03 March 2004

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Apologies if you have been suffering withdrawal symptoms - here is the latest OwnerSnips. Whilst writing a few things to tell you.

OFFICE STAFFING

First of all, will you please join me in welcoming Deborah McQuade and Moire Reeve to our office team. …

A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE RANGE OF NARROW BOATS IN THE SCHEME

OwnerShips is creating a "Dream Boat"!! Starting with "APPERLEY" being launched mid 2004, …

A BOAT FOR ONE OWNER!

And another dream boat. For years, I have wanted to build an ultra-luxurious wide beam that is capable of both inland and offshore cruising (eg. through France and out onto the Mediterranean). This year I have finally done it. With the help of my friendly bank manager (!) I built such a vessel "on spec" for the 2004 London International Boat Show. And it created quite an impact. At least five different articles are being written about it in the press (including Waterways World and Canal Boat magazines). Virtually everything on board is computer controlled. If you are missing your floating toy, you can even ‘phone it up from your PC at home and have a look at the inside, or check what the weather's like on the outside through on board CCTV cameras. It has mood lighting throughout (an infinite choice of colours), home cinema, climate control, and a galley that puts my own home kitchen to shame (not difficult, I confess!). You can see it on a new (temporary) web site at www.issima.org. And if the enthusiasm of the media is anything to go by, there will be more similar vessels to follow. But it's not for shared ownership. In fact its nothing to do with OwnerShips at all. I just wanted to tell you about it.

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Allen Matthews