Jovril

Hi All Been looking at a Shetland 27 as possible boat which would be basically for use by two of us. We may have very occasionally very close friends/relations overnight so not a problem that is does not have fully separate berths although there is a curtain division between forward berth and dinning berth for some privacy. Does any one have a Shetland 27 who could give some feedback of how they find it? Or any opinions/pros and cons Welcome any comments John

Hi all Could not decide which one the small one or the larger? Or one of each? John

Hi Lulu yes we were at the show yesterday and I think we came away somewhat green not with seasickness but having looked at some of the boats on show. Almost put a deposit down but on a Princess or Sunseeker but she who must be obeyed said I could not sell the house and all my organs and will have to make do with a row boat. Only person we saw that we recognised was Bernie Eccelstone and I am sure he had no worries about could he afford any of those on show, he probably could buy one for each day of the month. We did enjoy it as first timers but understood from others who had been in past years that it was smaller and a number of previous exhibitors were missing however did manage to have a chat with some of the Norfolk brokers and made a couple of appointments with to go and see what we are looking for, what is availiable and to have a look and kick some fenders. For us useful and nice all the nice shiny stuff that we will never have but can see that for the more experienced there might not have been enough periferal goods to warrant a long journey. Would we go again? Then the answer is probably yes as it is always nice to dream John

Hi Robin I noticed the YouTube blog before you managed to post this update and could not resist watching. Enjoying following your adventure but too late for me to brave enough to follow suit, however we are looking to have a boat on the Broads in the future. Will be at the boat show on Saturday also so will lookout just to say hello. Trust all goes well when “crew Indy” descend later in the month and look forward to future updates as well as seeing “Independence” in Norfolk John

Many thanks Maurice Mynah Probably one of the most useful pieces of advise so far - Hic John

Hi All Many thanks for all your comments and advice. No we have not been put off so far and the numbers are stacking up much as I thought although probably I will either forget something on not put enough in the "unexpected costs". So far at the cost of travel to and from are concerned this in no problem for us as we are only abt 25 miles from Brundall and abt 30 miles from Wroxham. It also means we could easily just get a way for a few days as we felt like it or even just a day trip. We are off to the London Boat show next weekend just to see what we cannot afford, but it may help cement the idea of what we are after. Once again many thanks for all your comments & advice John

I am putting together some yearly cost estimates for having a boat of say 30 to 35 ft on the Broads. Some of the costs I have already obtained and some I can get from various web sites however I am unsure about two items at the moment. 1) How often would a boat need to be antifouled and what are the approximate costs for this. 2) How often do people have engines serviced – Is it based on so many hours of usage or just a yearly thing if usage is lower that a certain level. (Thinking about car service which is every so many miles or yearly if mileage not reached) Any information would be useful and many thanks for all your comments and advice which all helps in the buying process. John

Thanks for the deletion had a computer malfunction, or I hit the wrong keys John

Hi TheQ In answer to your questions - Few days/week at a time motorboating around the broads mainly for two of us with occasional couple of overnight guests John

Whilst I am aware that the budget you have will dictate what you can purchase and have on the boat, I am keen to know what you all consider as A) Essentials B) Desirables On any boat, that obviously apart from a hull that can float. Did warn you about silly questions. Look forward to your thoughts John

Many thanks to you al for your welcome and advise. We already have tickets for London Boat show to have a look at what we cannot afford. After that it was our intention to visit some of the various boat yards around to get a view on what we would like and what we can afford as I am sure the two will not go together, Will start the questions shortly and keep you all updated. John

Thanks SueH Yes had thought of syndicate but as we are in Norfolk then could use a boat more often than syndicate would allow also would have flexibity to go at a moments notice. Being now retired also helps ? John

Thanks all for you welcome messages. Hi Vanessan Yes we have hired previously but have no fixed idea about boat style. As we are looking at one mainly for two of us with occasional 4 berth requirement then we’re thinking about aft cockpit boat but open to any alternative. I suppose our budget may dictate from those on offer. John

Hi All Firstly a Happy New Year to everyone. I have been lurking and enjoying much of the information you all put on the forum and have seen most of the Captains Blogs, especially his latest adventure with “Independence”. We are thinking about a boat purchase this year (not the size of “Independence) but as total newbies not sure exactly what we want or should be looking for so I hope you will not mind if we ask some questions that to you may seem simple and sometime stupid but to will I am sure help us tremendously as you obviously have a wealth of knowledge that we hope to tap into. Until our first stupid questions. All the best John