The canal / narrowboat thread
Discussion
bristolbaron said:
Is this the right thread for cabin boats too...
Of course! It's just that those metal tube boats tend to take over 
bristolbaron said:
We’ve just paid a deposit on a Birchwood 25, so lots to learn! Will only be for pootling between Bristol and Bath with the kids but can’t wait!
Enjoy your first season of boating 
SimonTheSailor said:
I don't know if you watch any of the YouTubers, but Minimal List has just done the Great Ouse and all its tributaries. As well as the Old West River going to Bedford and as near to Cambridge as they could.
You can get as far as Jesus Lock if you've paid the extra to use that part of the Cam. In winter I believe you can go through the lock.Did they do Wicken Fen Lode? That's interesting to navigate!
Can I join in?
My other half has lived on/off boats for over 25 years, recently one of his previous boats, formally Bothered Not, was up for sale recently and someone’s added this plaque to her
This Summer he and I built a live aboard from an old 1940s aluminium riveted lifeboat. Just a shell, hull with metal roof so we’ve built up the cabin, front and back deck, bed, sofa, small kitchen and a Pip Squeak wood burner.
Although still a work in progress at under 30’ she’s too small for us both to live on. Plus I have seven cats…
I’ve learnt a lot from him and our dream was to one day have a Dutch Barge. A few weeks ago I by kismet I found something for sale. And she’s now ours and I’m in love. She’s a big project but we’ve already blacked her, have anodes on and started taking up the floor to clean her up. We will have her windows/wheel house sealed up and will work on her pretty much every night and all weekends over winter.
I’ll go back to the beginning and read the thread now!
If you want to follow her build Instagram is @bought_a_bigger_boat
ETA I know not a narrow boat / canal but I’m too excited not to share!! And since thread go off track…
My other half has lived on/off boats for over 25 years, recently one of his previous boats, formally Bothered Not, was up for sale recently and someone’s added this plaque to her
This Summer he and I built a live aboard from an old 1940s aluminium riveted lifeboat. Just a shell, hull with metal roof so we’ve built up the cabin, front and back deck, bed, sofa, small kitchen and a Pip Squeak wood burner.
Although still a work in progress at under 30’ she’s too small for us both to live on. Plus I have seven cats…
I’ve learnt a lot from him and our dream was to one day have a Dutch Barge. A few weeks ago I by kismet I found something for sale. And she’s now ours and I’m in love. She’s a big project but we’ve already blacked her, have anodes on and started taking up the floor to clean her up. We will have her windows/wheel house sealed up and will work on her pretty much every night and all weekends over winter.
I’ll go back to the beginning and read the thread now!
If you want to follow her build Instagram is @bought_a_bigger_boat
ETA I know not a narrow boat / canal but I’m too excited not to share!! And since thread go off track…
Edited by Gretchen on Wednesday 24th November 19:51
Simpo Two said:
Fascinating stuff, and two very hardworking people!
It's an unusual hull shape - unlike Dutch barges I've seen. Where's it based?
As for cats, I must admit I'm always a bit worried when I see cats on boats - if they slip overboard it's probably curtains
Most cats can swim, well ours can anyway It's an unusual hull shape - unlike Dutch barges I've seen. Where's it based?
As for cats, I must admit I'm always a bit worried when I see cats on boats - if they slip overboard it's probably curtains
dhutch said:
Hence the milk crate.
Whereabouts would you put the crate on, say, a 70' narrowboat so that a shocked, freezing and panicking cat can look across and think 'Ah look there's a handy milk crate, I shall just swim to it'?I'm a cat lover. And a boat lover. And they stay well apart.
Simpo Two said:
dhutch said:
Hence the milk crate.
Whereabouts would you put the crate on, say, a 70' narrowboat so that a shocked, freezing and panicking cat can look across and think 'Ah look there's a handy milk crate, I shall just swim to it'?I'm a cat lover. And a boat lover. And they stay well apart.
I am not a cat person, and the dogs very rarely fall in or are away from us for long enough it would be an issue.
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