Dragonfly is high specification and
offers luxury cruising. The boat exterior has recently
been repainted to the same high standard as new. The
interior is kept very clean, with a requirement to
return it clean at the end of the week (a
reasonably-priced valet service is available). Being
pet-free and non-smoking also helps keep the boat in
good cleanliness and extends the lifespan of the
furnishings etc.
The boat is equipped with a bow-thruster,
helping with manoeuvrability and making the boat easier
to handle even for people with little experience or
knowledge of narrow boats.
The choice of central heating
and/or wood-burning stove offers very warm winter
cruising - we spent Christmas on it one year moored
beside frosted fields and we were all very warm and snug
inside!
The boat is wholly owned by the
syndicate members. The management company and/or boat
builders do not have any shareholding.
Decisions are made by the co-owners
at an AGM - the meeting is usually held near the
management company offices in Cheshire and offers a
great chance to meet the other co-owners socially. It is
intended that in future the AGM will also be on a
"conference call" so anyone unable to attend in person
can take part. It is also possible to vote on any item
by proxy - the agenda is circulated in advance. The
syndicate is totally democratic with votes weighted in
proportion of one's shareholding i.e. we have 1/24th of
the votes.
Welton Haven is a very quiet
mooring in a marina setting with landline electricity -
ideal if anyone wants to use the boat purely as a
"floating hotel" anytime and drive out across the
midlands on daytrips or just chill-out without
travelling about! In terms of cruising it offers
excellent access to the Grand Union Canal and Oxford
Canal - beautiful countryside and there are some
relatively lock-free routes as well as more energetic
options! There are plenty of pubs and village shops etc
along the routes. The boat is stocked with a full set
of Nicholson's canal guides as well as binoculars, bird
guide books, a first aid kit and a small tool kit.