Noviceboata

Already getting a hard time on another forum when I mention the prospect of bringing a broads cruiser widebeam into the London canals. Is there some sort of Heirarchy there or something?

We could look at it like that. On the other hand if interest rates go through the roof for consumer/other credit, people might be inclined to let there boats go (Especially the one's that are lying around/under renovation) in order to service their debts. I would just like to add that during my investigations, I have understood that any boat around 20-25k needs to be gutted and fully refitted

That is a good point and in the back of my mind. it is possible with the recession in the UK that is coming upon us there will be some good deals to be had regarding boats.

Thanks for that, I heard that you have to change some of the parts/exhaust to bring it up to standards for a BSS.

I have been looking around for these boats for so long and yes you are right, you can sometimes find A 40FT+ broads cruiser for less than 20k but they are NEVER ALL ONE LEVEL. They have a raised cockpit in the middle, etc. I wanted something as close to a widebeam as possible without the pricetag. I still have time so if you know of any other single level 40ft+ single level broads cruisers for sale please give me a shout. Maybe I mean heating the boat really qiuckly because i would like my new heating system to run on a timer so the boat is hot in winter when i arrive

What I meant to say is there is probably more efficient means of the same type of heating system considering the one on the boat looks very old, eg, maybe an eberspacher?

I have alot of experience insulating apartments/houses but that is a great idea to achieve the double glazing effect. Guys thanks for the answers, it has been amazingly helpful. Another question, if I decide to rip out the heating system and install a new one (judging buy the age of the boat I beleive this is a forgone conclusion) what are the most efficient/best systems to heat a boat/provide hot water these days?

The survey says the engine is a twin 4-cylinder Ford Bowman engine, developing 48hp,

This sounds like great advice and I think you guys have convinced me. As we know the British weather can get pretty cool as soon as the summer ends (even before). i will immediately insulate the boat. This should have been obvious as even now, i sometimes put my halogen heater on in the mornings to warm up and we are already into summer

Yes, I thought for the first winter to keep a bricks and mortar property, especially since the boat is not insulated. Plan to start the renovation after the cold weather goes away next year Thanks for the warning. As I mentioned I plan to keep a bricks and mortar property for the first winter and then work on the heating/insulation after that

To be honest I did not fully check the heating system and unless it is working efficiently and properly I plan to replace it as i know knowdays there are more efficient means

It has an inboard engime at the back and according to the survey it is a GRP Bermuda Broads Cruiser Barge. That why I was looking for a boat for around 20k so I have busget to refit it later on, insulation, etc. Plan on keeping it as it is pretty much for the first year and see how I go You are correct, no insulation, I factored that into the price i wanted to pay. It didnt seem like a solid fuel stove as well as a diesel heater but thanks for the info, will definately check that out

The trouble is, given the doubtful-looking stove installation, what else have they done in a similar manner that is less obvious? But for £22k you can't expect to be choosey. Thats what I thought as well but it turns out it is a diesel heater

It does have a sliding canopy and the cockpit is outside at the back of the boat (Don't have any photos showing this)

Hi all, Been looking at narrowboats as a CC for quite a while and for some reason just couldn’t get used to the narrow space. I like the idea of a wider space and as it is my first boat, and a widebeam is out of my price range I started to look at Broads cruisers (the type that are all one level and compatible with all the bridges and canals in London) For reference it is 42ft/12ft. I have had a survey done and the hull is in decent shape and I plan to give it a coat of antifowling before I put it back in the water. The engine is also running and in good shape. Inside is very livable with a mixture of 12v and 230v (will need to install an inverter) The final price of the boat is 22k and I need to make a decision before this weekend, what are your thoughts about these fiberglass boats?

That is a realy good way to put it

Thats interesting, wouldn't think the people would be to happy and somebody has moored beside them and walking across their boat without permission.

Hi all, I noticed (Around central London anyway) there are a lot of boats that are double moored- on the canals. How does that work? do those people usually know each other or you can just arrive and ask if its possible to moor beside them?

How do you copewith the 4+ months without a fridge?

Just did a quick check and I see that lithium batteries are several times more expensive than the Lead acid one's. Is there any other advantage to Lithium batteries besides the 50% charge? How many of them do you have on you 45ft narrowboat?

Thanks for that, very useful information. How much roof space in sq ft/sq mt does 1kw of solar panels take up? And I guess you have a 12v fridge as you are turnoing the inverter off?

Yes, I didnt ask that question much I remember speaking to somebody near hampton court on the Thames and he informed me there was a mobile sewewrage puper going around that he uses but after reading the posts on the forum in seems as if it is not thex norm

Thankyou for the very informative post. What do you do when the cassettes are full, where do you store them, empty them?

You asked me a question and then answered it for me ) I appeciate the helpful information from everybody (including you) and I believe I got the answers I wanted earlier in the post. Please take a look at the last few posts and tell me if there is a bit of clowning around going on

Do you guys not have anything better to do?? Man the joke is over, horse has bolted, how else do i need to tell you?