It’s all been a little quiet for some weeks on the boat front but trust me when I say the stress levels have been a tad on the high side for us! So what’s been going on?

Just over twelve months ago the NHS decided I was poorly and to cheer me up had me driving all over the county as a human dartboard (they even shoved needles in places I didn’t know I had). During this time the boat build slowed down as I wasn’t sure what was happening this spring treatment wise. As it turned out not a lot but I now take eleven tablets a day and inject twice a month.

The summer arrives and the boat builders tell us they are liquidating their company but they will finish the boat as sole traders. As we are paying for the boat as it progresses there should be nothing legal for us to worry about.

Unfortunately, the sole trader aspect didn’t go to plan and two months on the boat builder told us he wasn’t going to be able to complete the boat. “Oh <insert expletive of choice>, this is going to take some sorting out!”

It soon became apparent that quite a few bespoke boat builders are struggling post Covid, boats are still being built and sold but they are “off the peg boats” rather than to the owners specification and as the smaller builders cannot afford to tie up that sort of money some are struggling to survive.

The hunt for a new builder started, bearing in mind, we need someone to complete the boat which introduces complications of its own. We needed a good builder that understands the position we are in and doesn’t keep sucking through their teeth muttering “Well, I wouldn’t have done it like that!”. I spent what seemed like an eternity but was only a couple of days on the phone trying to find this mythological beast and do you know what, I think we did.

Cherilton Narrowboats, Trentlock. Graham Ford runs this lovely little boatyard on the Erewash Canal. It has a dry dock and, more importantly, two pubs nearby! Graham builds and paints narrowboats and has made room for us in his schedule (thank you Graham) with a view of completion by the end of year.

The next problem was getting the boat to Trentlock (not to be confused with Trent Lock which is the name of the lock at Trentlock). The only way to get a boat to Graham is by water (one of the pubs is in the way by road) so we need to get the boat to a launch spot, Redhill Marina which is a mile away and towed over to Cherilton. Arrange transport by road, clear it with insurance, put her in the water and a quick tow later she’s with Graham.

All was well until we called the insurance company. Nope, you can’t tow it! It turns out that if you are broken down you can be towed, if we are attacked by aliens (on Thursdays) we can be towed but under our policy I can’t ask anyone to give me a tow tomorrow morning! Ovation Boat Surveys to the rescue, they commissioned the engine and drove her across to Cherilton. They were impressed with the engine installation by the previous builder and I was impressed with their service and quality of their work.

We licenced the boat with the Canal and River Trust as we are now on the water but the first question on the form was “Boat Name?” Several names have been suggested between us “Greased Weasel, “Norfolk n Good, “Far Canal”, “Pollywiggle” and “Harnser” amongst many others but we have gone with “Lady Grace”, the name of our last boat. The main reason being we won’t need to explain what a Harnser or Pollywiggle is nor keep a straight face with Norfolk n Good or Far Canal! 08 August 2024.

The story of the fit out continues on Cherilton Fit Out