Ricco1

A thought: If I were to have an electric fridge, and solar panels, how about this for a strategy: Run the fridge during the warmer months when the electricity provided by the panels should be enough (is that correct?). During the winter months switch it off, keep my milk etc. in the bilges. Any thoughts? I really love all this talk of frugality! I'm currently in Indonesia for 2 months for a total cost of £1300.00. That's flights, accommodation, renting a motorbike, all meals, a few beers from time to time, rolling tobacco, the lot. I love to get the most out of life, and pay the least.

Thanks for all the replies, really useful! I like the idea of a gas fridge and water heater, I'll make a note of that. I'll probably get a small generator as well. Hopefully one or two of the boats I'll be looking at will already be reasonably equipped!

Thanks for the replies. I have to admit I'm a complete novice as far as electricity is concerned, I don't really understand amps, watts, volts, I guess I should read up on it! Ideally I'd buy a boat that's been used as a liveaboard but I don't want to rule out any that haven't. I'll have a budget for adding things on after the purchase. What I don't want to do is buy a boat that say, has room for 2 batteries when 3 is considered the minimum. And similarly, if there's no space for a generator, and one is needed, I have a problem! Out of interest, why would it be better to have the t.v. etc. on 12 volts rather than 240?

I'll be looking ay buying a boat to live aboard when I get back from holiday, at the end of July. I've spent hours trawling through posts on this forum. I've a better idea than I had before, but some things remain unclear. Basically I'm trying to get it straight in my head what electrical equipment I'll need for my life afloat. To try to make any responses as accurate as possible I'll add the following: I intend to continuously cruise rather than use electricity from a marina. I intend to have solar panels and led lights because I like the whole eco idea. I'll have a small television for occasional use and a netbook computer for more regular use. I'll have a fridge but don't intend to have a washing machine. Apart from a phone charger and possibly use of electrical tools, I can't think of anything else that will use power. So: how many batteries should I have? do you think I'll need a generator? Inverter? Anything else? Any replies much appreciated.

I've seen a few boats advertised that have had recent surveys, within the last 2 or 3 years. The survey is available to read. Bearing in mind the cost of a survey would you still have one on one of these boats?

I'm going to start looking at narrowboats when I get back from holiday at the end of July. I'll be looking for something to live on, 40 feet or so, my budget is 20/25,000. A couple of questions if I may: 1/ I know the answer could be "how long is a piece of string" but I'm wondering, in general, about advertised prices versus actual sale prices. I know that any difference is often driven by personal and other circumstances. But say, an experienced boater looking at a 25K boat that takes his or her fancy, what might an opening offer be, what might it sell for, often or mostly? 2/ Is there a seasonal difference in prices? in autumn and winter might they be lower perhaps? Any replies appreciated.

I don't intend to work too much when I buy my liveaboard. But I may do a few hours a week, just to keep my money topped up I teach English as a foreign language, there are possibilities to do this via the internet. Basically you are 'hooked up' with a student on Skype video or something similar. Obviously, you need an internet connection that's powerful and reliable enough to complete the one hour lessons without hitches. Now I'm not technically minded as regards speeds etc. so I'd welcome practical advice rather than being quoted too much technical stuff. In a nutshell, can you get an internet connection on a narrow boat, continuously cruising, that would enable me to do this? If so, If I spent 6 or so hours a week doing Skype video calls, what might it cost me? Thanks

I worked hard for 30 years and managed to pay off my mortgage. I sold my house recently and bought 3 others to rent. So no, I don't trouble the government for benefits This gives me a smallish income, I have to be careful, but I have a great deal of freedom.

That's interesting. I'm sometimes judged because I choose not to work much, preferring to avoid the 'need' to buy the latest consumer goods etc. And I'm judged because I enjoy being alone much of the time, rather than being 'needy' for company all the time. And I'm judged because I avoid getting into a long term relationship. But despite all this judgment I detect some jealousy when I head off travelling for a month or two, or more. "Oh I wish I could do that!!" (you could...) Are you prepared to expand, say what type of judgment you come across? And me, the little bit you know about my lifestyle, what might I encounter?

Thanks for all the replies, so helpful! I'm heading off to Indonesia next week for a couple of months of surfing but when I get back, it's boat viewing time. Before I joined this forum my experience of narrowboaters was that they were a friendly lot, non-judgmental. So very different from some types on housing estates where one person gets iron railings that don't fit with a 70's development, many follow... I'll view a few but I have a feeling that a shortish boat will be for me. As long as I can get something fabricated to hold my motorbike (or maybe get a tug), have a wood/ coal burning stove and comfortable bed; the rest of it doesn't need to be spectacular, just functional.

How about 40 foot, 38 foot??

I've googled this and seen a few opinions but thought I'd ask the question to the experienced people here: I'm planning to buy a narrowboat to live aboard. I'll be solo, no pets. I'm happy to live fairly basically and space isn't is important to me as a feeling of freedom. What would you suggest as a minimum length of boat I should look for? Also, navigating locks alone: easy, tricky, very difficult? Thanks for any replies.

Thanks for the replies. Very positive, I'm sure I'll go ahead with this. It seems that a tug type boat might suit me best, or at least one with a reasonable length of open deck at the front. Or otherwise I guess I could have a 'holder' fabricated that would sit at the stern, pretty much as in the picture. Would anyone have an idea of (roughly) the cost either adapting the bow, or having a holder fabricated and fitted? Thanks again.

This is my first time on here, so I'll start with a bit of information about myself: I'm 51 years old, divorced, no kids. I don't work but have a modest income from some rental properties I own. These are managed, so I don't have to be around very often. The thought of living on a canal boat has grown on me over the last year or two. I spend a lot of time fishing on canals and I've chatted to lots of owners. I've owned various fishing boats over the years, and taken a cruise in Ireland. I love being on water, having the freedom to move, I'm sure it's for me. My idea is to 'continuously cruise'. However: my other 'watery passion' is surfing; I go off to Indonesia for a couple of months, usually twice a year. My question (first of many probably!) I'd buy a continuous cruising licence. However, obviously, my continuous cruising would be compromised if I went away. So: are there places opposite to the towpath where payment of a small fee to the owner would entitle me to leave it there for 2 months? and if so, would doing this cause a problem with my licensing? Oh and if I can squeeze another question in: I have a small motorbike (125cc), it would be great if it could be transported on my boat in some way. Is this possible? Any replies gratefully received! Rich