Mr Blue Sky

We're quite new to boat ownership and are soon to embark on a trip that involves a river stretch on the Aire & Calder Navigation. Can anyone recommend some straight-talking advice on handling? We also need guidance on what type/weight of anchor and how to attach, implement and store it? I've tried some earlier discussions but there is so much conflicting information and a lot of just plain bickering between members! Can anyone give any useful suggestions?

Yes, like you we're smitten with canals and have just converted from motorhome to narrowboat ownership (although we've kept the former for the moment). We have enjoyed canal holidays for many years, but decided to take the plunge as our money was doing nothing with the bankers looking after it. However, as everyone says, boat ownership is definitely not for the hard-up and our current income is all flowing canal-wise at the moment! We're just finishing the final basic fittings to the inside of ours then we're off on our first "voyage" towards Leeds and back from Barnoldswick where we live and are moored. Enjoy your hols, and look out for Mr Blue Sky as you get east of Skipton.

Hi Mike Thanks for your suggestions. Having used hire boats with micro-thickness mattresses we were already planning to use some decent foam for the cushions. John's already sent us some excellent plans for a dinette from the one he made from David's Plans, so I think we'll be using those, which include some pretty canny features. The dinette will be used only occasionally as we have a fixed small double at the stern end. We bought the boat new and it's partially fitted out already, so fortunately we're only having to sacrifice a small kitchen unit to accommodate the dinette arrangement. Thanks for your interest Dave & Heather PS. If David Schweizer is reading this post, have you thought of printing a book of your designs/plans? I'm sure they'd be snapped up by would-be boat fitters who aren't too confident at getting the measurements right!

We've just bought our first boat and wanting to build a double berth dinette. Can anyone recommend a website or reading material to give us some help in dimensions/template?