December 2014
Anyone who has set out to buy a narrowboat for the first time knows the difficulties we faced. Whether it was what type – trad, semi-trad, cruiser stern, classic layout or reverse layout there are lots of terms you have to learn. Fortunately we had a number of years of experience hiring boats for our annual holidays so we were reasonably well prepared for the task.
We found it extremely difficult finding a boat which was both in our budget range and at least acceptable in terms of design, layout, facilities and size
When you see the boat that suits you, you just know. I don’t know what it is but the feeling that “this is the one” is quite overwhelming. Wiona had been on the market for three months and the viewings all expressed the same thoughts that no-one was interested in the tongue and groove wooden interior which is not considered modern. To Lynda and I it was what a boat should look like. There is nothing more marine looking than varnished tongue and groove! I think if it was wanted for a live-aboard we may have felt differently but even then it could be changed if necessary.
Negotiations took place and a deal arranged subject to survey. That’s what blew our dreams of ownership, when the survey revealed thousands of pounds worth of work was needed including some over-plating to the swim (the underneath part of the stern section) and plenty of welding to name just some. Nevertheless we obtained quotes and based on these we revised our offer which was accepted much to our surprise.
Within a few weeks we were the proud owners of our own narrowboat, a 1991, 57ft semi-trad stern, ex- Black Prince hire boat with 2 x bedrooms, 2 x bathrooms, a galley and enormous front windows which seem to get admiration wherever we go.