ExSurveyor

I haven't bought a new car in over 30 years, I really don't like depreciation. The Jeep Commander cost 6k with 70k mileage, after 4 years and 100k additional mileage I sold it for 3k with no major expense. It only did 20mpg but was ideal for my use. I now have a VW Toureg, 10 years old with 35k mileage, I really splashed out and paid 9k. This will last me 5 years and will still sell for a reasonable price. I get 30mpg. My best cars have always been big Lexus saloons, i am on my second one, the previous one i had for 18 years and paid less than 8k for, it lost 5k in that time, amazing comfort and reliability, , again my latest one is 12 years old, 60k for under 6k. this does 30mpg even though it is a 4.3cc petrol engine. I may be able to by a new car that does better mpg but would lose thousands in depreciation. At least I am being "Green" by recycling old cars.

Thirty five years ago I had to find a phone box to ring my office, reports and invoices were sent by post and cheques came back by post, ( two deliveries a day ) then a trip to the bank to pay the cheques in. Now a days everything is by email and bank transfer or card payment. These technological advances mean my cash flow has improved, the company is more productive and I don't need to be in the office or even the same county. This means I have more time to go boating and I can still deal with any issues that arise, as though I was sitting in my office. So for me technology has given me more freedom whilst still being available if needed. My biggest bonus is brilliant staff, far more valuable than technology.

Sold close to the asking price, Sad to see her go, a new life on the Thames awaits as a week day base for a tugboat worker. The good news is I have one less boat to clean and maintain. I found I had quite a few contacts via the Norfolk boat sales facebook site and a Kent equivalent.

Nothing for it, you will have to sing to yourself, in your head

The indications I have had from a couple of Norfolk yards is 4 - 6 hours, £50. for the bearing and £120 if it needs a new prop. As it is already out of the water for survey the lift out cost is avoided. Not quite as expensive as I thought. Thank you all for your valuable imput.

The problem I have is it is based on the upper Medway, boat mechanics are rare down here, I will be lucky to get one to quote. I will give a couple of Norfolk yards a call to get an idea of cost, they could come up with any figure down here and I wouldn't have a clue.

The surveyor has completed his survey , I haven't ever heard of a boat survey taking 2 whole days to complete, I can do a 4 bed house in 4 hours I don't think he has much work on in Kent and has semi retired. He found a few small things but not bad for a 46 year old boat. Any rough ideas on the cost of yard doing the replacement, I never learnt metal work and mechanics.

A photo might help

I find myself with a gap in my knowledge, not for the first time What is a cutlass bearing and how easy are they the replace on a Calypso with hydraulic drive ?

I used to get the right hump when my guys turned up and the agreed prep works weren't done, they are always advised what must be done and what we will charge if we have to either do the prep or abandon the day and how long they will have to wait until we can reschedule the work. It never ceases to amaze me how some customers insist on start and completion dates but do nothing to help meet them Since we have put it in bold print on the acceptance forms that they have to sign to book the work we have not had a problem. A deposit that we can charge delay costs to also focuses the mind.

One of my " make you smile " finds today, who needs a back door anyway.

Both or even underfloor heating badly commissioned.

I have spent a second weekend decorating the hall stairs and landing. 20 litres of emulsion for the walls, 10 litres for the ceilings, 5 litres of undercoat and 10 litres of gloss. 15 doors and acres of walls. I didn't think it needed doing but Matron had other ideas. I hate decorating, everything hurts and it is a waste of boating time. I have now booked a decorator to come in and finish it.

Add in grandchildren and it makes a boat seem cheap

Absolutely stunning work and a beautiful boat A bigger expense than children

The lift out for EllieKnight down on the upper medway was canceled today, the river is in flood and rising and the wind was blowing a gale, never a good combination. Might try Monday if the flow eases but more likely next saturday.

The service provider did a maintenance thingy See, I can do geekspeak.

A dehumidifier will work at over 5 degrees and will remove the same level of moisture as one operating at a higher temperature but will cost slightly more to run. In operation it will produce some heat as a by product. If you are heating the boat, a dehumidifier set to 65% relative humidity will eliminate condensation for very little extra cost is it will turn on/off automatically. I have used this set up for years and never have a damp/condensation issue, the boat is dry and ready to go as soon as we arrive.

It is important to maintain ventilation when introducing a heat source if a dehumidifier is not used, the warmer the air, the more moisture it will hold, the air will lose the ability to hold moisture as it cools, such as coming into contact with windows or uninsulated panels if the temperature drops. When using crystals, except when in in a cupboard or closed area, don't have ventilation as you will be drying the external air and not properly reducing the internal atmospheric moisture levels effectively Hope this is useful.

The majority of broads boats were presumed to be used in the hire season, no point in the yards spending money on insulation. When they pass into private hands they are more likely to be used out of season. Partial insulation can cause problems by concentrating condensation formation on uninsulated areas and in extreme cases it can form on areas that were not previously affected, such as under beds and stored leather items. The most effective cure for condensation is ventilation and constant moderate heat. Sorry to ramble but this time of year I spend half my life talking to people about it.

The pipes freezing is because they have used thin walled supply pipe, in Medway they turn the water off 1st December until Easter for the same reason. BGM use a thicker walled pipe and rarely have an issue. It must be annoying, might be sort a visit to the camping shop for some spare containers and a small pump.

I smoke, I know I shouldn't but I do. I am happy with the ban and can't believe we all used to smoke inside pubs and restaurants. I only smoke in my kitchen near a huge extractor hood, if the grandchildren are about I sneak outside. On my own boats I only smoke outside, it just seems to be the right thing to do.

That was plan B when I saw the state of other Calypsos in Norfolk at a higher asking price. Sold for the asking price so I am happy and can do without the hassle of transport and registration for a possible, maybe, couple of grand more. I lost three thousand over 8 years, not bad for a boat

Thanks Monica, Because of lack of available weekends it was a burden, when we visited we would spend half the weekend catching up with cleaning and other jobs. Now we can spend our free time in Norfolk.

Deposit taken, be sad to see her go but a boat that isn't used becomes a liability. After taking the deposit within an hour I had two further messages looking to view. I found the various facebook boat sales sites produced interest. Going to a nice young enthusiastic owner to use on the Thames. Quite a journey, from the Broads to the Medway and on to the Thames and after on to the canals.