Motorhoming v Narrowboating ?

[nicholsong]

This is the reason anyone on a boat should carry a knive, you never know when you might have to cut your ropes.

Agreed.

I always wore a sheath on my belt with knife, marlin spike/shackle key and pliers.
Get a genny sheet turn round your ankle and you can be over the side in a split second.

Geoff

 

[PeteH]

Agreed.

I always wore a sheath on my belt with knife, marlin spike/shackle key and pliers.
Get a genny sheet turn round your ankle and you can be over the side in a split second.

Geoff

You just have to be Careful where you stand. Even a light rope cut whilst under tension can give a nasty wound. Never mind when a "tow" breaks or a Trawl Warp, parts!.

 

[nicholsong]

Why Not?. Works with (older) 200.000tonne Bulk carriers?.

I was wondering more about the positions of winches, cleats, fairleads etc. Do builders provide them conveniently placed for springing?

I used to spring my sailing boat out of most berths to get a good departure angle in case of a cross-wind gust during the manoeuvre.

Geoff

 

[Spriddler]

The canals do seem to get very crowded these days with all the Birmingham Navy types.
I've hired one a few times but wouldn't want to own one as I don't like coming back the same way as I went.
I'm the same with the m/h and with walking the dog.

 

[Blue Knight]

To narrow for me but give me a Dutch barge

It's interesting you should say that as we first started with the idea of buying a 60ft x 12ft widebeam and then within seconds that idea died when we took it out for a spin on a canal.

The handling was slightly worse than that of an oil tanker and I just felt like a total liability on the water.

What we did do is take all the positive experiences that we had gained from motorhoming and transfer them to our boating wish list....

.........so the first concept was to take the agility of the PVC and the freedom it gives us and transpose that to boating.

This meant that we went for a narrowboat for access and not a widebeam.

A few people do use widebeams for touring but for the most they just sit year-on-year on their permanent marina moorings.

Also, the only way you can get from the middle of the country to the more southern canals is to lift the widebeam out of the water and have it transported by road. There is no connection.

I'm not saying that we'll ever come close to doing the full system but at least I can use my boat and it won't restrict our movement, hence the 57' x 6'10" option.

All the best,

Andrew

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[Blue Knight]

The canals do seem to get very crowded these days with all the Birmingham Navy types.
I've hired one a few times but wouldn't want to own one as I don't like coming back the same way as I went.
I'm the same with the m/h and with walking the dog.

The word on the street in the canal boat word is to avoid Birmingham at all costs. Not a pleasant place for transiting.

Also, the problem with the April to September season is that the canals are full of holidaying tourists and day rental boats - and this proves to be a pain for the liveaboard boaters.

They're a bit like the van life folk of the motorhoming world.

 

[PhilMary]

You won't be able to tow that very far.

They could tow it if they get a boat-horse.
Phil

 

[Spriddler]

A few people do use widebeams for touring but for the most they just sit year-on-year on their permanent marina moorings.

Much like the 'All the gear, no idea' Hooray Henrys with their gin palaces and yachts. I commented to the the lock keeper at the c2,000 boat tidal marina in Chichester harbour that surely it was a problem locking them all in and out. "Not really" he said, "75% of owners come down in their 4x4's with friends, drink Prosecco with Waitrose nibbles, take lunch at 'Our Yacht Club', then impress them with demonstrations of the radar, VHF radio, sound system, the nav system, autopilot and the Laura Ashley curtains, then go home".

 

[PeteH]

Not always!.

 

[Blue Knight]

Much like the 'All the gear, no idea' Hooray Henrys with their gin palaces and yachts. I commented to the the lock keeper at the c2,000 boat tidal marina in Chichester harbour that surely it was a problem locking them all in and out. "Not really" he said, "75% of owners come down in their 4x4's with friends, drink Prosecco with Waitrose nibbles, take lunch at 'Our Yacht Club', then impress them with demonstrations of the radar, VHF radio, sound system, the nav system, autopilot and the Laura Ashley curtains, then go home".

Yes, exactly that.

Some of the marinas are jammed full of boats that never leave their moorings for travel on either the inland system or the sea/choppy water.

We've come across a few people who have spent a fortune on their cruisers, yachts and plastic boats, only to realise that a trip out will a.) Cost a fortune in fuel and, b.) is a complete arse to move - so they don't move them and the boats just sit there bobbing away.

