Bromleyxphil

Well guys I didn’t intend to light the blue touchpaper! I have however gained lots of useful information as always from posing my question on here. I think boats are always compromise in some aspect and the thing is to gain as much experience and information as possible and make your own decision. Thanks again and expect more questions. Phil

I have reversed both in my time. Question is how small is a 45’ boat? Closer to the 4’trailer or 20’ caravan. To my mind 45’ still represents a heavy bit of metal, can’t see it spinning about like a top, but I haven’t had the experience. Getting to see some great boat pictures on this thread. Thanks

Beautiful boat!

Again I have not steered less than 57ft, I see the day boats weaving about at will I assumed that was ease of steering not instability. Seriously why would a short boat not be easier to handle? Again serious question.

I can see that, I do like the idea of a fully made up large bed at the front, my wife and I can have very different sleep patterns. I just wanted to explore the idea of a smaller boat given they are cheaper to berth and run as well as being easier to handle.

No mobility issues just need regular contact with a specific hospital

Only having hired and only on canals, how often do you deploy an anchor? That is a serious question not being facetious😀. Regarding escape my next question may be best kind of opening in this kind of front. Not seen many and as I said never been on one.

Due to health issues we will not be able to live aboard our boat “ when we get it “ so I have started to look at smaller boats40+feet rather than 57+ feet. The boats we have hired have all had traditional fronts, doors and well deck. Given that you get extra space internally by enclosing the front I wondered what the positives and negatives may be of such a design perhaps from someone’s experience. I have tried searching this but didnt find a comparison. Picture just to show what I mean if I haven’t described it properly.

Don’t know if you managed to sort out the pipe size problem but the fitting I will try to show in an attached picture has a very flexible rubber gland inside that fitted an oversized pipe in our cottage. It’s then a standard mope fitting and there are loads of fittings to take this to copper or plastic. Hope this helps. MDPE fitting!

We are looking for a boat so expect lots of questions. It’s been a long time since we were on a narrowboat so we are hiring one this Friday for a week……make sure the legs are still up to it! I know whilst looking we may miss a few boats but I will just write those down to experience. I expect we will know when we step on the one.

Looked at it on Saturday but have some more I want to see before deciding. Just wondered if there was any info out there.

I have spoken to them it was from Evesham originally but they no longer exist. Thanks for the help. Phil

No tractors, no solar farm! Just an office mistake I think. Does anyone know anything about the boat or builder? cheers Phil

I will be more specific. Anyone know anything about this boat https://www.nationwideboatsales.co.uk/shop/tranquility/

Went to look at a boat yesterday built by Heritage boats in 2011. Can’t seem to find any information about them anywhere. Anyone know anything? Good? Bad? It wasn’t ugly😀

cheers guys, so at 61 with good health I should get 10 years in! The biggest problem at the moment is finding a boat that looks value for money. My gut says that I don’t think many are selling at the prices advertised despite the salesman’s patter.

Going to look at some boats this weekend. I see on some advertisements that the boat is being sold as the owner has reached an age where boating has become too much. A child of the 60s I am no spring chicken, it’s going to be for leisure not liveaboard so……how young is too old to start 😀

Version 3 i have moved the calorifier (under the coats) washer and sink onto the same side as the shower to keep the pipe work on one side. That puts oven and hob (gas) on the other side. 26 feet run calorifier to shower is that too far? I keep getting told the Wood burner is in the wrong place, is walking past it so bad? Still only a 10’6” living area including a breakfast bar, is that a little small?

Great points thanks. Again I hadn’t thought about the bridges, my wife can create a lot of washing in 2 weeks! thanks folks

Same page

Back to protocol don’t even know if this is in the correct section under build blogs. Admin please move, advise? as appropriate. Phil

Don’t know if I should resurrect this post or start a new one, what is the protocol? Health issues over the last few years have both delayed and changed our plans. We were going to live aboard for a few years and then buy a house again. We now have now bought our forever home and it is going to have to be a holiday boat. I have reduced it to a 55’ and changed to a cruiser stern which I recon will give me 39’ internal? Port holes or windows in the bedroom? 10’6” big enough living space with a wood burner? Still thinking of another hatch in the bathroom to easily air out after a shower. Thoughts guys? I am talking to shell builders and they all seem booked up forever, anyone know different. cheers Phil

Thanks for your input I wondered why I couldn’t find anything closer than Bottany Bay. They just aren’t there. I have 1/4 acre up here but we are down a little lane and have a few trees about. The bin men and the Builders merchant hi-ab lorries get down how do I figure if I can get a 55foot narrowboat down? How heavy are they sailaway and complete? My guess is 9 / 15 ton. Do you always need a crane? Or can you jack them on and off the transport? Told you there would be questions.

Hi guys health issues now behind me I am back into the driving seat for building a boat. I now live in Dumfries and Galloway so need to find suitable hardstanding at the northern end of the Lancaster Canal. Any suggestions? Brace yourself I will be back with more questions. cheers Phil

Well yellow, grey, red, blue it didn’t matter. The boat has no engine despite being advertised as having one fitted......its on order. Not only our politicians are generous with the truth. ?