MrsM

But that is assuming they will be living aboard during the fit-out. I had imagined they would be living in a house while fitting out the shell, and then would become liveaboards once it is finished. You certainly do see lots of boats like this when you tour the network.

Exactly! Makes total sense to me, but each to their own. I think the convenience would more than compensate for the money saved by pretending to CC. But others have made it work, so it is clearly doable I guess.

Not wanting to rain on your parade Gybe Ho, but I agree with MtB's comment above.

Are there many professional independent boat builders operating from the public towpath, pretending to be continually cruising?

You are embarking on a very expensive (10s of 1000s of £s) and time-consuming hobby - building a boat. Can I respectfully suggest that you don't risk alienating people like BSS inspectors (who work to pretty lean profit margins as it is) by trying to save yourself a few quid. It might be better to try and build positive working relationships with them. I know the saying "look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves" but there is a limit.

We spent 3-4 weeks on the canal & arms in late May/early June and it wasn't bad at all. Lots of moorings in the Llangollen basin. Yes there were many hire boats but I always enjoyed meeting them because they are excited and happy to be on their holidays.

I agree being afloat is lovely but you won't be enjoying the waterways from a liveable boat for ages. Instead you will be up to your eyeballs in dust and oil and paint etc, while having to move regularly to comply with your licence conditions. Anyway I admire your determination and hope it works out.

Another vote for the Montgomery - it is spectacularly beautiful. Think you needed to book a couple of days in advance when we went. There should be info on the CRT website.

If the main requirement for a CC licence is to navigate around the system I struggle to see how this is realistically compatible with all the work involved with fitting out a boat. Although I fully accept that it is not impossible and others may have done this successfully. ETA I'm not having a dig, I genuinely don't know how anyone could do it. Just the logistics of getting materials, using power tools, storing everything needed while working etc. I get that not paying for a mooring saves several thousand pounds (that can instead be spent on the boat) but the inconvenience of navigating while carrying out major work would be way beyond what I could imagine.

No impact on mooring that I can recall.

Moorhen chicks are sooooo gorgeous aren't they! Little black pom-poms on long legs.

It is a beautiful canal and quite easy to cruise. It's a bit weird getting used to the flow (as it is used to transport water) which is especially noticeable through bridges etc. Also I found the bywash on some locks quite strong. The main bit that needs some consideration is the narrows. In an ideal world you would send someone ahead to check for oncoming craft. Goes without saying that the aqueducts present some of the most special boating you could ever imagine. I'm generally quite scared of heights but somehow it didn't seem a problem when steering the boat. Enjoy!

If you are planning to fit out your shell on the public towpath will you be doing this from a mooring? Asking as I can't see how it would be possible to cc a shell while you are doing it?

Please send him my very best wishes for a quick recovery.

I have spent quite a lot of time and energy pub campaigning and succession planning is a real problem for independent landlords who care about what happens to their pub once they have retired.