Only joking!

Very briefly, the situation is this:

1. House sold - exchange of contracts imminent.

2. Boat chosen.

3. Survey to be done for peace of mind.

4. No dry dock facilities near enough to boat's location.

5. Possible alternative (at greater cost) is to crane the boat out.

I seem to remember folks on here talking about craneage and suggesting how to go about organising it, so could you take pity on an old woman (did I mention a significant upcoming birthday?) whose memory is failing and remind me who/what/where etc?

We're very tempted NOT to have a survey done as we're assured all is in order, but can you hear those warning bells too? They're very loud...

It's the Silsden Boats one. We checked it out t'other week from a layperson's angle - it seemed absolutely fine to us.

But time after time people are saying: get a survey done - it's an ex-hire boat - it will be better than a privately owned boat in some areas (eg thorough safety checks, engine run regularly etc) but until you've checked underneath you just don't know what damage could have been done. Hirers probably don't take as much care as a private owner would.

We almost bought a house a couple of years back, which looked wonderful on the outside but the eventual purchasers discovered the only thing they could do was knock it down and rebuild, the foundations were that beggered.

It would have finished us off financially, and if the same happened with the boat we'd be totally up the canal without a paddle.

We're going to give the boat a 'test drive' on Saturday - take it out on the cut for an hour or so. If you want to come along, Peter, you'd be more than welcome.

As for where it could be craned out, it might be possible at the boatyard or perhaps at Lower Park if we had enough time to get it there.

If I'm not called out to work on Saturday Id like to come along as well!  What time are you sailing?

Andy.

Anyway, we plan to get there sometime after 10am (once they've hoovered it out etc) then pootle to Kildwick and back.

Am nervous. Very, very nervous...

Edited: Oh thanks for the info, Stanley - you snuck in there while I was typing this out.

Edited by - Callunna on 31 October 2007 17:52:50

I'll call you on Friday when I know if I'm working or not.

Andy

Great to meet you both last Thursday (even if we didn't win the pub quiz - we wuz robbed!). Have digitised most of the Glastonbury LP. Some absolute gems of tracks on there ... and some absolute pants stuff Had forgotten about the bit where the generator cut out.

Hi Andy - really, really hope you can make it on Saturday. Might need someone to keep us chilled. Also might have Thomo with us with a bit of luck - will be nice to meet him in the flesh.