Boat Purchase & Life Change

[KrakenHunter]

Hello all,

My names Ben and I'm new here! 👋 

Life has thrown a lot of things my way over the past few years namely some semi-serious health challenges and a subsequent long term relationship split, the list goes on..

At 34 I have decided to take life a lot more slowly and I've currently got my house in Wiltshire on the market.

Without boring you further with my life story I have decided to purchase a boat to in part, live on, on the Broads, whilst occasionally travelling back to Wiltshire where I have an online antiques business and a yard with somewhere I can stay for a few days or more whilst I get some work done.

I intend to rent a permanent mooring in a marina, and whilst these are unlikely to be residential I will either be spending most of the time exploring the navigation or with the boat moored up whilst I am back in Wiltshire.

Here goes for the questions..

I should have a 35k(ish) budget for a boat and although not everyones cup of tea I  have pretty much set my heart on one of the old Topcraft Topliner boats that have the 4 poster style bed in. Now I should say that I am 6ft am now almost that wide and I spend a fair bit of time in bed! I like the space, comfort, windows etc that this design has and that you can walk around the sides and back etc which will suit me as im quite partial to chucking a lure over the side and will also have two small dogs with me and this design provides some protection from them easily jumping or falling overboard with the sides etc. I can also see that the sofa could be easily chopped in for a sofa bed which will be great for when my nephew comes to stay or family borrow the boat.

What do you peeps think about these boats? There doesn't seem to be many left out there?

Do most marinas allow you to stay overnight for a few days on your craft when needed?

Thanks in advance,

Ben & Doggos 🐶 

[Boatingman]

Welcome Ben

we have a member on here who owns a Topliner who I am sure will supply information you need

there is one for sale on Norfolk Boat Sales around your budget

finally marinas allow staying on a boat but not permanently

 

Ray

[KrakenHunter]

Thanks Ray, yes I've seen that boat, need the house to complete first before I can commit but thats exactly what I am after! 

Thanks for heads up re: mooring I think I will be fine to stay occasionally when needed as will not be living in the marina area full time.

Best,

Ben.

[ExSurveyor]

Hi Ben,

I have a Topliner, the later two cabin version.

I did look at a four poster recently when it was up for sale. 

For info the private sale didn't reach the 25k asking price and was moved off the Broads.

A reasonable price for the one up for sale now would be around that price range. The open plan isn't overly popular although it has a bow thruster that would be handy for solo cruising.

Had our one 9 years and are very happy with it, good solid hulls.

 

[KrakenHunter]

Thanks Mark - Do you have any pictures of your boat?

Best, Ben.

[ExSurveyor]

[KrakenHunter]

Thanks Mark - I can see that most people would probably prefer your layout but the rear deck and open plan works a bit better as its just me and the dogs, I guess it will all come down to what if any are for sale at the time I'm ready to purchase 🥴 

[ExSurveyor]

There were only 3 Royals made, they were all purchased by BB when Topcraft sold them. BB sold one off and put the other two in the fleet.

The later models, Corniche, 3 were made and sold to private buyers when Topcraft closed. One is in Bristol and mine and the third one are on the Broads, mostly on the Southern areas.

[KrakenHunter]

Ahh I didn't realise there were so few, I may have to look at other options then nearer the time 🥴 

[ExSurveyor]

Always worth a cheeky offer to BB when you are ready,   every boat is usually for sale on a fleet. 

[BroadAmbition]

Welcome to the NBN, with or without a boat

Griff

[Mouldy]

8 hours ago, ExSurveyor said:

Always worth a cheeky offer to BB when you are ready,   every boat is usually for sale on a fleet. 

https://www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/inventory/?post=6781

[TheQ]

Welcome to the site from someone who used to live in Wiltshire, I've still got relatives in Ludgershall and the other side of the county near Longleat (close enough to hear the Lions roar).

My only recommendation on boat's is to get one low enough to get under the bridges, Above Potter and Hoveton are some of the best parts of the Broads..

[Bikertov]

2 hours ago, Mouldy said:

https://www.norfolkboatsales.co.uk/inventory/?post=6781

Love the office chair at the helm 

[ExSurveyor]

That is an optimistic price considering the private one for sale last year had a new engine.

I could never get my head around the poor use of space, they seem so much smaller than the later ones but are the same hull.

[OldBerkshireBoy]

NBS seems to have had this or one of these on their books fot the past few years.

[Aboattime]

Some yards turn a blind eye to long term stayers, i know a well known yard who even allowed the boat owner to use the yards office address for all his post.

[JanetAnne]

22 hours ago, ExSurveyor said:

I could never get my head around the poor use of space, they seem so much smaller than the later ones but are the same hull.

Is it because the first ones were conversions from the original intended use whereas the later boats were purpose built?

[annv]

Hi Mark always thought they where very practable for two, i had heard they are a bit of a hand full in a cross wind or windy when mooring, if you have had it fo nine years you obviously like it. John

[annv]

Hi Ben many marinas a turn a blind eye to live boards providing you dont start having sheds chairs and other dirties on the bank and keep your self below the radar so to speck, they wont necessarily give you permission but turn a blind eye. John

[ExSurveyor]

55 minutes ago, annv said:

Hi Mark always thought they where very practable for two, i had heard they are a bit of a hand full in a cross wind or windy when mooring, if you have had it fo nine years you obviously like it. John

They are a handful in the wind

[KrakenHunter]

Thanks guys, yes I was thinking if I'm clean and tidy and don't draw attention to myself I could stay ‘regularly’ but best kept off the forum naming yards and so fourth. I will work that bit out as I get to know the mooring.

TheQ I am literally 10 minutes away from Ludgershall, in a little village called ######, I just need to get the house sold now! Several viewings but no bites yet, its got a thatched roof so not everyones cuppa!

I think its unlikely I will find a boat that will both suit my needs and go under Potter bridge but I will most definitely have a small craft of sorts that I can use for day visits where I cannot access.

Ben,

[TheQ]

I don't think you'll get a broads boat up the river to Figheldean.. The Bishops mill's in the way..

An Aunt lived just down from there in the grounds of Salisbury cathedral, a house right on the riverbank.

[Captain]

Can I  just clarify  that the first Topliners were the two cabin versions  in 1988 to 1991, they then in 91/92 built 2 Carolinas which were unique in that could carry a touring caravan, finally in 93/94 they built the 2 berth version. The caravan versions  were a flop and were converted cc 94 to the 2 berth versions, giving 3 of each class in total. 

Neil 

[KrakenHunter]

Hi Neil, If that was the case how come the one currently for sale on NBS is a 1987?

 

Ben,