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My name's Paul, and I'm seriously thinking about buying a NB to live-aboard, but it's many years since I've been on one, and although I get the gist of ropes and locks etc., I could do with a refresher to gain confidence and help me decide whether to go ahead. Hiring a boat for a week seems like a pretty expensive way of getting a 'crash' course, and I wondered if there were any gentle folk / single-crewers who'd be interested in trading their experience and a spare bunk for a helping hand for a week or so? Obviously I'd expect to pay my way... I'm a decent, responsible, double-jabbed 55-year old bloke, living in Sheffield (though not expecting to start at Victoria Quays!)

Hi All! I'm totally new to boating, although I have wanted to live on a boat & escape the rat race for over 10 years I took the plunge last Summer and bought my first boat a 27 foot cruiser, which I love! It was one of the best decisions I made. I'm a complete novice sailing / cruising wise (I don't even drive a car!) So, I'm asking what seems to be a really friendly & knowledgeable community for some advice & practical help. I would love to take my boat out a lot in Spring / Summer but have absolutely no confidence or skills to do so. I plan to take a course in the Spring - recommendations welcome - I'm based at Sawley currently (but hope to move asap). If any locals were available go on a few short cruises in the meantime to enable me & my partner to get our bearings, we would really appreciate it and offer recompense to any willing Captains of our boat for their time & trouble Also, we are currently based at Sawley Marina. We love the local wildlife, cycle paths and a few local hostelries here. But I am disappointed to report that I have never experienced such a negligent, ambivalent, rude and inadequate management team in all of my personal and professional life. The 'customer service' is apalling. The security here is lax, to say the least, with several unsavoury characters and little sense of community, which has prompted us to want to move asap. We want to try out Nottingham Castle Marina as it is nearby and centrally located to Nottingham city centre. Does anyone have any feedback on this marina as a potential base for the winter? Ideally, I plan to moor here on a temporary basis to test it out, but any first hand experience would be invaluable and very much appreciated. I look forward to all replies. Thank you in advance for any feedback and or willing Captains who respond Warmest wishes to all:)

Hi everyone, hope someone is able to point me in the direction of some help. I've a widebeam in Liverpool Marina but have a berth waiting on the Aire & Calder. Boat is just about ready to move after a long fit out (not everything completed yet but comfortable). Safety Cert done, waterways license requested, so basically, ready to go anytime - preferably asap as 2 marina fees running in parallel! I've never navigated a canal boat before and unfamiliar with the etiquette of locks and overnight moorings, yet alone the peculiarities of what I'm told are some difficult swing bridges near to Liverpool plus the dreaded Wigan rise. I've had the offer of an odd days help but ideally could do with assistance for the whole journey if possible. A journey planner site suggests it's approximately 120 miles and some 90 or so locks so quite a challenge for a first outing! Alternative is if anyone knows any reasonably priced transport company and suggestions as to where the boat could be lifted at either end.

Hi I need to move my boat from today-Thursday from Fenny Stratford to Bates Boatyard (Aylesbury arm GU). Are there any helpers for the locks? Stoke Hammond Lock, Soulbury Locks, Leighton Lock, Grove Lock, Church Lock, Slapton Lock, Horton Lock, Ivinghoe Locks, Seabrook Locks, Marsworth Two Locks and then the 11 locks from Marsworth junction down to Puttenham. That is a lot of locks :/ Hope to arrive at Fenny this afternoon. So realistically there will be none before tomorrow. Would anyone be around to kindly help with any of them? Sadly I am having to do this bit of the journey on my own so would greatly appreciate the help. Thanks very much

I am a qualified master boatman with over ten years inland waterways experience. Available to move boats any distance inland at a reasonable rate. I am reliable and consistent and can provide references if needed. Happy boating! Peter

Hi, I am a 63 year old gent. Good health and good sense of humour. I am looking for a boater who is looking for a companion to assist with the more difficult tasks and finances. I used to own my own boat but finances dictated that it had to be sold. Very sad loss and I would like to get back on the cut. I used to be a single-handed boater, but have come to appreciate that another pair of hands is a great asset. Please let me know if you would be interested so that we can meet and see if we gel. Many thanks, T

I recently moved 'The Pride of York' from Lemonroyd Marina to its new home at Kings Bromley Marina with the help of crews found online. At present planning a summer cruise between Jul 19th and Aug 11th with some new crew as most of my regular crew are otherwise engaged. If interested please do contact me (nigeln@me.com) and I can send more details. Suggest 3 - 5 days to try it out.

Hey. Is there anything moving on the Macclesfield Canal? I arrived in Congleton heading north and sailing solo. I want to do the locks up to Macclesfield this Saturday 16 December. Is there anyone doing the same thing? We could do it together. It's cold here. Snow all over the place but I'd like to get to Macclesfield.

I’m a retired yacht delivery skipper from the Caribbean and for health reasons I’m moving back to UK. I can’t afford to buy or rent a place here in London, the prices are through the roof, and I’m not really a house or flat person anyway, so I’ve been looking at narrow boats as an affordable alternative. I’ve lived on boats for almost 50 years so I could easily see myself living on a canal boat, not sure about the winter! What I’d like is to crew for a while until I can figure out what I want. If you need crew in the London area I’m available.

I am considering - and I want to stress only considering at this point - doing the Thames to river Medway (Most likely would be entering Thames at Limehouse). Would be interested to know if anyone is planning on doing this journey in the foreseeable, or if anyone who's done it before would fancy coming along. Like I said, it's by no means definite, I'm just putting out a feeler or two at this stage and I still have to research it properly.