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Calranthe

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9 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

I suggest you do more research then.

Where do you plan to base the boat and what is your intended cruising range?

Okay lets do the specifics

If its a GRP cruiser (large) (based at newark or another marine like that) we would like it to cover rivers and coastal

(negatives for this are mostly due to distance from home) £40k maximum) no problem with access to doctors or hospitals as it will be used between visits.

If its a canal/river cruiser GRP then limit is £40k and we will base out of Aston Marina canal and river access from there.

If it is a NB limit is £140k and will base out of festival park Marina or another stoke on trent TMC marina.

Each has different strengths and weaknesses.

All are viable for a future including boats.

All will be considered.

We need a real bed

We need access for Paola (available or ability to be modded)

Good heating

 

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21 minutes ago, Calranthe said:

Okay lets do the specifics

If its a GRP cruiser (large) (based at newark or another marine like that) we would like it to cover rivers and coastal

(negatives for this are mostly due to distance from home) £40k maximum) no problem with access to doctors or hospitals as it will be used between visits.

If its a canal/river cruiser GRP then limit is £40k and we will base out of Aston Marina canal and river access from there.

If it is a NB limit is £140k and will base out of festival park Marina or another stoke on trent TMC marina.

Each has different strengths and weaknesses.

All are viable for a future including boats.

All will be considered.

We need a real bed

We need access for Paola (available or ability to be modded)

Good heating

 

Just another option to consider (add to the mix)

It may get to the stage where Paola can no longer manage ANY boat, in which case you will need to 'get back into bricks & mortar' and may have difficulty selling a heavily adapted NB, unless you find someone with the same limitations as Paola.

Why not :

Look at a (up to)£40 narrowboat

Have it adapted as necessary

Rent out your house, as you have no mortgage it is all 'profit', and the income can be used to fund your boating life

Your 'capital' (the house) should increase in value (or at worse stay the same) whilst your £140,000 NB would be worth (probably) less than £100,000 after a year or two.

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15 minutes ago, Calranthe said:

We need access for Paola (available or ability to be modded)

 

Our NB has double back doors at the stern and the steps, whilst relatively steep could easily be swapped for a ramp or shallow steps, so anything is possible :)

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2 hours ago, Naughty Cal said:

You swing so wildly from one "ideal" boat to the next that it is pretty clear that you don't have a bloody clue what you want.

Until you know this then there is no point offering you any advice on probable candidates. 

You need to look around  lots of boats of all kinds and severely cut down your wish list.

 

EtA: as we now have a bigger budget.

https://www.burtonwaters.co.uk/boat-for-sale/Sealine-F37-FOR-SALE-6330108.html

:clapping:you have finally sussed it, seams like it's becoming a bit of a whim. 

I don't know why the OP is wasting people's time on here instead of actually going to view boats? There are two big Marinas and brokerage sites on the T&M, Mercia and Barton Turns where there are boats to view and evaluate suitability. Instead he would rather waste time on here going round in circles.

Edited by PD1964
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2 hours ago, PD1964 said:

:clapping:you have finally sussed it, seams like it's becoming a bit of a whim. 

I don't know why the OP is wasting people's time on here instead of actually going to view boats? There are two big Marinas and brokerage sites on the T&M, Mercia and Barton Turns where there are boats to view and evaluate suitability. Instead he would rather waste time on here going round in circles.

Well if once again you had bothered to read the thread you would know my wife has hospital appointments and tests all through August and into September meaning most days we have to be at home or in stoke on trent plus these tests can lay Paola up for a week at a time meaning I can sit around bitching and moaning or I can use that time I have to be at home on here asking questions, talking to people and generally increasing my knowledge base, also as I pointed out we have two expeditions out next month, one to a Marina another to spend some time on a NB these both will help solidify our future plans so by the end of September I would think we have a good idea of what we can do and what fits then we move into the actually going out and look.

Paola thinks a 45-50ft NB would work as a live aboard what are peoples experiences on that ?

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2 hours ago, PD1964 said:

:clapping:you have finally sussed it, seams like it's becoming a bit of a whim. 

I don't know why the OP is wasting people's time on here instead of actually going to view boats? There are two big Marinas and brokerage sites on the T&M, Mercia and Barton Turns where there are boats to view and evaluate suitability. Instead he would rather waste time on here going round in circles.

There is always the option of not reading the thread if you feel it is wasting your time. Not everyone feels that way, fortunately

haggis

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The other point to make is unfortunately my mum is in late stage dementia and if we did decide on a NB and live about we would not sell our house or move onto a boat until that situation resolved (we moved to live next door to her last August so we could help her partner out) so while in theory I have a lot of spare time on my hands most of that is tied to the house and local area and while the TMC is 70ft away and perfect for walks only one Marina is within the distance we can get to without it being too far.

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8 minutes ago, Calranthe said:

Paola thinks a 45-50ft NB would work as a live aboard what are peoples experiences on that ?

