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Hi all, For a while I've been toying with the idea of buying a narrowboat to continuously cruise along the London Canals, for a few weeks or so I've been doing a fair bit of research but for some areas I still haven't found the answers I'm looking for so thought I'd turn to you guys to see if you can help me out at all! Apologies in advance if some areas have been discussed already and also, if any of the questions sound silly... I really am a complete newbie to this... 1. As I mention - I'll be CC along the Canals in London, so have been researching what distance as I need to travel each week, obviously don't want to take the mick and want to stay on the right side of Canal and River Trust. However, their website isn't totally clear on how far - all I can see is that in a years licence, 15-20miles is expected, which seems more than fine. But how far is the minimum? Just for an example, say I started in Little Venice and was travelling East, how far would I need to travel to satisfy the Canal and River Trust for say one weekend I didn't want to travel 'that' far? 2. Which brings me on to my next point - as I read, each 14 days would be the time I top up water, which would top up my batteries (as I'm moving) and usually empty the loos out. May seem like a silly question but are these water points at regular intervals? Similarly, to electric points? (if I needed it half way) Also, are loo-emptying-places at regular intervals also? 3. Again, brings me on to my next point of water storage tanks and electricity batteries... my budget is around 25k and aiming for around a 40ft-er trad steel narrowboat so from what I've seen, many don't have a tank or seems quite small. If so, can this be retrofitted and to what cost? I understand becoming more frugal is all part and parcel of it (which I'm excited about) but for say a 10/15minute shower a day - what sort of tank should I be looking at to tide me over for two weeks? However, I guess this would hinge on question number two! In terms of electricity, I don't watch a lot of TV but would like to charge my phone, listen to music, have lights! Where should I even start with what to look for to tide me over 2 weeks again? 4. I guess this question is more to the nitty-gritty when I view but what are the main tips/points you'd recommend to look out for a bad conditioned narrowboat? Is there such a thing? Don't mind buying something that requires a bit of modernisation but in terms of 'behind the scene' stuff, what do I look for when looking at an engine? At the electric board? Heating system? Or should this all be taking care of at survey stage? Anyway, I think that's probably enough for now on my first post. I really would appreciate any tips/answers - no matter how big or small! Really excited to be buying - just need to get my head around it all first!! Speak soon, Nat

Hi, first off thank you all for the wealth of information on the forum. I have been reading as much as I can over the past few months, and the knowledge I have gained has been invaluable! Thanks! I have been to look at this boat http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Canal-Narrow-Boats-for-sale/lees-narrowboats-50-cruiser-stern/98300?redirm=1#MxW7gcrVuyeIZo64.97 and I am considering going to see it a second time and possibly making an offer subject to survey. To my untrained eye it is generally in ok condition, there are a few cosmetic things I would need to do as I am planning to live aboard. I viewed it on my own when everything was disconnected so I have not seen everything working, but I have been told everything works,and I would obviously ask to see everything working on a second viewing.. I would be very grateful if anyone would be able to have a look at the advert and share any thoughts or opinions they have about the boat, and its suitability for living aboard, probably continually cruising for much of the time. I know there is only so much you can tell without actually seeing it, but if there is anything you think I should be looking out for, or questions I should be asking the seller? any and all advice gratefully received! Thanks in advance, John