Dyad

We hired from Ashby last March, a guy showed us everything from how to re-light the boiler to winding the boat and there is a sticker on the back edge of the slidey hatch saying "slow to tickover when passing moored boats". No locks on the Ashby, I still have that joy to come.

Yes, he was always talking about his boat the "Blue Pig"

I know nothing about metals and even less about boats so this is going to be a silly question but here goes... Why are boats still made of something that has to be repainted and replated? surely there are better materials now. Is it for the heritage aspect? Kev

Yes, I hired from Ashby Boat hire, based half way up the lock free Ashby canal, perfect for my first time. The boat was tidy, everything worked properly and they allow pets too.

Hi Ron, A great idea me thinks. I've just been trawling through the various sites looking at hiring and something like this would be a great tool. I don't envy you the task of keeping on top of it however, accuracy would be crucial of course. Best of luck for the future if you intend to keep going with it. BTW Ashby Boats do take pets, took my two dogs this year. Ironically the boat I hired from Ashby to go up the Ashby canal was called .... "Ashby". http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php...si&img=2424 Kev

Hi Dak What a coincidence, we must be following in your footsteps. Our first holiday on a narrow boat was March '07, on the Ashby canal because of the lock free aspect, in a boat called "Ashby" from the Ashby Canal Boat Co. Our aim was to try it out of season to see if we could cope and more importantly if the dogs could cope. Now having well and truly caught the bug we too are looking for our second adventure, with locks this time. I particularly want to go on the Llangollen, over that great aqueduct. As we are looking to become liveaboards in a 57ft trad I am going to hire a similar boat to this early next year. Good luck with your next cruise. Kev Added a pic in member's gallery of dogs with "Ashby"

You lucky lucky lucky lucky ... so and so's. I'm so jealous, or is it envious, one day I will be floating passed you all, hopefully on a boat. Kev

An it harm none do what ye will.

Hi Carlt. Yes I saw that one, unfortunately they do not allow pets, which is understandable of course.

Thanks Jim, exactly what we're after and in the area we would like to explore, brilliant. Once again, thank you. Kev

Hi. We, like alot of peeps, are putting our toe in the water and trying out boating. We hired a 49ft cruiser stern in March this year, it rained, it hailed, it snowed, the boat was blown onto the bank afew times (well I'm blaming the wind anyway) but we loved every minute of it. Now we know we like it and more importantly the dogs like it, we want to try a trad stern and one with a multi fuel stove as this is what we want as a liveaboard (oh no not another wanabe). Any ideas who to seek regarding hiring such a vessel? Many Thanks. Kev

[we've been giving this at least 3 years thought] Oh, We have been in research mode for ages and ages and ages and... well actually ..... 3 weeks. Still got a bit to go I think. I have seen the pilings lock marina website, it looks good. Are you buying or renting a mooring? Also, if you don't mind me asking ,(and I'll through ths open to anyone) are you selling your house to buy the boat and if so what comes first, a buyer for the house, a mooring for the a boat, a boat to live in while you sell the house or do you rent a house while you sell your own and then buy a boat. Can you buy a boat on the previso you sell your house? If you book a mooring but don't use it straight away do you pay for it or do you pay a holding fee or do you rent it out or or or or or I think I'm going into question overload here. I wish you both the very best of luck with your endevor/adventure and I hope I am following soon. Kev Apologies for any miss spelled words and repeat q's that have already been asked and answered. I will no doubt come accross them as I continue to scour the forum.

Yep, brand new to boating. Hiring my first narrow boat in March to see if the dogs like it, I've already got their doggy life jackets. Kev