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Post by lotusanne on Sept 7, 2015 12:06:58 GMT
Hi Edina, Penny has given me some brilliant canal guides which you gave her for her friend who is planning to move onto a boat but she cannot get them to her. As we have decided to rent out the house and move onto a boat she gave them to us instead - she didn't think you would mind , hope not. We are delighted with them, really really useful. Am currently doing all the research to narrow down what we want, so all things canal are fascinating at the moment - am at risk of turning into a canal boat bore as well as a camper van one!! Anyone, thanks again , they have gone to a good home and we are very grateful for them
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Post by edina on Sept 7, 2015 15:41:31 GMT
Hi Edina, Penny has given me some brilliant canal guides which you gave her for her friend who is planning to move onto a boat but she cannot get them to her. As we have decided to rent out the house and move onto a boat she gave them to us instead - she didn't think you would mind , hope not. We are delighted with them, really really useful. Am currently doing all the research to narrow down what we want, so all things canal are fascinating at the moment - am at risk of turning into a canal boat bore as well as a camper van one!! Anyone, thanks again , they have gone to a good home and we are very grateful for them Clever! Glad they’re of use to you! If we can be of any help please send me a pm - bet I’m a bigger boat bore than you are!
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Post by Firefox on Sept 7, 2015 16:14:45 GMT
Good luck with the new place Anne! I think MH bores and Boat bores go hand in hand. We have a lot of common ground, living in small spaces, and generally off the grid, so we tolerate each other very well
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Post by stonedaddy on Sept 7, 2015 20:57:13 GMT
Hey good luck with your new venture Anne. Me and Jose and our then dog Jack had a holiday on a narrow boat. It was fantastic, even the hard work of doing the locks and climbing the multi step locks I enjoyed. We did the Cheshire ring and our first move from the boat yard was across that viaduct in Wales. We needed more time really because you have to get the boat back on time or it costs a lot extra for every hour you are overdue. It meant sailing for 9 hours a day which takes quiet a lot of work. We even had one night at Bugsworth Bowl and visited the Navigation Inn where we have camped in the past. When I set off I weighed 14 stone, two weeks later I was down to 12 stone 10 lbs. Those locks get you fighting fit, that was it down to being a hire boat. If it was self owned life can move at a more gentle pace just tying up where you want and letting life go by. I nearly bought a cheap one but it meant keeping it at Lymm marina. That would mean traveling a long way to keep it maintained so settled for the camper van instead. Have fun its a great way of life on the canals. I also went on the broads after that for 3 weeks and it was no where near as good has exploring the canals of Briton. .... Tom ....
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Post by stonedaddy on Sept 7, 2015 20:59:46 GMT
Hey good luck with your new venture Anne. Me and Jose and our then dog Jack had a holiday on a narrow boat. It was fantastic, even the hard work of doing the locks and climbing the multi step locks I enjoyed. We did the Cheshire ring and our first move from the boat yard was across that viaduct in Wales. We needed more time really because you have to get the boat back on time or it costs a lot extra for every hour you are overdue. It meant sailing for 9 hours a day which takes quiet a lot of work. We even had one night at Bugsworth Bowl and visited the Navigation Inn where we have camped in the past. When I set off I weighed 14 stone, two weeks later I was down to 12 stone 10 lbs. Those locks get you fighting fit, that was it down to being a hire boat. If it was self owned life can move at a more gentle pace just tying up where you want and letting life go by. I nearly bought a cheap one but it meant keeping it at Lymm marina. That would mean traveling a long way to keep it maintained so settled for the camper van instead. Have fun its a great way of life on the canals. I also went on the broads after that for 3 weeks and it was no where near as good has exploring the canals of Briton.
.... Tom ....
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Post by robmac on Sept 7, 2015 21:01:32 GMT
You'll love it Anne. I've recently bought a small cabin cruiser on our local river, no way a liveaboard, but I'm having a great time in it. It's great when you can wildcamp so easily!
