HIRERS TO BUYERS

Martin and Julie took the plunge and have never looked back

My interest in all things mechanical started at a young age. Having worked for heritage railways from the age of 10, I progressed to a boiler/mechanical fitter and a driver/fireman for many years on a voluntary basis. Then I move into road-based steam boiler repairs and mechanical fitting. I had served an apprenticeship with Paxman Diesels, a manufacturer of industrial diesel engines in Colchester, Essex, which resulted in a position in their research and development department working on Trident submarines, type 23 Frigates, and their HST 125 contract.

I then found myself as the chairman of a local historic machinery and vintage stationary engine club, for six years.

The move towards owning a narrowboat to tinker with seemed a natural progression.

I had spent the best part of 28 years hiring boats from various hire centers around the country and did the usual thing once the holiday was over, which was to scour the boat adverts for the following months – only to decide that a vessel of my own was probably too expensive. The same process was followed for many years until four years ago, when my partner Julie, decided that perhaps we should take the search seriously.

After a week’s holiday in Shropshire 2016, which was pleasantly spent wandering along with the Shropshire Union and visiting the Llangollen canal, we found ourselves at Braunston Marina in Northamptonshire, as a stop off on the way back to our Suffolk home. We had heard that a small 40ft tug had come up for sale, but on arrival at the marina office, we were told that an offer had been accepted that morning.