That said, a good number of the widebeams and a few thousand Narrowboats don't ever move from their permanent moorings either as their fulltime liveaboard owners need to be close to their work.

There's also a number of boats whereby people either can't afford, or just can't be bothered, to routinely maintain them and they just fall apart in fairly quick order. If you were to visit the number of boats that Nicky and I have done recently then you would see just how many crappy boats are out there for sale.

We've picked a good boat (touch wood) so I can't wait to get started

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[MaidinDevon]

Poulteney Bridge, in Bath abdCaen Hill flight from below, before we went up. A group of us hired a boat this summer. I absolutely loved it.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

On a lighter note......At some point Andrew...the conversation will always come back to the loo! Whether it be a Thetford or P/o or a Macerator . Be ready for it! It gets a little like the 'Grey water' threads on here!
Oh...if you plan on 'Extended cruising'..you will always get the question " isn't it cold in the winter? Dont know how you can do it" !
Never have we been so cosy and comfortable than on board our home afloat . Seems a lifetime ago now but so much more relaxing at the time. Would turn the clocks back if we could and do it all again in a heart beat,
Just enjoy it all and let those who need to rush along...do so!
There will be times when you will question the idea of what you have chosen to do and why......but a second breath or a blink of the eye , a song of a bird and it all floods back . That glow or warm feeling of contentment, captures it all and puts everything in the right place.

It is all just beginning for you.

Kind regards Kev.

 

[nicholsong]

Much like the 'All the gear, no idea' Hooray Henrys with their gin palaces and yachts. I commented to the the lock keeper at the c2,000 boat tidal marina in Chichester harbour that surely it was a problem locking them all in and out. "Not really" he said, "75% of owners come down in their 4x4's with friends, drink Prosecco with Waitrose nibbles, take lunch at 'Our Yacht Club', then impress them with demonstrations of the radar, VHF radio, sound system, the nav system, autopilot and the Laura Ashley curtains, then go home".

.........And don't even speak to the real sailors on the sailing boats berthed next to them, because the poor things have to do their own varnishing and do not wear 'Captains' hats' - white with gold braid, just some peasants' Tilley hat which services in all weathers.

The Greek motor boat owners are even better at that art, with their women dressed for a cocktail partiespluss lots of bling and high heels - could not board over the lifelines, need a passerelle.

All good fun for us. At least they f*cked off after the w/e.

Geoff

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Hi Andrew...Just took these from our album for you to look at. No particular order but Nb Mr Prickles was our first.
Nb Thyme was ours for a short while only. We moved her on to our friends at the time as they needed a home to move in to. Thought they would benefit from it whilst they were going through rough times at that period.
We eventually bought on to Nb Cosy. A Barry Hawkins shell and build. Beautiful lines she had too.
The art work was done for us by a Painter in Stone at the time for Mr Prickles. One side he was sitting down , the other..standing up with his leg on a wine barrel ! Typical of the time! The name came about from my daughter who was only 6 at the time who referred to me being Mr Prickles with my beard bless her.
The Winter picture of me on the roof breaking the ice for Nb Capittania. A disabled boat for special kids trying to get to Great Haywood fro the winter . It was a bit of a bugger that year on the cut. Warm inside but seriously cold outside!
The picture with the sunset was taken on our boat at the moorings at Milford wharf Near Shugborough Hall.
The picture showing two boats passing each other were actually our first boat Mr Prickles and Thyme coming by the moorings at Milford Wharf then owned by our friends Hand K Harrison on Thyme and Tony and Linda on Mr Prickles. They had kept the art work but had the boat painted Green at that time.
Our final boat we had was a Tug 70ft from Orion in Kinver. I will dig out some pictures for you when I can get into the loft. That turned out to be a wonderful boat again with a traditional engine and Boat mans cabin .
Just thought it may be of interest for you

Regards Kev

 

[GMLS]

I see The Happy Travellers on Youtube are selling their M/H for a boat but planning on getting a panel van to go to Spain in the winter. Sounds a great combination

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[Spriddler]

.........And don't even speak to the real sailors on the sailing boats berthed next to them, because the poor things have to do their own varnishing and do not wear 'Captains' hats' - white with gold braid, just some peasants' Tilley hat which services in all weathers.

