Looking to buy my first boat... All advice welcome

[Jimmiboy]

http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=310234

 

I like the look of this and it's about my budget.

[Jimmiboy]

I'm sort of torn between narrow and widebeam.

[Grace and Favour]

http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=310234

 

I like the look of this and it's about my budget.

 

Where would your two daughters sleep?

[Jimmiboy]

The kids will share the bed and I'll have a sofa bed. I was originally looking for a boat with bunk beds but don't really want permanent bedrooms as during the day and when the kids aren't there it's wasted space.

[Zayna]

Gosh, that's lovely!

[deckhand]

That does look like a nice boat. It looks very modern and light.

[Jimmiboy]

Hello guys I'm back again with some more questions! After looking at quite a few boats I have decided I would like a wide beam.

Problem is I'm not sure where I can use it. I have a map which shows the canals as narrow or broad over 7 foot. For example does anyone know how wide the canal is in greenford? Can anyone show me a better map?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice

[deletedaccount]

Thanks for all your comments and advice, just to clarify I have only spent a few weeks at a time on a small cruiser on the canal, it had very basic facilities and no heating at all. I have worked in some harsh environments (down to -15) so I'm pretty used to dealing with the cold. I'm 40 years old and physically fit and being of quite sound mind I'm still positive I can handle and no doubt enjoy the challenges living on a boat may throw my way. The only thing I'm not so sure about is how my children who have only known living in a house will take to it.

 

I moved onto a boat when my lad was four. I was a bit worried but I didn't have to be, he loved it! The same can be said for all the kids I know on boats. Go for it imo.

The kids will share the bed and I'll have a sofa bed. I was originally looking for a boat with bunk beds but don't really want permanent bedrooms as during the day and when the kids aren't there it's wasted space.

 

It doesn't have to be a very big bedroom but I'd advise you to get one as the kids will have somewhere to call theirs and keep their things. My lad's room was 6 foot long and 4 feet wide and plenty big enough. I know people who have bunkbeds in the same sized space.

 

This was the layout we used:

 

[Neil2]

Hello guys I'm back again with some more questions! After looking at quite a few boats I have decided I would like a wide beam.

Problem is I'm not sure where I can use it. I have a map which shows the canals as narrow or broad over 7 foot. For example does anyone know how wide the canal is in greenford? Can anyone show me a better map?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice

Is this any use? http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/mwp.php?wpage=Inland-Waterways-of-England.htm