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Stu
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Dec 2019 : 22:52:38
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| Hi all, just purchased my first boat at the young age of 56 , a Norman 18.5 , I choose it thinking it’s a entry leave boat, it needs a little TLC inside and out which doesn’t phase me, I’m a joiner by trade and I can put my hand to most things, it was a bit scary yesterday taking it out for the first time , snaking down the river was a bit funny until I got the hang of it. And then it took 30 minutes to get it back into its mooring in Leicester. Hopefully I’ll take it out of the water to my workshop which is on a farm where I’m hoping to strip it down and learn to work on my first boat. (If I can find a trailer for the right price, I couldn’t believe how dear boat trailers are ). |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2019 : 08:10:59
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Welcome to the asylum Stu, good choice of first boat (I started with an 18.5)as they can fit anywhere the downside is not so good for longer trips, I could manage a week but needed to find showers and usually ended up smelly by the end (some say I started like that).
With trailers it's often cheaper to buy a boat on a trailer and sell the boat for nearly as much as they seem to be worth less under a boat, makes no sense but often true.
Be warned once the bug sets in you will want something bigger and before you know it you'll be as poor as the rest of us...... but it's fun along the way. 
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
 Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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Fred
2007 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2019 : 11:25:27
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| Welcome Stu. Please let us have lots of pictures - before and after. You'll get lots of support and good advice on here but don't be over- ambitious with initial refit. Get it back in the water as soon as you can and enjoy it! |
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Mad Harold
United Kingdom
228 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2019 : 17:28:38
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They do wander a bit especially if there is a bit of breeze.A "add a rudder"helps a great deal,also if you can go a little faster (a little)this also improves the steering.
I have a N20,and I found two main objections.One was it was very cold to do any work inside,this weather,fixed that by fitting a Chinese diesel heater (5KW) and now you could grow tomatoes in the cabin.
The second is the number of times I have scraped my head entering and leaving the cabin.I am looking for a low profile "hard cap"but without success so far.
Best of luck with your boat. |
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Tom Morgan
141 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2019 : 11:03:59
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Mad Harold - my daughter found a bit of that polystyrene padding they use on scaffolding poles on pavements. Enough to make three of these. It works a treat.
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trevork
3949 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2019 : 13:21:55
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| That is a good idea! So often the solutions are so simple! Well done! |
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Mad Harold
United Kingdom
228 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2019 : 14:19:36
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Excellent idea.Never thought of that.
Many thanks. |
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Stu
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2019 : 12:08:44
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| Thanks for the welcome, there’s a lot to learn, Iv always joined owners clubs including my bike club vrcc.uk where I find there’s always people that know more then me which is great. |
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Craigeeez
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2019 : 21:46:09
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Hi Stu,
I’m in the same boat as you (pun intended) I’m a newbie that purchased a N23 two months ago that also needs TLC. I look forward to sharing our stories, and for the record I have much less renovation skills than you at this point!
Ian |
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Newbe to boating
