Marjorie

You lot are right you know (of course you know). Having widened my search criteria, some boats I actually quite like are coming up. Turns out, the more you pay, the more of the lacquered oak EVERYTHING (which I think is kinda yucky) you get. Who knew. Thanks for your wise words all, on behalf of myself, and those looking to buy who love the lacquered oak thing - they will no longer have me to compete with.

I don't get it. It's not 'sticky outy' so it shouldn't matter, no?

Agreed, research is key - and I don't quite know what I (think) I want yet, so haven't started doing any. I do know what a good vertical weld looks like though (which I'm quite proud of, so I thought I'd just take the opportunity to show off). I am surrounded by people who work on and build boats (but not narrow ones) on the marina I live in - you can learn a lot by asking questions and sounding interested... MtB, you're scaring me. Thank you (probably good for me so I don't start thinking I know everything and it will all be a breeze).

I know it's not a stern, but look at the cratch cover conservatory thingy on this one. I like it. http://www.venetianmarina.co.uk/used-narrowboats/details/2856.aspx

Aren't most things 12/24v (TVs and fridges I have seen, didn't even think abotu lightbulbs)? Tbh, Shackleton was so fancy schmancy she has a 240v Smeg fridge (which is most people's entire budget gone right there, isn't it). Thanks for holding back on listing reasons to tell me I'm an idiot btw (a nice gentle start to build my confidence). I wasn't expecting you to give me all 10 at once, but thanks Do you still think that even if you could be there periodically throughout the build?

Ready? GO! A bit of additional information to get the juices flowing: I have lived on a boat, but not a narrowboat I'd really like to use some of my existing furniture (modified to fit) to incorporate into my narrowboat, which is mostly the reason I am thinking of having one built (is that ridiculous?) Money is an object, but not a massive one - my current boat will sell for the price of a very high spec narrowboat, but the aim of the game is to spend no more than 3/4 (1/2 if possible) and put the rest under the mattress Also, while we're on. Did you see Shackleton at Crick? She had a 24v system rather than 12v (except for the starter battery). Gary, the builderman, said he doesn't understand why everyone doesn't have 24v. So, why doesn't everyone have 24v?

Good point, well made.

There was a 50 footer at Crick that a couple were selling (lovely couple, lovely boat - unfortunately I can't remember the name of any of them) - you would have sworn she was longer when you were inside. The polar opposite was the Viking (unfinished) 57 footer that we went into, which felt more like a broom cupboard than a broom cupboard.

Lemme see! Lemme SEE!!

I did briefly think of modifying a large salad spinner in some way (in fact, I might try it, just to see). I *am* Bizzard. I thank you. Oh wait. This is WAY better than a salad spinner. Can you get 12v drills? http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7980447_homemade-spin-dryer.html

Hello again Here's the thing. I was thinking that I would go for a 57fter (ish) for a few reasons: 1. It means you can go everywhere 2. You have ample space (relative to narrowboats, obviously, not palaces) - see below 3. The C&RT cruising license band is 54'2" - 57'4", so it seems like it makes sense to maximise the bang you get for your buck and be at the top end of the band (are my fenders going to cause me problems by pushing me over though?) I won't have a long term mooring - I'm going to CC (the type of work I do means I can still work a little if I'm mobile, which is all I need, and if I wanted to live static on a boat, frankly, I'd just stay where I am (living on a static houseboat) and save myself the hassle of moving). The other half, who is currently building a dutch barge (she's roughly 58 metres. METRES!!), would prefer to finish and live on the big 'un (he'll be like a pea in a tin can) and leave me to the little 'un, with him visiting some weekends and when his work travel coordinates with my position during the week. So for the most part it will likely just be me (and two small dogs). Is 57ft unnecessarily large, do you think? I know it's a 'piece of string' sort of a question, but I'd be interested to know what you took into consideration when you chose the size of your boat, and whether you are happy with what you have (pretty sure everyone always wants a few extra feet!).

Can you get under bridges? (I'm veering towards just wearing my mac... with a glass of Scotch... or staying put until the rain stops...)

Oh, does it! I didn't realise. But yes, I meant what you said I meant I have a couple of neighbours who have built their own boats and are living with the sprayfoam look (which is not so bad, once you get used to it). And another who have done all their insulating on the outside so they can have exposed steel throughout inside (it looks beautiful, with all the different shades of rust, but IMAGINE the condensation!). Probably not for me. But I might take a stab at incorporating some of my lovely 'furniture into a narrowboat...

Yes, a Presawash is what I got. I'm converted. The actual 'doing' bit takes all of a couple of minutes (good idea re. leaving stuff to soak for a bit, I shall try that with my next load). Now, spin dryers: The one I got is bigger than I expected it to be. How big is yours, and where do you keep it?

The boat I live on now I had bought and moved onto in just over 2 months from initially having the idea. I wouldn't have done it if I had thought about it (a bit chicken, when it comes down to it). Thankfully she isn't a duff one, (one of the few times in my life that bravado has paid off).

Would a good old fashioned mac not serve you well for the rain, rather than trying to stay sheltered? (Is that a rookie question?)

I have a flat cap. Maybe I'll wear that. I did have a top hat once... Wonder where that went...

Wait. What else does "online" mean? And can I really not wear my new Captain's hat?

Thanks! New to narrowboats, but not to boats (I live on a converted lighter on the Medway at the moment, but it's far too big for me and it doesn't move). Most of the challenges people say you must beware of don't really phase me (lifting a bag or two of coal from the towpath over the bow of a narrowboat will be NOTHING compared to 15 bags down a pontoon, up a gangplank, through the galley, down some stairs, round the corner and into the swim... not to mention the annual cubic metre of logs), I'm not worried about having masses of space to store things I don't really need, and I am used to conserving power and water. I'm trying to get my head around how the whole propulsion/ electrics/ water thing works so I can settle on a set up I am comfortable with - but I don't think it's rocket science (is it? Tell me now if it is and I'll skulk off before I make a fool of myself). The thing that I'm really getting excited about (as you may have noticed) is how to lay things out (I'm a girl, what can I say). I've already decided on the exterior paintwork, because clearly that's the key issue. I'm planning on a pump out toilet, with a spare porta pottie added later if required. There, I said it.

I'm going to stick this to my wall for when I'm having a panic attack because people keep looking at me like I'm mad.

So, I thought I'd get myself a hand crank washing machine to see if I could 'cope' with it (I know, I know - but so many people had looked at me like I'd lost the plot, I got all anxious about it). It was £30 on eBay, is a pleasing shade of retro orange, and it's bloomin' marvellous! Honestly, why doesn't everyone have one of these? Approximately half a normal sized load, 5 litres of water (2.5 for wash, same again fro rinse), a scant half lidful of laundry liquid, and less than 10 minutes (I have a spin dryer as well, so it all went in there for a couple of minutes) = perfectly clean, fresh smelling laundry. Get one. Seriously. It's my new best thing.

YAY PUPPY! That's not bad actually... (the sofa, the dog already had my vote).

Oh that sounds like a cool idea (expensive because of the hatch maybe?) Alan, I want a bell. Nothing else really maters (engine? Whatever.). Actually, some of you have pretty nice looking homes. Can I just come live with you?

I knit. I'll be fine.

I get it! Thanks You wouldn't want to put anything on top of your engine would you, because you wouldn't want to restrict access (would you even pass a BSC if you did?) - so whether it ends up indoors or outdoors is probably down to taste more than practicality? Any chance of a photo or two? I can't picture how you've fitted so much stuff in