Kudzucraft

Never known anyone that took on a project like this that wasn't naive. If they weren't they would have never jumped in. Not owned a narrow boat (yet) but I have done a few projects. Cars, boats, restoring old antique wood working machines, etc. First one of two were all more work than I expected. Evenven without seeing this boat I would promise you there is a hell of lot more work and money involved then you think. Everyone without experience ALWAYS grossly under estimates what they are getting involved in. That is just the way projects are, boats being at the top of that list. Not saying don't buy it, just go in with realistic expectations and questioning your sanity is a good sign. Just make sure you have the stamina and funds to stick it out to the end. Here is my current project. I figure it will take me 2 years working part time to get it back on the water.

Wonder if anyone has written and English to English translation book?

OK, makes sense! Was having a hard time imagining why it wouldn't have it in it. Being a bit of gear head.... wait, petrol head? Mine never stays in more than a couple of years before I drain it to do something to it.

So antifreeze doesn't have rust inhibitors in the UK? In the states that is part of it and lots of people use antifreeze in areas that never freeze because the rust inhibitors instead of straight water. So

Pram hood! Couldn't think of the name. Wife wants one of those when we get a boat but I am leaning toward bimini. Yea, I suspect a bimini would look odd but really seems they would be very practical to me. Could be that most people are just not familiar with them?

Coming from a different style of boating I have been wondering why I never see a Bimini Top on a narrowboat? They go up very fast. Just unclip the two front or rears straps loose and it folds (falls is more like it) down. Seems they would be great in a rain or on a hot sunny day. Not nearly as ugly or protective as the big hoods I see. They don't take up a lot of space and I would think could be placed so the frames weren't in the way of seeing down the edge of the boat. Properly installed on a Semi-trad or a Trad I think it could be sized to fold down on the top in front of the hatch opening. Might be a bit problematic on a cruiser stern? I think I have seen one boat with one so it leaves me wondering why?

You think?? ?

Thanks again Jennifer, once I adjust your numbers to line up with the way I divided my expense I see most of it lines up with what I have gleaned from a couple of other cruisers. You spent about double on coal and diesel from what the others were saying. so I will probably want to adjust my numbers up a little to be safe. But everything else is pretty close and help confirm that I REALLY want to do this!

Same in the states! See it all the time with home improvement ads.

So true! Not sure how Real Estate works in the UK but in a past job I Appraised or valued Real Estate for the Mortgage Companies lending money. We had a legal definition of value and it this "The market price is just what someone will buy at" is a near perfect summary of the definition. All the time saw people that bought a house, put in a new Heat and Air condition unit when their old one died. Or they put in new flooring, or repaired this and replaced that. If they spent 10,000 dollars then the house had to be worth 10,000 dollars more. Everyone was convinced every penny they spent added a penny to the value of the house.

Thank you very much. That answers my question perfectly.

Trying to get a good idea of all the costs involved, so if I may ask what do you including in Maintenance? My first thought was that is a lot of repairs and then I thought that you might be on an an older boat that needs lots of work. Maybe you including upgrades? Decorating? Solar panels or such. Thanks.

I have been watching several Brokers and Apollo Duck and I was wondering the same thing. Granted I have only been looking for a few months but it seems to me that boats are staying on the market longer and I am seeing more boats marked as 'REDUCED'.

Not a narrow boat but it is my boat. 1963 Chris Craft Sea Skiff. Photo is from 20+ year ago when I first got it. Second one is of it now. In my shop undergoing a total restoration. Planning on a narrow boat in a few years when we retire.

I always try to route mine like that. It can save you boat from sinking and it often overlooked. But the valve sounds like a good idea too.

Yes you do! And yes, this is hilarious. American politics perfectly.

Sorry, really didn't mean for that to sound like I was aiming that comment at you. Just to be clear my spread sheet has Yearly Expenses itemized (ie Gold Lic., Insurance, BSC inspection, etc) along with VISA cost, health care, and more. Since the OP was talking monthly expense I just shared the ongoing monthly expense.

You guys like to bicker too much! This is just an ongoing spreadsheet of monthly expenses, not all expenses. BUT: I don't want a pump out on my boat so, yes zero. Our plan is CC so no monthly mooring fee. Major repairs are not a foreseeable monthly expense. I do need to ad some misc expenses in there.

For what it is worth, I have been reading everything I can find. Watching the vlogs ect. and I came up with similar numbers. I worked on a yearly basis and then averaged it at per month. So winter is probably higher and summer. Diesel £ 500 Coal £ 300 Propane £ 140 Blacking £ 300 Phone/internet £ 900 TV lic £ 154.5 Oil, filters, maintenance £ 250 Pump outs £ 0 Moorings £ 0 REPAIRS £ 500 £ TOTALS 3044.5 $253.71 per month

I have an old wooden speed boat with an inboard engine. It behaves much like a NB but being much shorter and lighter it react much quicker. But we will bow it in and then pull a bow line back toward the middle of boat and tie it off. Put the boat in forward it will tighten up the line and the stern will swing in. In reverse it want to pull the stern to the Starboard so I use that sometimes to my advantage to pull the boats stern toward the dock. Lot of tricks like that just come from experience.

No experience with diesel engines, but a marine gas engine should have no serious damage if it is underwater for a day or two. Diesel should be no different I expect. Any electronics will need replacing (if it has any) but the mechanical parts of the engine will be fine. Most of the internal parts are coated with oil anyway. Cylinder walls are where the damage could happen but It takes time for rust to form and a short dunk like that wouldn't do any real damage. Just want to get them dried out, fresh oil in and fire it up pretty quickly.