Chox

Wow, how time flies! A lot has happened in the last 2 years, we have sold the campervan, I have changed jobs twice and moved house twice......................... However the 'boat thing' just won't go away We still want a narrow boat and still think around 45ft will suit us. My work is such that it will either continue for a few years or finish quite soon, either way a narrow boat still forms a major part of the grand plan. Having re-read the previous posts and had time to 'distance' my self I agree that my previous plan was 'not the best' shall we say..... So now we are on the lookout for a suitable vessel (still want only portholes only tho') in a fair condition that can either be used part time or full time if required. And so it begins ......... I have come to the conclusion that generally if asking for advice, be prepared to accept the answers! You all have so much more experience than me and it its OK with you I will be back for the odd question or two. Cheers Grahame

Hmmm..... interesting replies, thank you. What about the practicality of re-fuelling? I would imagine that near one end (front) would help keep things a little cleaner, not having to carry coal all the way through the boat?

I have noticed that the majority of boats have their stove at one end of the boat. Why not in the middle? Surely this would heat the cabin space more efficiently?

Thanks chaps No more questions for a while, I have a truck load more research to do.......

haha....sorry

So, we have what 'not to buy' .... any thoughts on what to be looking at? (would another forum be more appropriate as this is the self build forum?)

I feared that! No vintage engine for me then

Haha, I just tried to give a few.......... now I see you mean 'give' 3 a day not receive .....Still, stopped me getting a bit too keen with giving them I'spose

Thought so , cheers

As the title says really, is it like a 'like' button? Thank you

Thanks chaps! My wife gave me a bol@@@king for not giving you enough detail earlier (hence my last posting)! This is the kind of stuff I was hoping for If we can find one that is close to our requirement then a boat that we could 'modify' would be an attractive plan. Now then, any advice on what to look for (haha)? Still fancy 45ft max, portholes only (not much chance there then) and trad or semi trad stern. As for the engine, this is where I do seek your advice. I have no experience of 'vintage' engines, but they look and sound sooooo lovely! Also, what about replating older hull? Do hulls really wear out after 20 - 25 years? Cheers Grahame

Hi Richard, A completed boat would be nice, but I think it will be difficult to buy what I want. My canal boat experience is limited to the 12 weeks or so that I have hired over the years Perhaps it might help if I give a few more details.... My wife and I have rebuilt and lived on a 45ft sailing yacht for 3 years. We have built full size garages out of wood, renovated a few houses and fitted countless bathrooms, kitchens, central heating systems etc over the years. We have always had a boat of some kind in the household, from dinghy and canoe to cruiser and yacht. Currently we are in the process of selling our house and moving South again but we are unsure of where exactly we wish to re-locate. We have always (always!) loved canals, canal boats and the life that goes with them. We do intend to buy/build a canalboat as soon as possible and the idea of living on one for a couple of years has great appeal whilst we continue looking for houses. The chances are that we will build our next house, it is just that we are yet to find a suitable place to build it! I am fortunate that my wife is committed to this plan and very capable with DIY etc. We have taken early retirement so we have all the time needed to build/renovate a canal boat. I have lost many friends and family over recent years, My wife and I are trying to make sure we have as many adventures as we can before we leave it too late. So, to come back to the subject, we do not want to waste too much time making good other peoples mistakes or repairing, patching up old boats that are past their best. Our requirements and tastes are not for everyone and we are quite set in what we want......... ergo, we will probably have to build a boat to suit us. I have found over the years that I can avoid (too many) mistakes by asking as many questions as possible, seeing as much as possible, doing as much as possible. But in the end there is no substitute for getting stuck in and doing it for myself. Grahame

