[Can I escape from Sheffield and get far in a narrow boat or only a grp cruiser?]

I'm 44. 

 

[Can I escape from Sheffield and get far in a narrow boat or only a grp cruiser?]

4 hours ago, Mad Harold said:

What's happened to the OP?

Has she run off squeaking?

Are we so intimidating?

Haha, no, I've been reading with great interest, taking it all in. Yeah I've been down at the quay meeting people who live on board etc. I think all the above is great advice and Doncaster isn't far at all. 

I'm sure I will fall in love with a boat and go for it at some point, but until them I'm learning as much as possible from wise advisors like yourselves. Thanks v much for all the useful info, feedback and frivolity too, all really helpful stuff, very much appreciated.

[Can I escape from Sheffield and get far in a narrow boat or only a grp cruiser?]

23 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

'Ow much brass 'as tha got luv?

As Tony has pointed out, to cruise anywhere on the canals,your boat needs to be 6'-10" beam. Whether you choose a steel narrowboat or a grp cruiser depends on your budget.

Steel narrowboats  (even old wrecks) are very dear at the present,grp are of course cheaper.

The steel narrowboat is better suited to canals than grp for several reasons,but as a cheap way of getting afloat they are fine.

Just a point in passing,although a steel narrowboat will (with a few exceptions be 6'-10") there are  fewer grp cruisers that are.They are typically 7'-6"to 9'.

There was a poster on here recently who bought what was advertised as a  narrowbeam grp cruiser (a Freeman) which technically it was,but found it was 7'-6"when he couldn't get through a narrow lock.

 

I've got 15k now but expect to have 22-25k v.soon. I'm wondering if I'd be better off starting with a cheaper small GRP to see if I fall in love with the water in the first instance and saving for grander schemes in a few years. I'll hire something soon for a week. 

Sheffield has a really nice community of luvaboards that I think I'd enjoy being around but I'm planning, for the moment, just short to medium breaks. 

Bed, cooker, toilet, sink and table are all I'll need in the short term. 

[Can I escape from Sheffield and get far in a narrow boat or only a grp cruiser?]

2 minutes ago, Tony1 said:

 

You don't need a GRP cruiser to allow navigation of those waterways, but there is another reason you might consider accepting the various compromises of a GRP boat- and that is price.

 

Here is a GRP boat that looks like it will get you afloat for around £20k, and hopefully will not present too many repair/renovation challenges:

 

https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/viking-cruisers-26-cc-hi-line-for-sale/640416

 

But the living space is compact; the water and fuel storage is very limited, and there is no stove for the winter. 

 

The more spacious option of a narrowboat will have bigger water and fuel tanks, and a solid fuel (or diesel) stove as well, which most people feel are a real help in being comfortable during the winter. But a narrowboat could cost more. 

 

Tbh its a huge subject area, and there are so many issues you'll have to take into account, that for the time being I would only say- keep asking questions in places like this, and dont rush into a decision for the time being. 

 

Great advice, thanks.

 

[Can I escape from Sheffield and get far in a narrow boat or only a grp cruiser?]

Ha! Thanks. I swear this city is designed to keep me trapped. The tourist info should read "Visit Sheffield, you'll never leave!" 

[Can I escape from Sheffield and get far in a narrow boat or only a grp cruiser?]

Hi all, total newbie here, finally saved enough to consider boating options and need advice which may well be tedious for seasoned canal dwellers. 

My gran was Crystal Hale, who set up the Islington Boat club and saved the canal basin from developers and her father was A.P.Herbert, author of The Water Gypsies. You can see why my mid life crisis time has driven me back to the water's edge!  Now my son has grown up and I have time for myself I'm really keen to get back on the cut. I'm kind of desperate to. 

I live and work in Sheffield so no decent rivers. There is the tinsley canal etc but I don't think you can get very far without involving a river or two. 

I'm looking for adventure and want to get to know the UK better. I love water and boats, miss the River Leam and the Thames, which I grew up by and the yearning is now urgent. 

 

I have to be in Sheffield most of the time still,  but can take long breaks and work from away enough to make it worth it. I'd like to take regular 4 days breaks, on my own or with 1 other. 

I've only ever been a passenger in an NB and a GRP so I'm looking for advice on how to sensibly get started.

 

With the Sheffield issue, is it possible to travel far on an NB from here or would I need a GRP cruiser so as to include rivers if I want to get out of Yorkshire? How limiting would a small NB be?  

 

It's my first question because I imagine the training will be quite different.

Is this the right way around to be thinking about it or is there a better newbie approach? 

Thanks for any responses, sorry if I'm boring you.