| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Sep 2017 : 08:51:17
|
I am thinking about retiring so I have a lot of (TOYS) to part with.
Firstly what do I do with my boats. I have a Calamcraft and a Norman 25 Both need a complete refit. I also have a Norman 22 completely stripped out. My 32 I am not selling. |
|
|
IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2017 : 09:26:35
|
| Surely if you are retiring you should buy *MORE* toys. More time, more toys. |
 |
|
|
stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2017 : 10:44:44
|
| You havn't seen all my other toys. |
|
|
|
cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2017 : 10:50:15
|
I did a couple of refits in my late 60's, hard work, no financial reward but some satisfaction.
Stiff knees made it difficult to do physically at times.
In your position I'd keep one at most to do up and one to use (the 32).
Choose whichever one you think you can sell on to do up, although frankly 3 naff Normans aren't worth a lot unless really nicely restored.
Or if doing one up seems a bit daunting now you are close to retirement sell the blooming lot and buy one small trailer cruiser you and her can go places on, away from mud-skipping on canals. Maybe a Norman 20 on a trailer with an inboard/outdrive and go on the Fens, or the Broads, or the Thames or even down to the South Coast, up the Arun at Littlehampton - lots of places to tie up even on a tidal river, or Chichester Harbour - a massive cruising ground of sheltered water if you don't fancy venturing out to the Solent. You can cruise on a 20, might be a bit primitive after the 32 but look at the places you can visit.
Go have some fun doing something different.
Finally living the dream!
|
|
|
|
stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2017 : 14:40:59
|
| My 32 will do every thing I want. I don't do sea. I tow the 32 so I can put it any where I want. I have an electric scooter that will go on the back so when I tie up at night I jump on the scooter and travel back to where I started that day and collect my disco. So I just keep on cruising. I can come back home any time because the disco travels with me. If you are wondering Top speed of the scooter is 25MPH. |
|
|
|
cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2017 : 03:05:27
|
The top speed of the scooter is 25mph? Crikey - you won't live long enough to drive any distance.
Seriously, that looks a plan doesn't it? Tow down to London and launch there somewhere, cruise the Thames, go back on the scooter to move the Disco up closer and take scooter back to the boat.
Sell the other 3 and go cruising! You have it made!
Finally living the dream!
|
|
|
|
stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2017 : 08:07:48
|
| Yes I have worked it out. Also fully protected my prop after last years disaster on the Monmouth when I had the prop broken. With permanent mains power on the 32 which runs the fridge freezer and microwave etc charging the scooter batteries no problem. I will say I don't fancy the Thames. Prefer Avon and Severn so the Avon ring is a must.But I can go down the grand union from Lapworth as far as the Thames. |
|
|
|
Mad Harold
United Kingdom
228 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2017 : 14:17:21
|
| How did you protect your prop? I would be interested to know how you did it. To cope with the shallow water around here,I fitted an auxilliary outboard mount and engine and with a bit of "farmyard engineering" was able to adjust the prop depth to about 12 inches if necessary. |
|
|
|
cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2017 : 04:46:02
|
Come down the Oxford then, the Thames above Oxford up to Lechlade is idyllic with loads of places to moor up.
Below Oxford, through places like Mapledurham, Cliveden, Henley and Marlow down to Windsor it has it's share of gin palaces and hire craft but is still good to cruise and quite beautiful. To visit Windsor best to moor a mile or so above Windsor - it's free - and use your scooter.
Then from Shepperton lock you can access the Wey all the way to Godalming buying a short term licence at Thames Lock, some very pretty stretches there especially the river sections above Pyrford and around Newark Priory and again above Sutton Place (Paul Getty's estate).
If you were able and it was in water there is also the lock-infested Basingstoke Canal accessed from just above New Haw although I'd avoid it.
Very pretty area the Wey Valley, through the Surrey Hills.
Finally living the dream!
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Calamcraft and Norman 25
