Bettyblue

Thankyou for posting I appreciate all the answers even those that agree to disagree. it’s good to have different points of. view and for people to be polite about it is refreshing on social media! can I ask if all the rest of the discussions are as civilised ? I hope so 😀

Yes a washing machine is a definite must for us 👍 so is a fridge, can I ask is it best to get a 12v fridge? And why? I still can’t get my head around the electrics on a NB , can washing machines be 12v ?is a shoreline fridge12v? Does that mean you use less power with 12v?

Fair enough I didn’t come on here to be soft soaped, I would rather have it straight so I know what I am dealing with from the off. Appreciate the honesty Thankyou to everyone that has advised a newbie like me. I really appreciate honest feedback, best not to sugarcoat it. it won’t put me off though! I am determined to do this, but I will go about it very carefully taking “ on board “ ( pardon the pun!) all your valuable comments. I will co to ur to post as things progress … watch this space 😀

I don’t have 3 - 6 months unfortunately, I will have a few weeks at most as I am only staying in temporary lodgings . I will try to look online before I arrive and plan what boats I am going to look at . Taking on board all the advice that you lovely people have given me and hopefully continue to impart to me 😀

That’s very useful thankyou

That is so kind of you to take the time to write what you have Tony, I do appreciate it. I will be spending what will be my retirement savings on the NB so it is crucial that I get it right. I have already started researching and I will keep on doing so. I was thinking of an ex hire NB because that way I could get two bedrooms which is what I need for my daughter and myself . But I will make sure I view lots of boats when I get back to the UK in March . Any views on ex hire NBs ?

Ok thanks Oh I thought it would be, doesn’t a broker do more checks ?

Thankyou so much , like people don’t judge a book by it’s cover, look beneath the surface to find the true picture. In terms of moorings I am open minded now, I am happy to consider mooring anywhere aslong as it’s peaceful, within 30 minutes drive of a town or City where I can work, and not too expensive. Is it always safer to buy from a brokerage than a private individual?

Thankyou for allowing me to join this forum. I intend to buy my first NB as a liveaboard next March. Can I please ask whether the age of the NB is a factor? It seems that unlike buying a used car when you would not want a car that is decades old, some NB advertised go back to the 1970,s ! Is this an issue ? Or is age not a barrier with NB? Do they age like fine wines ?😀😀

Thankyou what do you mean by steel? Do you mean steel Narrowboats? Where do I find The Imray Guide to the river as mentioned please?

Should I use the term live aboard instead of residential moorings?

Thankyou for all that very helpful information. Can I ask what GRP means?

Thankyou for accepting me into this group. I am a complete novice to this world . I am hoping to return to the Cambridgeshire area where I was born and where my family are, having lived overseas for many years. I understand that Cambridgeshire is not known for its canals, and this is probably a silly question , so please forgive my ignorance! if I was to moor in a marina outside Cambridge say in Upware, Ely etc which are rivers can I still get access to the canal network? Are the rivers connected? Aldo does anyone have any recommendations or personal experience of marinas around Cambridgeshire? I would like rural but with some amenities like a shop and a pub😀I have really missed Real English Ale All advice gratefully received, it is a Narrowboat I am looking at, a live aboard with residential mooring. I would like to be in a marina that has more Narrowboats than cruiser type boats . I would have to have some public transport into Cambridge for my daughter who doesn’t drive yet. Thsnkyou everyone 😀