The Greek motor boat owners are even better at that art, with their women dressed for a cocktail partiespluss lots of bling and high heels - could not board over the lifelines, need a passerelle.

All good fun for us. At least they f*cked off after the w/e.

Geoff

Exactly so. All that several in my yacht club needed to moor was a 50' extension lead and a water tap.

60 years ago I used to cycle with my nephew from home to fish in the canal near Oxford and I've just returned from 5 days in the m/h as a 'Covid desperation' trip, touring our old spots. (My first ever tour in U.K. in my m/h in the 14 years I've had it). Our favourite quiet spot near Kings Sutton now had the roaring M4 going right over it on concrete stilts. I walked along the towpath looking with some nostalgia at the half dozen or so moored narrow boats and felt desire building for that relaxed life...........until I noticed that every one of them had cleaning equipment and large pots of paint stacked in the cockpit.
At Stoke Bruerne it occurred to me that I might find relaxation at 3mph somewhat boring when I passed a gathering of canal boaters who were waiting for the lock. In a socially distanced raised voice one lady enquired of another, presumably a complete stranger: "Tell me, have you had any interesting operations?".

I chuckled all the way back to my parked m/h thinking that reference to cleaning, maintenance, extension leads, water taps and interesting operations wouldn't be out of place on the Fun forums.

 

[Blue Knight]

Hi Andrew...Just took these from our album for you to look at. No particular order but Nb Mr Prickles was our first.
Nb Thyme was ours for a short while only. We moved her on to our friends at the time as they needed a home to move in to. Thought they would benefit from it whilst they were going through rough times at that period.
We eventually bought on to Nb Cosy. A Barry Hawkins shell and build. Beautiful lines she had too.
The art work was done for us by a Painter in Stone at the time for Mr Prickles. One side he was sitting down , the other..standing up with his leg on a wine barrel ! Typical of the time! The name came about from my daughter who was only 6 at the time who referred to me being Mr Prickles with my beard bless her.
The Winter picture of me on the roof breaking the ice for Nb Capittania. A disabled boat for special kids trying to get to Great Haywood fro the winter . It was a bit of a bugger that year on the cut. Warm inside but seriously cold outside!
The picture with the sunset was taken on our boat at the moorings at Milford wharf Near Shugborough Hall.
The picture showing two boats passing each other were actually our first boat Mr Prickles and Thyme coming by the moorings at Milford Wharf then owned by our friends Hand K Harrison on Thyme and Tony and Linda on Mr Prickles. They had kept the art work but had the boat painted Green at that time.
Our final boat we had was a Tug 70ft from Orion in Kinver. I will dig out some pictures for you when I can get into the loft. That turned out to be a wonderful boat again with a traditional engine and Boat mans cabin .
Just thought it may be of interest for you

Regards Kev

What a fantastic set of pics Kev (and what super memories too).
Do you happen to keep a track of your boats via the old owners or have they gone forever mate.

If we manage to experience 20% of what you've seen and done then we'll be very happy folk.

Many thanks for posting them up sir.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

What a fantastic set of pics Kev (and what super memories too).
Do you happen to keep a track of your boats via the old owners or have they gone forever mate.

The Nb Thyme is currently still with our friends on the Milford Wharf. It has done some travelling in the past I can tell you.
Nb Mr Prickles I believe the Owners have since passed away bless them both.
Nb Cosy went on to the Kennet and Avon and is currently still there under new owner ship again I believe ?
Nb Black Bart is with its 4th owners now who have a Blog / Vlog (Something like that ) and live aboard it still.
I must find the pictures for you of that one. Absolute dream of a 'boaty home' that was.

Regards Kev

 

[Blue Knight]

On a lighter note......At some point Andrew...the conversation will always come back to the loo! Whether it be a Thetford or P/o or a Macerator . Be ready for it! It gets a little like the 'Grey water' threads on here!
Oh...if you plan on 'Extended cruising'..you will always get the question " isn't it cold in the winter? Dont know how you can do it" !
Never have we been so cosy and comfortable than on board our home afloat . Seems a lifetime ago now but so much more relaxing at the time. Would turn the clocks back if we could and do it all again in a heart beat,
Just enjoy it all and let those who need to rush along...do so!
There will be times when you will question the idea of what you have chosen to do and why......but a second breath or a blink of the eye , a song of a bird and it all floods back . That glow or warm feeling of contentment, captures it all and puts everything in the right place.

