New to this, any advice please?

[Ricco1]

This is my first time on here, so I'll start with a bit of information about myself:

 

I'm 51 years old, divorced, no kids. I don't work but have a modest income from some rental properties I own. These are managed, so I don't have to be around very often.

 

The thought of living on a canal boat has grown on me over the last year or two. I spend a lot of time fishing on canals and I've chatted to lots of owners. I've owned various fishing boats over the years, and taken a cruise in Ireland. I love being on water, having the freedom to move, I'm sure it's for me.

 

My idea is to 'continuously cruise'. However: my other 'watery passion' is surfing; I go off to Indonesia for a couple of months, usually twice a year.

 

My question (first of many probably!) I'd buy a continuous cruising licence. However, obviously, my continuous cruising would be compromised if I went away. So: are there places opposite to the towpath where payment of a small fee to the owner would entitle me to leave it there for 2 months? and if so, would doing this cause a problem with my licensing?

 

Oh and if I can squeeze another question in: I have a small motorbike (125cc), it would be great if it could be transported on my boat in some way. Is this possible?

 

Any replies gratefully received!

 

Rich

[ditchcrawler]

This is my first time on here, so I'll start with a bit of information about myself:

 

I'm 51 years old, divorced, no kids. I don't work but have a modest income from some rental properties I own. These are managed, so I don't have to be around very often.

 

The thought of living on a canal boat has grown on me over the last year or two. I spend a lot of time fishing on canals and I've chatted to lots of owners. I've owned various fishing boats over the years, and taken a cruise in Ireland. I love being on water, having the freedom to move, I'm sure it's for me.

 

My idea is to 'continuously cruise'. However: my other 'watery passion' is surfing; I go off to Indonesia for a couple of months, usually twice a year.

 

My question (first of many probably!) I'd buy a continuous cruising licence. However, obviously, my continuous cruising would be compromised if I went away. So: are there places opposite to the towpath where payment of a small fee to the owner would entitle me to leave it there for 2 months? and if so, would doing this cause a problem with my licensing?

 

Oh and if I can squeeze another question in: I have a small motorbike (125cc), it would be great if it could be transported on my boat in some way. Is this possible?

 

Any replies gratefully received!

 

Rich

No, just book into a marina somewhere handy

Yes several people carry bikes on boats but unless you buy a tug style it often involves modifications. I did post some photos on here some time back, also look here http://www.narrowboatworld.com/index.php/guest-columnist-section/5775-yarns-from-the-yardcut-and-shut

[Higgs]

Can't answer categorically, but you can find an arrangement with landowners, however, this will not necessarilly be without a levy being added by CRT. Don't really know how small a fee you were thinking of, but there's always the option of using the temporary service of a marina.

 

Other - I suppose if you had a sufficiently adapted boat, you could find it possible to transport a bike.

[bottle]

Ricco

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Question one.

 

To be pedantic there is only one licence for a boat on C&;RT waters but you do have to declare that you will abide by the 'rules' as continuous Cruiser if the boat does not have a permanent (home) mooring.

 

What you are describing is what a lot of CCers do, cruise 10 months and put the boat in a marina for the other two.

 

Difficult to give a cost as it will vary marina to marina. As a guesstimate £500 would cover it.

 

Question two

 

Have seen a few boats with motorbikes onboard and some larger than 125.

[Guest]

From GrannyButtons (not my picture)

 

Motorhome style -

 

 

I make no comment as to how practical an arrangement that would be.

Edited May 18, 2013 by The Dog House

[Arthur Brown]

Consider that having a home mooring gives you some more freedom of mooring times in some places -especially if you are in the same place several times a year.

 

Consider that you will need a gangplank to suit your bike, Consider where you will leave the bike while abroad. maybe you will need wide doors with a hoist/ramp or a mate's garage or shed.

[Ricco1]

Thanks for the replies. Very positive, I'm sure I'll go ahead with this.

 

It seems that a tug type boat might suit me best, or at least one with a reasonable length of open deck at the front. Or otherwise I guess I could have a 'holder' fabricated that would sit at the stern, pretty much as in the picture.

 

Would anyone have an idea of (roughly) the cost either adapting the bow, or having a holder fabricated and fitted?

 

Thanks again.

[Bunny]

Have seen a semi trad with the rear door off set to one side and the motor bike on the other side , when the boat was not in use they were then able to put a cover over the semi trad and the bike . Bunny

[ditchcrawler]

I have even seen a quad on a boat. I have a photo somewhere.

[DeanS]

If you look at most boats, the water tank is in the bow. There are holes cut out of the bow/cratch walls to allow rainwater, water tank overflows etc to drain out. So in theory there's no reason you couldnt just cut out a piece of the bow/cratch walling and weld hinges to it so it becomes a door. If you ever sold the boat again, you could just have that rewelded back into place.

 

..but yes a tug style deck would be ideal for you, and make a nice place to sit and fish from too

 

I think you're making the right lifestyle choice, and wish you all the best.

ps...make sure you have space for two bikes...one for your future lady ?

[steelaway]

My H100 aboard

 

[jelunga]

Nb Belle (http://www.railwaybraking.com/belle/BLOGtext.htm) was designed and built with cut out in the gunwales. These were reinforced for strength. Read about it and see what you think. It is not just a matter of cutting a hole and fitting doors which may compromise structural integrity.