fergyguy

I just knew you would be first to comment PeterBoat..., I must confess from the moment I stepped onboard I instantly knew it was the boat I wanted despite it not ticking some of my must have lists but I left with the biggest smile on my face happy in the knowledge it is the right boat for me.

Fingers crossed in a few weeks time I will be aboard my new ( to me) 57x12 Widebeam currently moored at Mercia marina which is very nice and very pricey so I will be mooring for about a year at Sawley whilst getting used to boat life and getting some practical experience in the water. Moving from Mercia to Sawley is there anything ( issue wise ) I need to be aware of ???

Yes you could be very right on that OCD as he has mentioned it I know. I love to watch them but as with a few I just would like them to be a little less polished and more basic in approach but as I said that’s just my opinion and nothing more.

I also follow Foxes Afloat but whilst always very informative I preferred their early stuff as was more natural and less production polished but that’s just my opinion and it’s not putting me off watching these guys

That’s my intention Peter but just thought I’d get people’s opinions.

Thanks nightwatch I’ll take a look as the boat I’m buying is moored at Mercia

I was considering buying 40 x 25kg bags of smokeless fuel which works out at £7 per bag but noticed today in Wilko today 10kg bags are £4 so equates to £10 for 25kg so just wondering if it’s worth trying to avoid having to find somewhere to free store a bulk purchase from coal merchant.

Whilst I realise it’s a bit of a “how long is a piece of string?” question I’m going to ask it anyway. The 57x10 boat I’m buying is fitted with a webasco central heating system which is running 4 radiators and a towel rail. Currently the boat doesn’t have a multi fuel stove ( but definitely considering installing one) so the heating for now is down to the webasco. Keeping the boat at a comfortable temperature how cost efficient is the webasco and what should I expect to be burning in diesel per day.

Now this is an interesting topic ( to me anyway) I have binge watched most of the more popular vlogs inc Narrow Dreams/ Cruising the Cut/ Narrowboat Experience and Foxes Afloat and have found nuggets of inspiration in all of them however not mentioning any names I feel some have started to develop into Commercial style highly polished productions which for me coupled with their need to be selling merchandise and constantly asking for patrons kills the appeal to watch them. I will be afloat soon with Misty my Labrador on my 57x10 as a single crew adventurer at the tender age of just 63 and yes I intend having a YouTube channel too ( thus adding another one to the list) however my intention is to hopefully inspire people who like me have been through life’s mill and have reached some very dark places in my wellbeing that you can gain your sanity back by opening a new chapter in your life. I feel getting out on the waterways amongst nature learning how to navigate the systems etc meet and interact with similar minded boaters will for me be a good thing and I want to share this with others who may find inspiration from my efforts. But to come back to Narrow Dreams I do like the simple presentation style given by a genuine lady in a non professional relaxed style ( I mean that as a compliment) .Why so many channels is maybe because more folk look at the internet for advise inspiration and entertainment as against simply drawing that from books.

I don’t get my boat till my house sale is complete fingers crossed early January

Hi Blackrose so basically what your saying is from now on it’s all plain sailing ????????????? Dr Bob being amongst such wonderful people like you lot how on earth could you put me off????? Lol ?????????????

Hi Neil it’s scary as I know only too well as there’s so much to learn and being surrounded by other boaters who have a knowledge of what they are doing can be a little intimidating. From what I have learned so far most ( not all) boaters are friendly helpful folk and like us were total novices at the start of their lives afloat. Keep in touch and maybe one day we will bump ( not literally) into each other on the cut. Kind regards Martin

Today I’ve taken the plunge and bank transferred the deposit on my soon to be boat home At Last I should hopefully be moving off land after 63 years and starting a new chapter in my life afloat.

Misty makes up for 2 as she’s a very active Labrador bless her

Thank you mrsmelly I realise there will be canals she can not navigate but having looked at the bigger boats 12 feet wide 65 long would have limited me so At Last is a compromise a little less space but still 2 bedrooms but giving me the advantage of seeing so much more waterways

Thank you Sea Dog it’s the start of a new chapter in my life for sure. It will be exciting and scary too with so much to learn including eventually single handed constant cruising along with my Labrador Misty which I intend documenting on a new YouTube channel which will be called. Misty and Me Moving On - At Last I want to help others see that finding yourself on your own in your later years doesn’t mean you have to give up on life and dreams.

Thank you Alan

Thankyou Bizzard I know I will have loads to learn and yep it will not be all plain sailing but nothing ventured nothing gained

Thankyou Nightwatch

Thankyou Deckhand

Well after about 3 years of pondering ( you just mustn’t rush these things, I’ve finally gone and done it At Last. Yep I’ve gone and bought myself a boat. Having pondered over Narrowboats and Widebeams big ones and small ones of each new ones and used ones with endless questions and concerns I have took the first step on my new adventures. So was it a 70 foot Narrowboat? Was it a 65 x 12 Widebeam? Nowp I decided I wanted the option to sail across the Pennines and see more than just the northeast waterways which would have been the case in a 65 x 12 and as much as I really do like Narrowboats I felt I needed just a bit more space so I have gone and purchased a 57 x 10 Widebeam aptly named At Last. I will not be getting her in home waters until after beginning of the year and I’ll update on her arrival but for now thank you all especially Peterboat for all your advice. Just got to stop smiling as my cheeks are starting to ache ??

I’m really easy going and they will have no issues with me but I think they just felt moving the one berth away from the bank they could put others off taking their old berth they would feel a little more private ( it’s s Marina so that’s a rare thing surely?) ?

Best thing is she’s a Widebeam owner so doing little to promote the cause ??????????????

Yesterday I visited a local marina to take a look at the mooring I’m going to reserve for my boat once house has sold . A chap from marina showed me the mooring which is perfect for what I want as it’s next to the security gate leading onto the pontoon so not far for my arthritic dog to get to grass for a wee. Within a minute of being there a lady in the next berth who would be my new neighbour popped out of her boat with a barrage of questions what boat? How big? When? Etc it transpires their boat had moved up one from the mooring I’m looking at. You will never get your boat in there she said despite it being same beam but 8 feet shorter than hers. you will never get it out in the summer as no water far too shallow..,but you managed? Its really noisy as everyone stands on bank side chatting..... really You will have to reverse all the way out? But you reversed in ? I somehow think that this boat owner doesn’t want neighbours and is hell bent on trying to put anyone wanting their vacant spot off moving in. If that lady is on her Thank you for your warm welcome and encouragement to enjoy a life afloat. Have your words put me off???? Hell no. See you soon neighbour.???

Can I ask if there are any boaters on here that currently moor at Redhill Marina ? If so can you give an honest opinion on how you find it from mooring facilities etc I’m looking at Sawley and Mercia both seem busy and well organised but just wondered if being the size they are if boaters are more about numbers on a balance sheet rather than being about giving residential boaters a good experience. I’m sure I’ll get a good range of views and welcome your opinions