MrsM

Great write-up and has confirmed my lack of desire to do the K&A.

I single--hand our cruiser stern while hubby is inside working during the week. Enjoy the ease of getting on and off but rather dependent on good warm foul weather gear. We only use our pram hood for winter storage and have taken off the cratch for this season's cruising. Not as much storage but nicer to sit out in. Would definitely advise a cratch if you are planning to live aboard.

That's good. There was still a barrier across Bridge 82 when we were there last week.

You are right - we had invested a lot of time and effort viewing the boat, staying in nearby hotel so we could accompany the boat to the survey site etc. Trust between us and the vendor was very high and I hope we were all happy with the outcome. If the seller has "been hear [sic] with all this before time and time again" it implies he has been trying to sell the boat a while. Think you have been wise sticking to your guns. Good luck with your search.

We bought our boat privately and didn't agree or sign anything until after the survey, which we were able to attend.

We moored in the basin opposite the Canal House a week or so ago. Very quiet although we did have a few borders taking photos in the evenings. Pubs not open late so not disturbed at night. Currently moored at Frankton waiting for our first visit to the Montgomery in the morning. Passed Bearwood Boster this morning on dog walk!

Bit of a random suggestion but if it's solid wood you are after have you considered adapting old furniture? Solid oak/walnut/mahogany furniture can be picked up at auctions for next to nothing - often cheaper than firewood. Old furniture is often built to very high standards and can be modified/adapted pretty easily. If I was refitting I'd definitely consider this. You would end up with a unique bespoke galley too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/666937220961360/?ref=share We left Newark on the 20th heading west. Although not the tidal section there was a lot of current and we made slow progress. Things change so quickly on the river. Trentlink post regular condition reports for the tidal section. It's a great group.

There is a great Facebook group called Trentlink. Boaters often use it to buddy up on the tidal Trent. There are boats leaving Keadby daily & if you join the group there will defo be other boats to travel with. Hope this helps.

I think that would be a very tidy solution.

Like Haggis we only have a few inches between us and our neighbouring boat. We always reverse in and one of us is ready with a fat fender for when we get a bit too close. However, in your shoes my first step would be to have a calm word with your neighbour and explain why you aren't happy. Much better than letting things fester and become more of an issue than they need to. If after that you still aren't happy then have a word with your marina manager and ask to move.

I don't know where you live but any sewist will be able to make some for you - they are no different to house curtains. If anything they are easier because there is so much less fabric to wrangle.

Can't say I disagree with you - I have one small shorthaired dog (a pug) and within 30 seconds of the slightest hint of moisture in the air the whole boat stinks of wet dog! 😩😂. However I would argue that every part of your statement could be applied to children and they are even more expensive than dogs. Perhaps LadyG should avoid getting either a boat dog or boat child?

Thank you Alan. I will try and find a little dusty corner in my brain to store this - it's feeling pretty full at the mo! 😀

I also agree that the love and companionship of a dog is unbeatable. However I wouldn't recommend a collie - they need a lot of stimulation and exercise and might not be best suited to LadyG (with respect). 🙂

Glad you have found a boat with enough headroom for you! Can you tell us more about it (builder etc)? The only way you are going to put your mind at ease is to commission your own survey (even better if you can attend the survey). I expect you had planned to do this with any boat you found and it just so happens that the boat you have settled on had a survey almost a year ago. I've no idea what the 'electrolysis' means - is it rusty and pitted? As the boat is generally in good order with a decent professional fit-out I expect it is costing £40-60k. In your shoes I would get my own survey booked asap and put these questions to him/her. Best of luck and let us know how things progress.

Yes I did - quite amazing. I also get so much pleasure from seeing the crocheted letterbox toppers that are popping up all over the place. Last Christmas I was picking up some bits in my local Lidl and someone popped a beautiful little crocheted flower in my trolley when I wasn't looking with a hand-written label saying something like 'I hope this random act of crochet-kindness makes you happy' or something similar (I hope they didn't think I looked grumpy/unhappy). I love this side of crafting.

Sewing - it's the most wonderfully mindful activity. Clothes, curtains/blinds etc for the boat. Lots of online fabric shops. There are also some beautiful narrowboat embroidery projects, eg https://mariescrossstitch.co.uk/modern-narrow-boat-cross-stitch-kit-by-heritage/?sku=HCNBMN944A https://mariescrossstitch.co.uk/canal-boat-tapestry-kit/?sku=BNT1950&gclid=Cj0KCQjw94WZBhDtARIsAKxWG--VjYP75D4qEensBNT_VZvF4beClhAB8JAF4I_VZ8cE99IMr2W7qs8aAik1EALw_wcB

Our boat is currently in with Graham Ford, Cherilton Narrowboats at the start of the Erewash. He painted my friend's Dutch barge and was highly recommended. We booked our slot a year ago.

Others will respond but in my opinion blacking (bitumen or epoxy) is just one of the many routine jobs and costs of ownership. Epoxy should ideally last longer than 4 years and you could ask the seller to reduce the price a little to reflect this. But don't be too surprised if they refuse and sell it if to the next buyer who comes along and is happy to pay more. Best of luck.

Just spotted this on Faceache https://www.facebook.com/groups/davejellybeancanalforum/permalink/5639063396146162/ https://raffall.com/313198/enter-raffle-to-win-57ft-narrowboat-freyja-hosted-by-luke-williamson Entry is £10 a go. Max tickets sold 7000. Goodness knows what the boat is actually worth but it's quite a fun idea and apparently common in other countries.

I've always been surprised by the number of, apparently, hardly used boats we pass. Many seem in fair condition and could be brought back into use with some TLC and a good clean (if the outside is a reflection of the general condition). Puzzles me that someone can sit on something worth tens of thousands and either not look after it or not use it.

At least if Arthur gets stuck in his boat he only needs to blow0 the bloody doors off! 😆 (toot on the trombone might do it!)