The canal / narrowboat thread.
Discussion
FiF said:
Tool roll when hire boating, essential to my mind.
Not been for a few years now but tbh generally have a little fix of things that need a minute of attention where it would annoy the life out of me if owner.
The most stupid thing on our Le Boat (apart from the comedy boathook) was the metal rail that ran round the hob about 3" high. It meant you couldn't fry anything because the pan wouldn't sit flat. No screwdrivers to hand so I used the point of the potato peeler to remove the bugger for the duration. This is a river cruiser, stuff is not going to slide about!Not been for a few years now but tbh generally have a little fix of things that need a minute of attention where it would annoy the life out of me if owner.
Simpo Two said:
The most stupid thing on our Le Boat (apart from the comedy boathook) was the metal rail that ran round the hob about 3" high. It meant you couldn't fry anything because the pan wouldn't sit flat. No screwdrivers to hand so I used the point of the potato peeler to remove the bugger for the duration. This is a river cruiser, stuff is not going to slide about!
You say that but most of the hire boats don’t slow down when passing the liveaboards. The wake rocks the Lifeboat something terrible. Dutch Barge not so much. I do believe the hire places along here get the odd phone call asking them to educate their customers. Gretchen said:
Simpo Two said:
The most stupid thing on our Le Boat (apart from the comedy boathook) was the metal rail that ran round the hob about 3" high. It meant you couldn't fry anything because the pan wouldn't sit flat. No screwdrivers to hand so I used the point of the potato peeler to remove the bugger for the duration. This is a river cruiser, stuff is not going to slide about!
You say that but most of the hire boats don’t slow down when passing the liveaboards. The wake rocks the Lifeboat something terrible. Dutch Barge not so much. I do believe the hire places along here get the odd phone call asking them to educate their customers.One thing I noticed about the Thames as opposed to the Great Ouse is that nobody, not even private owners, slows down when passing moored boats.
Simpo Two said:
The most stupid thing on our Le Boat (apart from the comedy boathook) was the metal rail that ran round the hob about 3" high. It meant you couldn't fry anything because the pan wouldn't sit flat.
That was to stop you frying anything so you wouldn't burn the boat to the ground 
Talking about 'Le Boat' - this ones got a bit lost -
Currently in Oxford !
We’ve cracked on with our build after other half spray insulated, we lined with a second recycled plastic insulation and now have a functioning wood burner and tiled hearth (£10 marketplace) with a lovely new chimney, more than comfortable double bed and leather sofa (built from ply and pallet wood and cushions from a free sofa) half a bathroom wall, kitchen with compressor fridge, sink and Thetford Triplex cooker/hob. Kitchen built from door and drawer fronts sourced via marketplace and a free worktop and .99p eBay sink! Still have taps to source.
Tonight I’ve rustled up some omelettes. In a pan other half bought… next time I’ll pick up a medium pan more suitable to fitting on the hob!
Still need to source a bulk load of tiles for behind burner and kitchen, fit the toilet and shower and trimmings and build some more storage units. But we are warm and dry.
Tonight I’ve rustled up some omelettes. In a pan other half bought… next time I’ll pick up a medium pan more suitable to fitting on the hob!
Still need to source a bulk load of tiles for behind burner and kitchen, fit the toilet and shower and trimmings and build some more storage units. But we are warm and dry.
I'm seeking some advice - and if this is a hair-brained idea - please don't hesitate in shooting it down.
As a kid, my family enjoyed a couple of short holidays in a Hoseasons rental on the Trent & Mersey. As a young adult, I did a couple more on the Grand Union and really enjoyed all of them.
I am now in my early 60's, living in the sun-belt of the USA and approaching retirement.
I find myself daydreaming about owning a narrowboat back in the UK, which my wife and I (both healthy and reasonably active) could live on, whilst cruising the UK canal system, during the summer months - maybe May - September, returning home to FL during the colder months and mooring the boat in a marina over the winter.
My questions are:
Is it feasible to buy a reliable boat that two of us could live aboard comfortably for months at a time for around GBP 50-75K?
What cost would I be looking at to 'park' it for 6-7 months each year?
When the time came to part with it and assuming it had been looked after, in, say 5-7 years, would I lose my shirt in depreciation?
