Can you recommend me a book?

[Sucatraps]

Hi Gang!  Not new to boating per se, but not long term except working at sea a long time ago.. I am looking at buying my first narrowboat for live aboard.  Can someone recommend any books talking about: 

a) maintenance requirements and remodelling how to’s?

b) solar installation?

c) limits on canal travel by size of boat? I.e. I understand that a 70ft boat limits you to certain canals due to lock sizes etc. how do you find that stuff out?

Thank you in advance! ✌️🫶

[Annie cariad]

Just buy any waterways magazine and read this forum 

[Tony Brooks]

5 hours ago, Sucatraps said:

c) limits on canal travel by size of boat? I.e. I understand that a 70ft boat limits you to certain canals due to lock sizes etc. how do you find that stuff out?

 

The Canal and River Trust website publish maximum boat dimensions for each waterway, but they should not be taken as definitive because it is known slightly longer narrow boats can pass through wide locks with a shorter maximum length. With wide beam boats much depends upon the profile because arched bridges that allow plenty of clearance for a narrowboat may not give clearance for certain wide beam boats.

 

For now, just take the CaRT digestions as working maximums.

 

 

[Mac of Cygnet]

And although Tony perhaps not wanting to tumpet himself, didn't say so. his website (at the bottom of his post) is the go-to for most things technical.

[Tony Brooks]

1 hour ago, Mac of Cygnet said:

And although Tony perhaps not wanting to tumpet himself, didn't say so. his website (at the bottom of his post) is the go-to for most things technical.

 

Hopefully for understanding the technical bits, but not for maintenance, fitting out, mains work, and solar fitting, let alone the modern fancy electronics that the OP seems most interested in.

 

I think the OP could do a lot worse than spend time reading the topics on this forum that seem to point to what he is asking about. He should soon sort out who gives reliable, experienced advice and who is trying to be helpful but with little breadth of experience. He is always welcome to ask more questions about anything he does not understand and will get more than one opinion.

[Sucatraps]

2 hours ago, Mac of Cygnet said:

his website (at the bottom of his post) is the go-to for most things technical.

Are you able to post a link? It might be that I’m using my mobile, or that I’m just inept, 🤦‍♂️😂 but I don’t see it…

[Hudds Lad]

1 minute ago, Sucatraps said:

Are you able to post a link? It might be that I’m using my mobile, or that I’m just inept, 🤦‍♂️😂 but I don’t see it…

http://www.tb-training.co.uk/

 

If your account is set to hide peoples signatures it won't show up  

[Tony Brooks]

Just now, Sucatraps said:

Are you able to post a link? It might be that I’m using my mobile, or that I’m just inept, 🤦‍♂️😂 but I don’t see it…

 

My website

 

You are welcome to print anything out section by section for your own use.

 

Note: your web browser might object because it is not an HTTPS site, but there is no online transactions and does not ask for any input from you, so perfectly safe.

[David Mack]

28 minutes ago, Hudds Lad said:

http://www.tb-training.co.uk/

 

If your account is set to hide peoples signatures it won't show up  

Signatures aren't shown if viewing on a phone.

[LadyG]

Essentially,  the canal system has wide canals up North, and down South,  but the bit in the middle has narrow canals.

A lot of Narrowboats boats are 57ft because that length and width allows transit most parts of the CRT waterways. Some are "Traditional" with lots of quirky features, a few are even steam powered, but most are conventional, solid diesel engines with a 1960's heritage, electric or hybrid are gaining popularity.

Wide beams are probably easier to live in, a more flexible layout. They vary a lot in design and in heritage, from floating flats to converted barges.

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

How does the “12Volt Bible for Boats” stand these days,

there’s plenty of good basics in there,

 my second edition dates back to 2003,

have there been further editions to keep up with the pace of life?

[jonathanA]

Graham Booth has a few books on narrow boat building and maintenance  probably worth searching them out. 

[Arthur Marshall]

There were a couple of books cobbled together from articles in waterways magazines many years ago that can still be tracked down, the Narrowboat Builders Book and the Narrowboat Owners Book, I think. I found them useful all those years ago, though I'm not sure how relevant they still are. I do still refer to them occasionally, but I've a very old and basic  boat.

[Hannah15]

Read the forum

[LadyG]

I know I had this problem when I bought my NB. Even finding out how often to change oil etc, I've only ever had one boat engineer who actually had a written manual [not convinced it was engine specific]. He declared I would have a 500 hour service, drew off some coolant, changed gearbox A TF, engine oil,  checked engine mounts etc. etc. He at least had a marine qualifcation.

The first person who came along , declared he was familiar with the engine,   changed oil and filter, so just a boater who could change the oil, as many can.

I have been able to find someone to do a good job at least once a year. Before they start I tell them I will need a printed worksheet / receipt, this gives me a record of what work has been done  and should be  usefull when I come to sell the boat.

A good surveyor should be able to discuss the build of your boat, so it would be worthwhile going along when he is there, and ask questions. If the boat is out of the water most things can be checked, but of course not an extended engine run.

After doing the basics with my boat, [included painting insidie and out, new batteries ( I chose agm), cleaning the fuel], I was ready to leave the marina and to cc.

Since then I have adopted the "if it aint broke dont fix it" approach to some extent. 

Edited September 6 by LadyG

[robtheplod]

I find books to be quite static in their helpfulness... the forum and research online is much better....

[MtB]

On 05/09/2024 at 11:23, jonathanA said:

Graham Booth has a few books on narrow boat building and maintenance  probably worth searching them out. 

 

Many years ago I bought one of Graham's books from Braunston Marina chandlery, having spent ages flicking through it and deciding it was well worth buying.

 

On getting home 100 miles away I found I'd left it behind on the counter there. 

 

Duh...

[blackrose]

.

9 hours ago, MtB said:

 

Many years ago I bought one of Graham's books from Braunston Marina chandlery, having spent ages flicking through it and deciding it was well worth buying.

 

On getting home 100 miles away I found I'd left it behind on the counter there. 

 

Duh...

 

If the OP is quick it might still be there...