what size narrow boat for two people

[markc]

me and my partner are thinking of living on a narrow boat instead of my 30ft/9ft steel cruiser, we've lived on it comfortably for 2yrs with our little dog, the only issue we have is its a centre cockpit, six foot to be precise, lot of space wasted in the middle of our home!!!! what size would anyone recommend for us knowing what we're happy living on now, I understand its all about the layout etc, thank you for any feed back.

[Rickent]

We live quite happily on a 45ft narrowboat.

[mrsmelly]

3 minutes ago, markc said:

me and my partner are thinking of living on a narrow boat instead of my 30ft/9ft steel cruiser, we've lived on it comfortably for 2yrs with our little dog, the only issue we have is its a centre cockpit, six foot to be precise, lot of space wasted in the middle of our home!!!! what size would anyone recommend for us knowing what we're happy living on now, I understand its all about the layout etc, thank you for any feed back.

70 foot or as near as you can find.

[churchward]

5 minutes ago, markc said:

me and my partner are thinking of living on a narrow boat instead of my 30ft/9ft steel cruiser, we've lived on it comfortably for 2yrs with our little dog, the only issue we have is its a centre cockpit, six foot to be precise, lot of space wasted in the middle of our home!!!! what size would anyone recommend for us knowing what we're happy living on now, I understand its all about the layout etc, thank you for any feed back.

Plenty of people manage with 40-45ft very well but it rather depends on what space you need.  As you will already understand well living in a boat is an exercise of minimalism.

 

If you have access to youtube videos  you can find various people full-time living on narrowboats  One of them "Floating our boat" live on a 50ft NB with two dogs for instance.

[Rickent]

We are comfortable on our boat but I do agree that the longer the better, there are times when I wish we had a little more space.

[Rose Narrowboats]

A wise man once said: "The ideal boat is three feet longer than the one you've already got."

[Arthur Marshall]

People I've spoken to reckon 55 foot is a decent compromise. Cabin size is the crucial thing - my boat is 40 foot, but with only a 23 foot cabin it's fine for one but would be very cramped for 2. But if most if it were cabin it would be fine.

[The Dreamer]

1 hour ago, mrsmelly said:

70 foot or as near as you can find.

What he said...

 

I, the other Dreamer and the dog (me), manage quite nicely in 69 foot!  The compromise is those faffy northern canals that they built the locks too short on...

[Arthur Marshall]

3 hours ago, mrsmelly said:

70 foot or as near as you can find.

He's right really, but it comes down to what you can afford too, and where you want to travel.

[Guest]

I'm on a 70ft with someone I don't share a bed with. So, assuming one of then has few clothes... 62ft would be fine for a couple? Actually my old boat (a little over 60ft) would be lovely for a couple. Plenty of space to be both together and apart. I'm selling as not child friendly but great for mutts and adults.

[matty40s]

2 hours ago, The Dreamer said:

What he said...

 

I, the other Dreamer and the dog (me), manage quite nicely in 69 foot!  The compromise is those faffy YERKSHIRE canals that they built the locks too short on...

Cant believe they did you out of a foot. 

..

[WotEver]

10 hours ago, matty40s said:

Cant believe they did you out of a foot. 

..

They had the new kid on the tape measure. 

[GUMPY]

I have found that 6'10" is a good size for a narrow boat