45 would work,if not liveaboards. Maybe a bit small especially if you opt for cruiser stern.  (sorry I haven't read all 12 pages). 

 

How about a tug. Nice front deck area, although lack of handholds. 

Edited by rusty69
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1 minute ago, rusty69 said:

45 would work,if not liveaboards. Maybe a bit small especially if you opt for cruiser stern.  (sorry I haven't read all 12 pages) 

lol, its okay see most people on this thread know the idea and why we are hear looking for advice and help, some very few are just being awkward and negative.

I think a 50-55 or even 60ft myself but a lack of knowledge means I am going to look at all options.

BTW I will also point out there is a big difference between negativity and offering realistic advice, the second I am always open to the first I will point out what a fool they are making of themselves.

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The evolution of this thread and the last one is very interesting to me as my knowledge and experience grew, ideas and options I had completely shut out became worthy of consideration and I have met some wonderful people, spent time talking on the phone to great people, visited multiple marina's and made plans for both me and Paola.

Yes If I did not have my current situation I would be visiting a different marina every week, to put it in perspective every time I leave the house I have to first check if Paola is okay, is she well enough to come with me or better of at home, is Mum having a good day or wrecking the house, does her partner need my help and only if those conditions are satisfied do I go out the door.

 

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3 minutes ago, Calranthe said:

The evolution of this thread and the last one is very interesting to me as my knowledge and experience grew, ideas and options I had completely shut out became worthy of consideration and I have met some wonderful people, spent time talking on the phone to great people, visited multiple marina's and made plans for both me and Paola.

Yes If I did not have my current situation I would be visiting a different marina every week, to put it in perspective every time I leave the house I have to first check if Paola is okay, is she well enough to come with me or better of at home, is Mum having a good day or wrecking the house, does her partner need my help and only if those conditions are satisfied do I go out the door.

 

Just by reading the above I can tell you a boat is not for you at this present time, but once all the medical issues and family issues are sorted and under control, then maybe you can enjoy the canals, this is not negativity just reality.

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11 minutes ago, Calranthe said:

I think a 50-55 or even 60ft myself but a lack of knowledge means I am going to look at all options

If you are full time live aboard, non cruisers, i would go 70ft. 

If continuous cruising liveaboards, 57ft

If Summer boaters 45-50 ft. 

Ours is 70 ft and can be difficult to handle, particularly single handed in the wind. 

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1 minute ago, PD1964 said:

Just by reading the above I can tell you a boat is not for you at this present time, but once all the medical issues and family issues are sorted and under control, then maybe you can enjoy the canals, this is not negativity just reality.

I am going to take what you said as if it was meant with the best possible intention and as solid advice here is the situation..

I hope most of you understand I am not wasting any of your time, this is not a flight of fancy, the goal is to get Paola on the water and spend the rest of our lives (or as much as possible doing things Paola never could in the past) the obstacles in front of just jumping in and doing it are real but not permanent.

Some one asked how Paola was and how the tests were going on, Paola's illness and side effects are weird to say the least, the best case scenario is very likely to come to pass which is her body will settle down get use to the new regime and we could have another 18 years of her at this level of illness without it getting worse for 5-18 years.

Her Diabetes could be a type (according to the specialist) that could actually be fixed, a certain type can be Switched back to normal function but only if it is this specific type which we will know after another 4 weeks and new blood tests.

At the same time the really toxic drugs currently at 300mg could be dropped down to 200mg which would alleviate much of the side effects but the test is like an 8 week test to know if the % are low enough to drop it to 200mg.

In a perfect world you are right PD1964 but the simple fact is Paola could be dead in 3 months 6 months a year we have outlived the doctors and specialists best guess by 16 years up to now :) when you face that kind of mortality and see so many people waiting for a sunny day I hope you will understand the following.

All the time Paola probably feels bad enough to put most of you in bed but unless it is bad (her version of bad would put me in hospital) she will still want to go out, she was ill when we were on Kathleen but she does not regret it, Paola just about does everything everyone does even if she is ill yes she suffers for it but what is the other options sit at home let it beat her and wait to die ?

 

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2 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

It is of course a good thing to have hopes and dreams but you do have to make sure that they are realistic and can be achieved otherwise they will always just be dreams and never become a reality.

What we are planning is realistic :) 

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8 minutes ago, Calranthe said:

I am going to take what you said as if it was meant with the best possible intention and as solid advice here is the situation..

I hope most of you understand I am not wasting any of your time, this is not a flight of fancy, the goal is to get Paola on the water and spend the rest of our lives (or as much as possible doing things Paola never could in the past) the obstacles in front of just jumping in and doing it are real but not permanent.

Some one asked how Paola was and how the tests were going on, Paola's illness and side effects are weird to say the least, the best case scenario is very likely to come to pass which is her body will settle down get use to the new regime and we could have another 18 years of her at this level of illness without it getting worse for 5-18 years.

Her Diabetes could be a type (according to the specialist) that could actually be fixed, a certain type can be Switched back to normal function but only if it is this specific type which we will know after another 4 weeks and new blood tests.

