New to boating, advice needed

[Gazbaz]

Hi all

Ok I have been wanting to own my own narrow boat for years and now have the cash saved up.

I am wanting something between 45 ft and 70ft long and preferebly a project boat to start off with as me and my family will do it up as we are all in trades and good at DIY.

Now we don't know too much about boats to be honest and want to know what to watch out for when buying a boat as we wouldn't want to buy someone elses problem or somthing that's going to sink half a mile down the canal.

Any advice would be apreciated.

Thanks

 

[dovekie]

Hello and welcome. This is mainly a sailing boat forum. You will probably find much more informed advice on a narrowboat - or canal boat forum. It will probably have been asked before too, so try a search.

Good luck with the project.

 

[Tranona]

Virtually all narrow boats are steel and have been built for cruising - many in hire fleets, although also popular as house boats in areas where there are residential moorings available.

They are easy DIY subjects because they are basically square so easy to fit out and modify,so they can vary enormously in standard. Structurally less of a problem, although older ones may need close attention to the engine (commonly an old BMC diesel, but more recent boats have Japanese engines).

There are specialised magazines which have good informative articles and are always full of used boats for sale. A visit to a major centre like Braunston will give you a good idea of what is available.

 

[jakeroyd]

If it's a steel boat pay particular attention to the plate thickness.
Probably something like 5/8" on the bottom and maybe 1/4" on the sides , new
This degrades with time , when it gets too thin the boat has to be 'bottomed' by welding additional plate on.
Check it out on any propective purchase.

 

[ProDave]

It also depends where you want to cruise.

My advice is buy a narrowboat no longer than 55 feet, then it can go just about anywhere on the network. If you buy a 70ft boat, it won't cross the Pennines for instance.

 

[sinking-s!]

yes i would also say no longer then 55 foot, you want complete mobility and anything larger my hinder that