Capt. D

"I don't want to get arrested! Sounds fun though " I’m not sure why you think you could get arrested? Maybe I’m just old. When I was a kid hitchhiking and backpacking was a way of life. I toured all over Europe thumbing lifts on the roadside. The thought of getting a ride on a canal boat would have been mind blowing. Has the world really changed that much that everybody is afraid to give somebody a lift. As an old man in this modern climate I’m terrified of even telling a woman that’s she’s pretty without having the police on my doorstep. The world has gone mad!

Here’s a suggestion that worked for me on the French Canals.… I would go to the nearest railway station and look for backpackers. Kids in their 20/30s touring and out having fun! And just ask them… “Hey, I need crew, do you fancy a couple of weeks on a canal boat heading to….” Some were terrified and outright NO! Some were very suspicious! But some were overwhelmed with excitement at the suggestion…!! A free canal boat trip, brilliant! I had two English girls that were fantastic company, even kept in touch for a few years after, a great German lad that had been in a mining accident, another French lad who was great crew and great company. I only had one bad experience with an English lad who got on my nerves, everything was too much trouble, I was pleased to see him go, but the rest were fantastic and certainly better than being alone.. Risky??? Maybe! It’s all up to your judgment! at least you can see up front who they are and you could kick 'em off if it didn't work, unlike the replies and the commitment of an ad for crew.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies. But for the moment I’m stuck in London. Matty’s idea sounds a really good idea. I’m seriously looking into it. I’ve been searching the net looking for a forum with a comprehensive section devoted to canal boat owners looking for crew but apart from one website where they want you to pay to join I can’t find anything. Anybody got any suggestions?

I’m a retired yacht delivery skipper from the Caribbean and for health reasons I’m moving back to UK. I can’t afford to buy or rent a place here in London, the prices are through the roof, and I’m not really a house or flat person anyway, so I’ve been looking at narrow boats as an affordable alternative. I’ve lived on boats for almost 50 years so I could easily see myself living on a canal boat, not sure about the winter! What I’d like is to crew for a while until I can figure out what I want. If you need crew in the London area I’m available.