Any thoughts/comments/derisory laughter gratefully received...
As a kid, my family enjoyed a couple of short holidays in a Hoseasons rental on the Trent & Mersey. As a young adult, I did a couple more on the Grand Union and really enjoyed all of them.
I am now in my early 60's, living in the sun-belt of the USA and approaching retirement.
I find myself daydreaming about owning a narrowboat back in the UK, which my wife and I (both healthy and reasonably active) could live on, whilst cruising the UK canal system, during the summer months - maybe May - September, returning home to FL during the colder months and mooring the boat in a marina over the winter.
My questions are:
Is it feasible to buy a reliable boat that two of us could live aboard comfortably for months at a time for around GBP 50-75K?
What cost would I be looking at to 'park' it for 6-7 months each year?
When the time came to part with it and assuming it had been looked after, in, say 5-7 years, would I lose my shirt in depreciation?
Any thoughts/comments/derisory laughter gratefully received...
Matt Harper said:
I'm seeking some advice - and if this is a hair-brained idea - please don't hesitate in shooting it down.
As a kid, my family enjoyed a couple of short holidays in a Hoseasons rental on the Trent & Mersey. As a young adult, I did a couple more on the Grand Union and really enjoyed all of them.
I am now in my early 60's, living in the sun-belt of the USA and approaching retirement.
I find myself daydreaming about owning a narrowboat back in the UK, which my wife and I (both healthy and reasonably active) could live on, whilst cruising the UK canal system, during the summer months - maybe May - September, returning home to FL during the colder months and mooring the boat in a marina over the winter.
My questions are:
Is it feasible to buy a reliable boat that two of us could live aboard comfortably for months at a time for around GBP 50-75K?
What cost would I be looking at to 'park' it for 6-7 months each year?
When the time came to part with it and assuming it had been looked after, in, say 5-7 years, would I lose my shirt in depreciation?
Any thoughts/comments/derisory laughter gratefully received...
This place will give you some accurate answers. https://www.canalworld.net/forums/As a kid, my family enjoyed a couple of short holidays in a Hoseasons rental on the Trent & Mersey. As a young adult, I did a couple more on the Grand Union and really enjoyed all of them.
I am now in my early 60's, living in the sun-belt of the USA and approaching retirement.
I find myself daydreaming about owning a narrowboat back in the UK, which my wife and I (both healthy and reasonably active) could live on, whilst cruising the UK canal system, during the summer months - maybe May - September, returning home to FL during the colder months and mooring the boat in a marina over the winter.
My questions are:
Is it feasible to buy a reliable boat that two of us could live aboard comfortably for months at a time for around GBP 50-75K?
What cost would I be looking at to 'park' it for 6-7 months each year?
When the time came to part with it and assuming it had been looked after, in, say 5-7 years, would I lose my shirt in depreciation?
Any thoughts/comments/derisory laughter gratefully received...
Matt Harper said:
I'm seeking some advice - and if this is a hair-brained idea - please don't hesitate in shooting it down.
As a kid, my family enjoyed a couple of short holidays in a Hoseasons rental on the Trent & Mersey. As a young adult, I did a couple more on the Grand Union and really enjoyed all of them.
I am now in my early 60's, living in the sun-belt of the USA and approaching retirement.
I find myself daydreaming about owning a narrowboat back in the UK, which my wife and I (both healthy and reasonably active) could live on, whilst cruising the UK canal system, during the summer months - maybe May - September, returning home to FL during the colder months and mooring the boat in a marina over the winter.
My questions are:
Is it feasible to buy a reliable boat that two of us could live aboard comfortably for months at a time for around GBP 50-75K?
What cost would I be looking at to 'park' it for 6-7 months each year?
When the time came to part with it and assuming it had been looked after, in, say 5-7 years, would I lose my shirt in depreciation?
Any thoughts/comments/derisory laughter gratefully received...
50-75K will get you a decent narrow boat.As a kid, my family enjoyed a couple of short holidays in a Hoseasons rental on the Trent & Mersey. As a young adult, I did a couple more on the Grand Union and really enjoyed all of them.
I am now in my early 60's, living in the sun-belt of the USA and approaching retirement.
