LouBLou

Thanks again peeps, Im going to wait a little while, do a bit more research, save a bit more cash/get a better deal on a loan You have all been great, when i can have my own boat, I'll be back with pictures and celebrations )) x

Cheers Be really nice to put our own stamp on our new home, I know this is the last thing I should be wondering about, but just for when I finally get afloat Have a great Sunday guys

One last thing... sorry If i wanted to change the name of a boat, is that a big no no, easy to do? x

Cheers Dean, sounds an exciting new adventure you and your family started Great tips, always good to know the practical stuff. If i can go ahead with it, should look on amazon for some book /bible of narrowboating. And thanks Paul i had no idea what the stern tube bit was (and would know to grease it now, see it all just another learning curve). There is a boatyard with a good rep my way, can give them a ring before committing to anything, for pricing.

Hey This is a fab forum! The engine is a diesel BMC, i have no idea about the gearbox, but are great questions for me to ask. I viewed the boat and said i wanted it (tut tut), as 2 weeks before had had the loan in my bank (but cancelled in during the cooling off period as was nothing at time) then when i reapplied it was declined!!! arghhh, lol The couple said they would hold the boat for me if was a case of waiting for my balance to clear after t loan... But i couldn't be sure i would be accepted for another loan, so felt unfair to let them hold it. we said we would keep each other updated...and i thought i should be a little less hot headed, lol so am doing a bit of homework Hahaha, the boy is 15.... eeekkkkkk bury head in the sand!!! He will have t bedroom, my room is front room Really appreciate all this help )

cheers, am looking just getting a little bit overwhelmed weighing up the pros n cons of diff boats against each other. that had just been my fave is all... Its great to hear advise though from people who know what they are talking about, i'll get there even if it has to be next year x and Im not telling him that We are only here for a short time, lifes for living But yeah, if my situation isn't right, I willll wait lol

true true.... Has my dad been on here and paid you all? Interesting point about the boat being out of t water. The survey said replacing or an over-haul of tube stern assembly.

fantastic, a decision made, the marina it is!They did have wifi too, i love how i pretend its all for my son

Good plan... I may wait for a year if this one doesn't work out for me The monthly fees not so much a prob, altho they are 270 a month Id be financially better off month to month as a rent a place at minute, is just having the cash to buy one (and a bit over for peace of mind) The boat I had my eye on has been regularly blacked. Done last year and new anodes. BSC until 2016 bevies in the garden today cheers ditchcrawler The 'heads down' mooring was very pretty and in a fab location, the other one very nice too, but if i can manage to pull this off I think your right and we'd be better off paying a little more and taking the safer option. Will google maps napton, we're not originally from this way, so no idea, lol. That is the time we'd be looking to be 'moving in'. Altho i wont know if i can have the funding for the boat for couple of weeks.... more waiting....

All great advice and am loving the warm welcome Im only allowed to take out and 18000 loan, partly due to silly little bits of credit, but will have my monthly salary (just have no savings). This is why I thought the original boat i had seen may be better as they are willing to let go for 15000 instead of 19500 as they a little one now so on a bigger boat and paying 2 moorings. But i messed up my loan, so am going to have to wait a few more weeks for bits to clear to make my credit look a lil better so might be too late for that one and the previous survey had said needs the stern tube assembly replacing and over hauled, but all other bits had been completed. Is that an expensive job? Trying very hard to keep a foot on the ground PS. love the definition of BOAT My dad is having kittens over my new adventure, lol, that will make him smile!

Thank you Theres just something in me that needs to do it. Fingers crossed for the loan then Thank goodness for 15 year old sons (I think he'll be great at lifting and carrying or a sack truck when it's my turn. Plus ive found a great place to come and ask lots of questions when im stuck, lol. Luckily he is really into cycling so when hes peeved can go off along the towpath Will have to look for some roof rack thing for his bike... Big thanks Lou

Amazing, cheers guys! We will be moored in the Oxfordshire area, have found couple of 'leisure moorings' where people live. One is a private marina and they have more facilities, and lots of families there, but is 100 more a month than the other, where it would be be a case of keeping your head down. I asked about the year of the boat as in my price range there are boats from 1976 - 90's The one I had my eye on is 89. which seems good. Is owned by a lovely couple who have well looked after it well and lived on her for 5 years. I just need to wait a couple of weeks to apply for my loan. So thought I should brush up a bit before then as experian seem to think should go through now )) and make sure im sure!! So, tell me the downside of living on a narrowboat, what should I be prepared for?

Hi I will have an 18000 budget for a liveaboard. I am completely new to narrowboats, but obviously have been trying to do some research. I want a more outdoor lifestyle for my son (15) and myself. I have seen how important regular blacking and boat service are when looking for a new home. Im a bit confused about the electrics, to be honest. The boat would be moored during the week and taken out weekends. With a 15 year old he will want his laptop, small tv, fridge. I have viewed a well looked after 42ft (i know not big, but had plenty of storage and 2 separate sleeping spaces (bedroom and front room) the electrics were 12v, The couple said they hadn't needed a fridge as was draining the batteries (1 starter, 2 leisure). What would be my options and rough cost of running 2 laptops, 2 phones, a fridge and small tv? mifi? What else would you look for when boat shopping? Is the age of the boat a big deal? Would appreciate any help Lou