Popular Post vanboosh Posted March 29, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) Thanks to advice on here, watching roughly 13.2 million hours of Youtube videos, spending £32k on various books and travelling the width and breadth of Europe* I have finally got the keys to my boat. It was not what I was looking for (I wanted things like a reverse layout, T&G interior, vastly different paint scheme outside, blah blah) but as soon as I stepped aboard, I fell in love. Fast forward a couple months (delays due to previous owners sorting out a flat and me not being in any particular rush) and my cheeks hurt from grinning so much ? I've only got two photos for now, but will post a few more after I give her a good bath, tidy up the mooring, etc. Jobs done: Sit at the dinette with the sun beaming through the windows typing an overly long and enthusiastic post on canalworld forums, grinning maniacally. Sit on the roof feeling the gentle rocking, and waving at passing boats, grinning maniacally. Buy new mattress and bedding. Lie on bed, grinning maniacally. Reassure neighbours that I'm not a psychopath and just extremely happy. Jobs to do soonish: Sort out the mooring - I was going to CC, but the boat came with such a lovely spot, I'm keeping it! At least for the medium term, anyway. But it does need a good tidy up. I'm (possibly) going to paint the interior, or at least some of it. I'd like to brighten up the bedroom, so thought I might try it in there first and see how it goes. I'm also (definitely) going to replace the old carpet with (probably) hard floors of some sort or another. The current carpets are past their best. Jobs to do eventually: Update the kitchen. Nothing major as I like the layout, but a new sink, maybe a new counter top and re-tile. I'll probably redo the whole bathroom (again, nothing wrong with it, just some advantages of having an uncle who's a bathroom fitter and also really fancies a boating holiday). If anyone in the Droitwich area fancies a nosey and a cup of tea and any words of wisdom, I'll be moving onboard 'full time' next week. *possibly a slight exaggeration ?♂️ Edited March 29, 2019 by vanboosh 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) Congratulation - but a word of warning. You'd be surprised how little buoyancy the round-cork-key-ring gives a bunch of keys. They roll off roofs and into the briny depths never to be seen again UNLESS - shoes, socks and trousers off - into the water - 'plodge' about with your toes feeling for them and hope the gods smile on you. Don't put loads of keys onto it. I know about this !!!!! Edited March 29, 2019 by Alan de Enfield 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Many congratulations, well done!!!! (Is that Polesworth?) Just now, Alan de Enfield said: Don't put loads of keys onto it. I know about this !!!!! Seconded. When I first saw boaters with a cork ball I doubted it would hold up much in the water so I tested one in a bucket. The most it would float with was one big key!! So don't be fooled into thinking it will save a whole bunch of keys if you drop them in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Well done! Have you considered carpet tiles for your floor? They aren't dear, and when they get mucky you can take them up and clean them individually. We have had them in our last two boats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanboosh Posted March 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 4 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said: Congratulation - but a word of warning. You'd be surprised how little buoyancy the round-cork-key-ring gives a bunch of keys. They roll off roofs and into the briny depths never to be seen again UNLESS - shoes, socks and trousers off - into the water - 'plodge' about with your toes feeling for them and hope the gods smile on you. Don't put loads of keys onto it. I know about this !!!!! Eek, noted! I will 'lighten the load' next time I'm down at the boat! I'll be keeping a few spares in non-watery locations, but I think I only have one for the engine. 6 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said: Many congratulations, well done!!!! (Is that Polesworth?) Seconded. When I first saw boaters with a cork ball I doubted it would hold up much in the water so I tested one in a bucket. The most it would float with was one big key!! So don't be fooled into thinking it will save a whole bunch of keys if you drop them in. Doubly noted; I will 'lighten the load' considerably! It's near Droitwich close to Hanbury junction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Esk Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Good stuff....those photos say it's been a well cared for boat, hope it all goes to plan.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanboosh Posted March 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 4 minutes ago, Athy said: Well done! Have you considered carpet tiles for your floor? They aren't dear, and when they get mucky you can take them up and clean them individually. We have had them in our last two boats. No sir, but I have used them in the past so will definitely consider it for some bits though. I have done flooring in a few previous digs though, so I'm fairly sure I think I possibly, maybe, might, know what I'm going to do with it... Hopefully. At least I have an idea in my mind and a very full board on Pinterest, anyway! Just now, NB Esk said: Good stuff....those photos say it's been a well cared for boat, hope it all goes to plan.... Yeah, the previous owners very clearly looked after it well, which is one of the reasons I loved it. The survey confirmed it, too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty Cal Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Congratulations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fizz Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Well done, enjoy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumshie Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Well Done ? And I hope you enjoy your new journey so very much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 57 minutes ago, Athy said: Well done! Have you considered carpet tiles for your floor? They aren't dear, and when they get mucky you can take them up and clean them individually. We have had them in our last two boats. Seconded. Best to get Flotex ones. Not cheap but they resist having engine oil and hot coals dropped on them (don't ask me how I know this). To clean simply run under a tap and scrub them. Oh, and congratulations on getting afloat. You do know what BOAT stands for don't you? ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 2 minutes ago, cuthound said: Seconded. Best to get Flotex ones. Not cheap but they resist having engine oil and hot coals dropped on them (don't ask me how I know this). To clean simply run under a tap and scrub them. Oh, and congratulations on getting afloat. You do know what BOAT stands for don't you? ? I have both Flotex in the galley and ex exhibition hall ones in the lounge area 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanboosh Posted March 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Naughty Cal said: Congratulations. 37 minutes ago, Captain Fizz said: Well done, enjoy! 29 minutes ago, Tumshie said: Well Done ? And I hope you enjoy your new journey so very much. Thank yoouuu! Very much appreciated, everybody! Edited March 29, 2019 by vanboosh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanboosh Posted March 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 23 minutes ago, cuthound said: Seconded. Best to get Flotex ones. Not cheap but they resist having engine oil and hot coals dropped on them (don't ask me how I know this). To clean simply run under a tap and scrub them. Oh, and congratulations on getting afloat. You do know what BOAT stands for don't you? ? I do! Break Out Another Thousand (did I mention spending quite a lot of time trawling the forums, youtube and reading the books? ?) Luckily I'm pretty handy with a spanner and a paintbrush, but I'm under no illusion this will be free living. I do hope that I've picked a good boat - everyone thats seen it says its great! Which will hopefully minimise too many unforeseen painful expenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumshie Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 4 minutes ago, vanboosh said: Thank yoouuu! Very much appreciated, every body! I hope you'll pop back from time to time to let us know how things are going. Of course it would also be nice if you became a regular but I understand the this will be a busy summer for you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bearwood Boster Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) I recognise the moorings,a lovely area. Do I guess correctly that you are feeling over the?& just a teensie bit excited ?? Edited March 29, 2019 by The Bearwood Boster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 2 hours ago, vanboosh said: If anyone in the Droitwich area fancies a nosey and a cup of tea and any words of wisdom, I'll be moving onboard 'full time' next week. I'm not in the Droitwich area, but I'm always grateful for some words of wisdom, so feel free. Seriously, congratulations...... So excited for you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Not reverse layout. Result.! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machpoint005 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 2 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said: Congratulation - but a word of warning. You'd be surprised how little buoyancy the round-cork-key-ring gives a bunch of keys. They roll off roofs and into the briny depths never to be seen again UNLESS - shoes, socks and trousers off - into the water - 'plodge' about with your toes feeling for them and hope the gods smile on you. Don't put loads of keys onto it. I know about this !!!!! Good advice -- try floating the thing in a bucket of water. Come to the conclusion (as I did) that spherical key fobs are more trouble than they are worth! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree monkey Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Congratulations and I remember feeling like that, it never completely goes away 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanboosh Posted March 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 3 hours ago, Tumshie said: I hope you'll pop back from time to time to let us know how things are going. Of course it would also be nice if you became a regular but I understand the this will be a busy summer for you. Of course I'll be back! I'm a complete newbie, so I'm fairly certain there will be quite a few scratchy head moments that I'll need help with. Plus I'll post updates when I do them (if people are interested, of course) 3 hours ago, The Bearwood Boster said: I recognise the moorings,a lovely area. Do I guess correctly that you are feeling over the?& just a teensie bit excited ?? There may be a small possibility I may just be a little tiny weeny bit excited about it all, yes... ? 2 hours ago, rusty69 said: I'm not in the Droitwich area, but I'm always grateful for some words of wisdom, so feel free. Seriously, congratulations...... So excited for you. Oh yeah, I possibly should have mentioned the words of wisdom are for me! Thank you! 2 hours ago, mark99 said: Not reverse layout. Result.! Not a fan? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanboosh Posted March 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 2 hours ago, Machpoint005 said: Good advice -- try floating the thing in a bucket of water. Come to the conclusion (as I did) that spherical key fobs are more trouble than they are worth! Yeah, I might try some sort of permanently attached to a lanyard, attached to me method... Although I probably don't float any better than cork, I'm potentially easier to find. 1 hour ago, tree monkey said: Congratulations and I remember feeling like that, it never completely goes away A few of my neighbours have said the same which is great to hear! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 Imo reverse layout makes theoretical sense. But in practise not so. Mainly due to restricted view. Enjoy your bote. Look forward to your future postings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 9 hours ago, vanboosh said: Eek, noted! I will 'lighten the load' next time I'm down at the boat! I'll be keeping a few spares in non-watery locations, but I think I only have one for the engine. Or use two balls. Or even three. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 Carpet in boats???? Insane!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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