Are you new to boating?? CLICK HERE

[David Mack 918]

On 29/11/2019 at 23:07, bertiebasset said:

Hi again 4-50. I was asking if you are a CC'er or not. I realise the requirement for CC'ing is to keep moving. What I was asking was: Is it acceptable to move on a daily basis but only for a couple of hours whilst the ice has thawed on the boat's deck to maintain ones own safety.

I would have thought the cut comes to a virtual standstill if the temperature is below freezing for a period of time as I would not wish to become an ice breaker,,, also would not want the ice floe to be knocking on the hull of my boat.

 

If through the rest of the year your cruising pattern clearly exceeds the minimum, then you are not going to get much grief from CRT if a big freeze means neither you nor anybody else can move. But if you hang around in one smallish area and claim that you now can't move because of ice when others are able to do so, then you can expect some attention from CRT. Basically if you obey the spirit, as well as the letter, of the CC requirements and don't take the p*ss you will be fine.

[bertiebasset 0]

1 hour ago, David Mack said:

If through the rest of the year your cruising pattern clearly exceeds the minimum, then you are not going to get much grief from CRT if a big freeze means neither you nor anybody else can move. But if you hang around in one smallish area and claim that you now can't move because of ice when others are able to do so, then you can expect some attention from CRT. Basically if you obey the spirit, as well as the letter, of the CC requirements and don't take the p*ss you will be fine.

Thanks David. this is the way I had read their criteria. I am still trying to convince SWMBO that it is a good idea but she values her land base so may have to do this alone with occasional visits from her. But I would intend to keep on the move as much as possible.

[Peter X 314]

There are a lot of places from which you could commute for a day into central London, some of them along the Grand Union, particularly the lower end of it in west London, so hang on to that dream chilli, it's kind of possible! For example, you could look around in the Midlands for a bargain boat that suits your needs, which you feel capable of buying and getting into shape, then slowly approach London in it.

Do plan carefully. It'll be a learning curve, but could turn out well for you.

[chilli 0]

Thanks for the reply @Peter X 

 

Sounds good! Yeah, I'll build up a plan before diving in. I'm thinking of around March as a target to get afloat. I imagine that boat prices go up a bit in summer as the nice weather come around? 

 

 

[ditchcrawler 1184]

On 19/10/2019 at 19:48, ditchcrawler said:

Because I have seen more and more boaters doing it, so I am sure new boaters will see it as well

 

 

[Phoenix88 0]

Hi all!

I'm a 31 y/o female, living in London. Completely new to boating, but looking to find her first home afloat by Spring 2020. 

 

Anyone in the community looking to connect to discuss all things boat??

[LadyG 480]

On 07/12/2019 at 14:37, Phoenix88 said:

Hi all!

I'm a 31 y/o female, living in London. Completely new to boating, but looking to find her first home afloat by Spring 2020. 

 

Anyone in the community looking to connect to discuss all things boat??

I believe there is a London boaters group [might be fb] which you should also join.

Apollo Duck is a good site, private and broker sales.

I would suggest you look at ABNB and Rugby Boats which often have good boats.

Can you give us an idea of your budget, and where you intend to keep it ....

There is a huge amount of info on here, and some "off the wall" comments.

 

[Mrwotsits 1]

Terry here on a wide beam on the kennet and Avon after a marriage breakup and a decision to leave the rat race behind, wow stress levels gone and loving the life

[Flyingchuck 0]

Hi Folks

Not new to boating but fairly new to narrow boating.

Own a fishing boat, rib, rowing boat and a couple of tenders.

Live in Cornwall by the way. 

Need a base near London then intend to cruise a bit so later this year will be looking for 57foot ish one.

Lots of questions but will browse the site before I start. 

 

Edited December 30, 2019 by Flyingchuck

[ditchcrawler 1184]

1 hour ago, Flyingchuck said:

Hi Folks

Not new to boating but fairly new to narrow boating.

Own a fishing boat, rib, rowing boat and a couple of tenders.

Live in Cornwall by the way. 

Need a base near London then intend to cruise a bit so later this year will be looking for 57foot ish one.

Lots of questions but will browse the site before I start. 

 

How close to London do you need/want to be.

 

[Flyingchuck 0]

 Roydon, Stanstead  abbots area. 

[Dean4444 0]

On 13/12/2004 at 15:40, kackara said:

Hi everyone

 

Our names are Doreen and John and we are new to boating.

We decided to follow our dream and buy a boat,

We didn't want to look back in years to come and say "why didn't we"?.

 

This website is brilliant for all levels of boating from novice to advanced, and i'm so glad there are so many people out there willing to help, even us newbies.....

 

Thanks

 

Doreen

Me and the wife are seeking a boat but for the 20 grand budget we have it's a big gamble any advice would be greatly appreciated ??

 

[Alan de Enfield 4792]

5 minutes ago, Dean4444 said:

…….. advice would be greatly appreciated ??

 

Don't spend all your budget on a boat.

You will need several £1000's for surveys, moorings, maintenance, insurance etc etc and will need to maintain some "Just In Case" money in the bank. A new engine could be £3-5,000 and new gearbox £1000

 

This looks like (probably) the best available for around £10,000.

