Alan Gawthorpe

Op here. Wow, didn't realise solar would be so contentious 🙂 Lots of food for thought. Thank you. I have a follow-up question. I'll need fairly reliable internet for my work. I see that you can get aerials, etc to get a stronger 4G signal but I am coming to the conclusion after traveling around various marinas in the NW that I'll need to stick close to population centres to have any hope of a reliable 4G signal when working. I'm also planning on investigation satellite but I think that is relatively new and not yet reliable. What are people's thoughts on this - agree with the above?

I am thinking that for my first winter I'd attempt to find a winter mooring with power hookup.

So, I fancy this narrow boat life but I am new to boating. What advice would you give a newbie looking to buy a boat? Things I think I want/need to consider: Between 50' and 60' Survey before buying - what red flags (e.g. thin hull steel)? Reverse or conventional layout? Engine - what's important? Heating - radiators plus stove I have heard coal/wood stoves are very messy - should I go for diesel? I need to work so need enough power through the year for laptop/computer/internet Anything else - what do you wish you had known when you bought your first boat? Many thanks, Alan