Narrow boat share in Somerton

There is a share for sale on	Somerton

Type of scheme	Private
Number of sharers	12
Year of construction	2001
Home mooring (2018)	Aston Marina, Stone, Staffordshire on the Trent and Mersey Canal
Length	58'
Engine Type	Beta 43 (new 2013)
Berths	2 + 4
Change over day each week	Friday
Are pets allowed	Allowed
Is smoking allowed INSIDE the boat	NOT Allowed
Booking System	A booking chart for the following calendar year is circulated in agreed priority order during the autumn and before the owners’ annual meeting in November, where the bookings for the next year are confirmed. Each owner has a priority for that year, and moves up a couple of places each year: after a year at the top of the list, the owner then starts at the bottom, and after six years the cycle begins again. Each owner can choose two weeks (separately or as a fortnight) in the ‘high season’ (April to October inclusive), and one week in the remainder of the year. By this route, thirty-six weeks are firmly booked before the year begins. Allowing for time for winter maintenance, the remaining fourteen weeks are booked with priority in reverse order to the original chart.
Priority for school holidays	No such scheme in place

General comments about the boat
This rear is a semi-trad layout with enclosed area and gas locker/ seat. You descend steps into the galley, with oven, hob, fridge, microwave and good work-surface area which is an open plan area with the rear saloon containing a multi-fuel stove in addition to three radiators, fold away table, hinged side hatch, reading lights and TV point. The L shaped seating area converts easily to a double bed, and there are sturdy storage drawers beneath. A doorway leads onto a short passageway with an entrance to the rear bathroom and toilet. Here there is a hand-basin, pump out flush toilet, and corner bath with shower over and tiled/ mirror surround. There are three storage cupboards in the bathroom, radiator and extractor fan. In the passageway there is a recessed Alde gas central heating boiler, and a second door leads to a fixed double cabin. There are reading lights, two clothes cupboards, two storage drawers, and a wardrobe. The bed is longer than a standard mattress. The self contained forward cabin has an en-suite toilet and hand-basin; two single bunks that very simply form a double, There is a TV / DVD player, and a cabinet under, radiator and reading lights, with a wardrobe and ample under bunk storage. The forward glass doors hinge backwards to form a boat-wide 'French Window' and access to the 'cratch' area. The front is glazed, and the cover has a window on each side. In this forward area there are 4 under-seat lockers for storage of fuel, extra fenders, folding chairs etc. The large capacity water tank is under the bow deck.

Pictures of the boat





Specific details for the share offered
Size of share as a percentage or fraction
Price in UK pounds
Reason for selling
Pre-booked weeks included
Holiday entitlement with share offered here.
School holiday option possible?
Running costs for 2018
Contact details for vendor
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General Comments by vendor
Somerton is a really well kept boat from very highly regarded builders, and draws many lock side comments, admiring the great paintwork and quiet engine. The ‘reverse layout’ where the galley and main sitting area is just inside the rear steps - means company and a cup of tea is always on hand. There is central heating, hot water, a good shower, multi-fuel stove, electricity inverter everything for a pampered time afloat. The front and central cabins are essentially en-suite great for taking friends or extended family. The syndicate has members who are new to canals, and those who have great experience to keep the boat in tip top condition. Choosing weeks for the following year is speedily and smoothly done in the autumn, and the November annual meeting is a useful catch up. Annual maintenance is organised with a competent boat yard for January each year, with care not to cut corners. The hull is blacked, the gunnels repainted, a complete winter engine service undertaken, and all sorts of additional items intended to ensure a trouble free cruising season. And a considered programme of refurbishment of external and internal fittings and soft furnishings means that stepping onto the boat to begin your holiday feels a really good experience. Over several years the syndicate has built up a very healthy reserve fund. Members have chosen to move the home mooring every two or three years to make more areas of the canal network available. Currently Somerton is at Aston Marina close to the M6 and to Stone, on the Trent and Mersey canal. There is a good variety of cruising routes for either one or two weeks on hand, and the marina provides very good services.