What do you wish you'd been told before living aboard?

[nyima77]

We (2 people and 2 dogs) are about to take the plunge (not literally, I hope). Just curious to know, what do you experienced boat dwellers wish you'd known before you moved on. If the advice is 'don't do it' it's a bit late for that... We're not complete newbies (owned a boat for 4 years but weekends and holidays only - it was only 32')

[Cloudinspector]

Only that I wish I'd done it years ago.

[NB Lola]

Don't look back

[Robbo]

It's cold in winter.

 

Empty the bog and keep the water tank full before the supply taps freeze!

[Bettie Boo]

That getting the groceries to the boat is sooo much easier than you think it's going to be, and therefore the "need" of a full size freezer isn't as important as you think it may be.

[Athy]

There is, somewhere amongst these pages, a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek but nonetheless highly informative thread about this subject, posted perhaps three years ago and worth searching for.

[DaveP]

Take the cap off the flue before using the stove for the first time....

[nyima77]

It's cold in winter.

 

Empty the bog and keep the water tank full before the supply taps freeze!

We got frozen in just below Fradley Junction new year before last so I know! Mind you a 52' boat may be slower to heat than a 32' one.

And yes, we did take the flue cap off the stove...

[Retardedrocker]

 

Don't try reversing when it's very windy.

 

T.

[Chertsey]

There is, somewhere amongst these pages, a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek but nonetheless highly informative thread about this subject, posted perhaps three years ago and worth searching for.

 

Here?

[Athy]

 

Here?

Absolutely yes. Nyima, read, absorb and learn - oh, and have spare underwear handy.

[zenataomm]

If you have a spaniel on board, it will never remember that the towpath can change sides.

[Athy]

If you have a spaniel on board, it will never remember that the towpath can change sides.

It's not called Rover, then?

[Chertsey]

Absolutely yes. Nyima, read, absorb and learn - oh, and have spare underwear handy.

It is the most Greenified post ever, which is how I accidentally re-stumbled over it the other day when I was so desperate to procrastinate that I read right down to the bottom of the page.

[Scu8a]

Your learning curve will be HUGE!!!! Enjoy it, it's fun.

 

Oh, and EVERYONE will have a different opinion on the best way to do something. Listen to all your options and pick the one that seems the least hassle.

[nyima77]

 

Here?

Found it thank you - I'll have to work on the beard! Does a hairy mole count?

 

I hesitate to ask, but why spare underwear?

[GoodGurl]

Found it thank you - I'll have to work on the beard! Does a hairy mole count?

 

I hesitate to ask, but why spare underwear?

sense of humour?

but for the most part it's true and funny at the same time, when you become a fully fledged boater you will understand.

[MissMax]

Spiders! Honestly I am afraid of them and if anyone told me about how many and what sizes they come in is still be renting a council flat.

Never be afraid to knock on someone's boat and ask for help. People have been so kind

Clean out the boat first before moving in. It will help with the 'Ick' factor and make moving in less stressful

[Athy]

Found it thank you - I'll have to work on the beard! Does a hairy mole count?

 

I hesitate to ask, but why spare underwear?

Er, in case you wet yourself laughing at Starry's enduringly hilarious post.

Sorry to be basic, but you did ask.

[Bunny]

Yep.agree spiders . I remember unpacking a banana box full of stuff when we moved on board. You guessed it , huge , black with loads of hairy legs it eventually showed up 2 weeks later. It had swimming lessons. ... Bunny

[Trillian]

Spider season is coming to an end, if you keep top of web removal and take any spiders you see outside (or feed them to the cat) next year won't be as bad. At least that is how it has worked for me anyway.

[Lmcgrath87]

Our cat won't eat them! He looks upon them as 'friends'

[Athy]

Our cat won't eat them! He looks upon them as 'friends'

Oh how sweet, just like on Face Book. Do they correspond on the web?

[Lady Muck]

The amount of dust and dirt a solid fuel stove makes is incredible.

I'd need to measure the oven for baking trays.

Damp is far more of an issue to manage in winter than cold.

Every item of clothing I own would end up with a hole in.

I should've spent the first bit of cash I got my hands on on a decent solar array.

You can run a fridge quite easily if you have the above.

[MoominPapa]

You can use a computer on board easily, but providing power for a laptop will cost far more money and hassle than giving it a fast internet connection.

 

MP.