It is all just beginning for you.

Kind regards Kev.
View attachment 426215

It's funny that you should mention the loo topic as Nicky and I spent many a happy moment discussing the various scenarios.

I think it's just part of British culture to talk about the toilet-thing along with the weather and the cost of milk. How did we ever rule the globe for so long eh.

We've gone for the Dometic type with three cassettes but our boat originally had a pump-out until last year when it was removed by the seller. We didn't want the lingering pong in our bathroom from a PO so I think the motorhomer in me thought that the cassette option was the best.

There were a couple of other reasons for our choice Kev. The first being that Elsan disposal was free on the canals whereas POs cost money, while the second reason was due to the fact that some canal pump outs are sometimes out of order these days - could you imagine having to pull alongside a PO station with a full loo and finding it out of order.

.......so it was the cost, convenience, simple maintenance, familiarity, logistics, simplicity and a multi-cassette storage option that eventually won over the day.

We'll get together over a glass of red and discuss toilets in depth one time.

All the best,

Andrew

P.S. Liking the pic BTW; very J W Turner!

 

[Blue Knight]

The Nb Thyme is currently still with our friends on the Milford Wharf. It has done some travelling in the past I can tell you.
Nb Mr Prickles I believe the Owners have since passed away bless them both.
Nb Cosy went on to the Kennet and Avon and is currently still there under new owner ship again I believe ?
Nb Black Bart is with its 4th owners now who have a Blog / Vlog (Something like that ) and live aboard it still.
I must find the pictures for you of that one. Absolute dream of a 'boaty home' that was.

Regards Kev

How brilliant eh to be able to keep tabs on your various boats, especially Black Bart which you seem particularly fond of; it'll be great to see some pics.

The only worry for Nicky and I currently is this CV19 business, i.e. we are hoping that it stays away long enough for us to attend the survey (mid October) and then for us to finish the whole proceedings before moving it up the canals to the marina.

I've got a sneaking suspicion that CV will throw a spanner in the works in respect of our October timelines.

Fingers crossed!!

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[AnnB]

Happy boating.

I lived on a narrowboat for ten years, much harder work than the motorhome but they were happy days.

 

[Blue Knight]

Happy boating.

I lived on a narrowboat for ten years, much harder work than the motorhome but they were happy days.

Thanks Ann, it's good to see one more narrowbaoter on the forum.

I can't wait to start the endless list of DIY jobs

 

[Nomadian]

I’m a live aboard as well, I’m currently on the Llangollen. It’s a great life. I still have the mh, hopefully to go to Spain for the winter.

 

[Blue Knight]

I’m a live aboard as well, I’m currently on the Llangollen. It’s a great life. I still have the mh, hopefully to go to Spain for the winter.

That's sounds fantatsic to me. We are likely to keep the van too for the same reason, albeit only for UK travel.

What a great 'life-life' balance you have as you can't exactly fit the word 'work' into that equation of yours

 

[SpeedyDux]

In local news ... ooops!

Boats along river in Bath sink after mechanical fault at sluice gate in Twerton

Some boats have sunk, whereas others are resting on their sides after the water level dropped.

www.bathecho.co.uk

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[Decker]

We have just hung up our windlasses after 30 years of narrowboating.
It has been great while we were working as an alternative to the hectic life of work and thousands of motorway miles.
We find now that it is boring as we have been everywhere on the system that our boat would fit and are going to buy a new motorhome. We have been touring Europe for the last 3 years and hope we can get abroad again soon. Not too keen on motorhoming in the UK
Too expensive.....too much traffic etc

 

[TizzyOnTour]

We have just hung up our windlasses after 30 years of narrowboating.
It has been great while we were working as an alternative to the hectic life of work and thousands of motorway miles.
We find now that it is boring as we have been everywhere on the system that our boat would fit and are going to buy a new motorhome. We have been touring Europe for the last 3 years and hope we can get abroad again soon. Not too keen on motorhoming in the UK
Too expensive.....too much traffic etc

Likewise. We started boating in 1967 when the canals were frequently abandoned dirty ditches. They are in much better condition now as we leave them, having sold our boat after many happy years and with special memories and many good friends. For us it was time for a new chapter and wider travels, then along came Covid..... Nevertheless, loving the change to motorhoming.

