If you would like to know What it all Cost please click here
CLAIRE JUSTINE
The way things were going it looked as though we would be returning to the United States as narrow boat owners.
After talking to Cowroast and Alvechurch we started to get a bit concerned, especially as we had only received one serious inquiry to our advertisement; this person came and viewed the boat while we were at Cowroast and a few days later made a firm offer of "£35,000".
We were moored at the Old Wharf Inn at Bugbroke trying to decide if we should head up to Whilton the next day, or the day after, when we received a phone call from someone wanting to look at our boat.
This is how the events unfolded:-
27th October - Up at 5 a.m. and continued with the polishing and cleaning. By 9:45 a.m. we were sitting around our cozy fire as Mike, Val and their two children arrived (later on they commented on how nice and shiny the boat looked and that first impression really did count).
We spent the morning giving them the "tour" and answering questions. We also explained that we would be returning to the States on the 6th November and would only be interested in a private sale if it could be consummated before we left. We told them that CJ was going to be listed with Whilton Marina at £44,000 but would accept £40,000 and that this would be our bottom price. They left for lunch and said they would return that afternoon if they were interested.
On tender hooks we waited and at 1:30 p.m. they returned and made a conditional offer of £38,000 which we immediately declined. They then raised it to £39,500 subject to a trail run and hull inspection and, if everything was in order, they would have the bottom blacking done at their expense. In passing we had mentioned that we were planning on doing this before listing her. After very little thought we accepted their offer and took them for a run; everything went smoothly and all that was left was the hull inspection.
We contacted a couple of boatyards about the inspection and when we talked to Phil at Waterways Services, Weedon he gave a little chuckle when I mentioned we would like to get it done in the next day or two. Mike and Val took off about 5:00 p.m. and we agreed to pursue the matter the next day.
At 6:00 p.m. Phil called to say he had a crane due at the yard in an hour but it would only be there for that evening. At full steam we headed for Weedon and tried unsuccessfully tried to contact Mike and Val to get their okay. We arrived at the yard around 7:30 p.m. and the crane was ready and waiting for us; not knowing if we would ever see our prospective buyers again we took a chance and, on their behalf, gave the okay for CJ to be hauled out.
With our fire still burning, the straps were placed around her and she was gently lifted out of her natural environment and placed on dry land. [Photo] We eventually contacted Mike and Val and they said they would be there in the morning.
28th October - Everything was in perfect condition, even the propeller had come through the seven months unscathed and gleamed in the sunlight. Mike and Val arrived; Phil confirmed CJ's perfect condition; papers were signed and through the wonders of electronics the appropriated amount was wire transferred to our bank account.
If you would like to know What it all Cost please click here
Preface ...|...
Acquiring our Narrow Boat ...or..