I find myself daydreaming about owning a narrowboat back in the UK, which my wife and I (both healthy and reasonably active) could live on, whilst cruising the UK canal system, during the summer months - maybe May - September, returning home to FL during the colder months and mooring the boat in a marina over the winter.
My questions are:
Is it feasible to buy a reliable boat that two of us could live aboard comfortably for months at a time for around GBP 50-75K?
What cost would I be looking at to 'park' it for 6-7 months each year?
When the time came to part with it and assuming it had been looked after, in, say 5-7 years, would I lose my shirt in depreciation?
Any thoughts/comments/derisory laughter gratefully received...
They have gone up in value over the last couple of years so there's a chance they might full back slightly, so you might get caught a bit in the 'drop'.
If you maintain it, find a boat with decent paintwork (so there's a chance when you sell it it's still good) I don't think you'll get your pants pulled down when you come to sell it.
Costs for a marina could be anywhere between 300-500 pounds per month.
Gold licence (for canals and rivers) average say about £1200-£1500 per year.
Insurance £250 approx.
There's a Youtuber called 'Cruising The Cut' who interviewed an American couple who were doing exactly what you are thinking - I'll see if I can find it later.
SimonTheSailor said:
50-75K will get you a decent narrow boat.
They have gone up in value over the last couple of years so there's a chance they might full back slightly, so you might get caught a bit in the 'drop'.
If you maintain it, find a boat with decent paintwork (so there's a chance when you sell it it's still good) I don't think you'll get your pants pulled down when you come to sell it.
Costs for a marina could be anywhere between 300-500 pounds per month.
Gold licence (for canals and rivers) average say about £1200-£1500 per year.
Insurance £250 approx.
There's a Youtuber called 'Cruising The Cut' who interviewed an American couple who were doing exactly what you are thinking - I'll see if I can find it later.
Thank you Simon. I really appreciate your helpful advice.They have gone up in value over the last couple of years so there's a chance they might full back slightly, so you might get caught a bit in the 'drop'.
If you maintain it, find a boat with decent paintwork (so there's a chance when you sell it it's still good) I don't think you'll get your pants pulled down when you come to sell it.
Costs for a marina could be anywhere between 300-500 pounds per month.
Gold licence (for canals and rivers) average say about £1200-£1500 per year.
Insurance £250 approx.
There's a Youtuber called 'Cruising The Cut' who interviewed an American couple who were doing exactly what you are thinking - I'll see if I can find it later.
Matt Harper said:
SimonTheSailor said:
50-75K will get you a decent narrow boat.
They have gone up in value over the last couple of years so there's a chance they might full back slightly, so you might get caught a bit in the 'drop'.
If you maintain it, find a boat with decent paintwork (so there's a chance when you sell it it's still good) I don't think you'll get your pants pulled down when you come to sell it.
Costs for a marina could be anywhere between 300-500 pounds per month.
Gold licence (for canals and rivers) average say about £1200-£1500 per year.
Insurance £250 approx.
There's a Youtuber called 'Cruising The Cut' who interviewed an American couple who were doing exactly what you are thinking - I'll see if I can find it later.
Thank you Simon. I really appreciate your helpful advice.They have gone up in value over the last couple of years so there's a chance they might full back slightly, so you might get caught a bit in the 'drop'.
If you maintain it, find a boat with decent paintwork (so there's a chance when you sell it it's still good) I don't think you'll get your pants pulled down when you come to sell it.
Costs for a marina could be anywhere between 300-500 pounds per month.
Gold licence (for canals and rivers) average say about £1200-£1500 per year.
Insurance £250 approx.
There's a Youtuber called 'Cruising The Cut' who interviewed an American couple who were doing exactly what you are thinking - I'll see if I can find it later.
Scroll down a bit, he has done a number of videos of the costs involved.
Matt Harper said:
Thank you Simon. I really appreciate your helpful advice.
Here it is - https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2018/05/29/vlog-134-a...SimonTheSailor said:
A great insight - thanks again Simon!The Mad Monk said:
https://www.youtube.com/c/CruisingTheCutUK
Scroll down a bit, he has done a number of videos of the costs involved.
Thank you sincerely for this link - a wealth of information here. I really appreciate it.Scroll down a bit, he has done a number of videos of the costs involved.
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