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Post by lotusanne on Sept 8, 2015 12:06:44 GMT
Thanks all for the encouragement . Thanks for the offer Edina will very likely have questions! At moment we are looking for something a round 57 foot with cruiser stern - started off at 30 feet but getting bigger and bigger the more we see! yes agree that there are many things in common with ws camping and boating - what appeals to me is the simpler life without all the paraphernalia and being on the water in lovely peaceful places watching the ducks and wildlife. It will be perfect for Mia , she will make a great boat dog as she is very calm and wod have a lit of freedom. And if what Tom says is true might even get fitter!
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Post by robmac on Sept 8, 2015 13:26:02 GMT
They usually reckon at least 50 foot for a liveaboard Anne.
Make sure it's got a log burner. I'm quite jealous!
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Post by edina on Sept 8, 2015 17:17:48 GMT
They usually reckon at least 50 foot for a liveaboard Anne. Make sure it's got a log burner. I'm quite jealous! 57ft is as long as you want if you are going to do the whole system. We lived for 5 yrs on a 42ft cruiser stern; the benefits of shorter boats are cheaper mooring fees, licences, blacking etc. A major plus for us was that folks could visit and cruise with us, but used B&Bs or whatever for sleeping; having non-boaters overnight can be a nightmare as we have learnt on previous boats. Cruiser sterns give excellent access to the engine and the space below is good for storing “mucky” stuff; we could sit in two comfy camping chairs on ours, which is good when the bank is muddy or restricted in width. Don’t be put off by the age of a boat, some of the older ones can knock spots off the newer “built to a price” offerings and always get at least a hull survey, regardless of its age. A factor worth bearing in mind, with the canals silting up badly in places, is the draft; brokers will tell you it’s not important, but when you’re sliding about on mud, you’ll realise it is!
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Post by lotusanne on Sept 8, 2015 19:08:10 GMT
They usually reckon at least 50 foot for a liveaboard Anne. Make sure it's got a log burner. I'm quite jealous! Yeah deffo a wood burner Rob! They usually seem to have them anyway. I thought 50 ft would be big enough for a bit but after looking round loads realise wanted bigger!! Want a separate bedroom so someone can go for a sleep if needs be, and ideally one of those banquette dining table (not sure if that's what they are called) because they are usually built on a platform so you can sit at the table and look out the window at the water. Mostly the seating in the salon bit is too low to see the water which is a shame.Also need room for grandkids to stay so need something comfy to convvert in living area. There's such a lot to weigh up but am really enjoying doing the research:)
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Post by lotusanne on Sept 8, 2015 19:18:09 GMT
We lived for 5 yrs on a 42ft cruiser stern; the benefits of shorter boats are cheaper mooring fees, licences, blacking etc. A major plus for us was that folks could visit and cruise with us, but used B&Bs or whatever for sleeping; having non-boaters overnight can be a nightmare as we have learnt on previous boats. Cruiser sterns give excellent access to the engine and the space below is good for storing “mucky” stuff; we could sit in two comfy camping chairs on ours, which is good when the bank is muddy or restricted in width. Don’t be put off by the age of a boat, some of the older ones can knock spots off the newer “built to a price” offerings and always get at least a hull survey, regardless of its age. A factor worth bearing in mind, with the canals silting up badly in places, is the draft; brokers will tell you it’s not important, but when you’re sliding about on mud, you’ll realise it is! [/quote] Thanks Edina for all that useful information, I like your idea of having no overnighting space available! But I have small grandkids who will be coming to stay so cant do that yet, maybe downsize when they are all teenagers!! Very interested in what you said about the draft, I haven't been taking any notice of that in the specs, in fact I only recently found out what it was!! - theres a lot of boating termininolgy to get to grips with at first! It will prob have to be an older boat, like my ancient van! as the budget won't strect to anything too grand, would love a really old one with some working history..you never know, you see all sorts coming up, and am enjoying looking and learning!
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Post by penny13 on Sept 9, 2015 17:49:08 GMT
All is well that ends well, the weight out of my van
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Post by lotusanne on Sept 9, 2015 18:10:04 GMT
Indeed Penny . As long as you don't bump into your friend that they were intended for! X
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