69intheshade

I've had lots of wonderful replies on this site and am grateful to everyone for the advice. I'll hire a skipper/tutor as I'm not even sure I can work locks and bridges due to a condition I have, a journey of this duration with an experienced person will help me determine if owning a narrowboat is possible, or even sensible! The marina I'm heading to lies on the Knottingley and Goole Canal which I think leads into the Aire and Calder Navigation, I'll stay well clear of the River Humber! Thanks again and cheers

Thank you for your advice and photos, really helpful. I've still to complete the purchase and the brokers are giving me two weeks grace on their moorings. I'm still considering road transport as an option especially as I now realise my ignorance! Hah! Cheers

Wow Jen, thank you for that really detailed advice, there's a lot more to it than I initially envisaged! I am also considering road transport and can't decide which way to go when the purchase is completed. Fortunately the broker is giving me two weeks grace on their moorings so I have time to sort it out. Thanks again, really appreciated.

Thank you Brian, I'm looking at utube videos to learn some of the tricks! Haha!

Thank you, much appreciated.

Thank you for your kind and humorous reply. Although I've had boats in Spain, Ireland, and on the tidal River Medway I only ever locked twice both times manned and electrically operated. My narrowboat is 57ft long and beside being solo I now suffer with Multiple Sclerosis so confidence is not very high. I did consider taking the RYA course but thought if I could find a hire skipper/ boat buddie the tuition would be better. I'm not even sure if I will be able to lock through on my own efficiently and swing bridges scare the hell out of me, time will tell......there could be some irate queues! Thanks again and good luck.

Thanks for the contact, much appreciated : )

This might be the same boat? If it is.... she has been dry docked for the surveyor and surveyed in good condition. The engine only requires lifting out to facilitate a thorough bilge painting. The main work required is superficial paint work and window seals. Thanks for your concern, although I've not skippered a narrowboat I have experience of sea and river vessels, my last boat was a 42' Valkkruiser on the Shannon. I hold a 'RYA Day Skipper' and ICC qualification, have two 20kg Danforth anchors, four automatic life jackets, an inflatable dinghy. I'm hoping all should be well but even the best maintained boat can suffer an unexpected breakdown or accident. Thanks again for your response Thank you : ) Thank you for your help, much appreciated : )

I'm in the process of buying a narrowboat lying in Mercia Marina, Willington, Derbyshire, when the purchase is complete I would like to take the boat by canal up to Viking Marina, Goole, East Yorkshire. Can anyone advise me on hiring someone to skipper the boat there whilst giving me tuition, and what would it cost? As I've never narrow boated before any advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for the advice, it sounds a good situation to have the flexibility. I'm sure to find more jobs need attention when I start work on the boat!

Hi Dan, thank you for your response. I plan doing quite a bit of work on the boat and would like to take my time so dry docking wouldn't be financially viable. Thanks again and kind regards. Hi Jen, thank you for your response. Debdale might be of interest and looking at their website not overly expensive : ) Thanks again and kind regards.

Hi , I'm new to narrow boating and to this site so welcome comments and advice from anyone. I am in the process of buying a narrow boat presently lying in Mercia Marina, Derbyshire. The boat requires some work, including blacking and engine removal for bilge painting, much of the work I wish to undertake myself. Unfortunately Mercia Marina is not the kind of marina for DIY work so may I ask all you knowledgeable and experienced narrow boaters, can anyone recommend a canal marina or yard which has DIY facilities with hardstanding and electric supply? I'll be grateful for any advice and/or information : )