Hello everybody, am new to the forum and narrowboating, but am keen to enjoy what canals have to offer. But have to sort out my boat first.
I am a happy new narrowboat owner, which I bought as a project and now looking for a dry dock to get it out of a water and get it inspected, repaired and re-coated. As I bought a boat for a project, I am looking for a DIY dry dock for a few months on Ashby, Coventry or Oxford canals as I am based here.
It seems that internet have not reached narrowboat businesses. Apart from a few places where you hand in your credit card and leave it to get done, t is very hard to find anything.
I got recommended Charity Dock in Bedworth, Alvecote Marina, and another place in Nuneaton, but neither seem to be able to help or recommend somebody. I also saw a narrowboat out of the water near Wharf Inn in Hinckley, got some phone number from the pub landlord, but it does not seem to work. On the way to my home marina I passed a few places which look like drydocks on Coventry canal between Fazeley junction and Nuneaton, but could not see any signs phone numbers or anything else.
I am sure thee are places which would be happy to let DIY'er to crack on with his tools and pay the money for the space. I've been hands on all my life and from talking with people above, I have an impression that there must have been bad experiences with DIYers and they are reluctant to help you.
It does not even have to be a drydock, am happy to lift out the boat on the farmers plot, as have an industrial generator to power all my tools.
Any help is much appreciated.
Chees