Is 7k enough to purchase a narrow boat for cruising?

[crustycrab]

hello there,

I'm worried it just isn't enough. I'll be forced into getting something at the bottom end with lots of problems?

any thoughts?

Cheers, Chris

p.s. i'm at uni and trying to invest my winnings er,, i mean student loan...

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Chris.

Your worries may be justified.

➥ http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/

➥ http://www.abcboatsales.com/boat-sales/

➥ http://www.whiltonmarina.co.uk/used-...s/default.aspx

[Cheechako]

Cruising where? Locally? Offshore?

[crustycrab]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Chris.

Your worries may be justified.

➥ Narrowboats for sale UK, used narrow boats, new narrowboat sales, free photo ads - Apollo Duck

➥ Boats for sale | ABC Boat Sales

➥ http://www.whiltonmarina.co.uk/used-...s/default.aspx

Thanks Gord May!

Yes maybe I know the answer already.

Thing is, i'm not in a rush and deals exist.

I suppose the real question is precisely what to check when purchasing. How can you know to steer clear. A full purchasing checklist might be a good thing on here (for newbies like me)?

Cheers,

[crustycrab]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Cruising where? Locally? Offshore?

Hi Cheechako. thanks for the reply. London riverways.

the initial purchase only. I have the income to maintain i believe.

I'd like to put my student loan into something that doesn't depreciate too much so I can get it back. (rather than paying £200 a week for a student room. yes £200 a week)

Cheers

[Cheechako]

I have an inspection checklist if that helps. Email me.For local cruising $7k should be fine. A Coronado 25 just sold on Ebay for less than $400, 4 sails and 15hp engine. Hard to say but it didn't look too bad.
The big ticket items are:
Engine
Sails
Tanks
Hull or deck core issues
Bolt on keel issues
Rigging

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

For local cruising $7k should be fine. A Coronado 25 just sold

The OP is in the UK, and is looking for a narrow boat:



A sailboat in the London rivers isn't the best choice

@ crustycrab:

for next time, pls include all relevant information in your post. Not everybody knows what a narrowboat is, as they are pretty unique to the UK
Filling out your profile with location etc. makes it easier to provide answers as well, since this is an international forum and situations can differ greatly between countries worldwide.

Have you checked this website? Living on a narrowboat – All you need to know about living afloat

[atoll]

you should be able to find something for 7k,but it will need a working engine as under current bylaws you need to move every 2 weeks unless you are on a residential mooring or marina.
also you will need to obtain and pay for the annual licence which can be as much as £1000 a year on the thames and canals.

a friend of mine has one for sale around that price range but probably knows of others as well,contact via fb

https://www.facebook.com/dominic.jolly?fref=ts

also worth looking at other facebook canal groups for local info around London,lots of livaboards in the hackney area

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I have an inspection checklist if that helps. Email me.For local cruising $7k should be fine. A Coronado 25 just sold on Ebay for less than $400, 4 sails and 15hp engine. Hard to say but it didn't look too bad.
The big ticket items are:
Engine
Sails
Tanks
Hull or deck core issues
Bolt on keel issues
Rigging

Most of those items don't apply to a canal boat.

[atoll]

you might want to read this

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitio...ime=1445383657

[Pole]

I did a UK holiday and hired a narrowboat for 10 days. Loved it! Before I left I booked a 40 footer - I'm a yachty, 40 foot should be plenty, right? Ha!- took one look at the thing, couldnt find anywhere to put the suitcase and sleep... and upgraded to a 60 footer. That was ok, but just barely enough for 2 of us
. They're 7 ft wide, if I remember, and a passage runs from bow to stern. So there's not much room for galley, head, shower, bedroom, lounge. Top speed is about brisk walking pace - 3 to 4 kts. Do NOT pass moored boats at any speed that makes a wake, or the Brits will not be shy to get grumpy with you.
After a couple of days I was one with the canal and all was roses.
Do it. You'll love it.

[SpiritofGlenans]

Originally Posted by crustycrab

hello there,

I'm worried it just isn't enough. I'll be forced into getting something at the bottom end with lots of problems?

any thoughts?

Cheers, Chris

p.s. i'm at uni and trying to invest my winnings er,, i mean student loan...

I believe you may be on the wrong forum for what you want, considering its international scope.
Try something more local:
Yachting and Boating World Forums
That's the home page, with a selection of forums. I find the PBO Reader to Reader one quite informative.

[reed1v]

Nope, your out of luck. Perhaps a hobie cat or a sunfish, but not a seaworthy sailboat you can live on or take out into the open ocean.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by reed1v

but not a seaworthy sailboat you can live on or take out into the open ocean.

He's asking about a narrow boat, not a sailboat ... Narrow boats usually don't go anywhere near the ocean and I've never seen one with sails

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by crustycrab

I'll be forced into getting something at the bottom end with lots of problems?

It will be at the low end, but if you take your time it doesn't HAVE to be riddled with problems - but it will be some sort of Fixer Upper. Most narrow boats start at double your budget, but there are a few out there around 7k:

Springer 32 Traditional for sale UK, Springer boats for sale, Springer used boat sales, Springer Narrow Boats For Sale 32ft Springer Narrow Boat - Apollo Duck - asking £8,500
Thomas Clayton - Canal Cruiser Motor Boats for sale in Cheshire, North West | Boats and Outboards - asking £4,950