narrow boat so won't be ready for a while. In the meantime I'm reading and learning all I can. At the risk of creating a sh** storm ☺️.............what about eBay ( covers ears and waits for outburst) Just a thought.......

I did Google Whilton. I found articles about dodgy practices but far more reviews and articles which were positive. Asking about Whilton was just an example to hopefully elicit responses suggesting other places to look. When you suddenly find yourself on your own and you have to do these things for the first time, it comes as a shock to find how unscrupulous salesmen can be. Often finding out when it's too late.

Thanks Ange, the sort of advice I was hoping to get. We all have to start somewhere but it's a job knowing where to start and a bit scary on your own. Thanks again.

Thanks for replies.

I hope you're not all sick of these questions, I'm sure they've probably been asked before. Having been ripped off when buying a car on my own, I don't want to repeat this when buying my boat. So I have a couple of questions. Bearing in my I will not be able to fix things on my own.... 1) Is it reasonable to restrict my search only to boats built since 2000 or is that too old? 2) Is it safer to stick to somewhere like Whilton Marina. I know it's only a generalisation and I will have a survey before buying but I need to whittle it down as I can't survey every boat I look at. Thanks.

Thank you all so much. I feel reassured and can't wait to start looking for my boat. I have to move house first...downsizing to fund boat purchase. I then hope I can call on your advice and experience. Such a lovely site. Thanks again cx

I didn't mean safety as far as falling is concerned but you do hear of strange people on canalvtow paths at night near run down areas.

I feel reassured about the handling, wondered about the safety aspect. My family don't seem too keen on me taking off alone.

Thanks Carrie. Do you live aboard ?