Motorhoming v Narrowboating ?

Kev and Carolyn said:
Hi Karen.

As Andrew has mentioned ..Abnb is possibly the best but look on Apollo Duck web site too. Look up boat builders and research as much as possible.

Kev
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I would hate to think how many dozens of hours I've searched for NBs on Apollo Duck (the boat advertiser for the uninitiated).

The only problem with ApolloDuck during this post-CV19 period (With all of its pent up sales demand for boats), is that a huge number of boats have a 'for sale' marker against them when in fact they are all sold.

There's one broker at Great Haywood who currently has 20-25 boats for sale on his webpage but if you go and see him in person tomorrow then you'll find that all but one is sold.

He uses this method to attract new punters.
 
Kev and Carolyn said:
Yes bud...On board from 1996 to 2009 . First boat (excuse the images ) NB Lyndon's lair. Became Mr Prickles and our home for 3 years. Came off that and moved onto a 70ft NB Cosy From Barry Hawkins yard Atherstone.(Pictures available if interested)
Moved off 'Cosy" on to a 70ft Tug 'Black Bart'.
Loved every minute of life on the cut.
Pictures of 'Mr Prickles' internally after spending a lot of time revamping it and having it painted by ourselves. The picture on the port side shows myself and Carolyn just after our wedding .
We were actually married in Lichfield and our reception was carried out on board the NB Milford Star.
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I've given you a golden star for that little lot Kev - what a fantatsic selection of boats.

You kept that quiet - I may need to pick your brains from time to time.
 
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Blue Knight said:
I've given you a golden star for that little lot Kev - what a fantatsic selection of boats.

You kept that quiet - I may need to pick your brains from time to time.
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Not meant to bud. Did not think anyone on here was that interested to be honest? We loved it and me more so because I had three beautiful homes whilst on board! I was able to make something work and it was possibly at this time that I was my healthiest too. Seems so long ago now though. :unsure:
You will love it honestly. Especially in the Autumn months. That is when the "Real boatees" come out! Travel the autumn and winter months as long as the maintenance times will let you and really see what this wonderful country has to offer. The scenery can be just epic honestly. Especially the clear nights in the wilderness on the boat top with a couple of glasses of wine and the stars above...Just wonderful

Kev
 
Blue Knight said:
Thanks Steve,

Nicky and I have been quite confused for some time (Airstream and Morelo threads apply) so I'm just relieved that we've finally made a decision on something.

The boat has a 16 bottle wine rack so ideal for social sessions.

That said, I wonder what the law stipulates about drinking and boating at 2mph :cheers:
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Andrew
Have you checked payload?
 
steve 6644 said:
Probably an ex motorhomer.
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The one thing I will say is that my motorhome hobby has certainly helped me out massively with the selection of the correct layout, technical spec and equipment requirements for a narrowboat.

In theory both Nicky and I are going from sub-21ft PVC space to 57ft of boat so we'll be lost in the thing (for a week or so until we spread our stuff everywhere).

I don't think I'm wrong in saying that both hobbies are very similarly linked in many-many ways.
 
Blue Knight

Congratulations. I took my sailig boat down through France to the Med and thoroughly enjoyed, probably because I did not have to operate any of the 168 locks - all manned by eclusiers, automatic, or controlled from the 'tower' on Saone and Rhone. A very enjoyable trip. We could have done with a second bicycle as the floodplains along the canals by rivers e.g. Loire are quite wide so the villages with shops and restaurants are 1-2kms away. Also quite interesting as my boat drew 5' 6" - OK in the middle where the barges dredged it, but often grounded when pulling over to let them pass.

I had a plan to take the boat back to the French canals and use it on trips from UK, moored and with mast on the bank with friends, but friends moved and plan never was fulfilled.

I might still get a canal cruiser, especially if we move to France, but that will depend on us having much more free time away.

Good Sailing Sir.

[Continued.Just seen your later post #39]

Yes two hobbies are very similar. Careful with water/batteries, 12v electrics, water pipes/pumps, solar, all common - even leaks :LOL:

Geoff

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Kev and Carolyn said:
Not meant to bud. Did not think anyone on here was that interested to be honest? We loved it and me more so because I had three beautiful homes whilst on board! I was able to make something work and it was possibly at this time that I was my healthiest too. Seems so long ago now though. :unsure:
You will love it honestly. Especially in the Autumn months. That is when the "Real boatees" come out! Travel the autumn and winter months as long as the maintenance times will let you and really see what this wonderful country has to offer. The scenery can be just epic honestly. Especially the clear nights in the wilderness on the boat top with a couple of glasses of wine and the stars above...Just wonderful

Kev
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That's a fantastic post as we are doing it for the points you mentioned above - health, wilderness, travel, stars and the glasses of wine.

I hate to say it but I like tinkering more on my MoHo than I do using it so a boat with its never ending list of DIY jobs will keep a huge smile on my face.

I'll send you our marina details when everything is finalised and perhaps you'll like to pop over for a glass of red and a bit of instruction to a newbie.
 
Blue Knight said:
I'll send you our marina details when everything is finalised and perhaps you'll like to pop over for a glass of red and a bit of instruction to a newbie.
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Would love to meet up with you guys. Please keep in touch and we look forward to meeting up with you guys and the new venture!

Kev and Carolyn;)(y)
 
Cheshirecat57 said:
Andrew
Have you checked payload?
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It's funny you should say that as I have 900kg according to the builders plate (5 people plus luggage).

