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Full time boaters - any regrets?


Martin Megson

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I have one regret, its too short another eight feet would have been nice and the paint is the wr..........

I have two regrets its too short and the paint is the wrong colour and the shower is the wr...........

I have three regrets its too short and the paint is the wrong colour and the shower is the wrong way round and............

I have four regrets................................biggrin.png

 

 

whoo....

 

who gave Maffi permission to be cheerful?

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10 years now and no regrets except why didn't we do it sooner. Lots of advice about snail mail address and stuff in this forum and loads of blogs describing the life. In mine I try to tell it warts and all and in the time I've been doing it we've gone from CC'ing to winter mooring and summer cruising.

 

It's at nbsanity.blogspot.com/

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Nagger Ops and I have lived aboard our Hudson for 4 years now, following 5 years at sea on a yacht. We're NOT wealthy -living at sea was too costly for us. But Narrowboat life? Brilliant. We CAN afford to run a car, but we've binned it. Too expensive, AND very arsey, if you're a proper CC. (Which we very nearly are). It's generally cheaper to use Pubic Transport, or a hire car if your mum's very poorly. (Done that too)

 

We own a small flat, that neither of us ever wish to live in, which is managed by an agency who, so far, has been utterly satisfactory and we're rarely without a tenant. (Oops. Shouldn't have said that!)

 

The flat is for the missus to live in, when she finally shoves me into the canal with the anchor warp wrapped around my head.

 

Do it whilst you're still fit and able enough to move the tiller. With any luck, Nagger Ops will continue to do the locks.

 

Oh hang on, I've to go to bed now. The nurse is here!

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Many thanks for all the helpful advice. Clearly I'm joining a very happy bunch who enjoy their life afloat - but then I knew that anyway from my experience on the cut.

Have started the process and am now trying to fit a 3 bedroomed house into 55ft of narrow boat. I can see many trips to the charity shop and local tip over the next few weeks :-)

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If you have the time and inclination to manage the let of your house yourself, then skip the letting agent. I have been a tennant in two properties where the landlord has wanted to sort things out for us, but has been unable to because of slow incompetent agents, and meanwhile we, the tennants are sitting there with no hot water/front door key etc... In the first instance the landlord then tried to leave the agency, but found himself locked in to a contract with them. In the second instance, with my current (but soon to be ex) landlady, she also wanted to leave the agency, and we ended up having to fake 'moving out', to terminate the tenancy in the eyes of the agency, just so that we could set up a private contract. Been there 5 years since that, really appreciate dealing with landlady directly.

 

Obviously this does depend on how reachable you want to remain while on board, but in this age of mobile phones it shouldn't be difficult.

 

I think some would say that approach would also depend on your tenants. There have been folk on here who have had chew with problematic tenants and have found the services of an agent a god send.

 

That said the arrangement you describe works very well for my eldest daughter who has a direct relationship with her landlord. They did however know each other for a while (in fact she was her 'boss' for a while) before the tenancy started, it works because they both trust each other.

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My regret is I don't have a boat yet never mind to live on full time.

 

On my way to going live aboard I am disposing of the house & contents. This includes the realisation that the contents of my airing cupboard would fill a trad back cabin.. A lot of things will need to go. Probably not a bad thing.

 

As for postal addresses I have freinds I trust and have no complications with finances (skint, as ever) / dependants so no probs there.

 

One has reached 'a certain age' & some good freinds have left it to late to live their dreams so go for it. Mm.. Must remember to take black tie & shoes on board with one white shirt.

 

Some good advice on this thread most of which is irelavant to me. Anyway, if I'm off to Hell I'll take my own road.

 

Go for it. See you on the cut with luck.

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My regret is I don't have a boat yet never mind to live on full time.

 

On my way to going live aboard I am disposing of the house & contents. This includes the realisation that the contents of my airing cupboard would fill a trad back cabin.. A lot of things will need to go. Probably not a bad thing.

 

As for postal addresses I have freinds I trust and have no complications with finances (skint, as ever) / dependants so no probs there.

