Narrowboat

suse

suse

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The 'Moving Aboard' thread interests me - I'm seriously thinking of selling the house (five year max plan), buying a flat and a narrow boat - for rental (flat) and living/mooching. Still blagging sails on OPBs. What is the preferred length of narrowboat to live on board? Just me and maybe a dog or cat, or both?

S x
 
Oh Blimey Sooooooz! Don't let that Thames lot hear about that, they don't seem to like folks in narrowboats /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Best, Charlie.
 
Depends whether you are going to stay put or cruise. Why don't you do a circuit of England. If so you need to be less than about (check length via google/british waterways) 64ft as that is the max. on the Leeds/Liverpool canal and maybe some others. Sounds like a good idea.
 
can you actually make a circuit of England? On the Cam here, you are a bit limited as I think it's finite and not joined to the main network. I'd want to mooch.

S x
 
We had that idea when we saw the quality of new narrowboats available at the LIBS a couple of years ago. On looking into it we found that the number of berths available for live-aboards 12 months of the year is virtually nil. No doubt some can be found but not readily.
 
Check out a book called "Narrow Dog to Carcassone" lots hints and tips both inland uk and abroad "These guys even crossed the CHANNEL! In thier narrow boat Its often funny too..Good luck Jeff
(Iron Harry Flint)
 
Suzy,

The Cam is joined to the main network (Grand Union) at Northampton. Go - Cam to Ouse to Denver on to middle level to Nene than Nene to Northampton. Then Grand Union and wherever you like thereafter.

rob
 
Built one a few years ago for a Client, started off planning as 30ft (one man and a dog boat) and ended up at 45ft.

Used to reckon £5/600 per foot for basic and £1000 to £1500 for lux livaboard.

If you want to do it in style look at the Dutch style boats at http://www.sagar-marine.com/ who are 5 mins from us. They build about the best you can get and you certainly won't be roughing it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
can you actually make a circuit of England?
S x

[/ QUOTE ]

Try reading:- The Water Road: An Odyssey by Narrowboat Through England's Waterways (Paperback)
by Paul Gogarty

Synopsis
The Water Road is the story of a four month circumnavigation by narrowboat of 'The Grand Cross', the name given to the inland waterway linking the Thames to the Humber, Severn and Mersey. Starting in London, Paul Gogarty follows a figure of eight through Britain's major cities and across the Pennines. Entering the world's most concentrated canal network Gogarty sails into England's past and future. 'The Cut' (the name most commonly used for the canals) is a blueprint of when England was a big island and the inland waterways its motorway. But, after more than a century of neglect, 'The Cut' is now enjoying a second golden age with waterfront cities being regenerated and more inland waterways currently opening in Britain than were being built at the height of Canal Mania 200 years ago. 'The Cut' is a hidden garden flashed with kingfishers and traditional narrowboats; a parallel universe ringing with the laughter of water gypsies, the thin cries of bats and drunken congregations in waterfront pubs. This is a journey across the face of England with all its exultations and darkness; rave boats, glorious sunshine and sheeting rain: canals that have been resurrected and enjoying their new summer and those still abandoned like shameful secrets. The Water Road is a voyage that is poignant, illuminating and hilarious at every turn.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and part of the game plan, if I last that long, is to buy a narrowboat on retirement.
 
Hi S, The traditional narrow boat and unpowered butty operated by liveaboard canal families were 70ft long. With the demise of commercial traffic many were cut in half and modified to 35ft, or thereabout, canal cruisers. Importantly, beam on these boats is limited to 6ft 10ins to enable access through the locks on many of the Arms and Cuts built to link towns with the Grand Union. For example the Arm referred to by Robih linking Northampton to the GUC at Blisworth. If you intend cruising the wondrous sights beyond the GUC you are limited to 6-10 beam. Best of luck.
Ron
 
I didnt know they had been cut in half! I knew about the beam, and that's not a problem. The only thing I would want is a permanent berth - as a severe claustrophobic, the usual double berths are a joke - fit only for two sticks. However, I'm on my own, so can be comfortable...

S x
 
Hmmmmmm? shouldn't your signature thingy be updated now? perhaps..............

www,suzyrunningawayt'tcut.com

Just a thought /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Hi Suzy,
Thought about a Dutch barge? I've friends with those down on the Cam in Cambridge (Jesus Green/Midsummer common) . If you get one with a decent mast and sails you could take her out for a sail. Might be an idea to knock on a few doors down there and ask about....... 50ft's a nice size
 
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