PMcC

Great idea but the boat can't duck :)) Not so worried about interior height , just I don't want to buy one for a pygmy if I don't need to

Hi everyone and thanks for great replies on my other two topics. As soon as I find a suitable boat , a 57' narrowboat cruiser stern (I think I'd fall off a trad and while I've read a lot about them and gained a bit of knowledge through this site, one questions seems to be unanswered. My daughter lives in Hebdon bridge , so Ideally I'd like to cruise that area a lot . Which if I'm correct is the Rochdale canal. I'm told that 57' long 6'10 wide will be able to do it. The big question is height, I realise that water level , slope on sides of cabin, ballast and general loads , fuel etc makes a difference but can anyone. Give me some advice on the height. I'm 6'2 so I don't want to buy an unessecerily low boat. So what exterior height would I need. Many thanks Phill

Thankyou, lots of things to look for

Thanks again, makes very interesting reading.

Thanks so much, that's helped put my mind a little more at ease . What difference does the electrical system make ? Many thanks

I've read a lot and learning a little I'm finding it very worrying that I'm seeing some boats needing replateing after 10-15 years or so. I've also read that two replates is the maximum. Is this down to low quality hulls, or just neglect with blacking if so who makes the best hulls. I really don't want to spend £50.000 and find that my boat will be scrapped after 15 or twenty years. Another problem seems to be surveyors who take no responsibility for their reports, so what does a newbee do about buying a 57' narrowboat. Any advice would be very welcome Thanks Phill

Helps with the agitation as well :)) I'll also have an A2 digita printer aboard, maybe I'll be able to sell a few prints as well :))

I use both but even I tend to concentrate more with film, not because of the cost but the fact I can't see an instant result. To be honest I was a much better photographer before digital, making sure that the light was right and waiting sometimes hours for the sun to be at the right angle. many shots make light work but you can be 50% certain the best one was when the motor was in the 20th during rewind. I once shot an eagle eating over water the video I shot at the same time showed that it's claws were ready to pick up a fish for only 125th of a second, so good technique practice and anticipation is the only sure way of getting those shots. No motor wind could guarentee . Yes digital is great , easy ? the problems of getting the great shots are still the same believe me If you fancy a look at what I do just google Phillip McCordall I've a big youtube channel , that may interest you.

As an ex pro who used verylarge format 10"x8" that in 2000 cost around £20 a sheet processed, I learnt that 1 great shot is better than 1000 mediocre ones :)))

Thankyou, I'm certainly impressed by the replies I'm getting

Thanks, I'll certainly hang around a few locks and see what's involved at the very least.

No narrowboat experience, I've just rented wider holiday boats several times on the broads and on the canal de midi in France.

Thanks Frank, very encouraging comment, I really can't wait to start a new life and as a photographer I'm looking forward to getting some nice snaps on my travels . Good luck on your 4 month cruise. Phill

Thanks, I want to visit all the canals so I'm limited for length, hence 57' choice, my daughter lives in Hebdon bridge and that canals locks are limited.

I've really enjoyed , looking at this blog. All I can say is well done !!

Me

There's only one answer and that's GIMBALS

That depends which Phil you mean

You can have a darkroom anywhere there's no light :)) A good b/w printer is hard to find , there are a few that became very very well off. No great shots without great prints. A bit like having a boat interior without a hull

Great advice many thanks

Thanks Tony I'm going to have a good look at different boats, at first just looking with a view to buying once the house in France is sold. Phill

With my little knowledge, I would have thought that a hood that's easy to take down would be a godsend, bearing in mind that on the lousy days you would use it no-one else would be out to see it Although I've spent many many hours in bad weather just waiting for the light to be right to take a picture, once in -18C for two days . Phill I would imagine that everyone falls in from time to time :))

You don't know my family :)) I'd guess children and grandchildren (all can swim like fishes) would be aboard at least two months a year, I've kids in the South and North so one set will be in range I'm sure.

I was only thinking about any other boats not my one of course

Thankyou for the reply ,interesting they don't drop in winter. Now you mention wine ! are there breath tests on the canals Phill