 

[Blue Knight]

Some of you may be interested in our initial start-up costs for the boat - so here goes.

Firstly, there is the cost of the boat which from my recent experience falls into one of the following categories. This is just how I see the market at the moment so it doesn't hold any real substance in the boating world:

Category-1: Higher end new narrowboats costing c£150,000.

Category-2: Low end new boats with poor quality internal fitouts: sub £100,000.

Category-3: Good quality and we'll spec'd secondhand boats: £60,000 to £90,000.

Category-4: Older boats, bigger boats, smaller 'quality' boats, poor quality boats, boats needing work: Various prices below £60,000.

We've gone for a Cat-3 boat as it made perfect sense to get something that was well spec'd and had a good pedigree.

The following annual start-up costs are intrinsic to my 'plan for the worst' scenerio and come to a total of c.£16,300 for the first 12-months albeit I'm expecting a figure closer to £11,000 If lady luck chooses to be on our side.

Also, be aware that some moorings can cost a fortune and may range from a few quid per month on the edge of a farmer's field right through to £16,000+ in London.

All costs specified include any immediate payment discounts:

1. Marina mooring: £2,700.
2. C&RT License: £985.
3. Survey and boat cranes: £1,100.
4. Cranes, Blacking, anodes in 2021: £1,300.
5. Annual insurance: £150.
6. Extra solar and new T-105 batteries: £1,570.
7. Engine and boat Serviceables: £500.
8. Electricity and gas: £400.
9. White diesel (1500 litres): £1,680.
10. Initial equipment purchase: £500.
11. River Rescue: £220.
12. Other Crusing costs: £300.
13. Extra contingency fund: £5,000.

.......and that's about it folks.

Hope it helps you budding boaters

All the best,

Andrew

 

[PhilMary]

Item

Some of you may be interested in our initial start-up costs for the boat - so here goes.

Firstly, there is the cost of the boat which from my recent experience falls into one of the following categories. This is just how I see the market at the moment so it doesn't hold any real substance in the boating world:

Category-1: Higher end new narrowboats costing c£150,000.

Category-2: Low end new boats with poor quality internal fitouts: sub £100,000.

Category-3: Good quality and we'll spec'd secondhand boats: £60,000 to £90,000.

Category-4: Older boats, bigger boats, smaller 'quality' boats, poor quality boats, boats needing work: Various prices below £60,000.

We've gone for a Cat-3 boat as it made perfect sense to get something that was well spec'd and had a good pedigree.

The following annual start-up costs are intrinsic to my 'plan for the worst' scenerio and come to a total of c.£16,300 for the first 12-months albeit I'm expecting a figure closer to £11,000 If lady luck chooses to be on our side.

Also, be aware that some moorings can cost a fortune and may range from a few quid per month on the edge of a farmer's field right through to £16,000+ in London.

All costs specified include any immediate payment discounts:

1. Marina mooring: £2,700.
2. C&RT License: £985.
3. Survey and boat cranes: £1,100.
4. Cranes, Blacking, anodes in 2021: £1,300.
5. Annual insurance: £150.
6. Extra solar and new T-105 batteries: £1,570.
7. Engine and boat Serviceables: £500.
8. Electricity and gas: £400.
9. White diesel (1500 litres): £1,680.
10. Initial equipment purchase: £500.
11. River Rescue: £220.
12. Other Crusing costs: £300.
13. Extra contingency fund: £5,000.

.......and that's about it folks.

Hope it helps you budding boaters

All the best,

Andrew

Item 9 ? Is "white" diesel the same as a car uses? Can you not use "red" diesel as it's a lot cheaper?
Overall, I think a canal boat is an expensive hobby, nearly as much as motorhoming.
Phil

 

[Blue Knight]

Item

Item 9 ? Is "white" diesel the same as a car uses? Can you not use "red" diesel as it's a lot cheaper?
Overall, I think a canal boat is an expensive hobby, nearly as much as motorhoming.
Phil

You're a sharp one Phil

Yes, the red diesel can be used for now but that'll change in early 2021 with the implementation of the new government legislation where it'll revert to white only.

You'll still be able to use red diesel for heating 'only' but this change for most boaters will mean the addition of a seperate diesel tank for their heating needs; this is likely to be uneconomical for most.

........so for the time being I have to calculate my costs on white-only for now.

All the best,

Andrew

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