Thank you David for your kind words, I appreciate your comments. I do understand that it must be a little 'wearing' sometimes to see the same old questions asked again and again! I do indeed feel vulnerable at this stage because I know that in order to become experienced I probably have to make a few mistakes along the way! I am trying to limit the risk. Over the years I have found myself in similar situations and now all these years later I too am one of 'the old hands' but in other spheres of life. However, we do all have to start somewhere and surely everyone on here was a 'newbie' once. I am sure that much of the advice given is indeed meant well, and hopefully will help protect me from myself! So I shall keep coming back for more! Thanks again and kind regards Gtahame

OK, I admit I did ask was this a good or bad idea. The idea was to promote discussion. I have exposed myself to the chance of ridicule........ It would be nice to see a few more positive comments 'tho....... Edit: if I want to build a house I would seek advice from a 'house building' forum, but I don't and that us why I have joined this forum. Perhaps I have misunderstood the ethos.......I thought new members were welcome....

Always fancied building a house.... Always fancied building a boat.... Hey, it's an idea Plenty of secondhand boats around, yes. Do I like them ??????? and that is the problem!

Thanks for all the replies so far. We are considering all options. All our married life we have gone 'against the flow' so why change now....haha If we can find a place to fit out whilst living in our camper van that might be a good idea....... on the other hand, we have learnt over the years that if we wait until the right time, right place etc, we might until it's too late! Keep the thoughts coming please, it is all gratefully received

Hi Paul C, Thanks for the quick reply. I had posted this once, then it disappeared ? now elsewhere) Anyway, I hear you..... The reason we are considering this is due to the amount of rubbish or expensive boats around that still do not meet our requirement! As for water and power, we have spent 468 nights away in our (small) motorhome during the last 2 years and 10 years ago we lived on a yacht for 3 years so we would be quite happy to 'collect and store' as need be. An emphasis would be on heat first, plumbing second........ the rest would follow.....

I am wondering about the feasibility of having a shell made (sailaway) and then fitting it out in a basic fashion in order to cruise straight away. The idea would be to 'line' with sacrificial hardboard, fit a multi fuel stove, and principally 'camp' inside whilst doing the fit out. This way we could have the style and design that we like and at the same time allow it to 'talk' to us as we go along. Looking at 40 to 45 ft, only the two of us, full time.... Good idea? Bad idea? Cheers Chox

It's tricky....... we like portholes, tug style, solid fuel stoves.................not easy!

Thanks Neil2, We have a 'flexible' budget......... meaning we will spend what we have to if the boat warrants it. I have spent a few days surfing the net and it is indeed a minefield. I have already come to the conclusion that a lot of boats are tired and tatty as you say. Pushing the budget up another 10k produces a lot of overpriced boats owned by optimistic owners.... I am seriously beginning to think about a hull or sailaway now....

Sorry John V, I loved my old boat, I just thought I might get 'lynched' if I mentioned it here........ (it was half the size of that one)

I agree with all that. I have 45ft in mind as the maximum we would want. Yes, anything bigger than 20 ft will seem bigger than the van..lol

Thanks John and Phil, It is only a matter of time! (if only it was that easy!). Grahame

Wow, thank you for the replies so far everyone. It is indeed daunting but I have to start somewhere! For the sake of brevity I left out some detail earlier. We have hired boats previously over the years and owned a dreaded GRP cabin cruiser once I think having the camper van for the last two years has certainly help us know what we can 'do without'.....(TV etc). The desire for a solid fuel stove comes from the days when we had a wood burner in the house......we never went cold! (kept fit tho collecting all that wood!). As for the rest of it......... we want to 'keep it simple'. I have a feeling that once we have a boat the days of the camper van will be numbered....... Cheers Gahame

Hello everyone! I joined this forum 4 years ago (!) and after hiring a boat on the Llangollen have not been on one since! Not because we did not like it......... just never had the time! Anyway, after 2 years of travelling around in our Campervan we still really want a canal boat. I have posted a question about what to buy but I thought I would just say 'hello again' here! My wife and I are semi retired (early) and have the time now to do more things...... and a boat is the one we want most! So there you are, let's hope I become more regular (ooh err matron!) on here Cheers Grahame