SilverGilt

Thanks for that - quite a few of the Dutch barges I've seen on offer in Holland are actually completely refurnished builds done up like new, which was rather was I was thinking of (I note with amusement "if your hobby is welding"...because I was a fabricator for some years, I know my way around fluxcore!). I've just received some rather "This can't be for real" news from my ex; he's been offered a very high paying job in Amsterdam, and has already offered to purchase me a boat in Holland, having it sailed over where I wish - even though we're ex'es, we're best mates, so he's not talking through his hat. Once I picked my jaw up off the floor, and after the five minutes of dancing around saying "whooooooo" the reality kicked in and I told him to wait a bit till the job solidified into reality and I actually learn what I'm doing with a boat in the first place. Suddenly, this looks like reality as opposed to a dream. I think I better start doing my real homework now. Thanks everyone, and I'll keep boring you with questions now!

Thank you very much for that link - I'm actually a few steps closer to making this a reality (steadier commissions coming in now!) so I'm able to look at things more seriously. Still going to try for a late winter jaunt on a boat just to see what it's like. Ta much!

He's only three at the moment (I won't have a boat for a year maybe two). We don't know actually how autistic he is on the spectrum- he's having his first CFS assessment the end of the month, but as far as what other specialists and professionals have said, it's gone from Aspergers, to mild, to moderate...each time it feels like I'm being kicked in the chest. But that's another story. All very brilliant points, I really do think starting out moored, let him rush about safely and explore the space at his own pace a few times (as he's a wanderer) would help considerably, and then slowly introduce other things. Thank you so much for your input.

Not necessarily. While it won't help much of someone has never had experience with special needs children to give up commentary, I have had some good tips here already from people who work with or are familiar with special needs. My son may not want a lifejacket, but he's jolly well going to wear one anyway! Autism doesn't mean "get away with whatever I want" in my house. Yes, Mum leads by example, which helps with the arguments but I hadn't really considered the other aspects, and was glad to get a few pointers. So again, thanks everyone!

Was there anything in particular you needed to do that? Did they stay belowdecks only or were they allowed to walk about above with a lead? Autism itself is a spectrum so it's hard to say really what he can and cannot do, let alone how it will be in a year, just wondered if there were things in particular (i.e. wearing lifejackets, staying moored rather than attempting to cruise, etc) people may have had experience in. I can then take it on board in my head and have a few more ideas. The idea of having friends help would be a good one as well as I've several friends who work with autistic children who'd also love to cruise around on a boat! Even the ex could come round as we get on rather well if we wanted a cruise. It's the safety I'm a bit more worried about - he tends to wander a bit and having a lock on his door has occured to me, but then I wonder just how safe it is to have locks on doors inside a boat (or maybe I've watched Titanic one too many times). Right enough whittering need to get back to my son now.

I've already decided to put a "Lifejackets always ondecks" rule in force on whatever boat I choose, but I wonder if anyone has any experience with having special needs children on boats. My ex will have full custody but my is obsessed with boats, and cars, loves swimming and water and I'd like to be able to take him onboard occasionally, even if just moored up. However I'd like to hear if anyone has experience with special needs children on board as I imagine there's quite a bit to consider. If it's too daunting I guess I'll rent a hotel room somewhere! Thanks.

Brilliant again, thank you. Hm...I have a Dutch friend or two...I may get in contact when I finally get things sorted (loan company backed out, apparently artists aren't worth giving money to, harrumph) . Has anyone had any experience with http://www.bowcrest.com/ ? I imagine it's still more expensive than just going over to Holland and buying one, but mij nederlands is...erm...rubbish. As for the alternative stuff/composting toilets and so on, I know they're more expensive in the short term, but in the long run I think those measures would be worth it in cost. I'll definitely take a look, if what I save in getting a boat from Holland or a sailaway would allow me to invest in alternative plumbing/energy. Again, the reason for wanting a "modern" version is I know next to nothing about refitting a boat. As a former plumber I have seen time and time again how people botched up installing their own plumbing as they had no idea what they were doing, and I can imagine a boat refitting by someone without a clue would be a nightmare in the end, hence I'm leery of refitting myself. Still, I really don't require my boat to look like a posh london flat with marble work surfaces on the inside. I will look into the options and get help with fitting as well to make sure I don't botch the job. Thanks all for the great ideas, I'll keep them all in mind.

Thanks for all the replies! Just to clarify, I have no intention of getting a boat and sailing it cross the channel within the first week. Potential means "several years from now once I know what I am actually doing." This may mean I need to purchase a "starter" widebeam then think about a seagoing vessel later. I've been on the sea before, even in rough weather (which I wouldn't be taking a barge on), and loved it. It's water. Water=joy for me. As for the DIY, I am no real stranger to a spanner or disc grinder (was a fabricator and plumber for a while), so I could fit out if required though as someone pointed out, I'd rather not be doing it for a year! I'll look into it further. Love the boat there Alastair - I'll inquire but I'm still gathering funds. Still, would love to see how you put everything together as I've wondered how solar panels work on boats (let alone in England!) Thanks again, I'm still doing the research, and of course appreciate the required reality checks.

Right, well add another poor sheep to the fold. I'm newly seperated and I have now realised getting on the property ladder will be impossible as someone removed all the rungs...and greased the poles while they were at it. I'm a silversmith, and still saving up some cash so I can do the liveaboard thing. Roughing it isn't new to me; I spent several years backpacking and living rough. I do however greatly appreciate hot water (yum, hot water), so I won't be doing my laundry in the river by hand like any "true" canal boater (tongue firmly in cheek here). But I have no problem getting wet, dirty, tired, paint spattered and cross if need be. Been there, done that, have the arthritis to prove it. I really like the widebeams, and the widebeam styling after the Dutch Barge style - after seeing the replica on Ledgard Bridges site...I do believe I'm in love. Big hunk of floating metal on water, I'll take that thank you. Yes, fully fitted is where I'm at, but there's so many things that come with fully fitted boats I just don't need (I never watch telly and I think I can supply my own drapes, yeah?). I know I can't do a sailaway as I know my limitations and any boat waiting for me to fill it with necessary items would be a very empty boat for a very very long time. Being able to sail the Channel would be awesome, but I'm only looking at financing for about £80,000. Is that even doable or am I trippin'? Another query is: I'm looking into alternative power sourcing. Yes, solar panels, but come on I live in England, solar what?! Not to mention kids standing on bridges throwing rocks... I have heard about the Whispertech systems but is this truly a viable option? I'd only be spending about 8 months out of the year moored up, and then hopefully spend the rest of the time cruising and getting more inspiration for my silverwork (by inspiration read "wasting a bit of time having some pints with other artists who should be doing something" ). Is there any alternative power sources thaat are more environment friendly, or toilets which may allow for more environment friendly use (I am NOT dumping my poo into the English Channel). I'm spelunking through threads at the moment to try and pick apart other my other questions and see what I can answer myself so I don't appear a total numpty, but I am aware I know bog all, and I intend on taking some certs and courses and whatever else I can find to make sure I'm not going to do something mindbogglingly daft. Thanks for reading. SilverGilt