Buying Narrowboats

[Russ9294]

I'm living down south & looking to buy a boat I've been told to go around Liverpool or far north as possible to look for a Narrowboat can you recommend a good area as a base. Thank you Russ

[Pie Eater]

Welcome to the forum Russ. There are a few marinas and moorings at and within a few miles of Barbridge on the Shropshire Union Canal

[Russ9294]

Thank you  Russ

[MtB]

On 23/07/2017 at 20:59, Russ9294 said:

I'm living down south & looking to buy a boat I've been told to go around Liverpool or far north as possible to look for a Narrowboat can you recommend a good area as a base. Thank you Russ

 

What's the point of doing that?

I'd have thought it best to go where the most narrowboats for sale are concentrated. I'd say plant yourself in Braunston and you'll find approx 200 boats for sale within 40 miles.

[lulu fish]

I wouldn't see any need to go as far north as possible, north of Milton Keynes should be enough. As Mike says, Braunston and the surrounding area is a good place to start.

[Russ9294]

 Thank you very much that I will start my search 

[MtB]

I suppose the northern markets are rather sparse so prices can be very variable. I have to say if I was looking for a screaming bargain of a boat and wasn't even a little bit fussy about what I was buying, I might expect to find it up north rather than in the midlands or darn sarf. 

On the other hand if I just wanted a good boat quickly and at a fair price, Braunston/midlands is where I'd expect to find it.

Mind you I've just noticed Russ's location. Even Oxford must seem like 'up north' from Brighton!

[Russ9294]

We are not in hurry just looking for a good boat 58/62 feet we have just sold our boat taking 6 weeks off two start looking thanks for  your suggestions 

[Alan de Enfield]

Beware - North of Watford Gap and the 'locals' are still making bangles from the telegraph wires.

[Russ9294]

Lol

[Dr Bob]

1 hour ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

I might expect to find it up north rather than in the midlands or darn sarf. 

On the other hand if I just wanted a good boat quickly and at a fair price, Braunston/midlands is where I'd expect to find it.

 

Darn sarf starts south of a line from Liverpool to hull.

Good recommendation, Braunston +\- 20 miles. That's where we got our boat. No point going any further north.

[Peter X]

1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Beware - North of Watford Gap and the 'locals' are still making bangles from the telegraph wires.

I keep hearing about the alleged weird behaviour of people in out of the way places outside the M25, but when I go there they seem quite normal to me.

I think they're bound to by comparison, because London contains every kind of weirdness known to man. Anyway, I'm off to Rugby in the morning to begin two weeks of boating across Birmingham and back, and I'm sure I'll cope.

[MtB]

On 23/07/2017 at 23:43, Peter X said:

Anyway, I'm off to Rugby in the morning to begin two weeks of boating across Birmingham and back, and I'm sure I'll cope.

 

Blimey take care. I go there quite often these days and I always leave with the feeling I got away with it, fortunately, this time...

[mark99]

7 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

Blimey take care. I go there quite often these days and I always leave with the feeling I got away with it, fortunately, this time...

Ooop North is full of people who secretly love London and the South but whom have had joy beaten out of them when they get their free flat cap, box of pigeons and complimentary whippet.

[firstboat]

Depends on your budget, be aware that transportation can either cost a lot of money or a lot of time.

Edited July 24, 2017 by firstboat
spelling mistake

[Alan de Enfield]

21 minutes ago, firstboat said:

Depends on your budget, be aware that transportation can either cost a lot of money or a lot of time.

You can spend time, and you can spend money. Sometimes you can end up spending both, but you will never get anywhere without committing to spending at least one or the other....Sometimes money is cheaper than time