 

One has reached 'a certain age' & some good freinds have left it to late to live their dreams so go for it. Mm.. Must remember to take black tie & shoes on board with one white shirt.

 

Some good advice on this thread most of which is irelavant to me. Anyway, if I'm off to Hell I'll take my own road.

 

Go for it. See you on the cut with luck.

Thanks for the kind wishes. Hope you get your boat soon. I'm looking forward to becoming a full time free spirit.

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Been living aboard for over 20 years...still loving it. As others have said go for it. Although I'm only in my mid 40's now I too have had far too many friends pop off this mortal coil before their time....if you want to do something just do it. As my granny said you will regret more what you don't do!

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

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There is a web site called Living On A Narrowboat which may be of use Martin.

 

We have a couple of rental properties. We employ a letting agent to look after them/ vet tenants/ do donkey work. We lose ten per cent of the rent but gain peace of mind, and cheques hit our bank account with pleasing regularity. I suppose there are "cowboys" amongst these agents; ours are a long-established firm of estate agents and are reliable and reputable.

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Hi ya,

I may have missed it,but How are you doing,any update, & are you enjoying the weather !.

Hi,

 

I'm fine thanks. Still on the Ely Ouse, mainly on the various EA moorings and visiting Ely occasionally for the facilities. The river is up and down a bit as they run water through Denver, spent a couple of days sitting on the bottom but a minor inconvenience compared to this on the Thames. Almost got the house cleared, another couple of days should see it finished then I can hand it over to the agent and enjoy my boating. Weather is blowing a gale tonight and my rudder it clanging like a bell. Think I'll have to venture out and tie it up.

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There is a web site called Living On A Narrowboat which may be of use Martin.

 

We have a couple of rental properties. We employ a letting agent to look after them/ vet tenants/ do donkey work. We lose ten per cent of the rent but gain peace of mind, and cheques hit our bank account with pleasing regularity. I suppose there are "cowboys" amongst these agents; ours are a long-established firm of estate agents and are reliable and reputable.

If you've got a house or flat and a relatively small mortgage, this is the way to do it. If you can, get references for the letting agent from other clients. If for no other reason that it gives you the option of moving back onto land if it turns out to be needed.

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If you've got a house or flat and a relatively small mortgage, this is the way to do it. If you can, get references for the letting agent from other clients. If for no other reason that it gives you the option of moving back onto land if it turns out to be needed.

 

That's exactly what I'm doing using a well established and respected local agent who knows the market. Quite happy to cough up 10% for the peace of mind. Just want to hand over the keys and leave them to get on with it while I enjoy my retirement afloat. And as you say when the time comes to move back to land I can.

 

Hope everyone is safe after last nights storm, I hardly slept but thankfully a disturbed night was the only damage. I'm sure there must be many fellow boaters out there having a hard time of it.

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There are a lot of one sided views on this thread so I thinks it's only right to give a different view. Wether that be for the OP or anyone reading this in the future.

 

Boats and boating is not cheap. If you don't have the expertise, knowledge or equipment to repair most things for yourself, you need to prepare yourself that getting even the smallest thing repaired is going to cost.

 

I'm having a succession of faults develop on my boat at the moment. I can't fix them myself and I can't afford to have a boatyard sort them. I'm at the point now where I can't use my boat for what I bought it for and it's starting to get me down. This morning having tried to bodge (and failed) another repair, I'd almost go as far as to say I regret buying it and have thought about selling it feels like there is no end in sight.

 

So there you go, just thought I'd throw that in amongst all the 'wish I'd done it sooner' posts.

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There are a lot of one sided views on this thread so I thinks it's only right to give a different view. Wether that be for the OP or anyone reading this in the future.

 

Boats and boating is not cheap. If you don't have the expertise, knowledge or equipment to repair most things for yourself, you need to prepare yourself that getting even the smallest thing repaired is going to cost.

 

I'm having a succession of faults develop on my boat at the moment. I can't fix them myself and I can't afford to have a boatyard sort them. I'm at the point now where I can't use my boat for what I bought it for and it's starting to get me down. This morning having tried to bodge (and failed) another repair, I'd almost go as far as to say I regret buying it and have thought about selling it feels like there is no end in sight.