........but once I build my 'field' of solar panels on top deck then Nicky may have no other choice than to stay behind in the marinas club house :-)
 
I will follow with interest - a barge is my back up plan if for some stupid reason my C1 isn't renewed at 70 - if that happens then the Moho goes and a barge becomes the new hobby!

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Blue Knight said:
It's funny you should say that as I have 900kg according to the builders plate (5 people plus luggage).

........but once I build my 'field' of solar panels on top deck then Nicky may have no other choice than to stay behind in the marinas club house :)
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1st time round,I read that as the Marine’s Club House 😂
 
nicholsong said:
Blue Knight

Congratulations. I took my sailig boat down through France to the Med and thoroughly enjoyed, probably because I did not have to operate any of the 168 locks - all manned by eclusiers, automatic, or controlled from the 'tower' on Saone and Rhone. A very enjoyable trip. We could have done with a second bicycle as the floodplains along the canals by rivers e.g. Loire are quite wide so the villages with shops and restaurants are 1-2kms away. Also quite interesting as my boat drew 5' 6" - OK in the middle where the barges dredged it, but often grounded when pulling over to let them pass.

I had a plan to take the boat back to the French canals and use it on trips from UK, moored and with mast on the bank with friends, but friends moved and plan never was fulfilled.

I might still get a canal cruiser, especially if we move to France, but that will depend on us having much more free time away.

Good Sailing Sir.

[Continued.Just seen your later post #39]

Yes two hobbies are very similar. Careful with water/batteries, 12v electrics, water pipes/pumps, solar, all common - even leaks :LOL:

Geoff
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Thanks Geoff, very much appreciated.

I've met a number of folk recently who have transported their Narrowboats and widebeams to the French canals.

It seems the price of Narrowboating in France is hugely more cost effective than staying in the UK.

It's not going to be a cheap sport for sure and what do they say about boats: Bung On Another Thousand.

Still, that said, I can't think of anything nicer to do at this point in time. Nicky and I are also of the opinion that the UK roads, campsites and wilding spots are becoming so congested these days that the boating life is something we really have to try.
 
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Blue Knight said:
That's a fantastic post as we are doing it for the points you mentioned above - health, wilderness, travel, stars and the glasses of wine.

I hate to say it but I like tinkering more on my MoHo than I do using it so a boat with its never ending list of DIY jobs will keep a huge smile on my face.

I'll send you our marina details when everything is finalised and perhaps you'll like to pop over for a glass of red and a bit of instruction to a newbie.
Click to expand...
If you like tinkering, you may well love this blokes journey through building his boat as much as I did. A very basic guy, no old nonsense and very straight forward. The videos do get better after the first few so try and stick with it, he makes a fantastic job of it in the end and is a guy I know I would get on with like a house on fire. I only watched up to about No 34 so will watch the rest now, hope you enjoy this build as much as I did. :smiley:

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DBK said:
Best wishes for your new way of life. :)
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Very kind indeed. We're keeping the PVC for the time being until we can be sure it no longer serves a purpose. (I've spent so much time modifying it that I'm really not sure I can get rid of it though :-) )
 
CazPaul said:
Nice one sounds great Andrew, where will it be kept when you're not using it?

Have you sold the van yet?
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I best not go public on the mooring location Paul.

Someone could nick it and then off to London they go with my lovely boat albeit it'll take them 20-days to get there :roflmto:

We'll keep the Globie for a bit longer sir.
 
ceejayt said:
I will follow with interest - a barge is my back up plan if for some stupid reason my C1 isn't renewed at 70 - if that happens then the Moho goes and a barge becomes the new hobby!
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Yes, you certainly don't need a C1 license for the canals.

Heck, you don't even know how to steer it correctly hence the reason why you have those huge bouncy mushrooms at the front and the rubbing strakes at the sides - you can quite happily bump off things all day. :cool:


.....and not to mention the insurance premium for a Narrowboat which is peanuts. Our annual premium will be £210 with recovery included.
 
Blue Knight said:
Thanks Steve,

Nicky and I have been quite confused for some time (Airstream and Morelo threads apply) so I'm just relieved that we've finally made a decision on something.

The boat has a 16 bottle wine rack so ideal for social sessions.

That said, I wonder what the law stipulates about drinking and boating at 2mph :cheers:
Click to expand...

So are we :ROFLMAO: have fun guys(y)

Martin
 
If anyone is interested in our power and electrical fit-out options then here goes:

1. Dometic 3500W Travel Pack (mobile AC generator with seperate engine alternator.

2. Mastervolt MASS Gi 3.5 ISOLATION transformer.

3. Mastervolt 12/80 seperate charger.

4. Mastervolt MASS Inverter 12/2000.

5. Victron 'Smart' Solar 100/50 MPPT.

6. 2 x 320W Panasonic Split Solar Panels.

7. Usable Battery bank @ 50 DOD = 300 Amps.

8. 1 x 95A Alt to starter battery; 1 x 135A Alt to habitation pack.

9. Bow thruster battery via seperate charging regime.

That'll power the full size washer-dryer quite nicely.
 
Hi Andrew.

The systems you have fitted are most definitely for a Live aboard set up! You will be going down the Battery route at some point and Im sure Victron will be there to point you in the direction of the Gel types they love to sell


If I may...Did your beloved state it like Carolyn did for me?

" If I am to spend time on board a boat....It needs everything! .......And I really mean ...Every thing! Of course my love ... Yes dear It will ! "
Cost me a bloody fortune in early technology for running fridge freezers and conventional Irons etc and most importantly...a Dual fuel cooker! Yes gas and 240Volts!

I loved her then as I still do now. Oh the challenges we had! To do it now would be a lot simpler and I do envy you both.

Regards Kev

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