Our Boat Hideaway

With flat batteries and suspicious electrics, this 56-footer needed some TLC but it soon came back to life as a much-loved cruiser.

It was only last year that we decided to buy our first boat. We hadn’t much previous experience but it seemed the right thing to do. We soon discovered that to have a boat it was necessary first to find somewhere to keep it. Living near Reading the Thames seemed ideal but we found that this river was awash with gold.

Looking elsewhere, but we hoped nearby, we contacted a marina on the Kennet and Avon near Woolhampton. They were nearly full but in answer to a question, yes, they had two boats for sale, with moorings.

That was the first time we saw Hideaway, a 56ft Liverpool Boats vessel constructed in 2003. This was being sold by the previous owner who was being posted overseas. Going on board we found it very appealing with varnished wood in an unmarked cabin. The other boat did not quite have the same ambience.

So, yes, we were interested in Hideaway. An internet search for others revealed an almost identical boat in the east of England that certainly deserved a look but this confirmed our original choice. We were still finding our way round anodes, bow thrusters, ‘cruiser versus trad stern’ this and ‘reverse layout’ that. We liked the traditional look but experience showed later that the cruiser stern was far easier to handle as learners. Anyway, what is traditional about hot and cold running water, a shower and a pump-out loo?

So, having paid up – subject to survey – and with a mooring assured, what next? Our ever-helpful marina manager, Bill ,arranged a boat safety inspection and a buyer’s survey for us. Though it passed, the former revealed the first snag: a problem with cabin ventilation and the solid fuel stove. That was puzzling as the boat was in “as built” condition. That resolved, the boat had to come out of the water for the marine survey. This was not too difficult though as lifting facilities were a just a mile away.