 

So there you go, just thought I'd throw that in amongst all the 'wish I'd done it sooner' posts.

 

Thanks for sharing that. Fortunately I'm reasonably handy and having had the boat for over 2 years I've had a few issues I've had to sort. I'm really sorry to hear you are having such problems with your boat and I hope it all works out for you. If I was closer I would gladly help, I'm sure there are forum members nearby who can offer advise.

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There are a lot of one sided views on this thread so I thinks it's only right to give a different view. Wether that be for the OP or anyone reading this in the future.

 

Boats and boating is not cheap. If you don't have the expertise, knowledge or equipment to repair most things for yourself, you need to prepare yourself that getting even the smallest thing repaired is going to cost.

 

I'm having a succession of faults develop on my boat at the moment. I can't fix them myself and I can't afford to have a boatyard sort them. I'm at the point now where I can't use my boat for what I bought it for and it's starting to get me down. This morning having tried to bodge (and failed) another repair, I'd almost go as far as to say I regret buying it and have thought about selling it feels like there is no end in sight.

 

So there you go, just thought I'd throw that in amongst all the 'wish I'd done it sooner' posts.

I'm sorry to hear that. I apologise if this sounds harsh, but if you don't have funds and can't do the work yourself one has to question why you thought a boat would be a good idea? I'm sure you could fix anything if you have the determination and it sounds like that's your only option. I gather you work 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off so it's not like you don't have the time to have a go?

 

I spanner and restore old 1970's VW campers for a living and meet a lot of people in your position on a smaller scale. They buy a 40 year van and expect it to be fine because it has an MOT. Or an AA report says it's ok. It's alarming how many have no realistic budget, refuse to consider doing any work themselves, saying they "can't" and when questioned didn't look underneath when buying and have no intention to do so. This will sound even harsher - I almost doubled my hourly rate and now I don't have to face people who cry when they're told they need to replace an obviously worn out tyre for instance. Or that the van disappearing in a cloud of smoke when started is indicative of engine problems. I know we're not all the practical type, but if you're not and buy any metal thing with machines, circuits and pipes, you're going to need a pot of cash.

 

I was an office wallah, but I taught myself to mig-weld, rebuild engines etc on a project bus and then off I went. If another human being can do something, so can I, it's just a matter of researching until you understand and being bloody minded. For every 8 hours at work, I did another 12 hours reading and researching. I never fail, I never give up whatever the cost to me. I've lost money big-time making mistakes that I ALWAYS took on the chin as part of the learning curve. Now a few years on I have an excellent reputation because by now I'm pretty good, scrupulously fair and prepared to do whatever's neccessary. If I don't know something I find out. The internet is your friend and never be shy to ask a stupid question. I'm turning away approx £1,000,000 of work a year now because I can't expand while I'm getting divorced. wink.png And because I simply don't want the hassle of running a larger company again.

 

So come on mate, I feel like coming down and fixing it for you. I have no idea what your problems are and very little about narrowboats. It might take you longer, but if another human can fix it so can you. smile.png

Edited by boathunter
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There are a lot of one sided views on this thread so I thinks it's only right to give a different view. Wether that be for the OP or anyone reading this in the future.

 

Boats and boating is not cheap. If you don't have the expertise, knowledge or equipment to repair most things for yourself, you need to prepare yourself that getting even the smallest thing repaired is going to cost.

 

I'm having a succession of faults develop on my boat at the moment. I can't fix them myself and I can't afford to have a boatyard sort them. I'm at the point now where I can't use my boat for what I bought it for and it's starting to get me down. This morning having tried to bodge (and failed) another repair, I'd almost go as far as to say I regret buying it and have thought about selling it feels like there is no end in sight.

 

So there you go, just thought I'd throw that in amongst all the 'wish I'd done it sooner' posts.

