OT - Grand design becomes tragic folly?

[AMc]

We used to be avid watchers of the lovely Kev but it became a bit too painful once we started taking the roof off our own house and I stopped watching regularly.

I do remember these people - it's sad to see their dream derelict but I do remember some comments about "building regulations don't apply to boats" and in retrospect I don't think they made the best choices in their plan...

http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/news-extra/article/114693/tv-houseboat-washes-up-on-beach.html

 

[Lime]

Fools and their money are soon parted.
The question, how anyone in their right minds ever thought it looked good, defeats me.
If it was moored near my house I'd cast it off.
It looks horrible.
The modern style of building (real modern, as opposed to 19-20th century meaning) will be looked back upon as perhaps the reflection of an ugly period of design populated by those of vacuous thought and too much money.

 

[Penners]

I think the "too much money" accusation is a little inappropriate in this case, Lime. I remember watching that Grand Designs episode, and these people constructed the superstructure of the craft out of reclaimed junk, on the tightest of budgets.

But aesthetically I agree with you. It's a real eyesore!

 

[Lime]

I think my comment stands.
Too much money in this specific case was any spare cash at all!

 

[Feltwell]

That is a sad end to what was once someone's dream. I remember the episode vividly - it was clear from the outset it was destined to go horribly wrong, the owner insisted on using reclaimed materials even if they were totally unsuitable, had no plans, no skills of his own and worst still seemed to employ mostly people with no skill to do the work for him. The few decent people he did employ very quickly became disillusioned at the impossible task of trying to make a functional houseboat out of unsuitable materials with no plans and left.

How it cost him £80k I'll never know. I do have a lot of sympathy for him, I hate to see anyone's dream end up that way especially when it was meant to be a home for him, his wife & child - but the failure was largely self-inflicted due to his own foolishness.

And yes, it is damn ugly!

 

[Flyfisher]

It might not be the prettiest thing afloat but I'd say it looks no worse than the average container ship or ferry. Let's face it, a Thames barge is hardly a thing of beauty, so they were setting themselves a tough task.

I read this story somewhere else (can't remember where) and it was reported to have been occupied by squatters for a while and severely vandalised, which I think is a great shame, so it's current state seems unlikely to be the direct fault of the owners.

I think Lime is being a bit harsh as I have a quiet admiration for anyone willing to embark on a somewhat eccentric 'dream' project and tackle something rather different and against the odds. But there are limits and I suspect that although harsh, Lime is probably also correct.

 

[Juju]

Yes I remember this episode. Whenever we see inappropriate non-matching windows we always say 'do you remember that boat on Grand Designs'. The windows were one of the worst aspects of that boat (I quite liked the shape of it myself) - I'm sure he could have got more stylish and better matched ones from salvage/ebay. Sad though to see all that money go down the drain/up the creek...
Juju

 

[JoceAndChris]

I bet, if they painted the bottom section in Lulworth blue, the top section in Dayroom Yellow, a fake "roof" on the housey part of the structure in "Red Earth", and then a few climbing roses in yellow and pink, and the odd tame parrot hopping about squawking bad words - it could be a really really popular cafe/ restaurant.

 

[Penners]

I bet you're right, Joce. Specially if they served top quality seafood.

If you're ever on the north Essex coast, go along to Mersea Island at lunchtime and eat at The Company Shed (not open evenings). It's literally a shed on the shore, with scruffy old tables and chairs and random selections of old eating irons and drinking glasses. But they serve the BEST seafood I've ever tasted at remarkably reasonable prices.

Take your own bread and wine, and be prepared to queue... for a long time on a summer weekend. There's no booking. You can also buy fresh wetfish and shellfish to take away.

http://www.west-mersea.co.uk/articles/35-featuredbusinesses/63-the-company-shed

 

[MatthewC]

I remember one problem the owners had during the programme was finding a permanent mooring as everyone thought it so ugly that they didn't want it near them!

 

[essexbearhunter]

I had always wondered how this boat qualified as a Grand Design - not because of the outcome - but rather that the one thing that it wasn't was a "Design" - merely a series of ad-hoc ideas thrown up in response to whatever piece of salvage or junk they could cheaply lay their hands on.

 

[Penners]

Hmmm - a moot point. Does a "design" always have to be pre-conceived, or can it grow and change as the project proceeds?

I think a lot of artists would argue the latter.

 

[AMc]

That link claimed it was "covered in graffiti" - I have seen things "covered in graffiti" and then I've seen a picture of a boat with a couple of lame tags on it.
I remember watching the programme and thinking they were hopelessly optimistic but for anyone to lose £80K when they're trying to build a family home is heart breaking to watch if you've found yourself up to the armpits in building and debt.
I think the 'no building regs' comment sticks in the mind because had they applied the family might have been forced to put something together that was constructable and liveable within their budget or at least saved from the worst by being thwarted at the planning stage.

I do now remember them buying flippin' ugly second hand windows and thinking they'll never look right.

It's hard to see where the £80K went though - perhaps the hull is more expensive than it looks?

 

[Penners]

covered in graffiti

If you want to see (and why would you?) a Grand Design covered with graffiti, pay a visit to Naples. Its once-beautiful historic buildings are smothered with the stuff wherever you go.

In fact, for what it's worth, my recommendation is DON'T pay a visit to Naples. I hated the place (apart from the municipal museum, which houses glorious treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum).

 

[philpjuk100]

But it was not really a design at all,it was a collection of bits put together.At the marina we use some of the boats have been modified to "live aboard" due to the present housing situation,a "shed" is built in the cockpit,the engine removed to give more room etc.Some started out as good boats but are now not "sailable" any more,you do not need plans,building regs or any other permissions,just a four yearly "boat safety cert" which just checks the gas,electrics,extinguishers etc. phil

 

[philpjuk100]

And these!

 

[MdB]

Well if you are into boat modifications, how about this?

One way to annoy the coast guard anyway....

 

[AMc]

And these!

:shock: wow imagine if they'd built that next door instead of floated it!

 

[philpjuk100]

Note the name!

 

[Feltwell]

All that space and so little to hit.....