 

Don't let it slip away.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Narrowboat-Dawncraft-Highbridge-30ft-fibreglass/114043738347?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3D43c5cb63ae9f433689db23f8cd3220bd%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D182011126132%26itm%3D114043738347%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042

 

Not got the 'lines' of a steel narrowboat, but not got the price tag either.

[Splectia 0]

Hi all! I'm a newbie at this forum and boating is quite new for me (started 4 months ago).

My name is Aria and I from the UK. 

If I won't find the right information here, I'll ask you. Be prepared😀

[Machpoint005 2246]

HI! Welcome.

[cuthound 1774]

Hi Aria, welcome to the wonderful world of boating 😁

[GoingNowhereSlowly 0]

Hi.  I'm Andrew, living in Woking now, and orginally from Johannesburg.  I don't have a boat, but like the idea of one, so I'm trying to find out as much as I can before taking the plunge.

 

 

[Tony Brooks 1728]

15 minutes ago, GoingNowhereSlowly said:

Hi.  I'm Andrew, living in Woking now, and orginally from Johannesburg.  I don't have a boat, but like the idea of one, so I'm trying to find out as much as I can before taking the plunge.

 

 

Welcome and your easiest bet is to start reading the various topics on here.

[Guest]

13 hours ago, GoingNowhereSlowly said:

Hi.  I'm Andrew, living in Woking now, and orginally from Johannesburg.  I don't have a boat, but like the idea of one, so I'm trying to find out as much as I can before taking the plunge.

 

 

Hi Welcome, we've spent some time in Woking. Beautiful bit of canal to walk down. Done it all on foot/bike. Not yet done it on our boat as that bit of canal has restrictions.

[Peter X 314]

I know Woking a bit for various reasons. I lived in Frimley Green for a year or so in the 1970s and cycled there, and my daughter and her family lived in Woking for a few years more recently, and I've been there and back by boat from the Thames once a few years ago with the NBT. 

 

You could I suppose look at the canal where it runs close  to the N side of the town centre, or find the nearest locks on it (where are they? I remember some between Woking and  the junction with the Wey),

and hang around there chatting to passing boaters (not many I suppose?).

 

[Spoonyy 0]

On 11/12/2004 at 14:42, Sam said:

Are you a newbie to boating?

 

Well introduce your selves right here!!

 

And everyone will get to now you!!!

Hi Everybody. I'm new to the world of boating and would appreciate some guidance. At some point in the near future i would like to have a wide beam built. Ca anybody recommend a good boat builder who can fit out as well.

 

[Alan de Enfield 4792]

2 minutes ago, Spoonyy said:

Hi Everybody. I'm new to the world of boating and would appreciate some guidance. At some point in the near future i would like to have a wide beam built. Ca anybody recommend a good boat builder who can fit out as well.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Inland Waterways.

 

Your question is a bit like "I want to buy a car, what sort should I buy".

 

Maybe a little more about your intentions would enable you to get some sensible replies :

 

1) What is your budget ?

2) What size are you looking for (a Widebeam can be 8 feet, 9 feet 10 feet, even up to 14 feet wide, and anything from 30 feet to 70 feet long)

3) Where do you plan to use it ?

4) Are you going to be liveaboard or a 'leisure / weekend / holiday' user ?

5) Are you looking for a permanent mooring or are you going to continuously cruise ?

 

It is not uncommon to suggest that for a 1st boat you buy a second hand one so you can find out what you actually need / want, then after a few years have one built to your requirements.

 

Depending on your budget, I know of a nice, well equipped 4 year old Widebeam for sale at just over £300,000 if that is of any interest.

[Dr Bob 2144]

40 minutes ago, Spoonyy said:

Hi Everybody. I'm new to the world of boating and would appreciate some guidance. At some point in the near future i would like to have a wide beam built. Ca anybody recommend a good boat builder who can fit out as well.

 

There are loads of 2nd hand (one or two year old) widebeams on the market now - with their owners realising that they cannot get to large parts of the network as many of the UK canals are not designed for widebeams. Have a look at what is available. You may be surprised the features you want are already there.

I agree with Alan. Far better to buy a boat and live in it for 2-3years before building a new one, as without that experience it will be very difficult to know what you need. Our requirements have changed a great deal in the 3 years we have had this boat.

[Spoonyy 0]

Thank you for the advice

[Peter X 314]

If you buy a second hand widebeam you should definitely consider where it is and where you want to use it, because of the north/south divide; you cannot move a boat wider than 7 feet from the K&A/Thames/GU to or from the Trent etc. by water (except going around by sea which has its perils!, most likely  between the Thames and Humber up the east coast) because the connecting canals are  all narrow. However I've read it's not too terrible to get up the Severn from the K&A, or to cross the Wash between the Nene/Ouse (only connected to the GU by the narrow Northampton Arm!) and some Lincolnshire waters?

Alternatively, you'd have to get it craned out, transported  by road and craned back in; not cheap! Widebeams might be cheaper in some areas than others, but for a reason?? You'd have to plan carefully! Sometimes people buy  certain types in the Netherlands and bring  them by water across the North Sea, which I've read can make some sense with the right boat, skipper and crew, and timing and the right mooring to go to! I would be way out of my depth attempting that, literally!