jimbob88

My two favourite boats, you have excellent taste. I was only on their old boat fantastique in September on the Thames. If you have any luck finding photos just drop me a mail on xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Be very much appreciated. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

This was the very first boat I hired and again on the Thames hence my interest in the yard. I've spoken to Jonathon a few times over the years who built them and like you say too many regulations were why he stopped. What were the other boats you hired off them. We only hired off him one but visited the yard 3 times and was always nice to see a new boat being built every time. Do you have any old photos from you trips you'd be able to share ? Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

I've hired a couple of the old Greenway boats on the Thames and nice to see how well maintained they've been kept. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

You actually own the old empyrean boat they ran. Cracking boat always liked how it looked like no other alpha 34/5 about with the missing windows at the front. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

I posted a question I think 15 years ago on the other forum asking if anyone had ever used this yard back in the 90's or had any photos. Although people were aware of them and their reputation for running a brilliant fleet in the passing 15 years I've yet to find anyone else that hired their boats or even come across any photos of the old fleet, so that's my question again. Did any of the members on here ever use them or if anyone does have any photos of this old fleet you'd make an old boy very happy if you could share. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Well over the past few years we have done some rather large upgrades the engine being one but now we have set up a fund of £10 per month per full share that goes towards upgrades. This year we have decided to upgrade one of the bathrooms. The first part of winter maintenance is £180ish per full share but the remaining half should be almost completely covered by the monthly fund we pay into so long as all members are happy to proceed with that.

If anyone is interested I am prepared to go down to £4500 if we do this direct and avoid BCBM and their fees. First part of Winter maintenance has just been paid and part of this is going towards doing front bathroom up.

I am open to offers if we avoid bcbm and their fees.

I just want it gone basically. I absolutely love the boat and have done since I hired one back in 1997 but my girlfriend hates the broads and my son is too young to take on his own so I'm paying for a luxury I can do without. I'm hoping once my son's a bit older to buy back into one when I'll have no issues using it.

8% share available on thunder Week in December this year Next year May, August, October Only selling as I have a young family and can't get to use all the weeks anymore. £4800 asking price

Just been speaking to an old fella at work that went to the broads years ago and mentioned a pub that had a talking parrot above the door as you walked in. Any ideas what pub this was

Personally I'd say thunder is too big if the majority of the time you're solo and to be honest all you really gain on thunder is two singles on the side at the back but you don't feel the benefit really of the extra 8ft in comparison to silver cloud. Unfortunately not enough of this style of boat were ever made to have a luxurious layout for 2 couples or any other kind of layout that may have happened if more were about. I should say I am a very happy owner on thunder and absolutely love her but the first boat I ever went on was the same style Greenway marine ran and have always had rose tinted glasses on regarding this design ever since. Also you'll definitely save money on a syndicate instead of hiring a couple times a year just make sure you find out what's been done to the boat, what's planned, if there's any funds in the bank already for big plans etc etc.

Can anyone remember the strange syndicate about 10 years or more ago. Ran the old kingfisher surveyor boat. Really weird concept where you got your set weeks then just a free for all for as long as you like in winter. Obviously a terrible idea as it just disappeared.

Sounds very familiar.

Couldn't agree more with that.

Happy memories 😁

Yeah I'd also agree with your first paragraph being spot on. I'm very fond of lowliners and have seen in the past others are too and it's been mentioned about if one was syndicated so thought I'd test the water and see if there was a the demand for one. Think what this discussion has done though has made me realise just how difficult it would be to start from scratch especially with strangers and different points of views.

Griff how do your lot decide on allocation. One of the reasons I'd be keen on a smaller syndicate is the extra time onboard I would get that could be more evenly spread over the year as opposed to a week in January and February I got this year, plus 2 other weeks that were very nicely spaced out I must day. Also knowing I have more time aboard I'd probably spend most of my weeks as short breaks so to get down more often without using full weeks off work.

So my costings weren't too far off then if you get a good group together and also able to do some of the work yourself.

Pleased I started this thread there's been some interesting replies. Kris cruiser s put one of their lowliners up for 39k a few years back and I was always of the mind a ex hire boat from a reputable yard would be a good starting point knowing it's been regularly services and maintenaned every season. If it's not worth syndicating a used boat why would you ever buy a boat on your own that hasn't had the works done to it unless you're after a project.

Would be interesting to know Griff as you have the only sort of private syndicate boat I know of whether what I stated for the expenses is anywhere near what it costs yourselves to run the boat. Obviously I didn't put down the costs of winter maintenance or things like gas bottles and valets.

Sorry I should have stated that was just the basic costs to have a boat floating in the water.

Kind of wish I'd changed the header from project lowliner 😖

I've attached a document I made of all the costs I could think of to running a lowliner. Under no illusion that having a boat whether on your own or as part of a small or large syndicate can be expensive at times but a 20k w/m budget isn't the norm either. Like I said for most things you can plan ahead while always having a reserve for disasters.

I agree with you on this. When I've looked into the running costs of a lowliner it's worked out at about 3 to 4k a year and that was if it was moored at Swan craft. Between 5 people that still works out less than 1k a year so cheaper than what I pay at the moment. Less people should surely mean things can be organised a lot easier and greater choice of weeks available. Granted at winter maintenance costs will need to be included but I think a lot of things could be planned ahead with a fund in place so not to feel it too much.