A DISAGREEMENT is rumbling on over the sale of a narrow-boat which proved too wide to pass through what is reputed to be the narrowest lock in the country.
Philip and Susan Preece bought Skylark for £57,000 from Paul Williams of Boughton to pursue their dream of living on a narrow-boat near Llangollen.
But the couple, who run Christleton Stores, successfully sued Mr Williams for ‘thousands’ in damages after getting stuck at Hurleston Locks, near Nantwich, en route to their mooring.
However, Mr Williams, a former Huxley-based boat fitter, was incensed on seeing the boat recently advertised for £4,000 less than they paid for it.
Coach driver Mr Williams, 40, who claims the case caused him to leave his former profession, said: “So, after they have won thousands of pounds in compensation off me for the boat being not fit for purpose and worth far less than the £57,000 that they bought it for, they are know selling it for £53,000 And there is nothing that I can do.
“My mission is to tell as many people of this miscarriage of justice that has ruined me and my business.”
But Mr and Mrs Preece, of Plough Lane, Christleton, say they can’t sell the boat and this week dropped the price to £46,000.
A civil court heard Skylark is 7ft and 1/16 inch wide at the front compared with the usual 6ft and 10in which caused problems at Hurleston locks.
During one frightening experience, the Preeces were on board when the front jammed in the lock and the whole vessel was left hanging as the rear started to drop.
Mr Preece, 50, said: “I’m not prepared to risk my family and friends going through a lock on something that’s not fit for use.”
Mr Williams, with the help of a friend, negotiated the lock on a separate occasion but Judge Derek Halbert was satisfied it ‘cannot do so safely’.
