If you are reading this, then this is something I pondered many years ago too! I had spent many happy days on hired narrow-boats with my parents in my early twenties, as this was the holiday they started taking after me and my sister left home. Quite often I would join them for a day or two and every-time, it became more and more difficult to leave them as they continued along the charming and unchanging canal-scape.
I was living in London and after a few years of pleading with Dad to consider buying a boat, (and him saying no!) I decided the only way to do it was to buy a boat and live on it too. this was 1995 and after months of extensive research into boats, (the layout, the boat builder, condition and prices) and then moorings I was lucky enough to come across a residential mooring in Brentford that I could rent. Believe me moorings in London are as rare as hen's teeth and I was supported by my Granny and (skeptical) parents with loans so I could buy a tatty but big enough boat, based in Banbury called Edinburgh Castle. She was surveyed, price negotiated and transported to London and I moved on to her in January 1996.
I was living in London and after a few years of pleading with Dad to consider buying a boat, (and him saying no!) I decided the only way to do it was to buy a boat and live on it too. this was 1995 and after months of extensive research into boats, (the layout, the boat builder, condition and prices) and then moorings I was lucky enough to come across a residential mooring in Brentford that I could rent. Believe me moorings in London are as rare as hen's teeth and I was supported by my Granny and (skeptical) parents with loans so I could buy a tatty but big enough boat, based in Banbury called Edinburgh Castle. She was surveyed, price negotiated and transported to London and I moved on to her in January 1996.
I can't tell you how much of a roller coaster living on and owning a boat has been! Engine problems, rust and paint jobs on the outside, rogue boat yards, refurbishing the interior, upgrading lights, fixtures and fittings. The cruises, holidays with family and friends, parties and hysterical fun, the beautiful scenery, seeing our wonderful canal heritage. Its been 25 years of living and working that I would never ever change. In 2004 I bought another boat called Speedwell as I had moved my boat and that gave me the idea of renting her out and helping people to get time living on water without the trials, tribulation and costs that I had experienced. I was determined the boat would be of the highest spec and set up for non boaters so they would enjoy their time afloat. Since then several renters have become friends and gone on to buy their own boats.
Now Speedwell is for sale with her residential mooring and very affordable mooring fees. All the details are here and contact Ben at Boatshed to book a viewing.
Now Speedwell is for sale with her residential mooring and very affordable mooring fees. All the details are here and contact Ben at Boatshed to book a viewing.
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