At the same time the really toxic drugs currently at 300mg could be dropped down to 200mg which would alleviate much of the side effects but the test is like an 8 week test to know if the % are low enough to drop it to 200mg.

In a perfect world you are right PD1964 but the simple fact is Paola could be dead in 3 months 6 months a year we have outlived the doctors and specialists best guess by 16 years up to now :) when you face that kind of mortality and see so many people waiting for a sunny day I hope you will understand the following.

All the time Paola probably feels bad enough to put most of you in bed but unless it is bad (her version of bad would put me in hospital) she will still want to go out, she was ill when we were on Kathleen but she does not regret it, Paola just about does everything everyone does even if she is ill yes she suffers for it but what is the other options sit at home let it beat her and wait to die ?

 

Sorry but once again way too much information, I just don't know what your after or trying to achieve?? I can't see you achieving a quality boating life and enjoying it to the full and achieving your expectations with all the medical issues.

 

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Your budget of £140k is enough for a new boat, and if you go for a basic spec in say a 50 foot boat would include a wheelchair lift.

At Longport Wharf in Stoke on the Trent & Mersey Canal is Stoke on Trent  Boat Building Co.  They built the "Shropshire Lass 2" for the Lyneal TrusTrust,  so have experience of boats for people with disabilities.

Why not walk there and ask the some questions. It will give you an idea of what is possible.

http://www.stokeboats.co.uk

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20 minutes ago, PD1964 said:

Sorry but once again way too much information, I just don't know what your after or trying to achieve?? I can't see you achieving a quality boating life and enjoying it to the full and achieving your expectations with all the medical issues.

 

It doesn't really matter what you can or cannot 'see', It is Cal and Paola's dream, if they want to overcome their own difficulties who are you to tell them not to try ?

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3 minutes ago, cuthound said:

Your budget of £140k is enough for a new boat, and if you go for a basic spec in say a 50 foot boat would include a wheelchair lift.

At Longport Wharf in Stoke on the Trent & Mersey Canal is Stoke on Trent  Boat Building Co.  They built the "Shropshire Lass 2" for the Lyneal TrusTrust,  so have experience of boats for people with disabilities.

Why not walk there and ask the some questions. It will give you an idea of what is possible.

http://www.stokeboats.co.uk

We plan to take a walk down there once all the tests are done, it is close enough :) and yes that it is very good advice :)

26 minutes ago, PD1964 said:

Sorry but once again way too much information, I just don't know what your after or trying to achieve?? I can't see you achieving a quality boating life and enjoying it to the full and achieving your expectations with all the medical issues.

 

lol We just live in different worlds, Paola wants to spend the rest of her life on the water, to see and do things most people take for granted and we already proved it was doable with Kathleen, as in on a bad couple of days she was able to get on a boat with no modifications, took a lot of pictures some of which she is planning to paint and thus we both know what we want and how to achieve it.

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11 minutes ago, MartynG said:

Seems to me a widebeam  makes the most sense - providing your good lady  can get on and off it.

http://newandusedboat.co.uk/new-boats-for-sale/175

 

.

 

That would somewhat restrict their cruising range as they wish to take a mooring at SoT.

 

Edited by Alan de Enfield
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4 hours ago, Calranthe said:

lol, its okay see most people on this thread know the idea and why we are hear looking for advice and help, some very few are just being awkward and negative.

I think a 50-55 or even 60ft myself but a lack of knowledge means I am going to look at all options.

BTW I will also point out there is a big difference between negativity and offering realistic advice, the second I am always open to the first I will point out what a fool they are making of themselves.

I have lived aboard narrowboats and one widebeam since 1989. I have lived aboard 56/57/65/70 and at present 68 foot narrowboat. In my not inconsiderable experience the bigger the better for living aboard BUT as others have said the bigger ones especialy single handing are heavy at times. They also preclude some waterways but there is a hell of a lot available to full length narrowbeam boats.

Widebeams are so much more comfortable than narrow its quite nearly unbelievable but as a for instance try taking one for a beer and parking outside the mucky at Fradley junction or going to cropredy festival on one. If you ever get down this way pop into our place for a beer and You can pop on our boat for a few ideas and we can talk first hand knowledge with you of many differing boats but non plastic. We did have a fab teak one for a while though :cheers:

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1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said:

That would somewhat restrict their cruising range as they wish to take a mooring at SoT.

 

I thought the right sort of boat would be priority over location. It seems to me a widebeam is the most accessible for someone with disabilities. 

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22 minutes ago, MartynG said:

I thought the right sort of boat would be priority over location. It seems to me a widebeam is the most accessible for someone with disabilities. 

Alen de Enfield, please give us your ideal boat for the disabled to buy, your all very well giving your opinion, but please let us know what you would suggest for your type of boating, maybe the canal boaters will have a different opinion, especially now the OP seams to be looking st Narrowboats.

Edited by PD1964
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