Sorry you're feeling that way. As Lady Muck says, it's a steep learning curve. One advantage you've got is that you have a basically sound boat with a few niggles. As others have said, if you're interested in learning any subject, you can learn it. Nothing on your boat amounts to high tech that can't be worked out by looking at it or using a few basic tools such as a multimeter for the electrics, and a decent spanner set and measuring gauges for the mechanical bits. Maybe find a manual for the engine and gearbox. One of the worst things to do is to look at a new situation and say to yourself "I'll never master this." It might even pay you to take a YHA course, as you'll meet a lot of other noewbies there, all worrying about the same things as you are. Feel free to PM me if you've got a particular problem you can't solve.

 

Maybe you need to chat with some people with experience of boats similar to yours.

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I know we're not all the practical type, but if you're not and buy any metal thing with machines, circuits and pipes, you're going to need a pot of cash.

That's pretty much the point I was trying to make and just wanted to point out that is not all waking up in the morning and feeding the swans out of the side hatch.

 

learning to fix things yourself IS important, but you have to start somewhere. Through no other reason than having no other option, I have diagnosed and repaired quite a few things myself, but everyone has to start somewhere. I had to have an engineer out twice before xmas to replace 2 fuel pumps that seized within a week of each other. There's no way I could have diagnosed or repaired them myself, but I watched what was being done by the engineer and asked loads of questions. I'm confident I could do one myself next time, but that didn't help me when it originally went.

 

My batteries are not charging. Rather than get a marine elecrician out, I removed the alternator and too it to a specialist thinking it was broken. Turns out it's not so I've re-fitted it. Maybe it's the belt, so I've ordered a new one and will fit it with my fingers crossed. If that's not it then sadly I'll have to go down the expensive route of having a marine elecrician out to delve a little deeper. Then we're talking at least £40 for a call out plus £40ph for their time before they've even told you what's wrong.

 

Now my exhaust pipe has rotted through under the heat shield. I discovered this 2 days ago and at the moment it's just one thing after another. I've bodged it together this morning with an exhaust bandage and some Gun Gum from Halfords. That's not going to last forever, but at least I've had a go at it myself. I can only afford to get one of those 2 things repaired properly when I get paid this month. Eventually it wears you down and can start to outweigh the pleasure had from actually being out boating.

 

I'm not crying about it, and I'm getting on with it. I just wanted to even this thread up a bit and warn people that it's not all pretty countryside and feeding the ducks.

Edited by junior
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I think it's great, Junior, that you can inject some realism into this. It is possible to get only a very rose tinted view of boating from the magazines, TV programmes, other boaters, etc.

 

For what it's worth, I can sympathise. When we bought our first boat, we committed ourselves 100% financially. We we're bringing the boat back to Cambridge, neither of us employed, hoping to find work when we got there. We had very little contingency plans or money saved, it had all gone on the boat.

 

The lowest point was in Brentford. Our engine had become disconnected from the prop shaft and couldn't drive the boat. We'd been towed there by friends, but we couldn't afford to fix it properly. Then the starter motor broke too, and the batteries flattened, and it looked very seriously like we'd have to try and find some temporary work- anything, really, but probably cash in hand as we had no address in the area, only the boat- for a few weeks to try and sort it. Various family members would ring us up and tell us we'd made a horrible mistake, and we'd agree with them. At one point, I wished the whole thing would burn down to the waterline and sink so we could claim the insurance money and rent a flat and get away from the whole sorry mess. We fixed the starter motor with money loaned from grandparents, and fixed the prop shaft. Which broke. So we fixed it again. It broke once more. Then we fixed it for one final time, and luckily, it held.

 

Edit to add- we blogged about the whole thing, in this post onwards- http://nbluckyduck.blogspot.co.uk/2008/08/unlucky-duck.html

 

But it did get better. Forum members helped us out greatly, with advice and a tow, and even with other mishaps along the way- hitting a medieval bridge, snapping the tiller off, being stranded in Northampton for ten days with no money- we made it through, came out the other side, and can look back on the experience, and now we try and help other people much as they helped us wherever possible.

Edited by FadeToScarlet
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